GOING ON PLACEMENT

Opting to go on placement provides opportunities to learn new skills, make new friends and boost your CV. Follow our guide to ensure you get the best out of your year in industry

Many uni grads would say that their placement was the highlight of their university career. An opportunity to ditch the textbooks and get real life experience in industry is a brilliant way to fill out your CV, form professional connections and work out if this is really what you want to do upon graduation.

Whilst most find it an enlightening experience, for others it can be an isolating time away from the comfort and familiarity of university life. Through careful planning and by staying alert to changes during your time away, you can maximise your chances of a successful placement period.

Before you go on placement

● Make sure that the support you need is in place before you arrive on placement. Whether it’s disclosing a physical disability or mental health condition, don’t be afraid to speak up and discuss your needs to make the placement successful for both you and your placement provider.

During your placement:

● Remember to keep in touch with your peers and your university tutors during your placement to discuss any concerns, or for general advice and guidance.

● Never be afraid to speak up – either to your university or your placement provider – if something isn’t going quite right. Whether it’s the placement itself or your own personal circumstances, it’s OK to voice this. Sometimes it may be that your university or placement provider wasn’t aware, and needed it brought to their attention.

● Stay alert and acknowledge that you may need additional support throughout your placement, particularly in respect of mental health support. Understand early on what support your university can provide whilst you are away, and what your placement provider can offer, too. It’s good to know your options.

● Remember to have fun! Whilst it’s tempting to see placement as a year-long job interview, this is the perfect time to try new things and build professional connections before you enter the job market.

After your placement ends:

● Take some time to reflect on your placement and be honest with your university about your experience, whether positive or negative. This placement may be offered to students the following year, so if there was something that could be improved, speak up!