The first term of a new year always brings with it a number of decisions that need to be made. If you’re a fresher, you’ll be deciding which societies to join (Her Campus would obviously be the best choice) and if you’re in your final year you might be deciding what you want to do once you’ve graduated. As a second year, one of the most pressing decisions is whether or not to do a year abroad or a placement year. Having just returned to Leeds from my year in industry I can whole- heartedly recommend it; though, realistically, a placement year is not suitable for everyone. To make an informed decision on whether or not a placement year is for you, you can speak to your personal tutor, pop into the Careers Centre, do some research online and speak to any friends/family who might have completed one. If you think a year in industry is the right choice for you, here are some of the key considerations you should take into account:
1. Role– You need to carefully consider what kind of role you want. It is entirely normal to be unsure of what career you want to pursue and a placement year can help you to explore your options. If you really have no idea, a visit to the Careers Centre might help, as they can assess your skills and interests and provide you with some recommendations. If you know exactly what you want to do, that’s great! Just keep an open mind, as you may find that as you research the available roles, you’re drawn to areas thatyou hadn’t previously considered.
2. Location– There are placements on offer all over the country and even some overseas. Deciding that you want to stay in a particular location can seriously limit your choices. Most employers will help any placement students to find accommodation close to their offices and many arrange for students to live together – a bit like university first year.
3. Salary– Though salary is important, it shouldn’t be the defining factor for your job choice. Being paid a large sum for doing a job that cyou despise will not automatically render it an enjoyable year. However, it is important that you can at least cover your living costs, so take this into account before accepting any job offers.
4. Research–To make an informed decision, you need to do some research. Before applying to any companies, make sure you know exactly what it is that they do and the specifics of what your role would be. This will help you in deciding whether or not the company is for you and will also aid your application, as you will be able to show real interest and understanding.
5. Persevere–The competition for placements is very high, especially for roles such as marketing and finance. Applications can be very time consuming and rejections can be quite disheartening. However, every “no” brings you closer to a “yes.” I couldn’t tell you how many applications I made before I finally got a job but I was constantly checking for new vacancies! There are a lot of useful resources and websites that list vacancies and have application advice – use them! Make sure you prepare for any telephone or face to face interviews. You may also need to complete some online tests – you can practice these here. The search for a placement can be stressful but the reward far outweighs the cost. During my year I met some amazing people, got to work on exciting projects and have a much clearer idea of what career path I want to follow. I also have some great experience on my CV and have developed new skills and knowledge.
I’ve listed below a few websites that I found useful during my hunt and hopefully these photos show you how fun a placement can be! If you’ve decided to embark on a placement year, good luck!
www.stars.leeds.ac.uk
www.milkround.com
www.ratemyplacement.co.uk
www.prospects.ac.uk
www.thestudentroom.co.uk