Like most graduates, Sheila Cassidy was approaching her final year at university when she realised that employers want more than just a degree; they want to see job applicants who have taken part in extra-curricular activities and have initiative and leadership skills.

It was with this in mind that the Teemore graduate applied for the US-NI mentorship programme which gives local graduates the opportunity to attend year long paid work placements with high profile American corporations. The 24-year-old Law graduate was placed with The Coca Cola Company and is in her third month in Atlanta, where "the exposure to senior management and working in a global context has been really interesting".

She tells The Impartial Reporter: "After attending an interview and realising that although my degree was important, employers were more interested in what else I had to offer the company, I got heavily involved in extra-curricular activities in university." These included leading Queen's first charity clubs and societies calendar (which won Charitable Event of the Year' at The Volunteering Excellency Awards 2012), being a member of the student council, the business club and Enactus (a non-profit organisation offering the opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills by conducting real world business projects in their communities).

She also got involved in 'Innovather' (an enterprise support program designed to help female students develop and implement viable business ideas and business plans) and took part in the Washington-Ireland programme; a six month personal and professional development programme which brings Protestant and Catholic university students from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to Washington DC for summer internships and leadership training." This was integral to her gaining a place on the much sought-after US-NI mentorship programme, she believes.

A 'typical' day with Coca-Cola could see Sheila "researching methods to increase female leadership within The Coca-Cola Company" or "helping to configure the upcoming year's business plan". She says: "My day-to-day work varies largely depending on the needs of the HR team." Already, it has been "an enlightening experience", Sheila reports. "Working here also gives you the opportunity to get involved in a variety of opportunities e.g. the 'Women's Global Initiative' - a strategic plan with the primary objective of accelerating the development and movement of female talent into roles of increasing responsibility and influence." Sheila explains: "As part of this I have been given the opportunity to network with females who have senior positions within The Coca-Cola Company and hear their stories." The Coca-Cola Company sponsor many social events in Atlanta, therefore Sheila has attended these as a representative.

"I was recently a judge at the Enactus Atlanta Regional Competition and I attended Ireland Day at the New York Stock Exchange - seeing the opening bell being rung is not something I ever thought I would get to do in person," she reflects.

Business etiquette is important in American industry, Sheila has found. For example: "I have started writing 'I hope you have a good day' at the end of all my e-mails. As they say: 'When in Rome'. Also, comments such as 'Happy Friday' occur quite regularly!" She continues: "There is also a great emphasis on team spirit e.g. the CEO often calls 'town halls' in which the senior management sit up on stage in a scenario that would remind you of a talk show. During the most recent one, the CEO announced the year end results and anyone could attend from senior management to interns." Overall, "American's are honestly the friendliest and most accommodating people I have ever met. Their nature is to go above and beyond what is needed," Sheila states.

"This can be best summed up by my boss who personally paid my first month's rent when I couldn't get my credit card working." Outside of work, Sheila has been "a complete tourist", visiting New York and planning trips to Austin, Boston and Washington DC.

"I am thoroughly enjoying my experience and trying to make the most out of all the opportunities that I have been given. I have been lucky in the sense previous participants of the US-NI Mentorship Program have put me in touch with the friends they made during their time in Atlanta making the transition to Atlanta a lot easier.

"I have also got involved in various events which have taken place in Atlanta. For example last weekend I took part in a colour run which involved running around a course with people firing paint bombs at you for a local children's charity!" In the long-term, Sheila doesn't expect to stay in the States, preferring to stay close to her family and friends. When her internship finishes at Christmas she says: "I might join the rest of Fermanagh and visit Australia for a few months!" Ultimately, she hopes to secure a graduate position somewhere in the UK.