On Monday, Ffion Lucas (BGS 2017) joined us this week for a Lunchbox Lecture to talk about her sandwich year placement she is currently undertaking at Volkswagen (VW). Ffion provided a great insight in the automotive industry. She talked about the different areas of the business, stating it was an amazing time to join the industry, with many changes in relation to the environment and technological advances, such as electric vehicles and autonomous drivers.

Ffion was also keen to share her less than straightforward journey with her audience. She explained that she missed all of her predicted A Level grades and was consequently not accepted on the university course she applied for. With the support of her parents, Ffion applied to Nottingham Trent University to study Business, which included a year industry. She also revealed that she was initially turned down by VW for a year placement but the company got back in touch with her and offered an alternative placement.

Ffion was keen to emphasise to the girls that you should never discount an opportunity. When things don’t go your way, look for alternative routes to achieve your goals. Don’t be completely fixed in your ideas and even if an opportunity or experience doesn’t work out as you expected, take away from it some positives and put it down to a life lesson.