Everson Dube

• Year of graduation: 2025
• Job title: Project Manager
• Employer: Morgan Sindall

I began my academic journey at the University of Northampton with a degree in Civil Engineering from the International University of Cyprus, followed by an internship in South Africa. Realising my passion lay more in project management than engineering, I returned home to work as an Assistant Project Manager in my family’s business. This experience sparked my interest in formal project management education, leading me to pursue an MSc in Project Management with Placement at UON.

Why did you decide to take the placement route?

I wanted to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world experience. I valued the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting, believing that practical exposure would enhance my employability and confidence.

Support from UON with the placement journey

The placement process was rigorous, but the University’s Employability module, Changemaker workshops, and career services (including access to different platforms) equipped me with the tools to succeed. I’d also like to highlight the importance of volunteering and mock interviews in building my confidence and professional persona. I strongly recommended students fully use the University’s available resources, from employability workshops to module materials, events, and advice provided by the course delivery team.

I secured a placement with Morgan Sindall on the Sellafield Nuclear PPP project, contributing to a £2.4 billion restoration initiative. My role involved supporting multiple project packages within the Process Services team, where I applied project management principles in a high-stakes environment.

Course strengths and real-world application

I found the Risk and Resilience, and Fundamentals of Project Management modules particularly impactful and they directly informed my work on risk assessments, business cases, and project initiation documents during my placement. I also appreciated the course’s flexibility, which allows students to pursue additional professional certifications like PRINCE2 and LinkedIn Learning modules.

Challenges and growth

Balancing a full-time placement with a placement research project was a significant challenge, however the support I received from my academic supervisor helped me to navigate these demands. My dissertation, based on my placement experience, allowed me to critically reflect on the gap between theoretical models and workplace realities, particularly around hybrid working models.

Completing my placement led to a graduate role as a Project Manager, demonstrating the value of combining academic learning with practical experience. My journey exemplifies how targeted support, determination, and adaptability can lead to professional success after finishing your studies in MSc Project Management at UON.