Why I chose to do a placement
When I applied to Durham, I chose Accounting and Finance with Placement option right from the start. I’ve always been curious about how the finance world works beyond textbooks, and I knew that a year in industry would give me real experience, professional skills and help me figure out which direction I wanted to take my career in.
How I found my placement
I started learning about placements in my first year through Business School workshops and events run by societies like the Finance Society and Women in Business. These gave me early insight into what employers look for and how to tailor my CV and cover letters. The Business School also helped with CV reviews, mock interviews, and assessment centre prep.
In my second year, I went to as many career fairs as I could. At one of them, I met a senior HR professional from AXA Investment Managers who introduced me to their placement opportunities. That conversation stuck with me and helped shape my cover letter. After several interviews with my future team and HR, I was offered the role.
What I did during my placement
I joined AXA Investment Managers in London as a Financial Controller Intern in the real assets team. I was based in 22 Bishopsgate, the second tallest building in London. It had amazing views and a lively atmosphere, including a resident DJ every Thursday. I even got to try DJing once, which was so much fun!
My day-to-day work involved managing the finances of five real estate entities. I prepared monthly cashflows, forecasts, assisted with budgeting and tax submissions, and reviewed reports from the accounts team to check for any mistakes before approving them. I also made sure each entity had enough liquidity to meet capital expenditure needs by overseeing intercompany loans and shareholder drawdowns.
I worked closely with departments like fund management, legal, and development. I also had the chance to travel on a work trip to Dublin, which was such a fun and insightful experience. There was a large intern community with over 50 interns, and we often did fun activities like team lunches and puppy therapy sessions in the office. The environment made the placement both enjoyable and rewarding!
Skills I gained beyond the classroom
This experience helped me build practical skills I couldn’t get in lectures. My time management improved from handling tight deadlines, especially during quarter-end reporting. I learned to use financial software and advanced Excel functions to ensure accuracy in reports.
Communication and teamwork were essential. I regularly collaborated across departments and became more confident in asking questions, solving problems, and taking initiatives.
Applying those skills back at university
Coming back to university, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to focus on. I chose finance-heavy modules like behavioural finance and real estate finance because I realised I was more interested in finance than pure accounting.
I even based my dissertation on topics I explored during the placement. The hands-on experience made me feel more confident in applying theory and structuring my work effectively.
The power of networking
One of the best things I did was organising coffee chats with people from different teams. Speaking to colleagues from asset management, private equity, and other departments helped me learn about different career paths and where I could see myself after graduating.
Final thoughts
If you’re considering a placement year, I 100% recommend it. It helps you grow, builds your confidence, and gives you clarity about your future. Plus, working in a skyscraper with a DJ and puppy therapy isn’t something you get to do every day!
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