From Ibiza to Industry: Kian talks all things placement year

When it came to choosing a university, a combination of Harper Adams University’s location and our positive reputation sold it for third year BSc (Hons) Business Management and Marketing student, Kian Evison.

Born in Ibiza, Spain, he spent the first seven years of his life there before moving to Shropshire.

Once here, he found the opportunity Harper Adams presented right on his doorstep suited him perfectly.

He said: “I chose Harper Adams because of its location and the positive reputation I had heard about the university.

“When deciding on a course, I knew I wanted something that would give me a broad range of skills and career opportunities, as I wasn’t completely certain what path I wanted to take after university. Business Management and Marketing felt like the perfect fit for that.

“The teaching has been supportive throughout my time at Harper Adams, and the facilities provide everything you need as a student, with plenty of spaces for both independent and group study.”

While the support and facilities on campus played an important role in Kian’s university experience, balancing study with commuting and part-time work also helped him develop valuable life and professional skills.

“Day-to-day life as a student was enjoyable overall. As I commute to campus, there were occasionally longer gaps between lectures which could be challenging at times.

“During my first and second year, I also worked three night shifts a week alongside my studies, which taught me a lot about time management, organisation and balancing responsibilities.

“Although it could be demanding at times, it helped me develop a strong work ethic that has benefited me both academically and professionally.”

As part of their studies, many students head out on a placement year to gain real-world experience – something that Kian has found very valuable, helping to put theory into practice.

He said: “For my placement year I’m working at a company that specialises in residual stock - working with businesses that have cancelled orders, rebranded products, short-dated stock or excess inventory, helping them manage and redistribute those products effectively.

“My placement has been extremely beneficial so far because it has allowed me to apply what I’ve learned at university in a real business setting. The Selling, Negotiation and Networking module in particular has been incredibly useful, as I use those skills regularly in my role. It’s been rewarding to see how directly university teaching can translate into the workplace.”

Kian returned to Harper Adams during his placement as part of a guest lecture by Jemima Boroughs from Shropshire Trading Ltd, organised by Senior Lecturer for the Harper Adams Business School, Claire Robertson.

“After my first placement review, I was invited back to Harper to do a guest lecture on the Selling, Negotiation and Networking module to second year students.

“The lecture gave me the opportunity to share what I had learnt during my placement and explain how selling, negotiation and networking skills are used in a real business environment.

“Rather than speaking about the theory alone, I was able to give realistic and practical examples from my role at Shropshire Trading.

“This experience helped me reflect on how much my confidence and commercial understanding had developed during my placement. Presenting to other students also challenged me to communicate clearly, structure my thoughts, and explain business situations in a way that was easy to understand.

“It showed me that the skills covered in the module are not just useful in sales roles, but are important across many areas of business, particularly when building trust, managing relationships and influencing decisions.

“Overall, being invited to deliver the lecture was a proud moment and reinforced how relevant the course content has been to my placement experience.”

University is about much more than lectures and assignments. Making the most of student life, building connections and embracing new experiences can be just as valuable as what you learn in the classroom – as Kian can attest.

“Outside of studying, student life is also a huge part of the Harper experience. There are always events and activities taking place, and my personal highlight was definitely the Summer Ball.

“My advice would be to make the most of every opportunity available to you. Get involved in university life, attend events, build connections with people and take advantage of placement opportunities wherever possible. The experience you gain both inside and outside the classroom can be incredibly valuable for your future career.

“I would also definitely recommend attending an Open Day when you’re thinking about university as it gives you a real insight into both the university and the course before making your decision.”

If you’re interested in finding out what Harper Adams can offer you, book your place at our upcoming Open Day on 15 August here.