Matt Foley

Placement student

I have enjoyed the wide variety of modules that you get to do on this course. Coming into the course I wasn’t sure what I wanted to specialise in. In the first year, the modules gave me the opportunity to learn a lot of general business that I didn’t already know, and then the second and third years allowed me to tailor my course with lots of optional modules. This worked really well and ultimately meant that I enjoyed all three years of study.

In the first year, we had a module dedicated to employability and preparing ourselves for placement. This allowed me to practice employability skills so that I could be confident when applying for placement roles. I was also an active member of my hall committee which gave me an idea of the level of responsibility I would get on my placement year.

On my placement year, I worked in the merchandising department at the retailer, Joules. I was involved in making important merchandising decisions as well as ordering stock and analysing my own sales department each week. The level of responsibility that my manager gave me was great and the experience that I gained was more than I could have hoped for. I really felt like part of the team and will take all the skills that I learned on placement into my future career.

Matt Foley

When I finish university this summer, I will be starting a graduate role at Joules, working within the same team that I did on placement. The positive experience that I had drove me to choose this route. I think that my course gave me the information and knowledge needed to succeed on placement, which has ultimately led to me creating a career at Joules. I aspire to continue progressing within this industry.

I have become a more well-rounded person because of the opportunities available at Loughborough. There is honestly something for everyone here and the support is great, both academically and within halls. In my first year, I had the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro and I don’t think that I would have done this without the inspiration from Loughborough.

Headshot

Matt graduated from Loughborough University in 2019.

*Formerly named BSc Retailing, Marketing and Management

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