Internships and work placements can be great ways to explore career opportunities. They can help you gain valuable experience, level up your CV and figure out if a chosen career path will be right for you. Read for more tips on how to find internships and placements as a student.
How to find internships and placements
Internships and work placements can be great ways to explore career opportunities on the ground before, during or after finishing your studies. They can help you gain valuable experience and see how your current skills measure up. You can also figure out whether a chosen career path will be right for you, level up your CV and learn more about the workplace.
So, what is an internship or a work placement, and why is work experience important? Discover how to find internships and placements in your chosen field and prepare yourself for the world of work.
What is an internship?
An internship is a set period of work experience aimed at students or graduates. Internships usually take place during or after your degree course and can last for a length of time anywhere between one week and a full year.
Competition for internships can be fierce, especially in industries that are already competitive. But if you can secure an internship in an industry you have a real interest in, having the experience on your CV can really give you an edge when it comes to securing a full-time job.
Not only that, but you’ll gain valuable new skills and experiences. Plus, lots of employers go on to recruit interns they’ve already worked with, instead of advertising job vacancies externally.
What is a placement?
A work placement is an element of certain degrees, which can be optional or compulsory depending on your course. Placements and internships are often confused, but they’re different experiences. While an internship is usually done in your own time, either in between semesters or after you graduate, a placement is part of your degree course.
Some degree courses require students to complete a work placement. Other courses will let you find a placement of your own which you can earn academic credits for during a sandwich year. Placements typically last longer than internships and you’ll be working towards completing one or more modules of your degree while on placement.
Benefits of doing an internship or placement
There are loads of benefits that can be gained from doing an internship or placement. If you can find the right opportunity, it can open a lot of doors for you in the future. Some of the benefits of internships in the UK include:
Gain an insight into the direction your career could take.
You can almost view an internship or placement as a practice run for the career you might want. If you enjoy the work, then you know this could be the right career path for you. If, at the end of your internship or placement, you feel you weren’t sure it was for you, then you know to expand your horizons. It’s a no-strings attached opportunity to test the waters.
Builds valuable skills and confidence.
University obviously teaches you a lot, but there are often few opportunities to learn some of the more hands-on skills you might need for your future career. With a summer internship or work placement, you can gain confidence in your own ability to meet challenges head-on. Many of these skills will be transferrable, so it doesn’t matter if your career ends up going in a different direction – it’s all still good experience.
They look great on your CV.
Depending on the job you want, employers might expect you to have a degree. However, practical experience is another thing most employers will be looking for. With an internship or placement, you can boost your CV and give yourself a competitive edge. Add details of specific projects you’ve worked on and what you learned during your internship or placement, so recruiters can see where you’ve previously been productive and successful.
You could earn good money.
Part-time jobs can help pay the bills and add to your spending money while at uni. But many internships, as well as offering invaluable experience, will pay you at least minimum wage if not more. Some placements will also offer fair pay.
But this isn’t always the case. Some internships and placements will only offer to cover your expenses (food and travel). This is more likely in the case of compulsory placements offered as part of your degree course. Be sure to talk about the financial aspect before you accept a position.
Build connections and contacts in the industry.
Internships and placements can help you build connections and make contacts in the industry you want to work in before you start your career. When the time comes to apply for jobs, the connections you made during your internship or placement could help you to get a foot in the door.
How to find internships and placements
Knowing how to find an internship or how to get work experience is the first step on the career ladder. There are several ways you can find out more about placements and internships in the UK.
Dedicated internship websites
There are multiple websites dedicated to helping you find some of the best internships and placements in the UK. Why not have a look on:
Contact relevant companies in your industry.
You can independently research companies in your area relevant to the career you want and contact them directly. Just like applying for any other kind of job, you will need an up-to-date CV or portfolio and a cover letter. You probably know this already, but make sure you customise your cover letter for every job you apply to!
Utilise LinkedIn and Twitter.
Social media isn’t just about chatting to friends and scrolling. You can use it to network and build professional contacts, which could help you land that dream internship or work placement. Build up your accounts on Twitter and LinkedIn, making sure you follow leading people and companies in your chosen industry and all the right hashtags.
Go through your university.
Your uni can also be a great resource when looking for the ideal placement or summer internship. Even if they’re not directly responsible for finding you a place, they will have lots of resources to help you look for yourself. Check with Student Services to see what partnerships, links and affiliations your university has in the local area – there may be one that fits the bill perfectly.
Make the most of your connections.
As the saying goes, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. This can often be true, which is why friends and family can also be valuable resources when it comes to securing that ideal work placement. If you know anyone with connections in the industry you want to enter, consider getting in contact with them for contacts or references. They may not be able to guarantee you an in, but networking is just as useful when it comes from your social circle as from your professional one.
Finding an internship or placement: The essentials
There are several things you can do to prepare yourself before you start researching and applying for internships or work placements.
Create a LinkedIn profile.
Having an online presence is important. Create a LinkedIn profile so potential employers can find you online and see what skills, experience and qualifications you already have at a glance.
Find out the deadline for applications.
The deadline for some summer internships can be as early as the previous autumn, so be prepared early and make sure you know when deadlines are. You don’t want to miss that perfect placement because you didn’t think to apply until a month beforehand!
Tailor your CV.
Have a standard copy of your CV with all the relevant information on it ready. When you apply for each new position, tweak it so it’s completely relevant to the role you’re applying for. Emphasise skills and experience outlined in the job description.
Write a persuasive cover letter.
A persuasive cover letter can really make you stand out from the sea of applicants. Write an individual letter for each role you apply for. You can add in specific details about the company (which you’ve researched, of course!), and why you think you will be a good fit
Send a professional email – and follow up.
Send a professional email to the person in charge of hiring, including your CV and cover letter. If you don’t get a reply within a few days, follow up! Don’t get left in the unread pile.
Prepare for interviews.
See each new interview as a performance that you need to rehearse and prepare for. Research the company and the role and prepare for a variety of questions about why you would be the best candidate. You could even practice with friends, taking it in turns pretending to be the interviewer!
