Student blog

Something that is growing increasingly common is taking a year out of university between second and third year for either a placement year or a year abroad. I am currently undertaking a research assistant placement at Sussex uni.

Deciding whether to take a year out can be a hard decision because it is something different; I know that I was on the fence about it at the start of second year, but decided it was something I actually wanted to do because of all the potential benefits.

The pros of taking a year out for a placement year

Gaining experience: A placement can enable you to gain more experience in your chosen sector or a related sector. This also involves gaining relevant skills such as communication skills or organisational skills.

Career clarity: It can help you figure out what you may or may not want to do in the future. If you decide you would like to continue in the sector you have worked in during your placement, you know what to do next after graduating. Likewise, if you realise it is not for you, then you won’t spend time going down the wrong route after graduating.

Enhanced employability: Completing a placement makes it easier to secure employment and graduate schemes. Some companies may automatically offer continued employment throughout your final year or graduate schemes and full-time jobs after graduation. Also, the skills and experience that you gain make you more attractive to other employers making it easier to receive job offers.

Increased motivation: Undergoing a placement year can motivate you to work harder when you come back to university. Seeing what you are working towards can prove to be more motivating. Moreover, working for a year can help you develop a good work ethic which is helpful for your final year.

A break from studying: A year out can serve as a break from studying. This can also help with productivity when back in final year.

Guidance and support: The university provides guidance and support throughout your placement, with access to various services, including the library, gym, Wellbeing team, and Disability team. You will also have a placements tutor as your primary contact for support in general, and if you encounter any difficulties

Enjoyability: A placement year can be extremely enjoyable.

Potential cons of taking a year out

Feeling behind: You may feel behind your peers, graduating a year after which can be daunting. It is worth noting however that you can make new friends and you should not do something just because your friends are doing that)

Disruption: A year out may feel like a disruption between university years

The application process: It may be extremely time-consuming going through the application process for placements especially if they are very competitive.

Making the decision

Whether someone wants to do a placement year or not is an individual decision and is about what is right for the individual with some people preferring summer internships because it involves less commitment than a whole placement (or you could do both!). I personally have found that choosing to do a placement is a positive decision for me. I have not started the placement yet but the process has already taught me a lot when it came to my CV, cover letters and interviews. It also feels exciting that I will be trying something new, and the placement will enable me to develop research skills and gain more experience.

Practical tips

1. The university can help you with applying for a placement, having a dedicated placement team who conduct talks about placements as well as aid with the application process, with you being able to make a meeting with them for support.
2. If you are doing an unpaid service placement, you can still get your full student loan.
3. You can still apply for placements even if you are not certain and decide along the way if you would like to do one.

A placement year might not be for everybody, but weighing the pros and cons for yourself is a good idea. It is a valuable opportunity to gain experience and skills as well as work out what you want to do next.

Tugce studies Psychology with Neuroscience. She enjoys going for walks in nature and attending dog-walking society at uni.

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