When you are two-thirds through your degree, it may be a good idea to spend a year working. Placement years, also known as sandwich courses or a year in the industry, present a chance to acquire valuable practical experience, get paid, and establish influential contacts that could lead to permanent employment. Most placements commence after the second year, and universities now offer the opportunity to work for engineering, science, language, and humanities degrees, not just for business degrees. Some employers pay up to £17,000 for the right candidate.
To make the most of this opportunity, students should be proactive and use all their resources, including personal contacts, websites, and university services to secure a placement. Targeted applications are preferable to a generic mass application approach, as students should apply early, research the companies they are interested in, stay flexible and open-minded. An up-to-date CV should be prepared, and students should reflect on why they are a good fit for the respective company. Participating in a placement year develops a work ethos that makes students more employable.
A placement year is always beneficial to students. According to Mike Hill, the CEO of Prospects, the official career website for the university sector, placement years are advantageous because students gain hands-on experience, work on their dissertation, or get invited back to the respective organization. They also get a chance to assess whether they enjoy their job, and employers take the opportunity to evaluate the students, their cultural fit, and trustworthiness, with a view of hiring them full-time in the future. For language students, the best part of a placement year is travelling abroad.
GE, a multinational conglomerate, had 320 interns in 26 locations last year, and it offers placements online from September. GE has a mentorship program to connect new recruits with previous interns to speed up the learning process and help interns settle in. Upon completing their degree, 20% of GE’s interns are invited back to a permanent role.
Josh Hampton from Doncaster, the University of Hull, is finishing his fourth year of an accountancy degree. In his second year, he applied to several companies, asking if they provided placements. He approached Moët after spotting a bottle of Moët champagne in a bar, and, although they did not offer placements, they promised to speak to him after graduation, impressed with his initiative. He secured a placement with GE in Manchester in finance, after several interviews at an assessment center. Working with GE significantly boosted his communication skills, and he now feels more driven and confident.
After receiving a substantial amount of feedback, I was provided with a comprehensive 15-page report on my performance and development. This feedback has proven to be a valuable asset, as if I ever decide to apply for a job with this organization, I am able to bring up this report to showcase my growth and progress.
As a result of my experience, I have undergone significant changes. While I have always had a strong sense of ambition, I am now more effective with my time and more driven in my pursuit of success. My placement has exposed me to high-performing individuals from the United States, which has further fuelled my drive to succeed.
My advice to others who may face rejection is to not be discouraged. Rejection can be a powerful learning experience and can allow individuals to approach situations with a different perspective. Maintaining connections with others can also prove to be beneficial, and can be achieved by keeping in touch and making an effort to attend important events such as birthdays.
My ultimate goal is to secure a role with PWC, as it would be a dream come true to work in the field of accountancy. Additionally, obtaining a first-class honours degree is also a top priority for me.
