Matthew Thompson - BSc Management with placement year
Matthew Thompson, a BSc Management student, spent his undergraduate placement year at SAP, working as a Business Associate within the strategy and operations team for SAP Concur.
Developing key skills for the future
During his placement in 2023/24, Matthew contributed to various projects, including supporting organisational changes, assisting with transitioning to a new project management tool and evaluating recruitment processes.
He took advantage of SAP's mentoring scheme and completed various training courses, further enhancing his skills. Reflecting on his experience, Matthew shared:
“Working at SAP exposed me to real-world business challenges and gave me the opportunity to take on various projects that directly impacted business. I gained hands-on experience in project management and completed courses such as Sandler Sales training and a review course, strengthening my understanding of business processes.
"The structured training and mentoring at SAP played a huge role in my development. I improved my communication, active listening, presentation skills, and confidence - all essential for success in any professional setting."
Overcoming challenges
Adapting to a new workplace came with its challenges, particularly integrating into new teams and adjusting to different role dynamics. Matthew explained: "I focused on communicating clearly with my team and staying composed in new situations. This helped me build resilience and adaptability, essential skills in any career."
Support from the Business School’s placements team
Matthew benefited from ongoing support from the Business School’s placements team throughout his placement, including monthly check-ins, guidance, and opportunities to reflect on his progress. He found this ongoing support particularly beneficial. Matthew said: "Knowing that I had a supportive team to turn to for advice made the experience even more rewarding. Their guidance helped me stay on track and make the most of my placement year."
Impact on final year and career aspirations
Matthew credits his placement year with helping him structure his work more effectively, develop leadership skills, and take advantage of new opportunities. He believes that completing a placement enhances a student’s employability. He explained:
"A placement allows you to apply what you've learned in a real business environment, build your network, and gain valuable insights into your chosen industry. I would highly recommend it to any student considering it."
Final thoughts
For students considering a placement, Matthew’s advice is simple:
"This experience has shown me what I can achieve through hard work and determination. It has given me valuable professional skills and boosted my confidence in my abilities.
"Choose a placement that aligns with your interests and make the most of every opportunity. Reach out, build connections, and use your network - it can make all the difference."
Find out more about the undergraduate placement year at Nottingham University Business School.
