A law student at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) is enjoying a "once-in-a-lifetime experience" with telecoms giant O2.
Diana Clough is delighted her hard work and interview preparation paid off to land her a year-long placement in the HR Operations team at Telefonica UK (O2) in London.
The HR Operations intern believes it will give her the edge when applying for legal training contracts to help her realise her ambition to become a lawyer.
She said: "You come out as a much more confident person, regardless of what you were like before.
"I am now familiar with business terms, policies and systems, which I'm sure I will meet again in future jobs.
"Having professional contacts also makes you feel more invested in your degree.
"I couldn't see myself applying for graduate schemes without these 12 months behind me."
The 20-year-old was taken on by O2 after a challenging selection process.
She said: "I was invited to do five online tests and then a video interview, which was incredibly daunting.
"Luckily I made it to the assessment centre involving a group task, presentations and interviews.
"I felt all the hours I spent on interview preparation and psychometric testing practice had paid off and my potential was being discovered, as I landed my placement later than hoped."
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Diana's tasks include managing a digital insight group, the leavers' process and a data cleanse of contingent workers to comply with an audit and data security laws.
She finds her duties "exciting", even though a role in HR wasn't what Diana initially envisaged doing.
She said: "I was open-minded and thought, 'if the assessors think I have potential in this area then why turn it down'?
"I would recommend doing a placement. Even if you're not sure about the role you're applying for, the experience really is once in a lifetime. Just be prepared for minimal lie-ins!"
Plus there is another bonus of working for O2. Diana said: "We all received free tickets to see Take That at a 'Wear The Rose' event at The O2, which was just incredible."
In September, Diana will be back at DMU for her final year. She credits her course with preparing her for work.
She said: "Whether it's group work or presenting, these are definite skills you'll find in business."
Diana originally chose to study law in Leicester because of DMU's links to industry.
She said: "I was choosing the best university to enhance my employability.
"I wanted to study somewhere that the tutors cared about the changes to the law as well as the rich history of the subject."
Diana highly rates the law library and the university's caring attitude.
"My tutors actually know my name rather than me being just another student, which I really value," she said.
On graduating in summer 2017, Diana hopes to secure a legal training contract, with a dream of becoming a lawyer in the entertainment or competition law fields.
"I definitely feel much more employable thanks to DMU," she added.
Posted on Thursday 28 April 2016