Accounting and Business Management: Emma’s UA92 Journey

Emma set herself a promise to make the most of every moment during her UA92 journey. Now, as graduation approaches, she reflects on the past three years as an Accounting and Business Management student, from her favourite parts of the course to her proudest achievements, and looks ahead to what excites her most about starting her graduate role. Find out whether she kept that promise along the way.

What inspired you to study Accounting and Business Management?

My inspiration for studying Accounting and Business Management came from my parents, who both work in the world of finance. Growing up, I was always interested in hearing about what they did at work, and during lockdown, my mum completed her accounting exams, so there were always conversations around business and finance at home.

I always thought I’d study Business, but when I saw that UA92 offered an Accounting and Business Management degree, I felt that this would give me a broader overview. UA92 appealed to me as I felt I’d perform best in smaller class sizes where I could really build relationships with my classmates and lecturers.

What has been your favourite part of the course?

My favourite part of the course has been the opportunities I’ve had beyond the classroom. While I’ve enjoyed the variety of modules across different subject areas and the different styles of assessment, the highlight for me has been the people I’ve met and the opportunities that have come from it. Through working with businesses, hearing from guest speakers and getting involved in roles outside of my studies, I’ve been able to build relationships with lecturers, students and industry professionals. These experiences have helped me grow in confidence and develop both personally and professionally.

Which skills have you developed the most during your studies?

I’ve definitely developed my confidence, communication and adaptability. When I first started university, I was quite quiet, unsure of what to expect and didn’t really know what career path I wanted to pursue. Over the last three years, I’ve pushed myself to embrace every opportunity and learn from each one.

As a result, I’ve become much more confident in myself, more comfortable stepping outside of my comfort zone and better at adapting to new situations and challenges. These are skills that have developed naturally through my experiences and ones I know will stay with me going forward.

What’s been your biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge throughout university has been pushing myself outside my comfort zone without knowing what the outcome would be. When I first started, my aim was to make the most of the experience and leave with no regrets. Looking back, I can honestly say I’ve done that. I’ve taken every opportunity I’ve been given and made the most of them, and I’ve realised that the more I’ve put in, the more I’ve got out. That’s the one piece of advice I’d give to students considering studying at UA92.

Is there a project or achievement you’re particularly proud of?

There have been two things that have stood out to me.

The first was working on the NatWest Accelerator Project with a group of friends, where we delivered a marketing campaign for Pink Link Ladies. It was such a good experience and gave me the chance to work directly with the CEO and marketing director of Pink Link Ladies, creating content for women in business. One of the highlights was driving up to Blackpool to present our work to the marketing director, and later being invited to their International Women’s Day event at Leighton Hall in Lancaster, which felt like a really nice recognition of the work we had put in.

The second was campaigning to become the World of Business Rep. This is something I never could have imagined doing when I first started uni because it felt quite daunting putting myself forward for a role like that. But I’m really glad I did. After a week of pitching and campaigning, I ended up getting the role, which I’m really proud of. More than anything, it was just a moment of realising I can put myself forward for things even when they feel a bit out of my depth.

How has your course prepared you for your future career?

My course has given me the skills and knowledge which I’ve then been able to apply to the projects and assessments. Having not studied business nor accounting before, the course has given me a pathway to expand my knowledge and apply this in different situations and experiences like presentations, podcasts, interviews and assessments.

The 92 Programme side of the course has definitely impacted and influenced my journey.  I can see how it’s helped me not just with assessments, but with growing as a person alongside my studies. It’s given me more confidence in my own ability and a better mindset going forward into the industry.

Overall, I feel like the course has given me a good mix of knowledge, experience, and confidence, and that’s what I’ll be taking with me into my career.

Have you gained any real-world experience (placements, internships, etc.)?

Yes, over the three years I’ve worked with a few businesses. In first year, I competed in the Young Enterprise Competition. During the second year, a group of others and I ran a Salford City matchday, taking over the club’s operations for a full day. I’ve also worked with NatWest as a part of the Accelerator Program, where I completed a marketing campaign for a business called Pink Link Ladies, and between second and third year, I secured a 10-week internship at Barclays as an Operations Analyst.

What are your plans after graduating in July?

After graduation, I start a two-year Graduate Scheme starting at Barclays, working as a Tech Analyst.

What advice would you give to new students starting this course?

My advice would be to embrace every opportunity and make the most of it.

What will you miss most about being a student?

One thing I’ll miss about university is the environment and community feel at UA92. All the staff who I’ve interacted with and who have supported me over the past three years have made my student experience one I’ll miss and never forget.