BBS student Niamh, wanted to get her foot in the door of a company before she graduated, which was helped by the opportunity of doing work placement
Niamh Malone from Co Waterford is a final year student in Bachelor of Business (Honours) and is a past pupil of Mercy Secondary School.
About me:
I'm currently a 4th year student in my last semester of the BBS course. I have loved the course and the opportunities it has given me. In second year I was awarded the Sanofi Future Female Leader Scholarship, which allowed me to spend 12 months over the course of my degree working at the Waterford plant. I also got a chance to take part in the Peer2Peer mentoring program being run, allowing me to give guidance to incoming BBS students.
What attracted you to study at Waterford Institute of Technology?
I had always wanted to study business from a young age and WIT's School of Business had always been known to me for having a good reputation. We also had many family friends who had studied in the business school and gone on to have very successful business careers so this was a big influence in my decision.
Did you always know this was the course you wanted to do?
Yes! From about 3rd year in school I knew this was the exact course I wanted to do. The flexible semester was particularly attractive as I was determined to get my foot in the door of a company before graduating.
What words of advice do you have for new students?
Enjoy it - It has easily been the quickest 4 years of my life. Just make the most of it, get out of your comfort zone, and if you can - try and get summer internships in companies you think you'd like to work in, this can help you figure out if certain departments are for you or not and also build your network.
What have been the highlights of your college experience?
The biggest highlight of my college experience was being awarded the Sanofi Scholarship. It has already opened so many doors and I hope to return to take part in their graduate program. As well as this I have made friends for life. I have also gotten to learn Mandarin as part of my course which I have absolutely loved.
What did you like about Waterford as a city to live in/to study in?
Personally for me, Waterford is my home city so studying here was perfect for me. For people not from here I think Waterford is a lovely place to live.
How did work placement add to your college experience?
Work placement was by far one of the most beneficial opportunities during the BBS course. I was lucky to be able to take part in an 8 month placement (Jan-Aug) this allowed me to rotate around different departments, to complete training courses (LEAN) and to network with potential future employers. Peer2Peer mentoring also allowed me the opportunity to give back, I found it rewarding being able to be a point of contact for incoming students as it can be a daunting experience!
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
