Lucia Lawson: BA International Management with a Year in Industry

Lucia chose the University of Liverpool for its combination of a highly regarded degree and a city she already loved. Through her studies and a Year in Industry placement with L'Oréal, she has developed valuable commercial skills, grown in confidence, and gained clarity about her future career ambitions.

Why did you choose to study at the University of Liverpool Management School?

For me, choosing where to go to university wasn't just about the course; it was equally about the city I'd be spending the next three or four years living in.

I had visited Liverpool a few times with family growing up and absolutely loved the place, so when I found that the University of Liverpool offered a course I was genuinely excited about and that had a strong reputation to match, it was a no-brainer.

It felt like the perfect combination of the right academic environment and a city I already knew I'd love.

Why did you want to study BA International Management?

I was drawn to BA International Management because, with globalisation shaping so much of the modern world, I knew that this degree would give me a solid, well-rounded foundation and a genuinely global perspective to take into life after university.

Where did you go for your Year in Industry placement?

I completed my placement year at L'Oréal, working as a Business Development Category Intern within the Consumer Products Division, specifically focused on the skincare category.

It was an incredible experience, one I'd wholeheartedly recommend to any student who has the opportunity to do one.

A placement year gives you a level of real-world exposure that you simply can't replicate in a lecture theatre, and it genuinely transformed my confidence and clarity about what I want from my career.

What skills have you developed?

My placement year at L'Oréal helped me grow significantly as a professional. Working in the Consumer Products Division, I regularly delivered market and competitor analysis, which sharpened my strategic thinking and made me the division's go-to expert on data platforms like Nielsen and Boots Circana.

I also had the opportunity to present category insights to senior leaders and external buyers, which built my confidence in storytelling and stakeholder management enormously.

The university itself has helped me develop skills that I use every day: critical analysis, presentation, time management, and the interpersonal skills that come naturally from meeting so many new people and navigating student life.

What support and extra opportunities have you accessed to help you with your studies?

The support available at the University of Liverpool Management School has been fantastic. The Careers Studio in particular was invaluable; they helped me craft my CV and cover letters when I was applying for placements, and even ran mock interviews and assessment centre preparation sessions with me.

Having that tailored, one-to-one support made a real difference when it came to the placement application process, and I'd encourage every student to make use of it.

In my final year, I have used my academic drop-in sessions to help me with any queries I had on the course and assignment help, which has been useful.

What have you enjoyed most about your student experience?

It's genuinely hard to put into just a few words! If I had to pick, I'd say it's the people I've met and the independence I've gained.

Coming to university and building a life for yourself in a new city, making lifelong friends along the way, there's nothing quite like it. It's shaped me as a person just as much as the academic side has.

What have you enjoyed most about living as a student in Liverpool?

There is just so much to do here; the list really is endless. From the restaurants and bars to the shops, the culture, the music scene, Sefton Park, Lark Lane... Liverpool has something for everyone.

What I love most, though, is how warm and friendly the city feels. It has a real energy that makes it a brilliant place to be a student, and I genuinely can't imagine having done my degree anywhere else.

What are your future career goals?

Honestly, I think one of the most valuable things university has taught me is just how many paths there are, and that's exciting rather than daunting.

What I've come to understand about myself is that I'm very much a people person, and I've really enjoyed working at the intersection of business strategy and commercial decision-making.

Going forward, I'd love to build a career in a role that keeps me close to those things, ideally within a large, ambitious organisation, perhaps a global firm where there's real scope to grow and make an impact. The specifics are still taking shape, but I feel well-equipped to take on whatever comes next.