How I used work experience opportunities to find my dream job

Hello there! My name is Frances Kenyon. I graduated in 2020 with an Events Management BA (Hons). I was recently appointed as Commonwealth Games Support Coordinator, Expo & Events at Kuehne and Nagel where I supported the logistics planning of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. From undertaking various work experience roles, I could explore possible career options and find my calling to work in logistics at large-scale events, which I've loved! In this blog, I’ll be looking at my career journey so far and how I got to take a leading role in planning the logistics for the 2022 Commonwealth Games…

Gaining Work Experience

While studying at Huddersfield Business School, I completed various work experience opportunities. I volunteered for numerous artist liaison team positions during the summer and worked for the University of Huddersfield 3M BIC: Leeds City Region Supply Chain Programme as the marketing and events planner during my placement year. While working for Leeds City Region, I had a varied role where I managed social media accounts, planned, and managed business lunches, and helped provide training events for SME businesses participating in the programme.

While on placement, I learned that I wanted a career in logistics, as I enjoyed this element most in my role. I decided to pursue a graduate scheme in the logistics sector. To help me land a role, I attended the multimodal exposition at the NEC in Birmingham, approaching lots of companies in the industry to enquire about career opportunities and graduate schemes. Following this, I managed to secure a graduate role with Kuehne & Nagel Ltd, a well-known global transport and logistics company, which provides 3PL and 4PL logistics across the road, sea, and airfreight industries. I was absolutely over the moon!

Working at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Following the completion of the graduate scheme, I was then employed as Commonwealth Games Support Coordinator, Expo & Events at Kuehne and Nagel. My role was varied, and no two days were the same! Some examples of my duties include managing the budget and dealing with finances, including the procurement of stock required in the warehouse both for Kuehne and Nagel and the customer - from safety boots to manual handling equipment to milk for the office and everything in between. I also managed the accreditation of all employees including the project team and agency general labourers at the game’s venues, and mandatory background checks completed by the Games Organising Committee.

My role offered a variety of challenges that allowed the opportunity for problem-solving and collaborative working across the small project management team. It was hard work but rewarding, which is why I enjoyed my role. During the commonwealth games, operations must run for 24 hours a day, meaning I've had the opportunity to cover a wide variety of tasks such as transport planning, workforce management, and working with warehouses and transport management software. I feel privileged to have been a part of the second biggest sporting event to take place in the UK since the 2012 Olympics!

Advise to students 

If I could give one piece of advice to students, it would be to be open to work experience opportunities and not be afraid to try new things. Also, lots of industries are open to students if they have the right skills and attitude! Do not let your degree subject restrain your aspirations – be open to different industries and sectors. The skills developed by completing a degree are transferable to many industries. For those aspiring to work in event logistics, I recommend that you gain work experiences that build your resilience, adaptability, and collaborative problem-solving skills.

By taking on work internships, placements, summer jobs, and part-time roles, you can get a taste of the type of work you like and dislike. It can help shape and define your chosen career path. You can acquire new skills and knowledge and put existing skills to practice in the workplace. It also adds invaluable work experience to your CV, which is attractive to graduate employers and can help you stand out from the crowd in a competitive labour market and help land a graduate role. 

Career aspirations 

Moving forward, I intend to continue to learn and become an expert in my field. I'd like to continue working in project management within the events logistics industry. In five years, I envision myself working as a part of a team in a role that is challenging, rewarding, and varied because job satisfaction and the ability to make great strides and achievements are very important to me! 

To find out more about our award-winning Employability and Placement Service, please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/about/schools/huddersfield-business-school/organisation-and-support/student-grad-talent/placements/