Placement Experience: Sustainability Intern - BRUSH Group - Lydia Warner

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

I found my placement role through a family member who worked at BRUSH Group. I still went through the normal application and interview process before being offered the role, which was a really good experience in itself. The Placement team were very helpful with improving my CV and helping me feel more confident and prepared when applying for placements.

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.

I applied for more placements than I could count, but it became part of the process. Over time, I developed a routine, found the key websites to search on, and created a strong baseline CV and cover letter that I could quickly tailor to different roles. I also always asked family members to check over my applications, as after looking at them for so long it was easy to miss small grammar mistakes or areas that could be improved.

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

One of my biggest concerns about doing a placement year was not knowing when to stop applying. There is a lot of pressure around securing housing and having everything planned early, which definitely made me worry that I was running out of time.

However, I decided to keep pushing with applications right up until June, which is when I interviewed with BRUSH Group. Looking back, not giving up was one of the best decisions I made. Not only did I gain a year of invaluable industry experience, but I was also offered a continued part-time contract with the company afterwards, which made all the uncertainty and persistence worthwhile.

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

My biggest advice would be to focus on creating a strong CV and cover letter early in second year, before university deadlines and coursework start building up. Once I had a solid baseline version, it became much easier to quickly tailor applications to different roles. I would usually spend around 10 minutes each day checking for new placements and prioritised applying to roles with the closest deadlines first, as leaving applications too late can mean missing good opportunities.

I would also really recommend making use of the university careers support and asking people around you to review applications, as feedback from others can help spot improvements or mistakes you may overlook yourself.

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

BRUSH Group is an electrical infrastructure company that provides engineering solutions, products, and services to support the UK energy and utilities sector, including power transformers and grid infrastructure. What I enjoyed most about my role was how varied it was. I worked with multiple teams across the business to support sustainability and ESG initiatives, helping find practical ways to reduce carbon emissions, improve reporting processes, strengthen engagement, and support wider environmental and social value goals.

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

The most challenging part of my placement was adapting to a professional working environment and figuring out the best ways to stay organised and communicate effectively with the people around me. At the beginning, I found it difficult balancing different tasks and adjusting to new ways of working. I overcame this by asking colleagues for advice on how they managed their workload and communication, then adapting their approaches to what worked best for me personally. Once I developed my own routine and ways of working, I felt far more confident, relaxed, and productive in my role.

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

The most rewarding part of my placement was being part of BRUSH Group’s journey towards achieving Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation status. It was incredibly rewarding to see the company recognised with this award, especially after supporting the delivery of Carbon Literacy training throughout the year. I also really enjoyed hearing the positive feedback from employees and seeing the genuine impact the training had through the pledges people made and the increased awareness it created around sustainability and behavioural change.

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

Yes, definitely. Geography opens up so many different career paths, which I always found exciting but also quite hard when trying to figure out what I wanted to do after university. This placement helped me realise how much I enjoy working in sustainability within a real business environment. It gave me valuable experience and skills, but also made me even more passionate about sustainability, which is something I now definitely want to take into my future career.

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

Yes, I would definitely recommend doing a placement year. Although applying for placements can feel stressful and competitive at times, the experience and confidence you gain make it completely worth it.

My biggest advice would be to start applications early, have a strong CV and cover letter ready before university work starts getting busy, and stay consistent with checking for opportunities. I would also recommend using the support around you, whether that’s university careers services, lecturers, friends, or family, as getting feedback on applications really helps.

Most importantly, don’t give up if it takes longer than expected. I didn’t secure my placement until later in the year, but it ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve made.