Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

As well as handling customer enquiries, invoicing and despatching (all in French and German) I also travel abroad for exhibitions and represent the company to potential customers.

Answering customer enquiries, making sure everything is running on time and asking why if it isn't. I am basically a big plate spinner, always making sure all the different people's needs I encounter are being met all at once. It's varied and it's busy!

Travelling to Munich each year for an international exhibition.

Dealing with unhappy customers when things don't quite go to plan.

It makes use of my language skills but is varied enough to never be boring.

My BA in Modern Foreign Languages.

I didn't have official training, but I learnt all about the services we offer on the job to the point I feel confident travelling to a customer to represent out company.

I've worked full time ever since before I graduated. I worked for 9 months straight out of university (I had to take a day off for my graduation) for a manufacturing company which was unfortunately badly hit by the recession so I decided to find somewhere new.

Having gained some relevant experience I didn't have much difficulty finding a new post despite the recession, as language graduates do seem to have an edge if the business relies heavily on exporting. I have been employed in my current role for over 5 years.

I hope to take some more business and IT qualifications should the opportunity arise, and am currently taking on more responsibilities which will lead to managing the office.

Get work experience outside of university before you graduate. If you're a language student, the year abroad is the perfect opportunity to do this. I spent 6 months in Paris on a work placement. This wasn't easy to arrange but it was well worthwhile. I then spent 5 months in Austria as a teaching assistant via the British Council. By comparison this was very easy to arrange, but is still a great experience - especially if you want to move into teaching later. If you can't find a placement during your year abroad, try summer placements. Even if it isn't language related, employers want to see that you know how to act in a professional environment (hopefully that piece of paper you earn after 4 years will assure them of your language abilities).