This experience can make graduate applications really stand out, as you are far more employable following a placement year. After completing your placement year you may even be lucky enough to secure a graduate role, meaning that you can completely focus on your degree when you return for the final year. Furthermore, a placement year really helps with your daily routine and time management - which will support you in that crucial final year when your course become a lot more demanding.

I would encourage any student to do a year in industry because it gives you the opportunity to personally develop, enhance and learn new skills whilst demonstrating positive behaviours in the workplace. I can confidently say that my placement year was undoubtedly one of the best experiences and will prepare me for the competitive world of work.

I would definitely recommend utilising the support and facilities that the Careers Network and your department have to offer. They are a great source of support and provide excellent opportunities to secure the placement you really want. Also make sure you don’t limit your search - initially I had not considered purchasing as a career, but my year spent as a buyer has turned out to be one of the best!

Use websites such as rate my placement to help you - they give different views and opinions of student placement years, as well as information on potential interview questions that were discussed/ asked. You can also create a profile with job sites such as Target Jobs, where you can specify the jobs that you are interested in and they will email you with the most suitable jobs.

Grace graduated from Loughborough University in 2018.