placement year and internships

hello, so im about to go into my second year of uni and feels like i should start looking into these, however my course currently includes a placement year and im just not sure if it's right for me anymore? i rly want the work experience but a placement sounds so daunting now...

first of all the competition of applying and handling rejections whilst already doing second year which everyone talks about how hard it is and then there's always the chance that if i get a placement i hate the thing im doing for an entire year, one of my other concerns is having to move away again after settling into uni and leaving everything, moving is a big sturggle in the first place anyway

i know im listing a bunch of cons and im sure there are plenty of pros too but im just so stressed out rn thinking about it, then there is my second dilemma which is what if an internship is a better option? what if i can't land a placement but then it's too late to find an internship and im in a similar situation currently, there is a intership opportunity abroad i can apply for but i can't be on a placement year and it doesn't sound right just to drop my placement year for it prematurely :frown:

sorry this is a bunch of rambling im rly overthinking it and would appreciate it if someone is able to provide any advice or insight thank you!

Reply 1

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

hello, so im about to go into my second year of uni and feels like i should start looking into these, however my course currently includes a placement year and im just not sure if it's right for me anymore? i rly want the work experience but a placement sounds so daunting now...
first of all the competition of applying and handling rejections whilst already doing second year which everyone talks about how hard it is and then there's always the chance that if i get a placement i hate the thing im doing for an entire year, one of my other concerns is having to move away again after settling into uni and leaving everything, moving is a big sturggle in the first place anyway
i know im listing a bunch of cons and im sure there are plenty of pros too but im just so stressed out rn thinking about it, then there is my second dilemma which is what if an internship is a better option? what if i can't land a placement but then it's too late to find an internship and im in a similar situation currently, there is a intership opportunity abroad i can apply for but i can't be on a placement year and it doesn't sound right just to drop my placement year for it prematurely :frown:

sorry this is a bunch of rambling im rly overthinking it and would appreciate it if someone is able to provide any advice or insight thank you!

Hey, I totally get where you’re coming from. Starting to think about placements and internships can feel really overwhelming, especially with all the uncertainties and decisions involved. It’s completely normal to feel stressed out about it.

A placement year does have its challenges, like the application process, competition, and the possibility of not liking the role. It can feel like a lot to handle on top of your second-year coursework.

That said, placements can also offer a lot of benefits, like valuable work experience, a chance to build your network, and a clearer sense of what you might want to do after you graduate. If you do get a placement, there’s also support available to help you through the transition, both at university and within the companies themselves. You could also find a role local to you or even a remote role (they 100% exist) then you wouldn’t have to move.

Internships could be a good alternative if the idea of committing to a full year seems too much right now. They tend to be shorter, often during the summer, so they might give you a taste of work experience without the long-term commitment of a placement. It’s also worth checking out your uni’s careers service for advice. At the University of Salford, we have a really supportive careers service that helps students navigate these decisions, including offering advice on placements and internships.

It’s perfectly fine to be unsure at this point. Maybe keep your options open for now. You can start applying for placements while keeping an eye on internship opportunities and see how you feel as the year progresses. You don't have to decide right away, and you'll probably have more clarity once you start seeing what opportunities are actually out there. Take it one step at a time and try not to put too much pressure on yourself. You've got this! 😊

Cheers,
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative