Unit 10: Stepping into the business world( AB page 51 )

Stepping into the business world

Business Studies is a popular choice for students who are  choosing a degree course in the UK. After graduating, some go on for further  study, but most of them take up employment. Many  large companies offer graduate training schemes,  which  are a kind of apprenticeship.

We went to meet twenty-two-year-old Ricky Miles, who is about to  graduate in the subject.

How long have you been studying Business Studies, Ricky?

It's a four-year course, including two periods of work experience. Each one lasted six months, but they weren't in the same year.

What exactly have you studied over those four years?

Quite a lot! Maths, of course, Accounting, Finance and Economics. Oh yes, Marketing and  Sales, too. I also did a course in  Management, which is about recruiting and managing staff, and how to deal with conflict, and a course in Advertising. We all had to do IT, too, because computer skills are essential.

What did you most enjoy about the degree?

The work experience, definitely. I learnt so much, both times, and of course, it looks great on my curriculum vitae. One of the companies offered me paid work last summer, so I  managed to get even more experience that way. Also,  I wouldn't have had much money last year if I hadn't had that job!

What kind of company was that, and what did you do there?

It was a company that provides financial products  –  savings and pensions, mostly. At first, I just "shadowed" different people, watching what they were doing. Then I did quite a lot of checking for them – you know, checking their calculations. When I went back in the summer, I was in the sales department. My job was to follow up  web enquiries and send out further information to possible clients. I enjoyed it, and  I wouldn't have had that opportunity if I hadn't done the work experience first.

 What are you planning to do next?

I've just applied for a job with a bank. I have the right qualifications, but I know there will be a lot of other applicants. I'll just have to wait and see if I get an interview. If I do, I'll have to prepare really carefully.

Business Studies is a popular choice for students who are choosing a degree course in the UK. After graduating, some go on for further study, but most of them take up employment. Many large companies offer graduate training schemes,  which are a kind of apprenticeship.

We went to meet twenty-two-year-old Ricky Miles, who is about to graduate in the subject.

How long have you been studying Business Studies, Ricky?

It's a four-year course, including two periods of work experience. Each one lasted six months, but they weren't in the same year.

What exactly have you studied over those four years?

Quite a lot! Maths, of course, Accounting, Finance and Economics. Oh yes, Marketing and  Sales, too. I also did a course in  Management, which is about recruiting and managing staff, and how to deal with conflict, and a course in Advertising. We all had to do IT, too, because computer skills are essential.

What did you most enjoy about the degree?

The work experience, definitely. I learnt so much, both times, and of course, it looks great on my curriculum vitae. One of the companies offered me paid work last summer, so I  managed to get even more experience that way. Also,  I wouldn't have had much money last year if I hadn't had that job!

What kind of company was that, and what did you do there?

It was a company that provides financial products  –  savings and pensions, mostly. At first, I just "shadowed" different people, watching what they were doing. Then I did quite a lot of checking for them – you know, checking their calculations. When I went back in the summer, I was in the sales department. My job was to follow up  web enquiries, and send out further information to possible clients. I enjoyed it, and  I wouldn't have had that opportunity if I hadn't done the work experience first.

 What are you planning to do next?

I've just applied for a job with a bank. I have the right qualifications, but I know there will be a lot of other applicants. I'll just have to wait and see if I get an interview. If I do, I'll have to prepare really carefully.