The Power of a Placement: How One Year Can Transform Your Future

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Study Abroad Resources University lifestyle The Power of a Placement: How One Year Can Transform Your Future

A placement year isn’t just an added extra to your degree – it’s a powerful opportunity to gain real-world experience before entering the job market. By working with an employer for up to a year, you’ll develop practical skills, expand your network, and gain a clearer sense of your future career path. Here’s why a placement can be one of the most valuable decisions you make during your studies.

#1 Gain invaluable hands-on experience
Work with a company of your choice for up to a year, applying your academic knowledge in a real-world environment. This experience helps you understand how your studies translate into professional practice and gives you a clearer picture of workplace expectations.

Agga, a Biological Sciences Student from the University of Manchester says:

Placement jobs are a great way to gain practical industry experience as they provide invaluable on-the-job training! In this case, I’m being trained on using liquid nitrogen to freeze my samples!

#2 Develop crucial professional skills
Strengthen essential abilities such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. These are the skills employers value most—and practising them daily in a professional setting helps you mature faster as a future professional.

#3 Build your professional network
Connect with industry experts and colleagues who can offer guidance, mentorship, and opportunities. These relationships often open doors to future roles, collaborations, and insights you can’t get in the classroom.

#4 Gain a competitive edge
A full year of relevant work experience sets you apart from other graduates entering the job market for the first time. It shows employers that you’ve already navigated workplace dynamics and are ready to contribute from day one.

#5 Increase your employability
Discover what career paths excite you while gaining the experience needed to secure future job offers. Many students find that placements lead directly to job opportunities—even before graduation.

Evelyn, a Bioengineering graduate from The University of Sheffield says:

After doing 3 years of my degree and a placement year, I finally found what are the topics I am most interested about. After doing my placement year in Biotechnology (and got an offer a role in the same company), I am decided to follow that same path. I want to focus on research and development of Biotechnology products and medicines. I would hopefully like to one day contribute to the science field with any of my research.

A placement year isn’t just an extra line on your CV—it’s a turning point. Whether you discover your passion, build key skills, or even secure a job offer before graduating, the experience gives you a clearer sense of direction and sets you up for success. No matter where you’re headed next, your placement becomes the foundation that helps you step confidently into your future career.

 

Want to read more on placement years?  Click below.
Why Placement Years Are So Valuable

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