So, you’ve found yourself visiting another article written by myself? I hope you’ve enjoyed them so far, if you haven’t had the chance yet, make sure you do I’ll be posting useful information on the hub frequently! This time around I’m going to take you through a day in the life of a Business with International Management student - which as you might have guessed is the course which I am currently studying!
Business with International Management is a really broad subject encompassing a variety of aspects of the business world, touching upon finance, HR, Marketing and much more. The course specialises in modules towards the international business environment and it constitutes to operate on a global scale focusing on the implications this has for business, due to cross-cultural differences and procedures.
As a final year student the workload has ramped up, however, this has really been exciting and I’m learning new aspects of the business world as the weeks go by! As of writing this, I’m currently knee deep in assignments with the January assessment period looming! But this is all part and parcel of the university life, which I’m sure you’ll find out about or may already know!
My final year is purely assignment based, so no exams which was a major point in choosing the course, as personally, I feel like I excel better with portfolios and assignments. The three modules I’m currently studying are as follows; Applied Business Ethics, which looks at the ethical issues that individuals face in the business world – it’s really interesting.
My 2nd module is Culture and Organisations, this looks at the culture of organisations around the world and how these change in the different countries – it’s been great to find out how different the business world can be. My 3rd module of the semester is Doing Business Globally and Internationally, we’re working on a joint venture between two major businesses, understanding the cultural differences and how this can be difficult for companies to create the right synergies – another cool module which really will help if I work for an international company.
Dissertation… somewhat a dreaded word amongst university students, however, the chances are you’ll have to complete one before you finish your degree, right…? Well, that’s what I thought until entering my final year where I was introduced to a consultancy project, this is the equivalent of a dissertation occupying 30 module credits. After applying to take this route, I was lucky enough to be accepted. As an alternative to a dissertation, this encompasses the values of teamwork as you form a 4 person group, ready to be given a real client to help implement business strategies for them. The success rate of the module is fantastic. Last year the average module grade was 72% (which is a first, if you didn’t know!). I’m super excited to get started on this as the real work begins in the second semester – it will give me further real life working experience, hopefully with the desired results!
All the lectures and seminars take place in the Newcastle business school on the city east campus, with 4 floors there’s plenty of computers and workspaces – I may be biased but I think it’s the best building in the university, it’s got everything you need to study! It gets super busy over assessment periods, so I always make sure I’m there early to secure a computer. This isn’t the only place you can carry out your studies, the most popular building to do this in the university is the city campus library recently revamped and refurbished, it has state of the art learning facilities, with some seriously cool décor on level 1, you can relax and carry your work out in peace.
Business with International Management is traditionally a three year course, which is fantastic – however you can take a sandwich year, studying at partner university aboard, in a whole host of countries in nearly every continent around the globe. Some of my friends have studied in Australia, the USA all the way to South Korea, there is a huge variety to choose from and these applications start during your second year!
I took the alternative route and carried out a 12-month industry work placement working for a clothing brand in the North East working within their digital marketing team. This opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without my course and the skills I had learnt over the first two years at Northumbria. It has been great enter the working world for 1 year giving me the extra experience I’ll need upon graduating. It has definitely enhanced my skills, I am nearly half way through my final year hoping to submit some of the best pieces of work I have ever produced (fingers crossed!).
The university has a great careers service and this is open to students of all degree disciplines, it is well recommended once you begin your time at Northumbria to utilise the service, enhancing your CV with the advice of professionals – a free facility which shouldn’t be missed!
Being part of Northumbria has meant a great deal to me, it has developed skills in every aspect of my studies and my own personal life. I have built confidence and met new friends. The course has a diverse student group, with students from all nationalities, you really can learn a lot from your peers, which I think is fantastic and opens your eyes to the way business works on a global scale. This course is for budding business minds that look at the wider picture beyond their home country – the aspects of this course can be used throughout the business world.
