Placement & Internship Work Experience in the UK Placement and Internship || Work Experience in the UK ● ● ● 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. 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. 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. 2 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. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 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, 8 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. 9 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. 10 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. 11 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. 12 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. 13 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. 14 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 15 “ 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. 16 Thanks! www.ahzassociates.co.uk 17
