My Journey from Placement to Full-Time Consultancy

Maureen’s Story

For my placement I was lucky enough to secure a position as a Business Analyst, for an (Medical Gas, Production of Oxygen, Nitrogen and Acetylene gas) company back in my home country, Nigeria. After an insightful conversation with the CEO of the company, he recognised the need for a Business Analyst within the organisation – a role that did not initially exist.

At the time, business analysis was not my primary area of expertise, but as a Master of Business Administration MBA student, one of the key advantages was that I had was the ability to adapt and apply knowledge across various functions. I leveraged the university’s resources and prepared extensively for the interview, ensuring I could bring fresh insights to the role.

Securing the position

The onboarding process was complex because this was the company’s first time hiring an international employee. However, they later expressed that it was a worthwhile decision, and since then, they have hired two more overseas employees—a testament to the success of their decision. By putting my all into the placement and showcasing measurable results, I was able to secure a full-time consulting role after completion within the company and another Consultancy role in an oil & Gas Company with a global footprint. I am also currently working on Ed360Hub, a project dedicated to empowering futures and bridging opportunities fostering lifelong learning by addressing critical skill gaps and career shortages. Our vision is to create pathways for individuals to unlock their full potential through career readiness, strategic partnerships, and entrepreneurial success – enabling them to thrive in their chosen fields and make meaningful contributions to society.

Although I already had two UK degrees before embarking on my MBA, coming to the University of Northampton (UON) was a different experience. UON’s structured career support, particularly the Career Futures module, was instrumental in securing my placement and preparing me for the professional world. It has been designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to secure a placement. The module covered key areas such as:

• Self-awareness and career planning
• Recruitment trends and job market insights
• Strategic career development skills
• Self-presentation and interview techniques

My advice for successfully securing a placement

If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s that clarity of purpose is everything. Before embarking on anything especially a placement year, it is important to first ask yourself: Why am I doing this?

For me, the answer was clear. I chose the placement route because I wanted to gain real-world experience in a professional setting, something I had never experienced as an adult student. It wasn’t just about adding a year to my MBA; it was about immersing myself in an environment where I could apply my learning, refine my skills, and shape my future career path.

But here’s what I want every prospective placement student to understand…

Information is key.

Opportunities don’t always come knocking, you have to seek them out, ask questions, and put yourself in spaces where opportunities exist. The university organises multiple networking events, and I made it a point to attend them, even when I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was at one of these events that I met the CEO of my placement organisation, and that one conversation changed everything.

Strategic positioning.

From day one, I knew I wanted to secure a consulting role within my placement organisation, so I didn’t just blend in, I stood out. I positioned myself as a leader, and this mindset was shaped by one of the modules on the MBA course. The tutor was phenomenal, pushing us to explore different leadership styles and align them with our values. Understanding my own leadership style gave me confidence and a clear sense of direction.

Reflective Journaling.

Journaling was a tool I once dismissed as a pointless academic exercise. I was one of those students who rolled their eyes, thinking, “Why do I need to write about my experiences?” But let me tell you, journaling changed everything for me. Writing down my daily activities, challenges, and feelings helped me assess my actions, identify areas for improvement, and track my growth. It became a habit, and to this day, I use it to refine my decisions and strategies.

My quick tips for you:

• Know your WHY – don’t just take the placement route because others are doing it. Have a purpose.
• Network, network, network – opportunities often come from the people you meet.
• Be strategic in your choices – every decision you make should align with your long-term goals.
• Engage in class activities – every module has value if you apply it correctly.
• Embrace self-learning – the MBA doesn’t teach you everything, but it gives you the tools to teach yourself too.
• Use reflection as a growth tool – track your progress, assess your weaknesses, and refine your approach.

In summary, if you apply what you learn, engage in the right spaces, and stay intentional, your placement year won’t just be another checkbox, it will be a game-changer for your career.

Find out more about courses for International Students at UON, and about Maureen’s story.

See our International Courses

Maureen Chinwe Ilonuba

Maureen is from Nigeria and studied an MBA after achieving two degrees in the UK. As well as working as a full-time consultant she is also pursuing her PhD at UON.