CAN-DO Work Experience: A Spotlight on Jess Watts

Want to know more about the opportunities available at CAN? 

Take a look at Jess’ journey within our Commercial Department, where she completed her summer work experience as an Assistant Commercial Administrator. 
 

My Journey at CAN

At the beginning of summer I was offered the opportunity to join CAN’s Commercial department in the role of Assistant Commercial Administrator. I had just finished my first year of a business degree at Heriot-Watt University but was thinking about transferring home and changing my course, so this opportunity was very timely. 

Throughout the summer, I have had the chance to work within an amazing team and be involved in many projects across the department.  I had no prior knowledge of CAN or what a commercial department did and within three months I have gone from this, to creating invoices and being trusted with my own projects.

As well as supporting the commercial department, I have also had the opportunity to assist and observe other departments such as Operations and Accounts; allowing me to gain valuable work experience and also greatly improve my confidence and communication skills.

Supporting my Studies

Despite not being part of my degree programme, working at CAN has allowed me to relate the theory I learned from my first year of studies to practical, real-life experience. This is something that I would not have gained from pure classroom-based learning. Hopefully I can continue to build on this and therefore stand out to employers in the future. 

I have always been unsure about what I wanted to do as a career, but since working at CAN I have decided to continue studying a business degree at RGU, as I have seen the variety of paths that Business can lead to and the opportunities which are available. I am very grateful for the opportunity and experience that CAN has provided me with and I will take what I have learned in the past three months with me throughout the rest of my career.

Continuing at CAN

As a result of the work I have done throughout the summer, I was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to continue to work part-time at CAN when I go back to university. I am looking forward to continue working within the team, increasing my knowledge and making the most of this excellent opportunity.

Congratulations Jess, and thank you for sharing your work experience journey here at CAN.

CAN Group is proud to be part of the Young Person’s Guarantee with DYW North East which aims to provide all 16-24 year olds in Scotland career opportunities through jobs, apprenticeships, further and higher education, training programmes and volunteering. 

If you are interested in finding out about the opportunities available at CAN Group please visit our careers page. 

Pictured: Jess Watts, Assistant Commercial Administrator at CAN