As a final-year Marketing and Management student, Kate Netscher worked as a Digital Skills Ambassador at Newcastle University Business School. During her degree, she also completed a placement at Primark HQ in Dublin, working as a Trainee Buyer.
Here, she shares how LinkedIn Learning supported her academic and professional development, from applying for placements to completing her dissertation.
Throughout university, LinkedIn Learning has been one of the most valuable tools supporting my development. It helped me secure my placement, succeed during it and strengthen my academic work in final year. Newcastle University Business School gives all students free access to LinkedIn Learning, and it has been a valuable resource in developing my skills throughout my degree.
LinkedIn Learning played a huge role in helping me secure my placement. The application process can feel intense and overwhelming, but combining Business School careers support with LinkedIn Learning made it far more manageable.
I used courses on CV and cover letter writing to refine my applications and understand how to present my experience in a way that stood out. When I progressed to interviews and assessment centres, I turned to courses on public speaking and presentation skills, which helped me feel more confident and composed.
These skills didn’t just help me get the placement; they also helped me once I started. The practical knowledge I gained meant I arrived with relevant, transferable skills and felt like a valuable member of the team from day one.
LinkedIn Learning quickly became one of the most useful academic tools I relied on throughout university. It supported me across modules, assessments and even my dissertation, helping me build skills that strengthened both the quality of my work and my confidence.
One of the biggest benefits was improving my presentation and design skills. Courses on Canva and PowerPoint helped me create clearer, more professional presentations for group projects and seminars – skills that also transferred directly into my placement year.
As I moved into final year, LinkedIn Learning became even more valuable. Courses on academic writing and critical analysis helped me refine my assignments and write with more clarity and professionalism.
It was especially useful during my dissertation. I used courses on survey design and research methods to shape my approach, strengthen my analysis and feel more confident in the decisions I was making throughout the process.
Students across the University have also highlighted how LinkedIn Learning has supported them academically and professionally.
“I used LinkedIn Learning to build experiences for my CV and talk confidently in interviews.
“I would definitely recommend LinkedIn Learning to other students due to the straightforward feel of the platform and the fact that Business students have access for free.”
Mia Dawbarn
Marketing and Management BSc with Placement Year
“LinkedIn Learning helped me feel more confident in the workplace, especially during the placement application process and when I first started working.
“LinkedIn Learning is especially useful for developing practical workplace skills such as Excel. I would advise other students to take the courses as they are short but also relevant and helpful.”
Ben Smyth
Accounting and Finance BSc with Placement Year
LinkedIn Learning has supported me at every stage of my university journey – academically, professionally and personally. It helped me secure my placement, succeed during it and feel more confident in my final year.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that small, consistent learning really does add up. With free access through Newcastle University Business School, it’s a resource worth exploring early and using often.