Industrial placements can provide invaluable insight into the working world, as well as an opportunity for you to get to grips with meeting deadlines and working in a team, which you may not have been able to do whilst in education.
While they can enhance your knowledge or help with a university course, a placement can also provide unique insight into the job or industry that you would like to get into, ensuring that you are more informed for when it comes to making decisions after graduation.
No matter the size of the company, from international to medium-sized or smaller companies, you will gain valuable insight that can be applied throughout your career, and who knows, if you impress enough you may even be offered a full-time position.
What will be involved?
What is involved in an industrial placement is very much reliant on what sector you decide to get involved in, which will in most cases be linked to the subject of your studies. You may well take on an advisory role, help on project or even manage them yourself.
Most placements will see you taking on as much responsibility as someone would in a junior position, so you will be able to have a full picture of what life would be like in the industry.
You may well be paired with a mentor who will be there to help you through the process and to give you guidance when it is required – most companies will have a formal training process that you will have to go through as well.
What are the benefits?
With such a wide pool of talent, the more real work experience you can get, the more attractive you will naturally become to employers who are seeking those with both technical and soft skills.
An industrial placement can give you the perfect opportunity to expand your network, which can prove vital as you search for full-time employment, so make sure you talk to as many people as you can. You never know, they might just be able to point you in the right direction.
If you’re a graduate looking to kick-start your career, have a chat with Discovery Graduates and see how they can help get you started
