"Beyond excited" - that's how De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) student Matt Jervis feels to have accepted a job at IBM ahead of his finals.
Landing a place on the company's graduate scheme has also given the Business Management and Economics student peace of mind, meaning he can focus solely on revision.
Matt was fast-tracked through the application process to the final stages, thanks to the success of his placement year with the company and help from his tutors.
He said: "It was such a relief to receive an offer ahead of going into my final exams.
"After completing my placement with IBM, I was aware of the fantastic opportunities and development offered by the graduate scheme.
"It's great to go back to a company that is at the forefront of innovation in the technology industry on their Consulting by Degrees programme."
Matt, from Burton-on-Trent, received a pre-interview boost courtesy of DMU's Employability Award, putting his £100 towards interview travel and a new suit.
He starts his role as a business consultant (digital experience service line) in the summer and his degree is giving him the perfect grounding.
The 23-year-old said: "There's such variety when choosing your modules, especially in final year, so I've been able to tailor my degree to my interests and areas I feel will help me."
His favourite aspect of the course has been the application of theories in lectures to real-world situations, such as the effects of Brexit on the UK economy.
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"The lecturers have also been fantastic, offering insight from their own industry expertise while having a genuine personal interest in students' success," said Matt, who is grateful for the help he received in securing a placement year with IBM.
"The placement team are a great resource and were pivotal to me gaining my placement, as was the commercial employability coaching from Associate Professor and former IBM employee David Gordon."
Matt's main role was to provide business leaders with timely management information but he also worked on a business development project - and his ideas on increasing sales so impressed his bosses that they were implemented across Europe.
He said: "I was really fortunate to build a network and seize opportunities that led to me gaining valuable project management and client-facing experience.
"I came back from placement feeling more mature and motivated to succeed."
During his final year, Matt has made the most of the extracurricular activities on offer.
"DMU is very student focused and there are so many opportunities outside of the lecture hall," added Matt.
"I was fortunate enough to travel to Copenhagen with #DMUglobal earlier this year, which was fantastic. It was great to experience a new culture as well as visit the partnered universities and see the differences in education."
Posted on Wednesday 3 May 2017