Originally in second year, I was very unsure as to what kind of placement I wanted to undertake. I worked part-time in a fashion boutique and absolutely loved my job, which is why when a post at Primark as a Trainee Buyer in Dublin was advertised to us, I was instantly intrigued.

I was so interested in the positions available as a merchandiser and buyer, that I attended an open night in the Primark HQ in October. The open night was so informative, I got to talk to the management and when I went on to apply for the post, I was able to include in my cover letter about my attendance at the open night, which was attractive to the company.  The open night daunted me, as many of the people there where from universities in England and studied specifically Fashion & Merchandising, so I felt out of my league. However, I thought there was no harm in sending off my CV and Cover Letter.

I received word back that I was through to the next round of the process, undertaking a numerical assessment, and if I passed that I then had to do a short video interview. The video interview consisted of me recording answers to their questions, under a time restraint. I was successful in passing this round and was asked to attend an assessment centre in Dublin in January. The assessment centre included me undertaking a group task, written exercise, competency-based interview and preparing a presentation.

I travelled to Dublin for the Assessment Centre and, although extremely nervous, I thoroughly enjoyed the day not to mention the outstanding office, building, staff and food!  I received word in February that I was successful, within a week I had signed my contract and was due to start come September. I was the only applicant in Ireland that was successful, so I contacted all the other successful applicants in the UK and organised a trip for them to come over and for us to meet properly, and also to start looking for properties in Dublin.

I was offered a fabulous contract and was so excited at the thought of moving to Dublin for what genuinely was a dream placement for me. The application process was quite complex and involved many stages, but it felt completely worth it.

A few weeks after I had signed my contract, COVID hit, and things changed. Primark rang me in August, informing me that they had decided they could not offer the placement programme online and had decided to pull it that year. I was absolutely gutted and left with no options two weeks before I was due to start.

Greta and Jill from the School Placement Office were brilliant in helping me. I decided I did not want to enter final year and complete it online so I contemplated a year out. Since COVID I had been working full time at House of Vixen, a local fashion boutique in County Tyrone. I had worked part time here for the previous two years and Greta had suggested looking into creating a placement position for me in House of Vixen.

My boss, Brenda, was so accommodating and eager to create a position for me for the next nine months. I signed my contract as Assistant Retail Manager, including responsibilities of overseeing and training staff, managing our digital business strategies (social media and website), managing the shop floor and accompanying Brenda on buying trips.

From what was a horrible shock, in learning that my dream placement that had taken so much work and time to get accepted into had been cancelled, I ended up working and living at home during a year where COVID turned every business upside down. I was at the forefront of this, working online and instore throughout lockdowns and circuit breakers, constantly trying new initiatives, developing online presence and witnessing an independent boutique become resilient and flexible to all situations during possibly the most difficult year for businesses everywhere.

I could not have asked for a better experience of placement. I thought I had to go far to find this, but I was offered just as much at a local, independent boutique at home. I loved being close to home and having such a change from living in Belfast and university life. I do believe everything happens for a reason, and last year I was not meant to go to Dublin, I was meant to be at home and experience the hands-on experience and responsibilities. I had the best year and worked in such a good tight-knit team of girls that are my best friends now.

I still work at House of Vixen at the weekends and look to forward to it every week. We are currently a finalist as Fashion Retailer of the Year in the Ulster Tatler Awards, and it is a privilege to know that I was a part of this team, and it is a massive achievement.

House of Vixen is a fabulous environment where you receive huge responsibility and an insight to the management of a business. Dealing with customers, suppliers and managing a team of staff, experiencing both online and instore business. You can be creative and put your business skills to excellent use, using your own initiative and bringing your all to a thriving business, that is one of the best. I would highly recommend undertaking placement here if you have an interest in fashion or retail marketing/management, not to mention having the best boss!

Although my experience was not straight-forward or what I had expected, it was a brilliant year that I am so grateful I got to undertake. Primark did say that they would offer me a graduate role, due to the difficulty of the application process, so hopefully I will be getting to Dublin when I graduate next year.

Please do not let longer application processes or intimidating office buildings or applicants put you off, it honestly will pay off if you push yourself, even if it doesn’t workout you can be proud you did it!

I would also say that the Placement Office went above and beyond and exist for a reason, they are brilliant at their job so contact them for amazing advice and help throughout.  Lastly, be openminded and enjoy your year of placement, it definitely helps in preparing you for final year and the working world.