Is an Industrial Placement worth it? We think so, here’s why…

By Georgia Cherry, industrial placement student, Unite Students

Ever wondered what it would be like to swap lectures for a year of paid work? That’s exactly what I’m doing at Unite Students, and it’s been a game-changer. 

I joined in August 2025 alongside eight other industrial placement students. Working across different departments, including Communications, Risk & Assurance, Finance and HR, we’re gaining hands-on experience and applying learnings from lectures into real-world scenarios. 

It’s normally during the last few weeks of the first term when university students, who have the option to sandwich a placement year within their course, start looking for opportunities. In the current job climate for postgraduates, a placement year is considered by many to be a great opportunity to set yourself apart from the competition.  

We’ve lived through the thinking stage of ‘is a placement year for me?’ and have navigated the application process. We know what a rollercoaster the whole process can be, so here’s some advice from all of us, to those pondering the same question. 

Our main piece of advice is … do it! 

You have nothing to lose. I definitely think the hard work I put into applying for placements was worth it. Before joining Unite Students, I was excited by the idea of everything I would learn, the people I would meet, and the opportunities I would get. Already, my expectations have been exceeded. I’ve learnt valuable and transferable skills, and I know I will carry this experience with me into my future career. 

And I’m not alone. James, who’s part of the Risk and Assurance team, believes “there’s no reason not to do a placement year. It gives you a great understanding of the working world, and you’ll still gain valuable skills and experience when applying for grad roles”. Imagine being able to confidently apply for a job in your chosen sector with a year’s experience!  

Bebe, working in UX is loving her time at Unite Students, said: “I couldn’t recommend it enough – the experience I’ve gained so far feels so relevant to the real world of work and my future career prospects. I’m seeing my work make a real difference and impact on the business”. Being able to detail hands-on experience and projects with tangible impact in your CV, or in an interview, is impressive. 

It’s also about balance, not just career growth. Esther, who is working with the Property team, sees it as a brilliant opportunity to grow personally and professionally. She said: “Definitely go for it. The experience is rewarding and enjoyable. The team genuinely cares about your growth and ensures you get the most out of your time here.” A placement year is rich with networking opportunities; getting to know other placement students, socialising with your team and others within the business. The connections you make will hopefully last a lifetime. 

Now that we’ve (hopefully) inspired you to apply for a placement, here’s some tips and tricks from us so you can navigate the application process with confidence and ease.  

Becca, the People Industrial Placement student, said “Having to apply for loads of jobs and getting rejection emails or ignored is tough”. However, there are steps that you can take to make the process easier, such as “get your applications checked frequently and ask for feedback. Take advantage of what your university has to offer and talk to your lecturers about placements as they’re often very willing to give advice.”  

Ava, a Commercial Industrial Placement student, told me: “employers value enthusiasm and a willingness to learn as much as technical skills.” It’s important you go through this process by being authentically true to yourself – you’re more likely to find a placement and team that suits you and what you’re looking for. 

Twm, working within the Procurement team, recommends taking “every interview seriously, no matter what the job is or your chances of landing it”, who knows – that interview could be the one. 

Joe, our Finance Industrial Placement student, would encourage you to “apply early and make sure you use all your university resources to help improve your CV and interview techniques”, using every resource at your disposal will give you the best chance possible of landing a placement. Whilst Flora, also working in Finance, recognises the value of learning skills before applying to placements: “learning coding can come in useful, even in Finance”. 

Esther warns “don’t overthink it and don’t wait too long because applications close quickly. Take the leap, apply early and trust you’ll learn and grow throughout the process.” Taking that leap of faith might be the best thing you ever do for yourself. 

Would you like to follow in our footsteps, and be the next Unite Students Industrial Placements Students? 

Click here to apply! We can’t wait to hear from you.