During my placement in the Corporate Strategy & Transformation team, my role was incredibly varied and evolved week by week. I found this both exciting and ideal for developing a wide range of skills, from analysis, insights and research to project & stakeholder management. I typically contributed to broad areas such as the developing and deployment of the Corporate Strategy (B100+), transformational projects like the Profit Resilience Programme, the Progressive Brand Group (managing our relationship with Audi) and sustainability activities. That said, some of my most rewarding and enjoyable projects lay outside of these topic areas. For instance, I am particularly proud of my time supporting the tariff response team. The work was dynamic and fast paced, which I particularly enjoyed. I played a leading role developing a comprehensive response framework, utilising external insights, defining critical KPI triggers, corresponding response actions, liaising with key stakeholders and SMEs to define levers and critical values. Through this we ensure Bentley is prepared given any eventuality.
The placement pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best possible way. Professionally, I gained practical experience in strategic analysis, stakeholder engagement, and presenting to senior audiences - all skills that go far beyond what you learn at university. I contributed to projects that I never imagined I’d be able to, something that would not have been possible without my amazing team. Personally, I developed greater confidence, especially in leading conversations and navigating complex challenges. This year has given me clarity on the kind of high-impact, analytical roles I want to pursue after university and equipped me with the skills to excel in those roles (hopefully back at Bentley 😊). The skill I am most grateful for developing, is the ability to navigate complex and critical topics, synthesising the detail and delivering a simple message that is easy to understand. I believe this skill is invaluable and transferable to almost any role.
I was genuinely surprised by the level of trust placed in placement students. I was treated as a full member of the team from day one, given real responsibility, included in key meetings, and encouraged to share ideas. At the same time, there was a clear appreciation shown for my level of development and the culture is incredibly supportive. My manager went out of their way to support my development and help me wherever needed, personally or professionally. I also didn’t expect to work across such a wide variety of projects, which made the experience even more rewarding.
Don’t just apply to a company - apply to a role where you can grow and you are genuinely passionate about. That way, you and the business will get more out of your year in industry. Once you're in the role, be curious and proactive – say yes to every piece of work, some of my best opportunities came from accepting tasks that weren’t particularly glamorous but led to incredible personal development. And finally, keep a record of your work as you go, it’ll make a huge difference when you get to the end of the year and you’re updating your CV.
One of the most unique parts of working on-site is the variety of vehicles you see day to day. Of course, there are Bentleys, from pre-production prototypes to heritage models, but you also regularly spot competitor cars being benchmarked. It’s not unusual to walk past a vintage Bentley one minute, and a rival brand’s latest release the next. It gives you this incredible sense of both where the brand has come from and where it’s heading, all within a single walk across the site. It’s a constant reminder of the standard of excellence Bentley aspires to and the competitive landscape it operates in.
