Pharmaceutical
giant, Procter & Gamble, has praised a cohort of third year finance and
accounting students from Northumbria University for their innovative impact in
helping to take the business forward, during a 13-month placement.
The
endorsement came at an end-of-placement celebratory event, at which the company
also welcomed the next cohort of students as part of a growing and evolving
partnership between the two organisations.
Outgoing
students gave presentations on the projects they had worked on and explained
how the experience had given a real insight into the world of work and
increased their confidence.
The
partnership with Procter & Gamble, links neatly with Northumbria
University’s 2030 strategy for experiential learning, empowering students to
get first-hand experience of industry.
Rich
Cole, Global Project Manager, Procter & Gamble, said: “Procter & Gamble
Newcastle view Northumbria University as a strategic partner in our recruitment
of the next generation of talented students interested in a finance and
accounting career with a promote-from-within culture and a focus on building
skills. Placements are win-win. The student gains professional
experience, confidence and new skills and Procter & Gamble takes on smart,
motivated and innovative individuals who help take our business forward.
“They
also provide access to up-to-date, specialist knowledge, with the
support of academics who are experts in their fields and have extensive
industrial or organisational experience.”
Many
Northumbria University undergraduate courses offer students the opportunity to
do a placement, which will be credit-bearing
and can take a variety of forms. In a typical undergraduate degree, most
year-long placements would take place between the second and final year making
it a four-year degree.
Many
courses also provide the opportunity for students to do a shorter duration
placement, alongside their studies and it also offers employers more
flexibility with the amount of time that a student will join their
organisation.
Victor
Ottaway, Head of Placements & Internships, Graduate Futures, Northumbria
University, said: “A placement year in industry is an invaluable experience. It
allows students the opportunity to develop new technical skills, make
connections, apply theoretical knowledge in the real world and gain first-hand
experience of the recruitment and selection process. At Northumbria University,
we fully appreciate the huge importance of experiential learning on our
students’ employability outcomes and would welcome placement opportunities with
companies of all sizes.”
Gideonaddo Amofah, third year accounting student, said: “My
year has been invaluable. I have really enjoyed putting the theory that I learn
at university into practice and seeing how I have made an impact. The placement
encourages independence and has given me an insight into what areas I
particularly felt comfortable with, such as connecting the digital aspect of
the role based around technology and automation with the accountancy side. I
also enjoyed working with the tax compliance and cost teams.”
Khyme Christy, finance and investment management student,
said: “It was brilliant to gain industry experience in an organisation which
has such stature. Although it was a placement year, I was treated as though I
was an employee. You learn a lot of theory at university but it was great
to really learn more and see, at first-hand, what can really impact an
organisation. I particularly liked working within risk management and data
analysis.”
Northumbria
University places more graduates into highly skilled jobs in the North East
than any other university, helping to power the regional economy, supporting
businesses and opening up life-changing opportunities for students.
Indeed,
Northumbria has made the bold commitment that all undergraduates, in all
faculties, who come to Northumbria, will have access to experiential learning,
clearly distinguishing itself within the sector.
Services
such as Student and Graduate Enterprise, offer help including internships,
entrepreneurial skills training, incubation/co-working space, workshops,
mentoring, and specialist advice in areas such as IP/Legal, marketing, Sales,
Business Growth and Finance. Student and Graduate Enterprise provides free
enterprise skills training and start up support across the University’s
community of students and graduates.
