Caitlin Williams
Current student
- Course
- Management BSc
- Subject area
- Business, Management and Marketing
I visited quite a few universities when deciding where to study, but Loughborough immediately stood out. As soon as I stepped onto campus, I had a gut feeling that this was where I wanted to be. The whole place felt welcoming, friendly and had exactly the kind of community I knew I’d thrive in. Everyone talks about the “Loughborough Bubble,” and it really is true. It’s such a positive, supportive environment to live and learn in.
I originally planned to study biochemistry, but after realising a lab-based career wasn’t for me, I switched to Management. I’d always enjoyed business at school, and the degree offered variety, strong job prospects, and skills I could apply across industries.
Studying at Loughborough Business School has been a great experience. The lecturers are knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely invested in our success. They’re always approachable and provide plenty of resources to help us get the most out of the course. Two standout modules for me have been International Marketing and Consumer Behaviour - both engaging, insightful and influential in shaping my future ambitions.
The placement year was another major reason I chose Loughborough. I knew I wanted to do one, and I liked that the Business School offered strong placement support. It meant that the friends I studied with in my first two years would return with me for the final year, which created a real sense of continuity. The Placements Team was excellent, particularly with CV guidance, cover letters, and mock assessment centres.
I completed my placement at Haleon, a global fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) healthcare company. I’ve always been drawn to the sector as there’s something really exciting about working with the physical products you can actually see on shelves. For the first three months, I worked as a Component Scheduler on a manufacturing site, managing all the componentry for the mouthwash line and working closely with teams across the site.
When the site was scheduled to close, Haleon moved me into a new role in London, working in Northern Europe Quality Supply Chain on continuous improvement projects. It was a big shift, but I learned so much - supporting cross‑market projects, analysing data, and facilitating meetings across several countries.
One of the proudest moments of my placement was receiving the Bronze Global Employee Recognition Award from my manager. As the first placement student in that role, it meant a lot to be recognised, and it really confirmed the impact I’d made.
My placement helped develop invaluable communication, networking, and organisational skills. Working with people across different teams and countries built my confidence and broadened my professional network. Returning to Loughborough for final year, I’ve felt far more structured in my approach to studying. Working life taught me how to properly switch on and off, which I’ve carried into my studies. Certain modules already feel familiar thanks to my placement experience.
Outside of my studies, I was part of the Equestrian Society in my first two years, as I’ve ridden on and off since I was young. This year, I’ve focused more on my final-year workload and graduate applications, but earlier in my degree I also completed the “Switch on to Stand Out” employability programme, which I found really helpful.
For anyone considering Loughborough, I’d say it’s such a supportive and inspiring place to study. The campus is beautiful, there are so many places to work, and the community feels unlike anywhere else. And if you have the chance to do a placement, take it! The experience, confidence and the skills you gain really do put you a step ahead by the time you graduate.
After university, I’m applying for graduate roles, ideally in supply chain or marketing, and I’d love to stay in the FMCG sector. I enjoy being part of an industry where you can directly see the outcome of your work, walking into a shop and recognising a product you helped work on is such a rewarding feeling.
My time at Loughborough, along with everything I learned on placement, has prepared me with both the hard and soft skills I need for the future. Wherever I end up, I know these experiences will shape me and help me progress with purpose.