Why do a placement year
With PPE at Durham, you can’t apply to do a placement year before you join Durham – for most students, this is a decision you make around the end of the first year with the view of applying in the first and second terms (Michaelmas and Epiphany) of your second year. For me, however, I always knew that I wanted to incorporate an industrial placement into my degree for a few main reasons:
- I wanted to gain some practical work experience – especially since my degree is often quite theoretical!
- I wanted to live and work in a new place beyond Durham at home to boost my independence skills
- I wanted to earn some money to put towards my master’s should I decide to do one
- Perhaps most importantly, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do later down the line!
For many students, it can be quite daunting thinking about the future and especially what careers we want to pursue. I thought that a placement year would be a great opportunity to try out an industry, figure out what work I like and dislike and make some vital connections along the way who can help me navigate my next steps. Equally, placements can be a great opportunity to secure a graduate job for when you finish university.
Careers support
I found the careers team amazing in helping me find a placement, improve my CV and prepare for assessment centres and interviews. Whilst you’re on placement, the careers team also check in with you to ensure everything is going well and are always on hand if you need any further support!
Valuable experience
I did my placement with HSBC UK in the Agricultural Business Banking sector which was something I would have never really thought of, but I really enjoyed it! I was supporting agricultural customers (think big farmers) with their banking and financial needs, supporting them in getting loans and just being a friendly face turning banking jargon into useful tools through which to improve their businesses.
I learnt so many things on my journey as an HSBC IP (Industrial Placement) student.
These are just a few lessons for me but, on a personal level, I learnt so much about myself – I learnt about my likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses and learnt that I really enjoyed the corporate environment.
Back to the classroom
Since coming back to Durham for my fourth and final year, I have been able to apply these skills to my degree and my wider set of personal and professional skills. I do not think I would be the person I am today had I not done a placement so I would encourage it for any and all students who want to get a taste of the real working world!
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