What It’s Really Like to Do a Placement Year

I truly believe that academic relevance is an imperative part of a student life, but to be able to apply the learning to a day-to-day scenario has been quite a rollercoaster ride for me.

Management is something which can be practiced, and the more experience you gain, the better you get at it. Hence for me, a placement year has been a very important part of my MBA program.

My final module is very closely related to the work-based learning I am exposed to, and doing research at the organization I work at has made me build great relations with existing employees.

I’m able to apply the modules I’ve studied previously during my MBA which has helped them make more sense. I’ve also been able to put what we’ve learnt into a real-world scenario which has really helped my overall understanding.

My proudest achievement so far has been being trusted to manage staff members and leading the events that happen across the college campuses. I’ve learnt that punctuality is key, and that building good relationships with colleagues can bring about great experiences with work life.

It will help me prepare for any new opportunities and jobs in the future. Because of this placement I’ll be able to revisit all the experiences of this job role in order to give examples during interviews.  

I’ve had the desire to work in the education sector from the very start of my career, and I feel as though undertaking my placement year has given me a better understanding of the work ethic that exists within these institutions.

Let’s keep it short and simple!

• Start looking and applying for opportunities within two months of your arrival to the UK. Also make sure to prepare a little before flying to the UK, such as refreshing your LinkedIn profile. The more you can do at an earlier stage the better!
• Make use of facilities such as the Changemaker Hub to transform your CV and cover letter. It really helped me and boosted my confidence.
• Make sure you have part-time job experience which will be relevant to your placement year, as it’ll help you answer questions during your interview, as well as standout in your application.
• Do not see it as just a job! See it as a new learning experience and be honest with yourself to commit to the work, however challenging it may be.

Universities are geared towards helping students reach their full potential, both academically and professionally, so make sure to make the most of the career services available wherever and whenever you can. Of course, career services can’t guarantee you a job, but they can offer you support and advice to try and help get you where you want to be beyond the world of education.

Take the University of Northampton for example. Its Work-Based Learning and Placements Guide, Changemaker Hub, and Enterprise Boost all offer various services and facilities, including confidential business advice, social experential learning experiences, and even professional recognition as part of its Work-Based Learning opportunities.

Lead image credit: Shivika Gupta