The George Best Belfast City Airport.[/caption] Downpatrick girl Katie, who received the unique opportunity through the Institute of Directors and Ulster Bank, was successful in her application from applicants across Northern Ireland. As the selected student, Katie received the opportunity to shadow Belfast City Airport Directors to experience first-hand their role and responsibilities and get a better idea of how the business operates. Commenting on her experience Katie said: “It was a wonderful opportunity to get an insight into the world of work at senior management level. It wasn’t work experience, so I wasn’t assigned specific tasks to undertake. “Rather, I spent the week shadowing a senior executive and, in a way, received a running commentary of what they were doing and why. It was also a great opportunity to explore the career options open to me within the travel and tourism industry.” [caption id="attachment_36789" align="alignright" width="280"] Downpatrick student Kate Tumelty studying Travel and Tourism at SERC completed a one week Director Shadowing Scheme at the George Best Belfast City Airport.[/caption] Carolyn King, SERC Placement Officer, in explaining the benefit of placements to students, said, “At SERC we are commitment to providing students with valuable work placements and development opportunities which allow them to improve their skills, add to their knowledge and explore their potential whilst promoting the high level of teaching and learning that goes on within the College.” Explaining how the experience has benefited her, Katie said that ‘it will look great on my CV and help me stand out from the crowd”. Katie now looks forward to receiving her special certificate of participation at a prestigious ceremony later this autumn. SERC provides a range of courses designed to give students ‘the edge’. To find out how SERC can help you ‘get the edge’ call 0845 600 7555, visit www.serc.ac.uk or find us on Facebook, search: South Eastern Regional College. ]]>