Starting my placement at the William J. Clinton Leadership Institute has been an amazing journey filled with new experiences and learning opportunities. One of the highlights of my first month has been getting to know my colleagues and feeling instantly at home in a supportive and collaborative environment.

From the moment I stepped into the Institute, I was greeted with warmth and enthusiasm. The team members were eager to introduce themselves and make me feel comfortable, which set a positive tone for the weeks that followed. The onboarding process was comprehensive and well-structured, helping me ease into the company’s culture and operations. Special thanks to Sue, Sean, Rachel, and Zak, who have guided me and made me feel confident and excited to work alongside everyone.

In these past weeks, I've had the opportunity to work on a variety of tasks, including content creation, website management, data organization, and planning social media posts. The fast-paced environment required me to quickly adapt and manage my time effectively. This experience has been invaluable in helping me develop essential skills for a career in sales and marketing.

Another significant area of growth has been in developing my communication skills. From drafting emails to participating in team meetings and interacting with different departments at Queen’s Business School, I’ve learned the importance of clear and effective communication. These experiences have shown me how vital good communication is in fostering collaboration and achieving common goals.

While Belfast has been a fantastic place to work and meet new people, the weather here is... let’s call it unpredictable. It changes every five minutes and I’ve experienced all four seasons in one day. I've learned to never leave home without my umbrella!

Reflecting on my first month, I feel a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for what lies ahead. The experience has been a fantastic introduction to the world of sales and marketing. I am incredibly grateful for the support and guidance from my mentors and colleagues, who have encouraged me to ask questions and take initiative. This supportive environment has empowered me to be proactive and take ownership of my learning, allowing me to grow and gain confidence in my abilities.

Looking forward, I’m excited to delve deeper into more complex projects, continue developing my skills and explore new areas like digital marketing strategies and sales processes. The coming months promise more challenges and opportunities and I’m eager to embrace them.