Undergraduate Blog

My Placement Year at GSK!

By Eloise Howard, BA Business Management with Employment Experience

Why do a placement year?

One of the best decisions I made during my time at University has been to do a placement year. I decided at the beginning of second year that I really wanted to gain experience in a big global company and build my CV, as it is so important nowadays to have more than just a degree. Looking back, I had the best 12 months at GSK – I gained so many skills and I met lots of new friends who I’m still in touch with now. It was a challenging year and I truly developed on a professional as well as a personal level. Not only this, it was also so much fun as there was lots of opportunities to do extra things, such as volunteering.

Finding a Placement

My heart was set on finding a HR role as I enjoyed this module the most and it really stood out to me as something I could see myself doing. However, there are so many different companies to choose from all across the UK so it is a big decision! Luckily, I received tons of support from the University and I was able to speak to dedicated staff in the Employability Hub, who helped me to finalise my CV and provide really helpful advice in terms of where to look for placements and what I could expect from the recruitment process. Not only this, you can do workshops like practice assessment centres, which I would really recommend! My advice would also be to not be disheartened if you have some rejections… there were a few companies I never heard back from or didn’t get past the first or second stage, but eventually I found the perfect one and used all the help available from the Hub to secure the job!

HR at GSK

GSK is a healthcare company with 3 global businesses: vaccines, pharmaceuticals and consumer healthcare. I worked in one of the specialised HR departments in the Head Office in London. This was really exciting moving to a new city, and GSK were great as they put you in contact with all the other placement students in a Facebook group so that you can find people to live with. My role varied as I did project work including Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP), mySkills (an application to assess employee skills) and Global Inclusion and Diversity. Typical day-to-day tasks were developing communication materials; writing emails andcreating help guides and articles. Plus, I had roles in Project Management and was a key point of contact for global colleagues in Inclusion and Diversity. One of my highlights would be presenting the team updates to the CEO of Consumer Healthcare! Overall, I gained so much varied experience and it helped me to work out that I definitely want to go into HR in my future career. This experience has also made me much more confident in securing a graduate job as I now have so many experiences to talk about in an interview!

Moving to Sheffield from another country

By Alice Lando, BA International Business Management

Are you thinking about coming to Sheffield but wondering what it would be like moving from another country? Don’t worry, it is probably going to be the best decision you have ever made!

I came to Sheffield from Italy over three months ago and I have not
regret it ever since. I chose The University of Sheffield because it offers the course I had always pictured in my mind; a degree in Business Management with the opportunity to study one year abroad. Coming to Sheffield, I have found that the community created by the Students’ Union and the students themselves have strengthened my decision. Sheffield is truly an international city, filled with open-minded people from all around the world, which makes the experience a lot easier.

Even though I tried not to visualise how my life would be here in Sheffield before arriving, I can definitely say that my experience here has exceeded my expectations. I have made more friends than I thought I would, I have tried so many different activities and I have always felt supported in regards to both my studies and my social life. Lecturers are always available if you need them and there is a wide range of sports and activities that you can try. I joined the University volleyball team; this gave me the chance to go to different cities to play games, but more importantly I met a lot of new people from around the world with who I now spend time with on a daily basis.

As with every experience, I did face some challenges. Sometimes I felt like
there were too many new things I wanted to try, and balancing social life and study was a little bit hard. At the beginning language was another barrier since everyone has a different accent, but I got used to it fairly soon. In regards to how to prepare for such a change in your life, my advice would be to work on your mentality as it will be what is going to support you during this journey. You will have the greatest days, but it’s inevitable that you will also have some bad ones too. Be open to new things, new people, new traditions and you will overcome all cultural differences. Practically speaking, packing and bringing your stuff are probably the most stressful parts. My advice is to pack the essentials, all the things you can not buy in Sheffield or that you need for the first few weeks, especially if you will travel alone. Once you are here, you will have to sort out some things such as a bank account, a UK phone number and health insurance but the University can help you with all of that!

Final tips I would like to give you as I found them useful during these three
months:

Enjoy your last days in your home country, you are very likely to miss that feeling
Take photos that you can look through when you feel homesick, but also learn a ‘traditional activity’ to always feel at home. In my case, a part of Italy is with me when I cook.
Lastly, once you are in Sheffield, enjoy every single moment without letting cultural differences stop you or take you down.

I hope Sheffield will be a home far from home for you as it is for me!

A guide to Sheffield nightlife

By Aaron Probert, BA Business Management

Today’s blog is going to give you a tour of the best places to go out as a student in Sheffield. If nightlife is a big selling point for you, you won’t be disappointed in Sheffield – there really is something for everyone!

Sheffield has the number 1 Students’ Union in the UK, and if you visit you’ll understand why. It has its own nightclub that runs the best student nights out! Every Saturday night at the SU is Poptarts, a night that always sells out. You can expect to get a huge dose of throwbacks and singalongs, from ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis, to ‘A Thousand Miles’ by Vanessa Carlton. This is always a classic night, but if that’s not your thing there’s loads more happening, like Tuesday club, my favourite SU night! This features a variety of live artists every week, such as drum and bass with the likes of Royal T, Flava D and Andy C or you can dance the night away with Horse Meat Disco and SoulJam.

Even outside the SU there’s plenty of things to do. West Street is a road in Sheffield’s centre that has so many pubs, bars and clubs with loads of different music tastes – if you join a sports society, chances are you’ll be seeing a lot of it when you do bar crawls! There’s West Street Live which is open till 5am and has a range of weird and wonderful drinks that are easy on the bank account. Next door is Tiger Works, where you can get the famous ‘Five Pound Round’ and sing your heart out with your housemates on the karaoke. And best of all its all cheap!

If drinking isn’t your scene, or you just need a break for a night, there are plenty of places to wind down with some amazing food. Peddler Night Market is always a great shout – this is a monthly event held in Kelham Island, a fashionable area not too far from student living areas. The Peddler Market has live music, great street food and lots of little pop-up shops. There’s so much to choose from you’ll never get bored of the food selection, and occasionally they do a vegetarian and vegan night where the food is so good, even carnivores will be converted.

With so much to do in Sheffield, it’s important to get the right balance of going out and studying. My advice is to draft a timetable allocating a set number of hours each week to be in the library or studying at home. That way, you’re always able to stay on top of assessments and up to date with the curriculum, preventing you falling behind or missing deadlines. If you get healthy habits started when you start in first year, it’s easier to carry them on throughout your degree. Plus, if you work hard in the day, that night out just feels even better!

Working alongside your studies

By Grace Wainman, BA Business Management

In this blog post I’m going to talk about how part-time work can benefit your university experience, and what The University of Sheffield offers for students.

Going to university is a big change and with added responsibilities comes increased independence, as well as increased expenditures! Therefore, many students consider part-time work alongside their studies to maximise their student budget. Another obvious benefit is enhancing your employability, to help when finding a job after you graduate. If you’re looking for work, the university recommends working no more than 16 hours per week to ensure you can still succeed in your studies to the best of your ability.

Luckily for us, Sheffield is considered one of the cheaper cities in terms of living expenses. Being a large city means there are many opportunities for part-time work, for example in cafes, bars, shops, etc. However, I want to tell you more about roles available to students within the University.

I currently work with the Management School as a Student Ambassador. You may have seen the Management School’s ambassadors at our open days, as we’re there to help visitors get a feel for the university by answering any questions. We also give tours of the Management School, give presentations about our university experience and write blog posts like this one.

Ambassadors can also take part in calling campaigns, where their responsibilities involve phoning offer holders to speak to them about Sheffield and give them information about their course. Additionally, the University employs students at the start of term to welcome new students and help them move into their accommodation.

These are just a few examples of the opportunities available to earn some extra cash at the University of Sheffield, not to mention jobs on campus at the Students’ Union shop, food outlets or bars. I would recommend Student Ambassador work to new students as a great way to meet new friends on your course and to get to know the staff in your department. You will also build key skills such as communication and confidence and be able to demonstrate your reliability and eagerness on your CV. All the while, having flexible hours and a generous rate of pay!

The Management School supports its students with employability in its own Employability Hub. Therefore, once arriving at Sheffield you can seek help with developing your CV, attend sessions to prepare for applications and interviews and have access to new vacancies for part-time work, placements, or graduate schemes. The Management School works to help you become employable by teaching you skills for the workplace, as well as your excellent grades!

Myself and another Student Ambassador at an open day!

Everything I’ve learnt about Sheffield over the years

By Rosalie Williams, BA Business Management with Employment Experience

Being in my final year of my course, I feel like I’ve learned quite a few things about Sheffield over the years that I wish I’d known when I’d started. Here they are!

Our SU is AWESOME
Before I arrived I had no idea how fabulous our Students’ Union (SU) is in comparison to other universities. Whenever I visited on open days, I struggled to understand what a university’s Students’ Union actually was, since each university was so different. But, after visiting my friends at universities across the country, I finally realised how lucky we are! Our SU has shops, cafés, restaurants, a cinema, various night-time events (which are definitely some of the best in all of Sheffield!), cash points, and various support and advice services which you can pop into. It’s no surprise it’s been voted the top SU in the country ten years in a row.

Amazing food and coffee at the Steam Yard!

There’s no need for Starbucks
There are so many cute, independent coffee shops in Sheffield. Whether you need a study break, or you want to go on day out with your friends, Sheffield has so many cafés and restaurants that you’ll never run out of new places to go! My personal favourite – and the one which my friends and I always visit – is the Steam Yard. It’s only around a 10-minute walk from the Students’ Union and serves the best coffee and doughnuts.

Compact = convenient
Sheffield can feel small compared to other UK cities like London, Birmingham and Manchester, but I see it as a positive as you’re never too far from anything. It’s an easy walk into town from your first year student accommodation, and the libraries, uni gym and supermarkets are so close by. Not that you need to go to the gym with Sheffield’s infamous seven hills… a short walk can sometimes feel like a hike!

Visiting the Peak District is easier than you think
Despite always wanting to go, it took me until my third year to actually visit the Peak District (which is something I’m totally embarrassed about!). The UK’s first national park, the Peak District, has a host of hiking trails and there are regular buses and trains from Sheffield. There’s so much to explore, and apart from your travel costs it’s a pretty cheap day out!

The best places to eat in Sheffield

In Sheffield you have your pick of brilliant food joints that suit a student budget. Here are my favourites!

The Wick At Both Ends

This music-led pub and DJ bar, on the fringes of the trendy Devonshire Street, offers an amazing food menu and even a so-called Pipe & Slippers Sunday for those struggling with a “poorly head” (Sunday roast, £7.95). Pies, sausages and such are made on-site. The menu has many creative twists on classics – for example the chicken burger is a fillet marinated in garlic, lemon, thyme and that iconic Sheffield condiment, Henderson’s Relish. Other favourites include mussels in cider and fish ‘n’ chips. All dishes are expertly plated and presented, making a meal at the Wick At Both Ends a special dining experience without the usual price tag.

Twisted Burger Co.

This burger joint is located in The Harley at the top of West Street and specialises in slightly bonkers, and rather massive, burgers. They also do messy, delicious fries, shakes and sides. Their menu is music-themed and ever changing. Burgers range from meat to chicken to vegetarian, and are all characterised by an array of extravagant toppings and sides. Highlights from the dazzling menu include the Drop It Like It’s Hot, with spicy refried beans, Monterey Jack cheese, hot sauce and a house BBQ sauce, or the Rasher’s Delight, the UK’s first bacon burger featuring a double bacon patty, coleslaw and dressing. Delicious, messy and decadent, these burgers are hard to beat.

Nottingham house

A proper student pub, serving pies, mash, chips and peas. The system is simple: pies are listed on a board and when they run out that’s it. No other choices, no pretending to be something else, just good pies with mash, chips, peas and gravy. For the £7.95 price tag, ‘Notty House’ is one of Sheffield’s treasures.

Bungalows & Bears

Every Wednesday at Bungalow and Bears it’s wings night. You can pick up 10 BBQ wings with pineapple slaw, sweet potato fries and corn on the cob for less than £10 and also throw in two beers for just £5! It’s a student favourite in the heart of Sheffield city centre. Student-friendly prices and amazing tasting meals. The venue is also pretty impressive, as it’s housed in an old fire station, so it’s definitely one to take your friends to when you’re showing them around Sheffield!

The York

The York dates back to the 1830s, where it was used as an inn and alehouse for travellers, and has been serving food and drink under its current guise since 2010. Today, the pub is known for its cosy interior, featuring fireplaces, wood panelling and plush leather seating, and its home cooked, delicious pub fare. The menu largely sticks to the classics, offering comforting, hearty dishes that are certain to please almost everyone. Try the pie of the day served with mushy peas and hand cut chips for an authentic taste of the north. As well as delicious food, The York also offers a range of selected beers from local breweries, both bottled and draft.

Street Food Chef

This multi award-wining family-run Mexican street food outlet offer a healthy fast food alternative to the people of Sheffield. They’re probably best known for their burritos – think chicken in smoky tomato sauce or tender slow-cooked pulled pork – but they also serve tacos and quesadillas as well as gluten and dairy-free options at their Burrito Bar or Mexican Canteen. Mexicali drinks include Red Pig beer, Jarritos, Desperado and more. There’s a huge burrito challenge too, if you’re up to it.

Falafel King

Falafels are the food revolution of the last few years. Little ventures serving up these delicious Middle-Eastern goodies are popping up all over the country, and Sheffield is no different. Falafel King has some of the best fried chickpea balls in town and the ever-present queue is proof of that. Popular with the student crowd, pop in for a well-stuffed pitta for just a few quid.

Have fun exploring all of these places, and I hope that you love them as much as I do! If you have any favourites that I’ve missed, let us know!

What made me choose Sheffield?

By James Dylag, BA Business Management

Deciding where to study is a massive decision to make. There are such a massive amount of universities offering an even bigger variety of courses to prospective students, but for me Sheffield really did, and still does stand out… here’s why.

First of all, it’s difficult to ignore how good The University of Sheffield really is. Sheffield is a Russell Group university and has a Students’ Union that has been voted the best in the country for ten consecutive years. If this wasn’t enough, the Management School itself is one of few business schools globally that has been awarded triple-accreditation… that in itself is impressive!

Not only is Sheffield a top performing university, but the city is also great. Despite being the fourth largest city in the UK, Sheffield is somehow still able to maintain a real community feel, and a very friendly population. Being from a very small town myself, it was important for me to have a city that is friendly and welcoming… it was the first time I’d lived in a city after all! This community feel is possibly most present in the university accommodation, where there is never a dull moment! In both Endcliffe andRanmoor you’ll find activities to do, from fitness classes, outdoor cinemas or just a drink at The Edge, and it’s the perfect place to settle in.

Another swaying factor for me was the support system available at Sheffield. Starting off at university is a big deal. Personally, I wanted to know if I did have any issues or problems with my course, accommodation or anything about university life I would be supported. When visiting the university, I really felt that staff members genuinely cared, and had the students best interest at heart. I still think this today! The University offers all sorts of help and guidance for students around any type of issue. You can find this help in the Students’ Union, your academic department or your personal tutor. In student accommodation you’ll also have a Residence Life Mentor, who are students that can help you with any personal issues you may be having.

The final thing that swayed my decision was looking at the modules that my course offers. I study Business Management, and I thought that the first-year modules would give me a real understanding of a variety of business areas, which it did. I was then able in my second and third year to concentrate my module choices around areas which I enjoyed the most. Having the freedom to choose modules in all three years of university has meant I have been able to explore all different areas of my subject and helped me to shape a view of where my skills lie.

Choosing where to go to university is such a big decision, which is why I strongly recommend you keep an open mind, ask questions and do your research. There are so many possibilities when you consider what course you would like to study and exactly where you would like to study it – make sure you’re informed so you can make the decision that is right for you. But most importantly, remember that no choice is the wrong choice – go where you feel comfortable and you’ll have the best time!

My summer internship at Performance Engineered Solutions Ltd.

By Hannah Reaney, BA Business Management

During the summer of 2018 I was fortunate to gain an internship as a Marketing Assistant at a local engineering company in Sheffield called Performance Engineered Solutions Ltd. They are an engineering design business that provide solutions to clients’ engineering challenges. They work in a variety of sectors including Formula 1, aerospace, energy, marine, automotive, and many more.

I decided to do a summer placement because I felt that it would provide a great opportunity of putting what I have learnt at university into practice and give me some real-world work experience. During my course I really enjoyed studying marketing modules, and found it interesting learning about the best methods of communication for different businesses. I was excited to have the chance to apply what I had learned in the workplace, and see if I enjoyed a marketing role.

I first found out about the role on the University’s Careers Connect website, where I had to write a CV and a cover letter. In order to prepare, I visited the Employability Hub, the careers service that is based within the Management School, for some practical advice on my application. The Careers Advisor was able to check over my CV and cover letter before I submitted it, and I also gained some valuable advice on how to approach an interview if I was successful. Thankfully, I was! For my interview I was told I had to prepare some work on my thoughts and ideas on the current website and how it could be developed. My interview went well, and I was offered the role.

I really enjoyed my summer internship, and feel that as I was at a smaller company compared to a larger PLC, I was offered more responsibility and was able to see the end results of what I had worked on during my time there. It’s easy to only consider the big names when you’re looking for a placement or internship, however I definitely wouldn’t change where I chose to work. My summer with PES Performance was a great experience with a great team of people. I’m pleased to say that when my internship finished they offered me a part-time role whilst I complete my studies, which means I have some extra income and some great experience to put on my CV and speak about at graduate interviews. I would recommend a summer internship to anyone!

Food shopping on a student budget

By James Dylag, BA Business Management

Moving to University comes with a million questions, but generally at the forefront of a student’s mind before they go to university is – what am I going to cook and how much will I be spending on food? Having had very little culinary experience before university, this question was on the tip of my tongue – thankfully, three years in I’m still well fed and standing. Here’s my guide to food shopping on a student budget.

Something I wish I had considered in first year that would have saved me a ton of money… ditch the brands. It’s time to say goodbye to your favourite branded cereal, crisps and biscuits and say hello to supermarket own brands. These are literally so much cheaper but taste pretty much the exact same. If there is some branded food product you simply can’t live without (for me, it’s Ben and Jerry’s ice cream) then limit your intake and only buy it when you’re really craving it.

Sheffield has loads of supermarkets and convenience stores, so make sure you’re shopping around. Ideally, shop at budget supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl as much as you can – you really will save loads of money. You’ll find an Aldi just a fifteen-minute walk from the Students Union (St. Mary’s Gate). Even if you walk there and get a taxi back with your bags – you’d stillbe saving yourself money! There’s also Moor marketplace, based in the centre of town, where you can find plenty of greengrocers, butchers and fishmongers selling produce for a more reasonable price than big supermarkets. You might not be able to get everything you need from these places, but you can get the basics for pretty cheap.

Batch cooking is a seriously popular trend amongst students. It’s as easy as it sounds – just cook more than the amount you need, and freeze any of your leftovers for another day. Not only does this save money, but it also means that if after a long day at uni you really don’t fancy cooking, you’re already sorted.

If you’re really set on saving money on your food shopping, cooking vegetarian meals can really help. Eating vegetarian is becoming increasingly popular, and with this comes increased convenience – it is easy to have a quick browse online for a simple vegetarian dish that is full of flavour. I personally decided to go vegetarian at the beginning of my third year and haven’t looked back, and I’ve found myself being healthier and saving money along the way. One of my favourite places to go for inspiration is Instagram, where there are plenty of accounts that show how to make quick, healthy meals, prepared on camera so they’re easy to follow.

Lastly, my top tip is to have fun with your cooking, stay relatively healthy, and appreciate your home cooked meals when you visit your family in the holidays!

My experience as a Sabrecats Pom Cheerleader

By Jade Ellis, BA Accounting and Financial Management

Hi everyone! I’m Jade, and I’m proud to be a Varsity Coach for the Sabrecats Pom Cheerleading team. When most people think ‘cheerleader’, they think of cheery girls waving pom poms in the air – I assure you that being a Sabrecat pom cheerleader is so much more than just that! We train and perform at Varsity fixtures, have some of the best social events, and take part in volunteering and fundraising for our selected charities. With so many things to get involved in, I think it’s the best club going!

We are made up of three teams of all different levels and abilities – Comp, Varsity and Cheer Dance. The Comp team train twice a week at a high level and perform at competitions around England. The Varsity team train once or twice a week and perform at the larger events such as the football final at Hillsborough and the ice hockey final at Sheffield Arena. The Cheer Dance team trains once a week and also performs at Varsity performances, but has a less demanding schedule. There’s something for everyone, so don’t worry if you think you won’t have enough time – give it a go! Squad auditions are at the start of the academic year, and are posted on our Facebook page. The auditions are not as scary as you might think, and you are more than welcome to audition with your friends. Any gender is welcome – if you have a big smile, loads of enthusiasm, high kicks, huge jumps and strong arms, then you’re the type of person we’re looking for!

One of the most enjoyable parts of being part of the team are the socials. Most of our socials are themed nights on Wednesdays starting at Revolution and ending at Roar at the Students’ Union – which normally means dressing up! It’s always a great night, and is a fantastic way to get to know each other outside of practice. One of the best nights is the Christmas Roar, as the Social Secretaries make amazing costumes for everyone, and everyone is in the holiday spirit!

As Varsity Coach I’m responsible for 27 girls, and for choreographing two routines that will be watched by hundreds of people at Varsity events. This seems daunting, however it is an extremely rewarding opportunity, and taking on this role has given me a huge amount of transferable skills like organisation skills, time management, leadership and confidence. There are two coaches per team, so I’m not on my own, and I find it so rewarding to collaborate ideas and work together as a team. It is so satisfying watching your hard work come together to create an amazing routine and gives you a great sense of accomplishment. I am thoroughly enjoying being Varsity coach, as it has made my university experience more exciting and challenging, as well as allowing me to gain skills that I may not have if I didn’t take part.

If you’re considering having a go at cheerleading, I would absolutely recommend it! Performing cheer routines in front of hundreds of people is a great way to build your confidence and keep fit, and I’ve met some amazing friends through the team.