Transitioning to placement

Take time to adjust

Going from being a student to working full time can be challenging - talk to your coworkers and get to know them, they’re expecting you to have questions as a student!

Keep in touch

If multiple students are doing a placement at the same company as you (or even a different company), keep in touch with them and share your struggles and experiences.

Start meal prepping

In full-time work, it can be tough to manage your time in the evenings, especially if you’re tired. Preparing breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or all of them!) can help you support your wellbeing and save money.

While you’re on your placement

Keep in touch with your placement coordinator!

Time can fly by on a placement, so be sure to email them at least once per academic term. Keep them updated on how it’s going. They are there to support you during your placement, and if you are struggling, they may be able to help you advocate.

Take it seriously

You might be tasked with the same duties as any other employee and people will count on you, if you’re not sure ask questions - remember placements are an opportunity to learn, and you won’t be expected to know how to do every task.

Keep a record of what you have done

Take notes on the tasks you complete and the skills you’ve learnt, and take pictures if you are allowed. This can be as simple as keeping a checklist or notebook, or writing a short paragraph at the end of the week. The materials you collect will all be useful for your post-placement assessment.

Allow time to adjust

The new experiences a placement brings can be challenging mentally and physically. Make sure you incorporate wellbeing into your working week.

Plan to succeed

Engage with colleagues

Communicate with the people you work with, and go to some of the social events the company organises if you can. Making connections within an industry can be useful for supporting further academic study after your placement finishes or finding a job when you graduate.

Ask questions

Ask those you work with about their experiences and how they got to where they are now - career paths are often not linear, and they may have suggestions on ways you can enhance your studies or recommend key skills to learn.

Think ahead

Plan for the next academic year - if your course has the option for a dissertation or final project, use the extra time as an opportunity to spread out research on your topic.