Karolina is a Psychology student at the University of Nottingham. She secured a Logistics Centre Operations industrial placement at Cummins Inc. in Daventry, through Bright Network. 
First, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
“I’m studying Psychology because I love research and data, and I’m aiming to use the transferable skills I gain from my degree to progress into a business field.
Growing up, I was unsure of exactly what I wanted to do, so I focused on what I enjoyed. My degree now gives me the opportunity to explore different areas such as marketing, research, business, data analysis, and logistics, and to get involved with extracurricular activities while still figuring out where my passions lie.”
What motivated you to apply for your role?
“Since I’m studying Psychology, it was difficult to find a company that accepted degrees outside of traditional business-related fields. However, Cummins is known for accepting candidates based on their passion and willingness to learn and immerse themselves in the placement, rather than solely on their area of expertise.
In addition to that, Cummins places a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusivity, which was important to me as I have dyslexia and sometimes take slightly longer to grasp concepts. This wasn’t a problem for them, as they pride themselves on maintaining an inclusive workspace.”
What was the application process like?
“I submitted my CV and cover letter, then had a phone interview before progressing to the final interview stage.
I delivered a presentation during the interview and made an effort to talk about relatively niche aspects of the company in order to stand out.”
What was your application journey like?
“I prepared by researching the company and exploring their LinkedIn and website to find out if it was the right fit for me — and whether I would be a good fit for them.
I was most nervous about the final interview, but I practised some common interview questions, refined my presentation, and arrived feeling confident.”
How did Bright Network help you secure your role?
“Bright Network has always been my preferred platform for finding placements because its layout makes it easy to see exactly what the requirements are and whether I’m eligible.
As a Psychology student, it can be difficult to know whether certain placements are relevant to me. Bright Network really helped me identify a broader range of potential opportunities before applying, saving me time as the information was presented clearly.”
What are you most proud of about your journey?
“I’m proud that I had the opportunity to showcase my skills during the interview process and to demonstrate that I’m the perfect fit for the role.
At times, I get nervous and lack confidence in my abilities. However, after a few assessment centres and online interviews, I gained more confidence and successfully secured this role.
I’m also proud of the time and effort I put into searching for a placement — it’s really paid off!”
What are your tips for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
“My advice would be to use action verbs in your CV and to talk about the transferable skills you have — in both your cover letter and during the interview process.
If your university offers cover letter or CV workshops, I’d highly recommend attending them. Also, share your work with friends so you can help each other and gain different perspectives.”
What have you learnt from going through the process?
“I’ve learnt that the interview process is not as intimidating or scary as I initially imagined — it just takes preparation and confidence.
It’s okay not to be perfect in your first interview; improvement comes with time.”
Tell us about the future. What’s next?
“I’m absolutely delighted to have been accepted onto this industrial placement. I’m looking forward to immersing myself in this fantastic opportunity and want to gain as much as I can from the experience.
After my placement, I hope to continue working in the logistics field, potentially moving into ergonomics or research.”
Find industrial placements, graduate jobs and more at Bright Network.
