Insights gained during my placement year as a Finance Intern
Isobel Wright
Economics Student
Hello, my name is Isobel Wright, and I am a final-year Business Economics student at the University of Huddersfield. During my third year I completed a work placement as a Finance Intern at Siemens Energy.
In this blog, we learn about the highlights of Isobel’s placement year, what she learned during her time as a Finance Intern, and gain insights into her career aspirations for the future.
How did you find out about the placement opportunity?
I discovered the Siemens Energy Finance Internship opportunity through the website Rate My Placement. Rate My Placement helps student find work placement opportunities, where you can search for internships from various companies.
How did the Employability and Placements team support you in securing your placement?
I had a wonderful experience with the Employability and Placement team at Huddersfield Business School. From reviewing my CV, to offering invaluable feedback in strengthening it; their support and advice were vital in my journey towards securing a placement. The team also kept me informed about various other opportunities within different companies for me to explore more options. The team’s guidance in the early stages of my placement journey was extremely helpful.
How did your placement year benefit you?
During my placement year, I experienced personal and professional growth, learning a variety of skills - both technical and interpersonal skills. I greatly improved on my presentation skills, expanded my networking abilities, and the experience of working within a team environment enhanced my collaborative skills.
What did you enjoy most about your placement?
My placement year was filled with opportunities to connect with lots of new people. I enjoyed meeting people from within my team, engaging with fellow interns and graduates in other services lines, and communicating with colleagues overseas. Furthermore, I liked the vast number of opportunities for growth and development. For an example, I took part in running culture workshops, where I would help create short sessions, facilitating discussions on workplace issues such as conflict resolution. I found this experience interesting as I got to network with different colleagues across the office.
Another exciting aspect was visiting customer sites which provided us with seeing Siemens Energy’s main product – the aero-derivative gas turbines, in-person to see how they work. This was an opportunity I would have never experienced if I had not applied for a placement. It broadened my understanding and shows the practical learning opportunities that placement years provide for students like me.
What are the skills you have improved on or gained while on your placement?
My placement year was vital for my skills development. Through volunteering to present whenever possible, and regularly showing my work to the team, I witnessed a significant growth in my confidence. This hands-on approach not only improved my confidence, but also enhanced my communication skills, enabling me to present effectively. Moreover, the daily use of Microsoft Excel improved my proficiency in the software, making it a valuable tool going forward and a key addition to my CV. My placement experience also deepened my financial knowledge and acumen.
What skills and knowledge from your degree did you apply to your role on placement?
As an economics student, my prior knowledge of finance and producing journals was limited. However, I understood essentials such as profit, losses, turnover etc. which was extremely useful during my placement year. Plus, my thorough knowledge of how the economy operates helped with my understanding of the financial realm and the company’s position within the economy. While on my placement, I embraced the opportunities of delving deeper into the world of finance and building upon my existing knowledge.
What are your career goals for the future?
My placement year was a vital stepping stone towards my future aspirations within the banking and financial sector. Through hands-on experience and exposure to various aspects of finance during my placement, I discovered a passion for the field. This has solidified my career goals working in finance and my aim to pursue a professional qualification.
