Allyson
Guillaudeux

Allyson Magali Guillaudeux reflects on her transformative year at Nottingham Business School studying BA (Hons) International Business Management (top-up), and how it shaped her path to a career in international finance.

Why NTU?

Why did you choose NTU and your course?

NTU is known to be one of the UK’s best universities in terms of teaching quality, placement rate, and city experience. I always wanted to study in the UK, and my year at NTU was, without a doubt, the best I could have hoped for. I wanted to work in finance and take part in corporate strategy. The Bachelor in International Business Management was therefore an obvious choice, which I worked hard to complete.

In France, not many schools provide such quality teaching. Being taught based on what you read and learn before seminars, then practising and working with companies through challenges, is highly motivating. Furthermore, NTU is a beautiful university where you get to know people from many countries through Varsity Week and by meeting other students. Moreover, NTU is located near a wide range of facilities, all within a five-minute walk from campus.

What stood out about Nottingham Business School?

The whole BAIBM course was exactly what I was looking for. What stood out the most about NBS was certainly its facilities, student support, and one-to-one meetings with lecturers, which helped me through my research project.

What was your favourite thing about your course?

I enjoyed working with other international students and being trusted to manage my own work and schedule outside of lectures and seminars, while still receiving support from the lecturers.

Did you have the option to personalise your course? How did it benefit your studies?

I had the opportunity to personalise my course and chose to specialise in international economics and to strengthen my English skills. The latter helped me better understand the subjects we were taught, while the former benefited my current job even more. It significantly strengthened my knowledge and gave me a deeper understanding of the core modules.

You now…

What does a typical day for you involve?

A typical day for me now involves dealing with finance at a corporate level. I manage income and expenditure, bills and contracts, budgets, human resources, wages, balance sheets, and everything related to finance and administration.

What attracted you to your line of work?

I always wondered what I wanted to do when I grew up. One day, I realised I was drawn to calculations, numbers, and cash flow management. Budgeting, investment, and the laws that govern finance soon appealed to me.

What challenges have you faced?

During my studies, the biggest challenge I faced was finding a topic for my research project that aligned with the field I aspired to work in, while also meeting the project requirements.

In my current job, challenges arise every day, which is what makes it interesting. I have had to deal with overdue payments from clients who refused to pay. On a daily basis, the most common challenge is balancing payments received with those to be made. Sometimes, just a few days can make a big difference.

What have been your biggest highlights of your career so far?

The biggest highlights of my career so far include:

• Being entrusted with more responsibilities just a few weeks after joining the company
• Working with international clients
• Receiving daily training to further specialise in my field

What are your plans for the future?

My goal is to become a Finance and Administration Director working on an international scale.

If you had a time machine, what would you go back and tell yourself at NTU?

Don't be so hard on yourself. Don't panic, you'll get there. You've worked so hard to study at NTU, so don't worry about your future. Enjoy your time here with your friends, because you'll come to miss this place and the people when you leave. Being a student at NTU is the best experience you've had so far.

Do you have any tips for our current students to get the most out of their time at Nottingham Business School?

Enjoy it. Don't try to rush through it, because it can be difficult. Life is meant to be a little challenging sometimes, but life at NTU will outweigh the difficulties. The years you spend here will most certainly be the best of your youth.

I loved studying at NTU and would have loved to work there as well. The year I spent here was magical. Thank you!