By Luke Garrity, BA Business Management with Employment Experience
During your time at University, you will likely have the option of undertaking a placement year, a voluntary year in industry between your second and final year. For the duration of your placement, you are still a student but will be working away from the University, possibly even in another country if you so choose! Don’t worry though, you will still have regular contact and support from the Management School. As you are a student, you do still pay tuition fees however these are massively reduced, however most UK students will still be eligible for a student loan and you will be earning a wage typically between £13,000 and £20,000.
Why should I complete a placement?
Naturally, the chance to earn a wage is very attractive, and will undoubtedly make things easier when you return to Sheffield for your final year. However, there are so many more reasons why completing a placement will benefit you!
- Gain experience in the world of work
The job market is more competitive than ever before, and companies are looking for unique candidates who set themselves apart from everybody else. Relatively few students complete a year in industry, so having that experience will contribute to an outstanding CV that really grabs the attention of recruiters. In addition, throughout this year you will gain new transferable skills that you can take into both your final year and future workplaces, such as organising and prioritising tasks. You will also have an advantage when it comes to answering difficult interview questions- you will have lots of stories from your time on placement, providing anecdotal evidence to back up your claims.
- Make connections and open new doors
Throughout your work experience you will undoubtedly meet many people in industry. Forming these connections will help you identify new
opportunities and learn lots from those more experience than yourself. Furthermore, although there are no guarantees, many students are offered roles with their placement companies before they have graduated. Having the security of a grad job can really ease the pressure of final year and allow you to focus on making the most of your remaining time in Sheffield, both academically and socially.
- Explore industries before committing after graduation
It often feels like there is so much pressure for you to know which industry you want to work in and have a comprehensive career plan to match. It is completely normal, however, to be unsure of the type of job you want, and a placement year will help guide you to the correct path. Having genuine experience within a particular industry or job role will help you decide if the job is for you or not. Sometimes, students fall in love with a particular industry, and other times, students can have a positive experience on placement, but know that it is not something they want to be doing after they graduate. For example, my placement was a general management role with a heavy emphasis on sales, I loved my year in industry however I know that a sales role is not for me. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to dip my toe in the water, without having to commit to a full grad scheme!
- It supports your Dean’s List Application
Since 2018, the University of Sheffield Management School (SUMS) has awarded select students a place on the Dean’s List. This prestigious award allows students to gain recognition for the impact they have made at University and rounds off the University experience nicely. Recipients are awarded a personal reference from the Dean of the Management School, as well as a plaque and networking opportunities with SUMS alumni. Completing a placement year looks fantastic on your Dean’s List applications, and many previous winners have completed an industrial placement.
Find out more about the Dean’s List here.
Completing a placement is a great opportunity for any student, regardless of their level of work experience, and I would personally recommend it to absolutely everyone. Applying for these roles is competitive, but the Management School’s Employability Hub can help you every step of the way, from CV guidance to interview and assessment centre tips. Make sure you give it serious thought and for everyone applying good luck, you won’t regret it!