Placement years!

InvaderGIR · 17 Oct 2007 at 22:58

Ok, so I'm in my second year of uni, doing a 4 year course, which is 2 years, placement year and another year.

I've been applying to companies the last few days, and none of my friends have, I was just wondering really if other students are applying right now, or if they are waiting for a bit?

InvG

GarethDW · 17 Oct 2007 at 23:00

Now's a good time to start applying, imo - you'll get some people that do it now and some that leave it until the very last minute (like I did... luckily I still blagged a decent placement nonetheless

).

Bunka · 17 Oct 2007 at 23:01

Most people I know applied a little later around christmas time. There's no harm in doing it now though, they can always tell you that they're not currently 'recruiting' and to try again at a later date.

InvaderGIR · 17 Oct 2007 at 23:02

That was my thinking, usually for this sort of thing I'm one of the last to do it, but I really want to get a good placement so am being really proactive (compared to my friends) and am applying to lots of big companies, or any that are in a field of interest to me.

InvG

[TW]Fox · 17 Oct 2007 at 23:02

You can never apply too soon. Loads of people left it too late on my course and ended up with no placement or a crappy placement. I was very lucky to get a good one after I dithered around being lazy for half a year and not applying.

Apply now.

InvaderGIR · 17 Oct 2007 at 23:04

Bunka said:
Most people I know applied a little later around christmas time. There's no harm in doing it now though, they can always tell you that they're not currently 'recruiting' and to try again at a later date.

Yeah, so far all the places I've applied to have been big companies (Intel and HP are a couple), so they get theirs out early, and have a deadline of mid Jan. I want to get the big companies out of the way almost, and then get smaller ones once I've run out of larger ones.

The way I see it is quite simply that the more I apply to, the better chance/offers I can get.

One of my friends keeps saying he's been offered by his dad's friend to have a job with him, but he wants to get something else, yet he isn't bothering to sort out applying, just seems silly really.

[TW]Fox;10299659 said:
You can never apply too soon. Loads of people left it too late on my course and ended up with no placement or a crappy placement. I was very lucky to get a good one after I dithered around being lazy for half a year and not applying.

Apply now.

Don't worry, I am.

Just wondering mostly on other's experiences and also what other 2nd years are doing.

InvG

Zogger · 17 Oct 2007 at 23:05

do it now. A lot of big / high paying employers (e.g. Lehman brothers) do their placement recruiting at the start of the term. If nothing else you get practice at interviews, which is important...

Not that I got a placement for my third year... :s My first ever interview (for Lehman brothers) was comical

triggerthat · 17 Oct 2007 at 23:12

Apply now. It's all good experience. You've got a better chance in getting a decent placement.

I got a placement offer in November last year.

Lagmeister · 17 Oct 2007 at 23:22

Apply as soon as possible, there are companies who stop accepting new applications this month also dont be discouraged by being rejected for placements, keep on applying for them untill you get one, I think I was rejected for 20 or so before I got my placement with Siemens in Vienna.

Deiwos · 17 Oct 2007 at 23:31

Apply as soon as possible. a lot of the big companies end their application processes for placements before christmas so nows a good time to get in with them. Also, apply to as much as possible. Interview/assessment experience is invaluable.

InvaderGIR · 17 Oct 2007 at 23:40

Deiwos said:
Interview/assessment experience is invaluable.

Yeah, I mean I've worked various jobs since I was 16, and I'm now 20, so have had some fun interviews, and some not so fun ones.

My biggest problem interview-wise is getting a suit!

I am lucky to have the opportunity to be able to live in Reading for my placement, as my brother lives there. This means I have access to a lot of big companies as a lot of them are in Reading/Berkshire/Bracknell/Swindon. I am aiming to mostly/only apply there, but I will also apply elsewhere if the jobs are worthwhile. I want to clock up a huge amount of companies that I've applied to, I'd rather have loads of applications and rejections and one offer than a few apps and rejects and no offers.

InvG

InvaderGIR · 18 Oct 2007 at 16:44

What are people's thoughts on placements abroad?

Are they a sensible idea?
Should I have started applying for them ages ago?

I'm doing Computing at uni, and will be going for a IT Technical/Network Technical placement, just musing on the idea of going to somewhere like America for my placement instead of staying in this country.

My missus would not be impressed if I did go to say America for a year, but I think she would also encourage it a bit as it'd mean I'm doing what I want to do with my life etc.

So, thoughts on other country placements...

Also, should I just apply to companies based in other countries or should I go and speak to the placements office, and the foreign office (uni foreign office, not the government's one

)?

InvG

GarethDW · 18 Oct 2007 at 17:03

I went abroad for my placement (Air France in Paris) - I always wanted to do my sandwich year abraod because I knew it would be a good experience even if the job itself didn't amount to much. It's also a good talking point during interviews too.

The question of when to apply and when is too late is largely dependent upon the country you're applying for. Staying within Europe means you don't have to worry about working visas, etc... which you'd need to consider for somewhere such as the US. As such, you can leave it as late as you like.

I'd definitely consider doing it if I were you. It's a great opportunity.

InvaderGIR · 18 Oct 2007 at 17:08

I never really thought of the EU to be honest, as most of the big companies are either in the US or if they have EU offices, there is quite likely to be one in the UK.
One of the reasons I'd rather the US is because they speak English, I did French at college, but don't remember much of it, and really don't want to learn another language. I know most big companies in IT would speak English regardless of their position in the world, but living and going out in the country would be much harder for me.
I'll have to look into Visas etc. and see what there is in the US.

InvG

Peño · 19 Oct 2007 at 00:08

All I've been thinking about is applying for placements this week LOL. One of my modules has been used as placement talks for the first month and he's really kicking our butts to get some quality CVs done.

It's definitely a good idea to start applying now - I've already missed some of the big applications (I'm doing finance and have already missed the Morgan Stanley deadline). There's a few applications with deadlines ending tomorrow, but I'm still sat here re-doing my CV (my current one is really outdated). I know a few big companies I want to apply for, but there's so much research I want/need to do before I can start writing a convincing CV/cover letter.

With regards to placements abroad, I know the main company I'm interested in send their interns around the world to work for a few days/weeks on contracts etc. so I'd be happy doing that. Obviously living and working abroad would be more fun, but at least you get that option with this job. So look around and see what the companies offer.

But yeah, definitely a good idea to start applying now or at least get working on smashing applications.

Lagmeister · 19 Oct 2007 at 00:18

I would seriously recommend trying for a foreign placement if you can, I dont want to put down non foreign placements as any practical experience is a great thing to have, but a foreign placement stands out on your CV a lot more.

InvaderGIR · 19 Oct 2007 at 00:30

Lagmeister said:
I would seriously recommend trying for a foreign placement if you can, I dont want to put down non foreign placements as any practical experience is a great thing to have, but a foreign placement stands out on your CV a lot more.

Yeah, I've taken this train of thought on, and not just for the CV, but personally for me it'll give me such a big experience, much bigger than working in the UK I really want to go 'over the pond'.
Whilst the US may not be all that foreign, it's where I'd like to go, and really think it could be a good place to learn/play/work etc.

InvG

Teki187 · 19 Oct 2007 at 00:34

InvaderGIR said:
Ok, so I'm in my second year of uni, doing a 4 year course, which is 2 years, placement year and another year.

I've been applying to companies the last few days, and none of my friends have, I was just wondering really if other students are applying right now, or if they are waiting for a bit?

InvG

Better to be safe then sorry, you'll be kicking your self if you tried later when everyone else is, anyone remember "Work Experiance" day?

James07 · 19 Oct 2007 at 00:54

If your friends arnt wont that push you into doing more?!

getting more in faster, getting as many sent off as humanly possible...

i know i would...

gl dude

Column Matrix · 19 Oct 2007 at 03:42

InvaderGIR said:
What are people's thoughts on placements abroad?

Are they a sensible idea?
Should I have started applying for them ages ago?

I'm doing Computing at uni, and will be going for a IT Technical/Network Technical placement, just musing on the idea of going to somewhere like America for my placement instead of staying in this country.

My missus would not be impressed if I did go to say America for a year, but I think she would also encourage it a bit as it'd mean I'm doing what I want to do with my life etc.

So, thoughts on other country placements...

Also, should I just apply to companies based in other countries or should I go and speak to the placements office, and the foreign office (uni foreign office, not the government's one )?

InvG

I am also toying with this idea, especially seeing as you mentioned that you had applied to Intel earlier in the thread. I am doing an MEng in Electronic Engineering and although this is my first year, I am already beginning to think about the possibilities for my placement year in 2/3 years time. Going to America and being fortunate enough to be offered a placement from a company in 'Silicon Valley' would be an absolute dream for me. However I am put off by the tough immigration laws in the US, and I'm not quite clear on how I would go about the application procedure.

Another thing I feel is holding me back from getting a placement with a real top top company like Intel or Nvidia is my poor A Level grades. I got fantastic GCSE results (all A or A*) and was predicted AAB at the start of 6th form, my offer was ABB but I ended up with BBC. I know why, I just didn't do any work in those two years, I didn't bother to practice any exam technique, missed lessons frequently and channeled my efforts into other areas of my life but at least I can hold my head up and say that it was at least something constructive. I've learnt my lesson and I won't underperform like that ever again in anything. I think I'm a better person because of it now, but I doubt Intel will be so forgiving.

I realise competition is going to be incredible for the jobs available inside 'Silicon Valley' but the more I research it the more it seems like going abroad is the only option. Ideally I want to end up in working in computer architecture/engineering or something similar such as nanotechnology but I'm struggling to find jobs in the UK for this. I already have had a summer placement working as an Electrical Engineer with Mouchel Parkman and I was asked if I would take a gap year and continue working for them. The money was very tempting and would have been absolutely brilliant for someone in my age group however I declined as it isn't quite the area I want to go into and felt it would be a waste of a year. I'm now looking for companies for a summer job for next year that would offer me a role closely linked to my chosen career path and I haven't been able to find anything within a reasonable distance (in or just outside London). If I have to go back to Mouchel I won't be unhappy as the money was great and I really enjoyed it there but it still wouldn't be ideal for where I want to go with my life.

Having said that, I have seen other areas which I have found attractive. Most noticeably various roles in Scandinavia/North Sea/Artic Circle that involve working on projects with endangered species. For example, creating ways of preventing Dolphins and Whales being confused by sonar from boats, submarines and habours. However this could be something I could get into later in my life, if its not too late by then (not for me, for the animals)