Why Taking A Year In Industry Could Be The Best Thing For Your Future Career

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Members > Resources > Resource ID: 26857 [prev] [next] From: ellieco [#] [pr] [info] [by Ellie Cohen] Title: Why taking a Year In Industry could be the best thing for your future career Descri ption: Are you a 1st or 2nd year university student, who would like to get their dream job when they graduate? Read this. Subject: Engineering (id: 22) Date: 27/06/2023 21:42:59 Deleted: No Approved: no Rating [0-5] (current: -1) : [set 0] [set 1] [set 2] [set 3] [set 4] [set 5] Content Edit View: Most uni students who have not been living under a rock are aware of the graduate job search catch-22: You apply for a graduate job only to be struck off the shortlist due to a lack of experience. The question is, how on earth do you get work experience in your field when you are a full time student? The solution – take a year in industry, also known as a “sandwich degree”.

I am not a good case study for how to land a placement, I just happened to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right stuff already on my CV. Turn back the clock to summer of 2014 I just wanted to get my degree over and done with! Nobody I knew at the time was taking a year out, I certainly didn’t want to relocate and I already had several summer work placements and a part time job. Surely that would be enough?

I had a chat with one of my lecturers about this and he gave out some valuable advice – employers want graduates with experience, the more, the better. It was relatively late in the year and I’d pretty much written my chances at getting a placement off, but there was still one opportunity in my inbox that hadn’t closed yet. I put in my application right before I set off on a backpacking trip, and following a Skype interview in an Internet café somewhere in rural Thailand I became the first year in industry placement for British Gypsum.

At the time I really had no idea what I was letting myself in for, but the risk paid off. A few weeks in and I had already picked up loads of useful strategies to manage the projects I was working on. Working with people in different roles and across different sites nationwide was honing my communication skills, and these same people were great at what they did and all too happy to pass some of their knowledge on to me.

Despite coming from 3 years in an engineering degree, designing pieces of equipment in detail, I hadn’t come across much of it in real life. My placement filled these gaps in, helped me put theory into practice. I also became more familiar with my strengths and weaknesses. Before I started my placement, I thought I had great presenting skills…that is until I nervously stumbled through my first ISO 50001 (energy management and awareness) training session. Over the year I got the chance to practice and perfect speaking in front of audiences, and I also managed to get some great hints and tips from my colleagues. The end result? Near the end of my placement I made a very well received presentation in front of an audience of senior management at Supply Review (the presentation was on the benefits of taking on more placement students, of course!)

As I outlined in the aforementioned talk, the benefits are mutual. In terms of an individual business, placement students are a cost-effective resource, and both sides get the opportunity to “try before you buy”. They also make great brand ambassadors. In my case, I hadn’t really come across British Gypsum before my placement, now the majority of my family and friends network have heard good things about the company. Looking at the bigger picture, a 2012 report from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills discusses how “businesses can gain access to the latest research in their field and innovative employees” by working with universities to implement industrial placement programs. Businesses are calling for improved graduate skills and employability - year in industry can help to close the gap.

I’ve hopefully convinced you that taking a year in industry is a really great idea, in which case you might want to check out my top tips for landing your ideal placement. I’m glad that someone took the time to convince me. This year gave me experience, confidence, all the skills that you can’t get from a textbook, and a great head start on my career.

5 Top tips to land a placement

Experience, experience, experience!

Yes, you heard me right. It’s experience all the way down! Placements with top companies are very competitive, and you have to stand out if you want to be successful in your bid to spend a year with one. Work experience on your CV is a great way to show you are proactive and focused. Many companies offer shorter internships during the holidays. Those that don’t have anything official may be receptive to the idea of taking you on if you can speak to the right person and make a good enough case!

Part time jobs can also boost your CV

Working in a team and keeping customers happy in a supermarket, managing a team of volunteers for a good cause, even outreach programs in schools to inspire young people in the subjects you are passionate about: all of these are evidence to an employer that you have enthusiasm and skills that they could use.

Work hard, play hard

University is a great opportunity to try lots of exciting new things, don’t miss out! Sports are great fun and can be an excellent way to showcase a time that you’ve worked together to achieve success, or demonstrate your leadership abilities. More unusual things can work in your favor too if you’re often involved in the underwater basket weaving society, I can guarantee that you’ll have something interesting to talk about in a job interview and it will certainly help you stand out!

Do your research, start early

Most universities lay on career fairs on a regular basis, along with plenty of other great events to help you learn about the opportunities available to you. These events are also a great way to make an impression with the people who could turn out to be valuable connections for you. Always prepare for a fair, dress nicely (okay just find some clothes that aren’t totally crumpled up yet), look up who’s going to be there and which companies you’d like to know more about. You don’t have to be an expert but a little background knowledge and a spark of interest can and will make a good impression. Additionally, think about the people you already know – does a friend of a friend work for a company with opportunities in your field? Similarly communicate with your lecturers, let them know that you’re looking for experience – I found my placement only after a lecturer pointed it out to me!

Keep trying

Getting a placement is hard, getting a job after you graduate is even harder (especially if you didn’t do a placement!). Starting early will give you the most opportunities to be successful many companies start recruiting in September. However, different companies recruit at different times and opportunities will continue to crop up throughout the year. Make sure you customize each application to each specific role – no cookie cutter cover letters! – and make sure you prepare for interviews by thinking about answers to common questions in advance. Some recruiters use psychometric tests to differentiate applicants, plenty of practice papers can be found online so you can refine your technique and give yourself a fighting chance. Practice makes perfect!

Best of luck in your job search! aaaa