Stephanie Oko

• Year of graduation: 2025
• Job role: Inside Sales Representative
• Company name: Blackhawk Network (BHN) EMEA

I chose the University of Northampton because of its modern campus, which creates a vibrant and inspiring place to study. The facilities made learning more engaging and gave me the resources I needed to succeed. Another reason was the affordability of living in Northampton compared to bigger cities, allowing me to enjoy student life without the constant pressure of high costs, while still having access to shops, cafés, and green spaces to relax. Most importantly, the smaller class sizes meant I could build stronger connections with my lecturers, making my learning experience more personal and supportive.

I’m passionate about working in front-office finance because I enjoy being at the heart of decision-making and seeing the direct impact of financial strategies. My goal is to develop strong analytical and commercial skills, learning how to assess opportunities, manage risk, and drive performance. I want to join a company where I can work closely with experienced professionals, gain exposure to markets or client-facing projects, build practical experience and hopefully gain a professional qualification in the field. Long term, I aspire to take on a senior front-office role, contributing to strategic decisions and helping the business grow while delivering real value to clients.

My studies at the University of Northampton have been paramount to preparing me for a career in finance and enhancing my personal development. For example, the Financial Strategy module taught me how to analyse financial performance, assess investment opportunities, and make informed decisions – skills directly applicable to finance roles. International Money and Finance expanded my understanding of global financial markets, exchange rates, and cross-border investment, giving me a broader perspective of how businesses operate internationally, which really helped me during graduate job interviews. Meanwhile, the Strategy and Agility module strengthened my problem-solving and adaptive thinking abilities, enabling me to respond effectively to changing business environments. Together, these modules have equipped me with the technical knowledge, analytical mindset, and strategic thinking needed to grow personally and succeed professionally.

My degree equipped me with a mix of technical and soft skills that I know will be valuable in my career. Through presentations and group work, I’ve strengthened my communication and teamwork abilities, while modules like Financial Strategy and International Money and Finance helped me develop analytical and problem-solving skills. I’ve also gained practical experience with Excel and Bloomberg, which are essential tools in finance. Additionally, modules such as Business Futures gave me insight into the dynamic nature of business, preparing me to adapt and respond effectively to real-world challenges in a fast-paced finance environment

While studying, I actively engaged in a range of extra-curricular activities that complemented my academic development and provided practical industry experience. One of the key highlights was my work-based placement at Northampton Town Football Club, where I had the opportunity to rotate across commercial, sales, and marketing departments. This placement allowed me to develop a holistic understanding of how a sports organisation operates commercially, from generating revenue through sponsorships and ticket sales, to designing marketing campaigns that engage fans and the wider community.

In addition to my departmental rotations, I was involved in internships and mentoring programmes, which strengthened my professional skills, particularly in teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. These experiences enabled me to apply theoretical concepts from my studies to real-world business challenges, which have been valuable in preparing me for the world of work.

These extra-curricular activities significantly enhanced my career prospects by helping me develop practical skills and professional confidence. My placement at Northampton Town FC, along with my other internship experiences, allowed me to interact directly with recruiters and professionals, improving my confidence when presenting myself and discussing my experiences. Given that recruiters increasingly look for graduates who demonstrate real-world experience, teamwork, and commercial awareness, these activities have positioned me to stand out and transition smoothly into a professional role.

The advice I would give to undergraduates interested in this career path would be to network! Speak to people, attend events, and reach out to people on LinkedIn including students and recruiters.