51Âþ»­

A placement at a leading house builder has given a graduate the skills in demand in today's jobs market.

Having enjoyed her time at Barratt Homes, Marzia Muchhala was keen to return after her final year at 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­), so has chosen a career with another of the company's brands.

She took up her position as a marketing executive with David Wilson Homes in August and is "getting on extremely well".

Marzia said: "I am really enjoying it, especially as my manager took me along with him when he was promoted, so I couldn't have asked to work with anyone better. 

"The placement helped me secure this role because I made a great impression and made it clear that I did want to return in a more senior position if anything were to become available."

However, this wasn't Marzia's only option. She was "incredibly flattered" to have been offered a post by a large food manufacturer after graduating this summer.

Marzia said: "Being selected out of 1,000 candidates is heart-warming and it would have been a fantastic opportunity.

"I was definitely looking forward to it, but then I was headhunted, which gave me more confidence because I always wanted to return to the business. I went with my heart and gut instinct."

Marzia's role involves website management, creating marketing literature, leaflets and posters, and briefing site plans.

"The list could go on," she said. "My job is so varied and every day is a different day, literally!

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"51Âþ»­ and my placement allowed me to prepare for this role, as my writing skills improved massively after working in marketing and regularly writing assignments.

"Time management, being organised and working under pressure has come in useful, as I did a lot of this while studying/working, which now helps me to prioritise and be calm while working.

"I'm still improving on many skills, as no one is perfect, and have so much more to learn, but I will get there."

Marzia originally chose to study Business and Marketing at 51Âþ»­ after achieving triple A*s at college.

She said: "I thought I'm really good at this and enjoy it very much, so I decided to follow my heart and have a career in marketing."

While achieving a First was her overall highlight of her time at university, Marzia also credits 51Âþ»­ with having some "fantastic lecturers" and the place where she met some of her best friends.

Her passion for her degree subject means Marzia plans to stay in marketing but hopes to progress her career.

"My end result would be to become a marketing director, but all in good time," she said.

"For now, I'm trying to better myself as an executive and pick up management roles and habits in order to prove that I am capable of being a manager in the future."