A graduate is excited to have started her journey with a global travel group - after landing a job while on placement.
Hannah Cunliffe says being offered the post as Commercial Leadership Graduate with TUI Travel enabled her to focus on her studies during her final year at Ð԰ɵç̨ Leicester (Ð԰ɵç̨).
Her dedication paid off, as not only did Hannah graduate with a First this summer but she was also joint winner of the Rock Kitchen Harris Prize for best Marketing Management student.
Hannah said: "When I got the role on my placement I was absolutely chuffed and felt really proud of what I'd achieved.
"I knew it would take a lot of pressure off my final year at university and just enable me to concentrate on my studies rather than looking and applying for jobs.
"I was delighted to achieve a First, but it did come with a lot of hard work and determination. However, I never expected to be jointly awarded student of the year. I was shocked but so happy."
The 22-year-old is pleased to be back with TUI in Luton, and will spend three months in digital marketing before moving to different departments to gain a rounded view of the business.
Hannah said: "I'm really excited, as it's such a great company with so much going on and so many benefits."
She credits her 12-month placement as a product assistant, along with the support offered by Ð԰ɵç̨, with helping her feel ready for this challenge.
RELATED NEWS
You beauty! Ð԰ɵç̨ graduate lands Avon job just three days after graduating
Jordan wins top sales role at Hewlett Packard before graduation
Hannah said: "I believe the opportunity to undertake a placement year goes a very long way in preparing students for a career.
"My placement was one of the best and most useful things I have done. The most memorable aspect was visiting three Greek islands to experience the product on offer and complete hotel visits and meet suppliers
"The support while looking for a placement as well as undertaking it was also superb."
Hannah, from Northampton, originally chose to study marketing at Ð԰ɵç̨ after coming to Open Day.
She said: "I really liked the feel of the campus. I loved the Hugh Aston building and Ð԰ɵç̨ had the course on offer I was most interested in."
The course lived up to her expectations. Hannah said: "I particularly enjoyed applying elements of the course to real-life situations. The staff were incredible and the continuous support, I believe, is key to student success."
Hannah plans to make the most of her graduate scheme and gain as much experience as possible.
She added: "I'd really like to go into a role I'm passionate about within TUI and progress my way through the business."
Posted on Thursday 29 September 2016