Tai is embracing her time at Teesside with a placement at Sage as a Product Marketing Intern.
Teesside lets you shape your own lane, whether that's through placements, personal projects, or connecting with staff who genuinely care.
Coming from London, I wanted something different. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone with space to grow, take risks, and not feel like I had to have everything figured out at 18. Teesside gave me that space. I wasn't just another number; I felt seen, supported, and challenged in the best way.
Marketing felt like the perfect mix of creativity and strategy. It's fast-paced, ever-changing, and there's so many directions you can go in. I've always been interested in how brands connect with people, so it just made sense.
I love how grounded it is in the real world. We're not just learning concepts, we're applying them. We're working through case studies, creating campaigns, understanding consumer behaviour, and learning how to make decisions that matter. The digital marketing and consumer behaviour modules stood out to me because they showed how psychology, data, and creativity can all work together to move the needle in business – the stuff that makes you think ‘that's why brands do that!’.
The careers team were super helpful when I was applying for placements. The SU also always has stuff going on, and the Library is a solid place to get focused (plus the views aren't bad either).
I came from London, a city that never sleeps, and Middlesbrough gave me the space to breathe and build. It's calm, affordable, and has its own charm. It's not loud, but that's what makes it perfect for growth.
I'm currently doing my placement at Sage as a Product Marketing Intern. It's like a masterclass in how business works at scale – I'm involved in go-to-market planning, competitive research, messaging strategy, and cross-functional projects that touch product, sales, and marketing. It's helped me sharpen not just my technical skills, but also how to strategically, such as how to make decisions that drive both growth and impact.
I’ve always believed that leadership starts with service, so volunteering has been a big part of my journey. I worked with the Newcastle United Foundation where we collected over 150 bags of litter – a small action but big impact. I’ve supported The Salvation Army and Ouseburn Farm too, contributing to community and environmental projects.
I’ve also represented Sage at the North Tyneside Learning Trust Early Careers Fair to speak to students about career paths, placements, and building a future in tech and marketing. It wasn’t just about answering questions, it was about opening doors for people coming up behind me. That’s something I’ll always make time for.
While on placement, I’ve also spoken to second-year students about the importance of placements and how the experience has changed how I show up, professionally and personally.
I've gained confidence in how I communicate and present ideas, especially through group projects and practical assignments. The course has helped me understand how to think more strategically and apply marketing theory in practice. I've also picked up skills around research, problem-solving, and working with different types of people, which I know will be useful in any career I go into.
I want to work at the intersection of product and growth, helping companies scale with intention. I'm especially drawn to tech and fintech, where things move fast, and customer insight is everything. In the long term, running my own thing doesn't sound too wild to me.
100%. Especially if you're someone who doesn't want to just blend in. Teesside lets you shape your own lane, whether that's through placements, personal projects, or connecting with staff who genuinely care. If you're proactive, the support is there, and so are the opportunities. It's about people who will invest in you, and a course that prepares you for the real world.
My advice to anyone thinking of coming here is don't dim your light to fit in. If you're someone who wants more growth, more challenge, more meaning, then Teesside can be that launchpad. Be bold enough to ask for opportunities. Say yes even when you' re scared. And remember your background isn't a barrier, it's part of your power. Back yourself. Always.