Placement Experience: Placement Student - Legal & Compliance Services - University of Portsmouth - Felix Asante

How did you find your placement role? What support did you get from the Placement team?

When searching for placement opportunities, I used a variety of platforms including the university careers website, Bright Network, Indeed, Workday, and individual company websites. I ultimately found my role through the university’s MyCareer portal after being alerted to the opportunity via a careers notification email.

The placement team provided extensive support throughout the application process. They reviewed my CV and cover letter, helping me tailor my applications effectively. They also supported my interview preparation by running through practice interview questions and offering advice on improving my responses. They also reviewed a recorded video interview, providing advice to help me improve my delivery and confidence.

One of the most valuable experiences was participating in a mock assessment centre organised by the Placement team in partnership with RSM Accountants This gave me practical experience of the assessment process and significantly boosted my confidence ahead of the real assessment.

Overall, the guidance, feedback and resources provided by the placement team played a key role in helping me secure my placement.

Can you describe the process of applying for placement roles? E.g. how many you applied to, if you had a system or sought support from anyone.

Applying for placement opportunities is a demanding, multi-stage process requiring significant time, organisation, and preparation. It begins with an initial application, including application forms, a tailored CV and a cover letter, followed by numerical and psychometric assessments. Successful candidates are then invited to a pre-recorded video interview before attending a full-day assessment centre involving group exercises, case studies, and interviews.

Each stage required extensive preparation, including researching company values, reflecting on my experiences to provide relevant examples, and preparing a professional environment for video interviews. Each application took approximately 90 minutes to complete, while video interviews required around two hours, including preparation.

Overall, I applied to more than 250 placement opportunities and received around 50 responses, most of which were rejection emails without feedback.

To balance this alongside my studies, I completed at least two applications each day during gaps between lectures and monitored my emails closely, as employers often required responses within 48 hours. I also used careers resources and peer feedback to continually improve the quality of my applications.

Did you have any concerns or uncertainties about taking a placement year, and how did you address them?

Taking a placement was always part of my plan, I was mostly concerned with how I can make the most of the placement. To address this I made sure to inform my managers of my wishes to work with different departments at the beginning of my placement and took every opportunity available to me to develop my skills.

What tips would you give to students about balancing placement applications with university studies?

I would encourage to use the gaps in your timetable to go to the Library and complete a placement application. Aim to do 1 good application a day and if you can’t do 1 day then do 2 the day after.

Please tell us a bit about the company you work and your role?

I work in the Corporate Governance department at the University of Portsmouth, supporting the governance functions of a public British higher education institution.

What challenges have you faced during your placement, and how have you overcome them?

During the early stages of my industrial placement, the university underwent a major migration from Google to Microsoft, which caused widespread technical disruptions. These setbacks lasted for nearly two weeks and severely impacted productivity.

To overcome these challenges, I took a proactive approach by working closely with the IT department to troubleshoot and resolve issues. I documented recurring problems, tested temporary workarounds, and helped colleagues navigate alternative tools where possible. I also flagged licensing errors and assisted in configuring systems to restore access to critical applications.

This experience taught me the importance of patience, adaptability, and clear communication when dealing with setbacks. Rather than becoming frustrated, I focused on finding practical solutions and supporting others through the transition. It reinforced my ability to stay calm under pressure and contribute meaningfully even in uncertain situations

What has been the most rewarding part of your placement so far, and why?

The opportunity to work with different departments and learn how the university works internally. It was also very rewarding having my work used to better the university as a whole and make a tangible difference.

Has your placement experience influenced your perspective on your chosen career path or field of study?

Thanks to working across different departments, particularly with the Finance team, this placement has strengthened my interest in pursuing a career in finance.

Would you recommend the placement program to other students? If so, what advice would you give them?

I would definitely recommend the placement program to other students. I would tell them to be willing to learn things that are outside your area of interest, every experience is valuable and a great opportunity to grow.