Skipping Industrial Placement

Hi Guys,

I'm studying mechanical engineering which involves an optional year-long industrial placement, is it worth it?
Has anyone here skipped a placement year? how did it turn out for you?

Reply 1

alleycat393

Why do you want to skip the year and what are your plans for the future? If you plan to stay in the field getting experience is very important.

Reply 2

Klix88

A placement year is incredibly valuable when it comes to post-uni job hunting. Even if you don't want to be a mechanical engineer, a solid job reference from an employer as well as your uni, will give you an advantage.

Reply 3

post-grad-u-ate

You are at an age when you are growing up and learning and to be able to take a year that will be supported by your university and the employer to take you on at such an early stage in your training will be so valuable to you, and there is proven correlation that those with a successful placement year have better employment prospects and a huge percentage get offered graduate training from their performance in their placement year.

Plus it is a great opportunity to get experience of an industry, maybe motorsport for example and to have an idea of what you will be doing post graduation and the years with that in your mind will really change your perspective on your professionalism and approach to your studying.