Making the Most of Your Work Placement: Advice from Students Who’ve Been There

A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of attending the FASS Placements Showcase event where we were joined by many of our FASS fourth-year students who have returned from their placement year experience. They shared stories of their placements—the highs, the challenges, and the lessons they learned along the way. If you’re thinking about a placement year, here’s some advice from students who’ve been in your shoes.

Advocate for Yourself & Stay Resilient

Going into a workplace for the first time can be daunting, but you won’t get the most out of the experience unless you speak up. Talk to your manager about what you want to learn and don’t be afraid to take on new challenges. The more you put yourself forward, the more you’ll gain.

Securing a placement isn’t always easy. It can take time, and rejection is part of the process. If you get turned down, don’t be discouraged—keep applying and refining your approach. Persistence and resilience are key, and in the end, the right opportunity will come along.

Discover Your Strengths & Interests

A placement is a journey of self-discovery. You’ll find out what excites you, but equally, what doesn’t. That’s okay! Learning what you don’t enjoy is just as valuable as finding your passion. Don’t worry if your placement isn’t exactly what you expected—it’s all part of the process of figuring out where you want to go next.

For some students, their placement year was a stepping stone to their future career. One student shared how their experience laid the foundations for securing a graduate role in the Civil Service. Even if you don’t see an immediate link to your dream job, the skills you gain—teamwork, time management, and adaptability—will be valuable no matter where you end up.

Get Involved & Ask Questions

Once you’ve secured your placement, throw yourself into the experience. Getting involved in workplace events, social activities, and staff networks will help you feel more connected and make the experience even more enjoyable. Your colleagues will appreciate your enthusiasm, and you’ll build valuable professional relationships along the way.

Many returning students spoke about how much they grew in confidence by simply asking questions and volunteering for new tasks. It might feel intimidating at first, but showing curiosity and initiative makes a great impression. Managers appreciate proactive interns, and you’ll likely get to work on projects you never expected.

Build Skills for Your Final Year

A surprising benefit for many of the presenters had been how their placement year had helped them when they were returning for their final year. Students had found that working a structured 9-5 schedule improved their time management, making final year feel easier to handle. When you’re used to balancing workload and deadlines in a professional setting, applying those skills to university life becomes second nature.

Prepare & Research for Applications

When it comes to applying, preparation is everything. Students recommended researching companies thoroughly—check out their website, values, and key competencies, and reflect these in your application. Employers want to see that you understand what they do and that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.

If you’re considering a placement year, take it from those who’ve been there: be proactive, stay resilient, and make the most of every opportunity. It’s a year that could shape your future in ways you never expected.