51Âþ»­

There are exciting times ahead for a graduate who has landed a job with communications giant BT.

George Hedley credits the innovative learning offered at 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) along with the skills he developed during a year-long B2B placement with preparing him for a graduate-level post.

The 22-year-old begins his role as a Marketing Manager in BT's Business Marketing Division in September after graduating this summer with a First.

George said: "I drew on what I had learned on placement at the interview, and it's the course that has given me the necessary qualification.

"I am over the moon to have secured it and am looking forward to the exciting times ahead."

George will be heading to London for his new role marketing the telecoms service to small businesses and plans to study for the Chartered Institute of Marketing qualification. Applying for a job in the capital is something he may not have done had 51Âþ»­'s "homely environment" not swayed him to study in Leicester.

He said: "Originally, I didn't want to move away from home in Northampton to university. In the end I took the plunge and it was the best decision."

As someone who enjoyed Business Studies and Media Studies at school, George opted for the Media and Marketing joint honours degree.

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"After my first year I realised it was marketing that I wanted to pursue, so changed to Marketing Management," he said.

"Staff have been excellent and given all the support. Most have worked in industry so are able to link degree content to real-life context."

George's third year was spent on placement as Volkswagen Group UK Marketing Communications Assistant for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

He said: "I worked on my own projects and had full responsibility for them, managed point of sale in the van centre network and even went out on TV shoots."

Although it was great being involved in the TV advertisement, the shoot was far from glamorous. "It was on a cold January Thursday night in Milton Keynes!" George said.

After his year out, George reaped the benefits during his final year and chose modules close to his career aspirations - customer management and brand portfolio.

He said: "My placement helped me manage my time better and also helped my grades, which have jumped by 10 per cent in some areas."

George has embraced life at university, becoming a Brand Ambassador, course representative and international student buddy.

He added: "My highlights were my placement, being involved in so many innovative assessments, and being on campus in the middle of a vibrant city."