Blog: Finding a placement that’s right for you!

So you’re thinking about doing a placement year but don’t know if it’s right for you. It’s perfectly normal to feel unsure about what to expect from a placement year or which company to complete it with. This isn’t something you need to necessarily know straight away, but having an initial idea of what you want from your placement year is a great start. Here are some pointers on how to discover what you’re after.

What company or role is right for me?

As Futures First ambassadors, we receive a lot of questions around how did you know you would enjoy completing a placement year? To tell you the truth, you’re never going to know this until you start working. However, what you can control is whether you’re interested in the company and role to begin with. By this I mean doing some research early on into your placement search to uncover:

• The type of company you want to work for – SME or large multinational?

• Does a business being ethically and socially responsible appeal to you?

• Roles available in specific business areas. To help you with this, reflect on the modules you’re enjoying or most interested in.

• Location, location, location! Do you want to stay in Sheffield? How about living the ‘London lifestyle’? Or stay at home and save on rent?

All these factors should help when looking for opportunities, by narrowing down applications to your preferences. Of course you can be open minded and apply for a blend of these criteria. The main objective here is to find your passion rather than doing a placement for the ‘sake of it’.

How to find out more about a placement year

Another suggestion I found useful was to thoroughly read the job description and person specification. This may sound obvious, but I guarantee a Marketing Internship with one company will differ to another. Chances are if you like the sound of the role, you will get more fulfillment from it. To solidify this, speaking to previous placement students will give you a better picture of the overall experience. Connections are key! If you have LinkedIn, try searching for current placement Interns and reaching out to them. You can get a lot of value hearing first hand experiences and highlights. Alternatively, don’t be afraid to contact recruiters – they’re the most knowledgeable on the application process so won’t mind answering a few questions. 

Is a placement just a 9-5 job?

Understanding what you can get involved in outside of your day-to-day role is arguably as important as the paid aspect! What societies are you currently involved in – would you like to carry on with these next year? If the answer is yes, seeing what sports teams or social groups are accessible may influence your final decision. One way to learn what’s on offer to you is by attending events. Therefore, it’s always worth looking on a company’s website or SUMS Employability Hub to see when sessions are being delivered.