A female student talking to a member of staff in the Careers Centre while writing notes.

Get a Head Start

Exclusively for first-year undergraduates with an optional placement year on their course.

Our Placement Preparation Programme consists of 4 sessions and is designed exclusively for first-year undergraduate students with an optional placement year. We'll give you the essential information you need to successfully find and apply for placements at the start of your second year - when most vacancies open.

 

Session 1: Placement Information Session

Thursday 3 April, 2.00pm-3.30pm, Richmond Building LT1

  • Meet the team and discover how we can support you.

  • Learn what you'll gain from the programme.

  • Explore your placement options, timelines, and key considerations (finance, fees, and benefits).

  • Find out about self-employed placements and connected degrees.

  • Get an introduction to the Portsmouth Award.

  • Plan your next steps and upcoming sessions.

Come to the Placement Information Session

Session 2: Searching for Placements

Thursday 1 May, 1.00pm-2.00pm, Online

  • Identify your skills and interests.

  • Understand job profiles and career paths.

  • Learn where and how to search for placements.

  • Discover recommended job boards and industry-specific resources.

  • Get a live demo of MyCareer.

  • Explore speculative job searching and using LinkedIn effectively.

  • Consider global opportunities.

Come to the Searching for Placements session

Session 3: Applying for Placements

Friday 2 May, 1.00pm-3.00pm, Online

Part 1, 1.00pm-2.00pm

  • Overview of the hiring process
  • CV and cover letters
  • Application forms
  • Speculative applications
  • Online tests
  • AI tools 
  • Interviews and assessment centres 
  • Overview of the placement approval process

Part 2, 2.00pm-3.00pm

  • Creative CVs, portfolios, showreels and blogs

Come to the Applying for Placements session

Session 4: Get Ahead this Summer

Tuesday 6 May, 1.00pm-3.00pm, Richmond Building LT1

  • Making the most of your summer and adding experience to your CV
  • Meet the volunteering team 
  • Getting started with the Portsmouth Award
  • Student Insights: Hear from previous placement students
  • Final top tips 
  • Next steps

Come to the Get Ahead this Summer session

 

Why join our sessions?

Our Placement Preparation Programme is ideal for those who know they want to complete a placement year, or those who just want to learn a little bit more before they make up their mind. 

  • Get expert guidance on searching and applying for placements.

  • Learn about different placement options and how they can benefit you.

  • Gain practical skills to improve your applications.

  • Hear from previous placement students and get their top tips.

Spaces are limited, so book your place for each session that you want to attend.

 

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