Head of People Strategy, Systems and Insight, Virgin Money
Chloe studied Business Management with a Year in Industry and graduated in 2015. Since then, she has worked at the Co-operative Bank in a number of roles and is currently the Head of People Strategy, Systems, and Insight at Virgin Money.
How has the Management School shaped your career?
My degree in Business Management gave me an in-depth, theoretical understanding of how businesses operate which I have applied within my practical work experiences. I gained crucial interpersonal skills such as communication, leadership and team working which I utilise in my current role.
Did you use the University careers service?
I frequently attended employer-led workshops to improve my commercial awareness and also took advantage of other services, such as CV writing sessions and application masterclasses, to improve my personal development and employability.
What advice do you have for students looking to get the most out of their university experience?
Studying takes up a lot of your time, especially in your final year, so it is important you take breaks and get involved in extracurricular activities. I was involved in the student ambassador programme at the management school and I really enjoyed speaking to potential students about university life and sharing my experiences with them.
As a new student, I got involved in the mentoring scheme, which I found very helpful. I was also part of the management school society and represented the university hockey team on a weekly basis, which was a brilliant way to meet other students in a social environment.
Throughout my time at university, I attended various careers presentations where I met employers. Working with university careers advisors contributed to me obtaining a 3-month and 12-month placement- the assistance with my CV, applications, and interview skills extremely helpful.
Why did you choose the Year in Industry programme?
I chose the Year in Industry programme because I thought it was really important to gain relevant business work experience before entering the graduate market.
It can be competitive to find employment after graduating, a placement year can put you in an advantageous position. A placement is the perfect opportunity to use the theoretical knowledge, you have learnt in your first two years, in practical business scenarios. Whilst on placement, you gain invaluable skills and experiences which you then apply in your final year.
What did you enjoy most about your student experience?
The most rewarding part was my placement year. I was given a significant amount of responsibility within the organisation. Within my first few months, I was placed in charge of managing all the company’s internal events and monthly reports for the company’s directors. Although it was nerve-racking to start off with, these projects were a brilliant opportunity for me to showcase my skills and learn from knowledgeable people.