What I gained from my placement year

by Joshua Kenyon

Doing a placement year was one of the best decisions I have made for my career and employability. Not only did I gain hard skills such as software skills but also soft skills such as communication, confidence, and teamwork. The benefits of doing a placement are extensive. For example, there is a chance you may be rehired at the company where you undertook a placement. Besides that, your CV will have a year of professional working experience on it, something that will make you stand out when competing for graduate jobs. With that in mind, all students should consider doing a placement year.

During my placement, I spoke to clients from around the world using Zoom, telephone, and emails. This allowed me to build rapport with clients and improve my communication skills. Though it was slightly awkward and nerve-racking at first, I quickly got accustomed to independently giving client demonstrations and presentations. This is something that would be near impossible to replicate without being in the workplace. Besides communication, my teamwork skills were greatly enhanced by working and collaborating in a team of five. Teamwork and communication skills will make you stand out when applying to jobs as these are crucial in any work environment.

"I got experience working with technology, something that looks great to future employers".

Not only will a placement enhance your ‘previous experience’ section but also your ‘skills’ section and give you more to talk about during job interviews. In my placement, I was exposed to the stock market and the financial services industry, allowing me to learn how instruments such as equities and futures work. Given that the company was a tech-based firm, I got experience working with technology, something that looks great to future employers. My duties on placement included solving urgent client issues, such as why a trade did not go out to the stock market. Learning new skills such as these is extremely beneficial for your future career.

The benefits from doing a placement are now present in my day-to-day life. I am, for example, more confident talking to professionals, joining new clubs and societies, and meeting new people. I have also found that I am more organised and able to meet deadlines more comfortably. One thing that I have incorporated into my daily life is the use of an online calendar to schedule my day. Surprisingly, due to being more organised with university work, I have more time for leisure activities as well.

"Students who do a placement tend to perform better in their final year".

Some may be questioning why it is beneficial to do a placement instead of finding a job after graduating. A placement offers the chance to get invaluable experience that will enhance your chances of securing a top job when graduating. The purpose of doing a placement is not only the monetary benefit of receiving a salary but also to give your CV a major boost to help you stand out in the job market. Moreover, students who do a placement tend to perform better in their final year of university, something that is incredibly useful given that the final year accounts for most of the overall grade.

For help with your applications and CV, book an appointment with the careers service. This is an incredibly useful opportunity to get professional advice on your applications. Anyone who is considering doing a placement should do it. You will certainly gain a lot from it. Good luck with your applications!