Anybody that did a placement year at university?

[Ceejay123]

I've got to start looking at placements for next year, as has my other half. I'm really nervous about it! We found one that would be ideal for my other half and we were so eager.. It was working for derby council doing it repair/networking for local schools. However, they're not sure if they're running it now.

I definitely want to do a placement year, but I'm in disagreement with my other half. He wants to apply everywhere, including a couple of hours away. I want to stay in Nottingham as there's just too much for us round here right now.w

Has anyone ever done a placement/sandwich year? Did you get much out of it? x

 

[hel_5]

I did placement, but it was mandatory - hospitality business management degree, I got offered a job by a manager i worked for on placement and I'm still there 8 yrs on

 

[Rainbow82]

I did one, I was really lucky and got in with an amazing company. I've found out since then that just having this company on my cv has got me interviews and once a job offer based solely on that. It was also a great way of getting experience which is invaluable. Plus for me I managed to save enough to get me through my last year at uni. If you can find one definately go for it. Lots of places will employ the students they had after they finish their degree as well. And sometimes having a particular person on your cv as a reference will get you a foot in the door at other places.

Eta: everything I did on my placement really pieced together everything I learnt at uni as well and when I went back fir final year I pulled my very low 2:1 up to a first. So basically I got loads out of it lol

 

[Ceejay123]

I should be able to get one - So long as Industry is forgiving. I managed to get a decent 2.1, which I was happy with. I'm also on the Student Ambassador scheme, which means I'm mentoring the other students and holding my own classes Should look good on my CV! It's my other half thats worried, he's a worry wart bless him. Doesn't like change. x

 

[icklemonster]

I specialise in IT Graduate Recruitment (well I'm currently on maternity leave), and in my experience, having a placement year really puts you in front of other graduates

I can think of countless times when clients have told me they are looking for someone with at least a year's working experience. When I ask will they take someone with a sandwich course / placement year the answer is nearly always yes.
It puts you in two categories for getting work - straight graduate and a year plus experience.

I would recommend you look at the placement being within an area which you would like to go into though. IME, companies put a lot of weight on what you did in you placement year, and will often take it as that is where your interest lies. You may even be offered a job with the same company too!

We've actually just taken on a Business Student who came to do work experience with us, and really impressed us. I said before he left to get in contact after his course, which he did so he's just joined us permanently.

 

[Ceejay123]

I specialise in IT Graduate Recruitment (well I'm currently on maternity leave), and in my experience, having a placement year really puts you in front of other graduates

I can think of countless times when clients have told me they are looking for someone with at least a year's working experience. When I ask will they take someone with a sandwich course / placement year the answer is nearly always yes.
It puts you in two categories for getting work - straight graduate and a year plus experience.

I would recommend you look at the placement being within an area which you would like to go into though. IME, companies put a lot of weight on what you did in you placement year, and will often take it as that is where your interest lies. You may even be offered a job with the same company too!

We've actually just taken on a Business Student who came to do work experience with us, and really impressed us. I said before he left to get in contact after his course, which he did so he's just joined us permanently.

Thank you very much

I'm not sure if ill be able to do a placement with the type of company I want to get into unfortunately. I hope to work alongside the police in IT, catching paediphiles and fraudsters, however from what I can gather... They don't usually take on students due to the nature of the field but I will try to get as close as possible!

Oh will be doing his placement (if he can) doing network setups and repair. X