Placement Experience: Undergraduate Research Assistant - King's College London- Katie Bruff

What motivated you to pursue an optional placement year?

Forensic and clinical psychology are both very competitive areas. These are the areas I am interested in possibly going into in the future. I knew I had to get experience to have a chance of getting employed in these areas and the placement year seemed like the perfect opportunity.

How many placement applications did you make? 

Initially, I reached out to several companies and hospitals in my local area, sharing my CV and inquiring about available placement year opportunities. Unfortunately, none had positions available. Following this, I used the MyCareer jobs board to search for placements. The application process typically involved submitting my CV and a cover letter, as well as completing either an application form or a set of short-answer questions provided by the employer.

I applied to approximately fifteen placements, securing interviews with four organisations. I attended two of these interviews before accepting an offer. Prior to my interviews, I attended an interview prep meeting a member of  the  Careers department. This was really useful as I had no prior experience interviewing for jobs outside of hospitality. They guided me in tailoring my responses to align with each company’s focus and helped me prepare for the most commonly asked questions for these types roles. Additionally, they helped me think of ideas for a presentation required for one of the interviews.

I was offered two placements, but I accepted this position at King’s College London as it aligned with my future career goals and the experience I wanted to gain.

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

I found that preparing my CV at the beginning of the academic year, rather than waiting until the application deadlines approached was really useful. This approach allowed lots of time to review and change the document. Completing this early enough alleviated the burden of having to focus on this during the assignment period. 

Using resources such as the Careers department can significantly reduce the stress associated with the application process and allow you to allocate more time and energy into your studies. You won’t need to handle the placement process entirely on your own, you can utilise the department's resources.

Focus on quality over quantity. By submitting fewer but higher quality applications, it will help you to not waste valuable time that could be spent on your assignments. 

You should make sure to take breaks. Exhausting yourself will neither aid you in your studies or your applications. 

What were your main concerns about taking a placement year?

Initially I had concerns about the risk of not securing a placement. I was apprehensive for the potential housing challenges in my final year if I did not find one. None of my housemates were doing a placement year and had already secured a house and so I would be living by myself. I also had to take into account that I would be alone in final year, which made my decision feel particularly hard even though I knew I wanted to do a placement year.  

To address this, I took proactive steps, such as starting my application early, tailoring my CV and cover letters to each role, and attending the session with careers for interview prep to build my confidence. Also, I practiced my presentation with my housemates which really helped me. These steps not only enhanced my application but also helped build my confidence.

How did you adjust to a new workplace environment, and what resources or support helped you during this transition? 

Initially I felt quite apprehensive as I had never worked in an office before. However, I was lucky that an old friend from secondary school, who I hadn’t been in touch for a while, secured the same placement as me! This definitely helped as we could travel in and out together, it made me feel so much less nervous as I knew someone there. Additionally, the team I work with were incredibly kind and welcoming during the onboarding period. Being surrounded by such friendly people really helped. They were also very understanding that if we needed to ask any questions about anything,  there were no stupid questions. 

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

The most rewarding part of my placement so far is the knowledge that my contributions to the research projects are advancing our understanding of the development of these mental health conditions. The opportunity to contribute to this important research that may directly benefit those living with these conditions is so rewarding.

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

My placement experience has reinforced my interest in clinical psychology. However, I am still interested in forensic psychology. Hopefully, I will be able to get work experience in this area too so I can compare my interests.

Would you recommend the placement year to other students?

Yes, I would definitely recommend the placement programme to other students. The placement year is a great way to explore a potential career pathway and see whether that path is an interest of yours. 

Starting your applications early ensures that you get a broad range of placements that you can apply to. 

Definitely be proactive during your placement. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek clarifications. Show your placement provider initiative and volunteer for tasks. Don’t be afraid to propose your ideas, a new set of eyes is always helpful. 

Lastly you’ll probably not hear back from a lot of companies, don’t let rejections discourage you.