Placement &
Internship
Work Experience
in the UK
Placement and Internship || Work Experience in the UK
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Employers are increasingly valuing experience when deciding who gets a foot in the door. It is strongly
advised that students and graduates take advantage of the opportunity to gain work experience in order
to gain a competitive advantage over their peers; and this is where an internship can make all the
difference.
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A placement is a period of work experience that is integrated and assessed as part of a student's degree
and it is not the same as an internship. Placements require students to apply their course learning in the
workplace and their workplace learning in the course. To have the greatest impact on your academic
and professional development, it is recommended that every student spend a full year on placement.
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On the other hand, an internship is a period of work experience provided by an employer to students
and graduates in order to expose them to the working environment, often within a specific industry
related to their field of study. Internships can last as little as a week or as long as a year. They can be
paid or unpaid; however, before beginning an internship, it is critical to understand your payment
rights. Internships are available in a variety of fields, including sales, marketing, engineering, graphic
design, management, information technology, and others.
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Placement Year in the UK
A placement is a programme available to most students
that entails taking a year off from university and going
out into the big wide world to gain valuable work
experience. They last the entire academic year and are
available in all fields. It makes no difference what
you're studying; there will be opportunities for you to
apply for! In your second year, the best time to apply is
between September and May.
Eligibility of
Placement Year
Undergraduate and integrated master's
students are welcome to apply for this
programme. Moreover, if your department
already has a year in industry option, we
recommend that you look into it first. If
you are a student in the department of
Politics or The York Management School,
you already have access to a similar
placement opportunity through your
department's year in industry course. This
programme is not open to Hull York
Medical School or Social Work students. If
all of this sounds exciting, here are five
more things you should know about doing
a placement year.
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1. Start Your Application Early
You must begin working on your applications as soon as
possible. Because they receive so many applications, some
of the larger companies close their submission period early.
While at university, you should also make good use of your
careers team; they will assist you with your CV and a cover
letter for your application.
2. Nothing Worth Doing is Ever Easy:
The first thing you should know is that getting a job is
difficult. Don't expect employers to fight over you just
because you're a fresh-faced student looking for a year of
work experience. You must force them to fight over you!
Going through several interviews may appear daunting, but
there is plenty of advice available, and trust me, it's well
worth it - not just for the experience or the money, but also
for the people you meet.
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3. Practice Makes You Perfect
You can never be too prepared for an interview! Before I got my job,
I went to a lot of assessment centers and had a lot of interviews.
Consider each interview an opportunity to practice specific
techniques such as the STAR method, and the more you attend, the
better you will become!
In the days leading up to your interview, practice your responses over
the phone with your parents, friends, or a career counsellor, and
you'll be calm and prepared when you sit down for the real thing.
4. Absorb Everything
Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. I've had
the opportunity to visit other companies, assist in the hosting of
award ceremonies, and participate in internal and external training
sessions.
You will get more out of your placement if you recognize it as a large
learning experience. Prepare for your first few weeks by having an
idea of the skills you want to develop and talking with your manager
/ team about how you can organize training or get involved with
specific projects.
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Focus on Your Goals
Prior to going on placement year who
didn't want to go told me ‘I'd be wasting a
year of my life just making tea and coffee
for people in the business.’ This is
completely wrong! I've been given real
responsibility since day one, and I've been
involved in some massive projects, such as
the company's largest offline marketing
campaign, and this is true for everyone I've
spoken to who has also done a placement.
The tasks you complete throughout the year
can be difficult and stressful at times, but
they are well worth it. By the end of your
placement year, your CV will be chock-full
of excellent experience that graduate
employers will be vying for.
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Benefits of a
Placement Year
If you're a second-year undergraduate
student in the UK, you're either about
to start applying for your placement
year or are already in the process.
Placement year is becoming more
popular and acceptable in the UK for
both domestic and international
students. A placement year has
numerous advantages. Such as,
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1. Boost Your Career Prospects
Undergraduate students who want to gain
professional experience while studying placement
years can benefit greatly from this opportunity.
Undergraduate students not only gain specific
technical expertise, but they also improve their soft
skills as a result of this placement. In addition, doing
a placement year allows you to 'test drive' a career
and make a more informed decision about what you
want to do after graduation.
2. Enhance Your Industry Network
Professional networking is critical in the twenty-first
century because you never know who you'll meet
next. After successfully completing their placement
year with the same organization, students may be
offered a full-time job.
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3. Experience the Actual Working World
Because students must work in the industry during their placement
year, they will gain experience in a real work environment. During
a placement year, students will be given real-world responsibilities
and opportunities that will be both challenging and exciting.
4. Improve Academic Performance
A placement year can provide students with ideas for their
dissertation paper or projects in their final year. It can also help
students improve their soft skills. For example, the ability to work
in a team and solve critical situations. Furthermore, all of these are
valuable assets for their academic and professional careers.
5. Explore a New Place
Placement year is intended to teach students something new about
a professional field. However, this does not preclude students from
taking advantage of the opportunity to visit a new location or city.
There is a chance that your placement will take place in another
city that you will be able to call home for the next 12 months.
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Reasons of Working as an Intern
Internships are an excellent way for entry-level candidates
to gain experience. It allows you to enter an industry in
which you want to advance, and future employers will be
able to see your eagerness to learn and passion for the
field as a result. As a result, the skills you gain will help
you get a head start in your career and do well in future
positions. An internship not only broadens your experience
and makes you more appealing to prospective employers,
but it also assists you in determining which job is best for
you.
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How to Find an Internship
Finding an internship is similar to finding a job
in many ways. Although getting a placement as
an intern can be difficult, this is heavily
dependent on the field of work you're trying to
enter and how fierce the competition is.
Internships are frequently entry-level positions,
but recruiters will also consider your education
and any other work experience you have. Try to
stand out and put as much effort into your
application as you would any other job. In most
cases, you will be required to fill out an
application and attend an interview or
assessment day/evening – so be prepared for
this as well.
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Benefits of Internship
in the UK
An internship is a short-term
engagement in which you gain
experience working in a company
related to your field. An internship can
help your professional career by
allowing you to put theory into
practice, network with people in the
field, and get a sense of what your line
of work entails. Apply Now
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1.Global Work Experience
In general, all interns are expected to
complete a variety of tasks for the
company while being supervised by a
mentor. The internship is an excellent
opportunity to broaden your skill set.
Working as an intern in the UK, on the
other hand, distinguishes you because
you will learn to meet the expectations
of the industry in a country other than
your own. Because markets, systems,
and practices differ from country to
country, your international experience
and perspective will be a valuable
asset to you in your career.
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2. Develop Interpersonal Skills
You will interact with people from various cultures and gain cultural awareness. You will also have problems to solve,
which will force you to become more adaptable and self-sufficient. One rewarding benefit of an international
internship is that you will be more confident when you return home. Confidence is a soft skill that will help you in all
aspects of your professional life, such as public speaking, pitching a business idea, leading a team, and negotiating
deals.
3. Develop Global Awareness
Global awareness entails understanding how social, environmental, and political factors affect the world. An
internship in a different country is one way for a 21st-century global citizen to understand their role in contributing to
international understanding. You'll begin to notice similarities and differences between your home country and the
new place you're in during your time in the United Kingdom
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In the end, an international work experience is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity that you will
never forget. Although your primary goal will be to advance professionally, you will also
discover yourself and what you are truly made of.
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Thanks!
www.ahzassociates.co.uk
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