Abigail Wright-Temple

• Year of study: Second year (in 2025/26)
• Length of course: Three years (four with placement year)

My aspiration is to become an expert in my field of study at a senior level, within a career as a Senior Data Analyst. I chose to study at the University of Northampton because it’s a commutable distance from home.

My degree has already played a huge part in shaping my confidence and readiness for the professional world. Modules like Data for Decision Making have strengthened the way I approach problems, and they’ve helped me develop analytical skills that feel genuinely useful in real-life situations. They’ve also pushed me to improve my Excel skills, which have already come in handy during my placement experience. Additionally, I’ve really enjoyed learning about how businesses can become more sustainable. The Sustainable Business Practices module opened my eyes to how important sustainability is becoming, and this understanding gives me a real advantage as more organisations start to prioritise it.

The knowledge I’ve gained on my degree that will be most useful in my future career is research methods, and analytical tools such as Advanced Excel, Python and SPSS, as well as briefing and reporting skills. I’ve also improved my communication skills through presenting. Overall, my studies are helping me grow both professionally and personally, giving me the skills, awareness and confidence I’ll need when I graduate.

A work placement year is offered as part of my course and I’m currently midway through a role with the UK Government, in the Department for Business and Trade as an Employments Rights Analyst/Student Statistician. This has been incredibly valuable – it’s given me real exposure to the industry I hope to work in after graduating, and it’s helped me strengthen my analytical skills while seeing how analysts work day-to-day in a professional environment. I’ve also had access to training opportunities that I might not have otherwise had and have completed courses such as QA and Full Fact, taken Advanced Excel training, and I’ll soon be attending Agile Project Management and Practitioner training – all of which have helped me grow both technically and professionally. Overall, this placement has felt like a win for me – it’s boosted my confidence, expanded my skill set, and given me a clear sense of direction as I work towards becoming an analyst in the future.

It’s also enabled me to develop a range of employability skills that have helped me grow professionally. I’ve strengthened my Quality Assurance and fact checking abilities, which taught me the importance of accuracy and attention to detail, and I’ve improved my research skills and built confidence using Advanced Excel, something I’ve been able to apply in real work settings. On top of this, presenting my work has helped me enhance my communication skills, and taking part in cross division events has built my networking abilities and connections with people across different teams.

I truly believe that the experience I’ve gained during my placement will make a real difference when I begin to apply for graduate roles. It’s given me hands-on insight into how analysts work in the real world, and it’s helped me build the kind of practical skills employers look for, especially in such a competitive area like the Civil Service. Having this experience behind me feels like a strong stepping stone into employment, and I’m hopeful it will give me a much better chance of standing out when I graduate.

My biggest tips for applying for a placement are to remain consistent and be patient with the process. It can take time, so it helps to always have a plan B, whether that’s looking into volunteer work or other opportunities that can give you useful experience. Make sure your applications are backed up by your engagement in your academic work, because everything you’re learning now forms the foundation for the career path you choose to pursue. Most importantly, stay encouraged and don’t be afraid to aim for exactly what you want. It can be done, and the effort you put in really does pay off.

If you’re about to begin a placement year, embrace and enjoy it. It’s your time to learn, grow and experience new things – all while getting paid, which is a bonus. The best advice I received from my placement mentor was simple but powerful: be involved and be present, because that’s truly the best way to learn. And most importantly, don’t be too hard on yourself – you’re not there to be perfect, you’re there to develop.

Alongside my studies, I play tennis and local netball division one, and run marathons, for my own wellbeing and enjoyment. I’ve also participated in Belonging in Business, which aims to build a more inclusive, authentic and reflective learning environment to enhance a sense of belonging amongst students in business management modules. This has allowed me to work collaboratively with other students and build my teamwork skills, which will benefit me in my future career.

My advice to students interested in this career path is to take every opportunity that comes your way, but make sure you look after yourself along the journey – growth matters, but so does your wellbeing.

So far, the University of Northampton for me has been a supportive, practical and rewarding experience which will benefit my future.