Katie Westwater: BA (Hons) Business Studies

Full Name: Katie Westwater
Graduation Year: 2018
Course Studied: Business Studies
Job Title: Senior Account Manager
Employer/Organisation Name: VCCP
What are you doing now you have graduated from the University of Lincoln?: Since leaving the University of Lincoln, I’ve been working for 5 years in a leading advertising agency in Central London. I started my career as an Account Executive working on easyJet, and since then have been promoted twice and am now a Senior Account Manager working on Cadbury. In the last five years, I’ve worked on a plethora of campaigns – both nationally and globally. My most recent campaign – and perhaps my most accomplished – was a multi-million pound global TV campaign for Cadbury Dairy Milk in which we produced two 60 second ads telling small stories of generosity to show there’s a glass & a half in everyone. The two ads, called Garage and Speakerphone, have been running Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and Republic of Ireland.
How did your time at the University of Lincoln support your career?: I studied Business Studies at the University of Lincoln, and tailored my optional modules towards advertising and marketing. Having the option to do this meant I learnt the fundamentals of Business Studies – which in a role like account handling is incredibly valuable and vital to my day-to-day role – while also developing my understanding and appreciation for the world I wanted to enter into. The course itself taught me everything I could’ve needed for my chosen career path. I also used my third year to take a year out in industry, and spent some of that year working at the agency that I now have a career with. That year in industry was the most valuable thing I did, as not only did it secure me a job after university, but it gave me the drive and experience to push me through my third year with motivation and structure, leading me to getting a 1st class honours after only getting a 2:2 in my second year. The University were incredibly supportive of my year out, and having this as a suggested option on my course was fundamental for me and my path to work.
What are the best parts of your job?: I get to work with a whole realm of different people from all walks of life – whether that be the people on my team, my clients, other agencies, the production teams we shoot with…etc. Learning different people skills has really developed who I am as a person and how I show up in other people’s lives. I also love going on shoots and the big scale TV productions we do. They’re what I always dreamed of, and being a part of the creation of short form films that populate culture and become recognised globally is something that will never stop being special. It’s equally as special to see an advert you’ve been involved in developing or have just signed off on the newspaper on your way home, or on the side of a bus. What we’re doing is so real, and so present in the world – it feels pretty amazing to have a say in.
What inspired you to study at the University of Lincoln (or one of its predecessor institutions)?: First and foremost it was the quality of the Business Studies course at the University that caught my attention. In comparison to other Business courses at other Universities, this course suited my needs better than any other and the modules looked the most interesting to what I wanted to learn about and qualify in. It also suited me as they promoted the opportunity to take a four year sandwich course, which I did and worked really well for me. I also loved the feeling of the city and campus when I went to an Open Day. I loved that the city centre felt integrated in with the University, while it still had it’s own campus.
What was your favourite thing about being a student at the University of Lincoln (or one of its predecessor institutions)?: My favourite thing was the people I met – both my professors and my friends. The people I met on my first day at University are still my best friends to this day, and we will be for life. The University creates an amazing foundation for solid friendships to grow because of the balance it creates between studying and societies. My friendships from the University of Lincoln are central to the happiness I currently have in my life, and I think the University itself has a big part to play in this.
Did you undertake a placement (this could be a short term work placement, a year in industry or a study abroad placement)?: Yes
Additional Information: In my third year, I took a year out in industry. I had three different work placements in this time, one of which being at the advertising agency (VCCP) that I now have a full time career at.
What would you say to a prospective student thinking of applying to the University of Lincoln?: My friends and I often talk about our days at the University of Lincoln, and we regularly agree there’s not one single thing we would change about our experience. The course, the people, the city – everything. It was the best and most enjoyable experience of our lives, and has set a huge amount of us up incredibly well for successful careers in our chosen fields.
If you could give our current students any top tip for after graduation and their careers, what would it be?: Gain as much work experience before you leave University as possible. So many people have degrees now, and speaking from the experience of having worked on the hiring panel of our company’s competitive entry-level scheme, it’s the extra experience you can bring that will not only set you aside, but give you the interesting application that cuts through the rest. You’ll also make work contacts in that time who can help you get your foot in the door when the time comes.