Why choose a degree with a year in industry?

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Many degrees offer a year in industry, sometimes called an industrial placement or sandwich year. This opportunity allows undergraduates to spend a year of their studies working within the industry of their chosen subject.

This year is typically taken in your thirdyear of undergraduate studies. Some universities offer this option as a fourth year, and some offer a six-month equivalent.

But why spend a year in industry? From my experience, there are so many benefits.

Acquire skills for the real world

By doing a year in industry you'll experience the world of employment and work on real life projects that impact a business. The learning is hands-on, meaning you acquire certain skills you can’t when sitting in a lecture.

Improve your CV

Having relevant work experience by the time you graduate will improve your chances of getting a job. The competitive job market means that many employers are not only looking for prior work experience but want to see you demonstrate the practical skills necessary for the role.

Be in a better financial position

Most industrial placements will pay you while you work. This extra income will provide additional money which you can use to supplement your studies and live more comfortably.

Reduced university fees

You typically won’t have to pay the full tuition fee for the year, as you are spending less time on campus. This varies between courses and universities, so be sure to check this when researching courses.

Perks of the job

Most companies look after their employees and improve their overall work experience. This could be meals paid for by the company, access to a free onsite gym or discounts on subscriptions for services such as Hello Fresh, exercise classes or health cover.

Complete your master’s

Some courses allow you to boost your bachelor’s to a master’s degree by doing a year in industry. You may have to do some distance work or assessments, but this is worth the added work if it means you come away with a postgraduate qualification.

If this interests you, ask your university. It may involve sitting exams at the end of the year or submitting coursework throughout the year.

Be somewhere new

An industry placement is a great opportunity to break up your time at university and explore a new part of the country, or even the world.

I very much enjoyed embracing the Geordie lifestyle and picking up their classic catchphrases while on my placement year in Newcastle.

Meet new people

An industrial placement is also the chance to meet a bunch of new faces from different universities with similar interests. You may even work with international students who you can go and visit when you have time off. I got on so well with my industrial placement mates that we took a road trip around California with the money we earned.

If you’re worried about not seeing your other friends from university, don’t be. You will still have the weekends to catch up with them.

Grow as a person

Yes, you’ll learn the important practical skills needed to work in your chosen industry but you’ll also develop important interpersonal skills that will help you work with others.

Get offered a job

How great would it be if by the end of your placement, you were offered a full-time job? This would remove the stress of job-hunting after graduation.

Even if you’re not offered a job, you’ll have made useful contacts for the future. It’s a chance to get your foot in the door at the very least.

You don’t have to decide right now

You don’t have to decide on whether to do a year in industry before you start first year. Universities will let you transfer on and off the industrial placement course throughout your time at university on the lead up to the placement year. Universities understand you may change your mind, and they want you to do what’s best for you.

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Header image: Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash