Florence Broderick Modern Languages and Contemporary European Studies2013

I choose Southampton because of its strong reputation in the field of Modern Languages and its cutting edge offerings in terms of Curriculum Innovation and Digital Marketing. I also really liked the feel of Avenue Campus.

The Year Abroad gave me invaluable work experience… and my degree was also flexible enough to let me undertake important part-time work and freelance opportunities.

What were your Southampton ‘highlights’ whilst you were studying here?

Visiting Rome to film a documentary for Curriculum Innovation.

The Year Abroad working in a start-up incubator programme in Madrid.

What opportunities did you take up (within your degree programme and extra-curricular)? In what ways did they help your personal development?

I took part in Digital Champions, which helped me to understand and interact with an increasingly significant digital world.

I was also Captain of Ladies Cricket. This helped me to develop my leadership skills and to understand how to work in a team.

Additionally, as President of the Spanish Society, I had the chance to challenge myself in terms of developing my time management skills, as I also had a two other part-time jobs to juggle.

Did you have the opportunity to study modules outside of your core subject area, and how did they add to your success after leaving the University?

Yes – with the European Studies part of my degree I could take modules with other faculties which enabled me to study Digital Marketing after spending my Year Abroad working in it. This was really important ahead of the job I am currently in.

Also, with Curriculum Innovation I was able to carefully consider my digital identity and online brand which proved to be exceptionally important during graduate recruitment processes.

Did any exposure to employer involvement or research led learning during your course help you achieve your ambition? If so, how?

With the Digital Champions, I was able to attend events and conferences which helped me to expand my network. I have even ended up crossing paths with people in my job in Madrid with contacts I made at university.

What did you enjoy most about your course?

The flexibility (taking modules outside of Modern Languages) and the progressive approach to education taken by staff.

What networking, employment and work experience opportunities did you undertake and did they enhance your Southampton experience?

The Year Abroad gave me invaluable work experience in the tech and marketing world and my degree was also flexible enough to let me undertake important part-time work and freelance opportunities.