Marcella Amorim – BA (Hons) International Management graduate

“The combination of good lecturers, great debates, and a multi-cultural environment provided by the University prepared me in so many ways for what was ahead of me.”

Once I graduated, I decided to go back to Brazil in order to pursue a career there. The plan was to take a month to organise moving back to Brazil, find a job, and start working: simple as that. But I arrived in Brazil just in the middle of what proved to be one of the most serious financial crises we've ever experienced; jobs were being cut everywhere, and I spent two years job hunting until I was hired by my current employer. I had to move to São Paulo in order to take that job, but it was worth it.

Has your career path changed since graduation?

Yes, a lot! I think that’s a good thing. I never imagined myself moving to a big city like São Paulo (we are talking 12 million people), or that my country would face such a terrible economic and political crisis as it is right now, which forced me to look in many different directions for a job. That just highlights the importance of fast adaptation that the world requires of us all nowadays.

What is the best, most exciting or fun thing that you have done in your career?

The most exciting thing that I have done is moving to Sao Paulo to start a new job. For months every single thing was new and different; but that’s not a bad thing to experience. I’m more used to my position nowadays, and I love that my routine is never the same.

What, if anything, would you do differently if you could?

I think I would have started my postgraduate studies sooner. I'm looking to start a masters this year in international marketing, and looking back I think I could've looked to do this during the time I wasn't working. It’s never too late to start, though.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get into the same line of work?

It's a huge cliché, I know, but study everything you can in a subject and get as much experience inside the market, such as internships. Once you find yourself in a market that is producing job offers, those details are what will set you apart. Also, be prepared to adapt really quickly to every situation. My current position requires me to work inside the import operations market, and I need to be able to work around the conflicts that emerge everyday really fast.

How did studying at Plymouth help you?

I think above all it allowed me to see different points of view, and that was the most enriching thing I took from this experience. Even subjects which I had already studied in Brazil, I was able to get a completely different opinion on by studying again through different authors, debates, and ideas at Plymouth.

What is your favourite memory of studying at Plymouth?

It's hard to pinpoint just one, but I would have to say that it was two trips organised by the University. The University organised for us to go to London and Switzerland, and we were able to visit Bloomberg and the United Nations Organisation in Geneva. Both trips were very enriching study wise, but they were also a good way to explore new places and meet new people.

Do you stay in touch with other University of Plymouth alumni or lecturers?

I try my best as it was by far the most amazing step of my life up to now. Plus, we try to visit each other as much as we can: it’s a nice excuse to travel around as well. Also, I still write to a few of my lecturers and tutors; it’s so nice to talk to them even after all these years after graduation. They even try to advise me sometimes. I still consider them my tutors.

Would you recommend undertaking a course with the University of Plymouth, and why?

Without a doubt. The combination of good lecturers, great debates, and a multi-cultural environment provided by the University prepared me in so many ways for what was ahead of me. I actually decided my postgraduate focus after I went to the University of Plymouth and took a class called international marketing. That’s what I want to pursue now. All the classes and lectures complement each other, and I think you come out of your graduation with a more broad and dynamic point of view, which is essential in the job market nowadays.