Amber Blake, BSc Economics and Management, tells us about her placement:
“I completed my 80-hour placement with BrandPointZero, a creative communications firm specialising in employer branding, helping employers attract and retain talent.
I undertook two main projects: a brand audit and an in-depth final research project, both focusing on the 18-24 age group.
The brand audit evaluated the appeal of employers’ career social media pages to this demographic, whilst the final research project involved conducting interviews and surveys to assess the career priorities and perspectives of this age group.”
How has the placement unit helped you prepare for the future?
“It exposed me to a professional work environment. I developed a range of essential skills, such as research, analysis, and conducting interviews, all of which will be highly useful in my future career.
I also had the opportunity to present both my research projects to the team, which greatly improved my presentation skills.
Most importantly, the experience shifted my perspective on companies—from seeing them merely as brands to recognising them as potential employers. I now have a deeper understanding of how companies market themselves to students, including their work environment, culture, and values.
This has been instrumental in shaping my approach to job hunting as I am now better equipped to seek out employers whose values align with my own and to thoroughly evaluate their offerings rather than simply accepting things at face value.”
Would you recommend other students take part in a placement?
“Absolutely, I would highly recommend doing a placement to other students! It’s a such a good opportunity to build your CV whilst still studying, gain firsthand experience in a professional setting, and develop crucial skills that are highly sought after by employers.
It also really helped me gain clarity on my future career path as you’ll be able to explore different roles within a company, understand what truly interests you, and identify areas where you might want to specialise in the future.
It’s also such a good opportunity to start building your professional network, which can open doors for future job opportunities. It’s also good fun to do something a bit different and more hands-on!”
A word from BrandPointZero:
BrandPointZero are an employer brand agency transforming organisations by developing employer brands in the context of the cultures that matter to their business, their people and their future people.
It’s important to offer students work experience, including placements, as it gives them an insight into our industry and this (quite niche!) aspect of brand marketing. It also gives students the experience of working in an office environment and working on projects and tasks set by professionals in this field.
Vicky Sands
Office Manager at BrandPointZero
A placement is a great opportunity to see how your academic studies can be brought to life in a work environment. The optional second-year unit in the Business School, organised by the Professional Liaison Network (PLN), sets up work for you with local SMEs, charities, and businesses primarily in and around the Bristol area.
Why take part in a placement?
- It’s a great opportunity to develop your employability skills.
- Support is available every step of the way. We want you to get the most out of your placement, so the PLN organises regular drop-in sessions to provide you with support.
- Gain invaluable work experience to enhance your future career. You will be able to do real work helping these organisations.
The Management Reflection and Development in Practice is a second-year optional unit available to undergraduate students on the following courses in the Business School:
- Business & Management
- Economics & Management
- International Business Management
- Marketing.