Commercial Early Trading Assistant

Niya Noneva

Business

Placement (10 Months+)

TUI UK & Ireland

What made you apply to TUI UK & Ireland?

I have always been passionate about travel and so I have been actively involved in tourism societies in both college and university. The fact that TUI UK & Ireland was among the top companies in the RateMyPlacement.co.uk Top Undergraduate Employers Guide only made my choice easier, as this is normally dominated by the ‘Big Four’ and I was really more interested in the holiday business. Also, TUI seemed like an organisation where I would be given more responsibility compared to others I had looked at.

How much responsibility were you given during your placement / internship?

Looking at the role description on the TUI Travel jobs website, I noticed that there was a lot of focus on giving responsibility to placement students. They were looking for people with attention to detail who enjoy being challenged on a daily basis. It was good to see that about two weeks into my placement, I was already pricing holidays on my own and I was encouraged to come up with strategic suggestions which were then implemented.

What did you enjoy most about your placement / internship?

TUI UK & Ireland is a really diverse company and there’s always something going on, not just from a role perspective, but also socially. I’ve noticed that within trading there are periods where very specific actions are required based on demand. This keeps me on my toes and makes my day-to-day job interesting so it never becomes repetitive office work. Also, there have been numerous corporate events like a summer party, a conference in Egypt and various team socials.

Would you want to return to work full time at TUI UK Ireland and if so, why?

I’ve really enjoyed this year and I’m definitely looking to come back after I graduate. I appreciate the working environment and I feel I’ve built good relationships with my colleagues. Although I’m a placement student, I’ve been treated as a rightful employee and my opinions have never been dismissed just because of my lesser experience. In fact, I’m hoping to get a job as a Sales Advisor in a Thomson shop next year to keep in touch with the company.

How has this placement / internship affected your career prospects?

I was originally looking to do a Hotel Management degree but eventually I decided to start in a broader business field to find out whether it really interests me. Working at TUI has helped me develop strong employability skills and pinpoint my areas of professional interest. It has also broadened my horizons as I have been able to gain a better understanding of all the business functions and important stakeholders, and it has made me more aware of the market.