Why did you decide to take a placement year?
I decided to take a placement year so I could gain some experience in industry and add some variety to my University experience after studying for two years. I wanted to build my CV and network in preparation for when I graduate, but also take the opportunity to work for a company I found interesting and could learn from. I knew that there were a lot of benefits to a placement year so I decided that applying in second year would be a good time as it would support my studies coming back into final year and I could also make the most of University resources.
How did you find the placement search/the support on offer?
The University resources helped me to secure my placement through guidance of applications and interviews. This support also built my confidence when applying and having interviews, despite having little experience in applying for industry job roles, especially in a competitive environment. It also helped me to find a starting point by seeing all the roles available that were shared with us by the placement team.
I found the placement search reassuring, as I could see a lot of roles that interested me and the experiences I would gain. I was committed to finding a placement which helped me dedicate time to search and apply for roles which made me feel more confident during the process.
Describe your company/your role, what you learnt, skills developed, highlights of your placement
I was the DreamWorks Marketing Intern at NBC Universal, working in entertainment. My role included working on the DreamWorks channel social media, sharing marketing materials with affiliates and being involved in Marketing presentations and campaigns. I learnt what marketing looked like in an entertainment company and the structure of a business, putting my studies into practice. I also learnt corporate etiquette and the industry as a whole which has influenced my graduate job search to favour entertainment companies as it is what interests me the most.
Networking was a large part of my placement and I was lucky to attend multiple networking events, mentorship schemes and social events in order to build up my network and learn about other areas of the business, with NBC Universal being a large and interesting company. I learnt that my placement was more than a 9-5 job and I was able to get involved in employee resource groups, intern events and volunteering events outside of my day job which made the experience so enjoyable and varied, which I didn’t expect from a placement year.
The highlight of my placement was working on a Charity Gala for the Princes trust as a volunteering programme and was really proud to have been a part of the event and all the money raised, along with meeting more people from other areas of the business. Overall, I learnt a lot within and outside of my role.
How did your studies support your placement year?
My studies supported my placement year as I felt confident in my fundamental knowledge of Marketing but I also expressed willingness to put this into practice so was looking forward to seeing this during my placement. Studying for two years gave me motivation to seek industry experience and gain new experiences relating to my degree. Skills that I used in University, such as adobe, presentations, communication etc, came in good use during my day to day on placement and made me feel more comfortable when beginning my role.
How was your placement overall - meeting or exceeding expectations?
I really enjoyed my placement overall and it was the best decision I’ve made. I was nervous about leaving University after second year and feeling behind or missing out on graduating with my year group, but it was more than just a job for a year. I was able to learn more than I expected and get involved with lots of exciting projects, which I didn’t expect as an intern. I was also able to build a great network and make friends which exceeded my expectations of a placement year.
How are you finding Uni now that you have returned from placement? Is it supporting your final year of studies?
I feel more motivated to complete my degree now I have returned from placement. I am in a work mindset more and utilise my time better, which are things I learnt on placement. I have also put more value to my degree now that I have experienced the actual job in industry first hand, so it makes me want to find a good graduate job and go back to working within that field.
I feel more engaged with my lectures and assignments as I can relate them to my own experiences on placement so it feels more relevant and interesting. I am enjoying putting my experiences on placement into my studies but also motivated to graduate and return to a job I enjoy in industry.
