Luke Owen-Jones

Country of origin: United Kingdom

Placement: 3M UK

I chose to take a placement year because it offered a chance to contextualise everything I had learned in my first two years at university. Equally it gave me the opportunity to gain a full 12 months of experience in a work environment, which will prove hugely beneficial in applying for graduate jobs, and may even directly lead to one.

In my role I provided all the marketing support to one of the smaller elements of the 3M Safety and Graphics division. My general responsibilities included market and competitor analyses, management of all PR activity, support to the sales team and business manager around pricing, the production of collateral, event management etc.

The whole experience was one long process of academic concepts clicking into place as I saw them play out in a real-world environment. Many concepts I had learned about on my course I witnessed the practical applications of. I would summarise the experience as having provided me with a huge point of reference for understanding the academic concepts we explore at university.

The most satisfying part of the placement for me was making a real contribution to an organisation. Although group work and team exercises are great for understanding team dynamics and how to work with others, there is no substitute for being an essential part of a team in a work environment, and delivering tangible results.

I will most likely be going into full time employment following my graduation, and my placement will be absolutely invaluable in this. Either because it will lead to a permanent job offer from the company I undertook a placement with, or because it will provide me with a superb addition to my CV that think will be hugely helpful in securing a graduate job.

The LUMS careers team organised a number of events, one of which was the first time I encountered someone from 3M, that encounter led to my application and eventual employment. The LUMS Placements Team also provided me with ongoing support in CV writing and applications, and were always on hand to answer questions.