Is it worth doing a study year abroad if I don't get a placement?

I'm in my second year of uni applying for finance placements as a Chemistry with Management student. I've applied to 7 so far and have only heard back from a few (one rejection, one online interview and like 2 online maths/personality tests). I know it's still quite early and I have way more to apply to but I'm worried about the prospect of not getting a placement and having to go straight to third year. As I go to a uni big on placements, I'd pretty much go into third year with none of my friends (as they're all taking placements and already getting offers). Another option if I don't get a placement is doing a study year abroad, which I would have to apply to in march/april time. This wouldn't be an issue from a financial point of view, but I don't know whether it is worth it. One of my course friends is telling me I should apply for chemistry/lab based placements as finance is too competitive but I'd genuinely rather go into 3rd year than work in a lab as I have no desire to work within that sector in the future.
Overall i'm just a bit stressed and conflicted about it all, and not too sure what the best solution is in the case i don't get a placement.

Thoughts? :smile:

Reply 1

University of Strathclyde

Official Rep

15

Original post by softwd

I'm in my second year of uni applying for finance placements as a Chemistry with Management student. I've applied to 7 so far and have only heard back from a few (one rejection, one online interview and like 2 online maths/personality tests). I know it's still quite early and I have way more to apply to but I'm worried about the prospect of not getting a placement and having to go straight to third year. As I go to a uni big on placements, I'd pretty much go into third year with none of my friends (as they're all taking placements and already getting offers). Another option if I don't get a placement is doing a study year abroad, which I would have to apply to in march/april time. This wouldn't be an issue from a financial point of view, but I don't know whether it is worth it. One of my course friends is telling me I should apply for chemistry/lab based placements as finance is too competitive but I'd genuinely rather go into 3rd year than work in a lab as I have no desire to work within that sector in the future.
Overall i'm just a bit stressed and conflicted about it all, and not too sure what the best solution is in the case i don't get a placement.
Thoughts? :smile:

Hey @softwd 🙂 Like you say, you've still got a bit of time before you need to apply for studying abroad in March/April and lots of placement opportunities might come up over the next few months. I'd say a year abroad could be really valuable as well (becoming even more independent, getting to know a new culture, challenging yourself) and it's good to know that option is there. So yes, I'd say if you're able to consider it and don't really want to go in to third year straight away then studying abroad could be a good alternative to a placement.

It sounds like you'd prefer to focus on the placement option so keep on trying with those applications. Have you been in touch with your University careers service yet? Maybe they'll be able to help with the application process/interview techniques as well as helping find any opportunities they're advertising for? For the rejection - was the company able to give you good feedback?

It can feel stressful and also a bit demoralising at times if you're not getting anywhere with applications but I'm sure your perseverance will pay off 🤞 It just takes the one company to realise your potential with them 🙂

Caitlin 🎓️
Official University of Strathclyde Rep

Original post by softwd

I'm in my second year of uni applying for finance placements as a Chemistry with Management student. I've applied to 7 so far and have only heard back from a few (one rejection, one online interview and like 2 online maths/personality tests). I know it's still quite early and I have way more to apply to but I'm worried about the prospect of not getting a placement and having to go straight to third year. As I go to a uni big on placements, I'd pretty much go into third year with none of my friends (as they're all taking placements and already getting offers). Another option if I don't get a placement is doing a study year abroad, which I would have to apply to in march/april time. This wouldn't be an issue from a financial point of view, but I don't know whether it is worth it. One of my course friends is telling me I should apply for chemistry/lab based placements as finance is too competitive but I'd genuinely rather go into 3rd year than work in a lab as I have no desire to work within that sector in the future.
Overall i'm just a bit stressed and conflicted about it all, and not too sure what the best solution is in the case i don't get a placement.
Thoughts? :smile:

Hi there,

Applying for placements can be really stressful so I understand how you are feeling! Lots of people apply to multiple placements and only hear back from one or to in the end so don't worry about this as it is completely normal to not get interviews or accepted for all of them as they are so competitive.

I agree that it sound like a placement would be your top option at the moment so keep applying for them as you never know what might come up and I am sure more will be released around Christmas time too. Some of my friends didn't get placements until February/March time so don't lose hope as you can still have a chance to get one later on down the line. Keep applying to any that you like the sound of too as you never know what will come up.

However, if you don't get a placement year, I think a study year abroad is a great idea too. I know a few people who did this and they loved it! One of my friends just recently got back from a year in Australia and he said it was a great experience and he really enjoyed it. I also think that its would look quite good on your CV too as it shows you can adapt to a new environment and it just looks quite good in general.

A year abroad will teach you independence and you will get to know a new place which will be really fun and a valuable experience. Everyone that I know who has done one says it was worth it so I think it is an option that you should really consider!

You could always talk to the careers team at your uni about this if you are feeling unsure and want someone else's opinion. They can usually talk you through your options and can tell you which looks good on your CV, what will give you good experience from a career point of view.

Your uni might also have someone who is in charge of the year abroad or placement years and they might be someone good to talk to about this. They will have the best insight into all of these things and you may also be able to speak to people who have done both a placement and a year abroad as this might also help you to make up your mind on what you want to do.

I hope some of this helps!

Lucy -SHU student ambassador 🙂

Reply 3

BOE-LEE

Original post by softwd

I'm in my second year of uni applying for finance placements as a Chemistry with Management student. I've applied to 7 so far and have only heard back from a few (one rejection, one online interview and like 2 online maths/personality tests). I know it's still quite early and I have way more to apply to but I'm worried about the prospect of not getting a placement and having to go straight to third year. As I go to a uni big on placements, I'd pretty much go into third year with none of my friends (as they're all taking placements and already getting offers). Another option if I don't get a placement is doing a study year abroad, which I would have to apply to in march/april time. This wouldn't be an issue from a financial point of view, but I don't know whether it is worth it. One of my course friends is telling me I should apply for chemistry/lab based placements as finance is too competitive but I'd genuinely rather go into 3rd year than work in a lab as I have no desire to work within that sector in the future.
Overall i'm just a bit stressed and conflicted about it all, and not too sure what the best solution is in the case i don't get a placement.
Thoughts? :smile:

I think whether you go into finance and business should be determined by your resources other than your university major. For example, if you have a family background in finance, or you have some great financial ideas and projects, it may not be a good idea to go into finance just because you don't want to stay in a lab, after all, the competition in finance is also very fierce.

Original post by softwd

I'm in my second year of uni applying for finance placements as a Chemistry with Management student. I've applied to 7 so far and have only heard back from a few (one rejection, one online interview and like 2 online maths/personality tests). I know it's still quite early and I have way more to apply to but I'm worried about the prospect of not getting a placement and having to go straight to third year. As I go to a uni big on placements, I'd pretty much go into third year with none of my friends (as they're all taking placements and already getting offers). Another option if I don't get a placement is doing a study year abroad, which I would have to apply to in march/april time. This wouldn't be an issue from a financial point of view, but I don't know whether it is worth it. One of my course friends is telling me I should apply for chemistry/lab based placements as finance is too competitive but I'd genuinely rather go into 3rd year than work in a lab as I have no desire to work within that sector in the future.
Overall i'm just a bit stressed and conflicted about it all, and not too sure what the best solution is in the case i don't get a placement.
Thoughts? :smile:

Hi!

I recently returned from my year abroad in Jordan, and I’d definitely recommend studying abroad! There were some difficult aspects at first (communication issues, adapting to a different environment, home-sickness, e.t.c) but overall it was a really fun and rewarding experience that facilitated my personal and professional development.

Firstly, it’s important to think about which country you want to go to because that will have a huge impact on your experience. It’s also good to consider what you want from being abroad and if you have any goals for your time there. My main goals were to improve my Arabic and learn the Jordanian dialect. I also wanted to pursue volunteer opportunities in the humanitarian/ development sector since Jordan is a regional hub for many UN agencies and NGOs working on different crises. I ended up volunteering with a charity that supports the education of young refugee girls and doing some journalism work on mental health in a refugee camp. Lots of my friends also volunteered for different newspapers and charities or even worked on film sets!

Experiencing another culture was also a highlight of studying abroad. I loved trying new foods and exploring different parts of the country, from Petra and the Dead Sea to lesser-known ancient archaeological sites such as Jerash and Madaba. Jordanian culture was also very hospitable and heavily rooted in community, which helped me embrace a more mindful, grounded way of life.

I also enjoyed making friends with people from all over the world and building an international network. After my studies ended, one friend showed me around Qatar, and another invited me to China, so I spent two weeks there. Back in Jordan, we’d also arranged lots of coffee chats and dinners with a variety of people from our institute, including diplomats, former government officials and NGO workers and were mentored by some of them. I learnt a lot from these connections, and they really expanded my world-view.

Lastly, I picked up new hobbies like hiking, star-gazing and tatreez, a traditional form of Palestinian embroidery.

Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
- S, Ba International Relations and Arabic

Is it worth doing a study year abroad if I don't get a placement?

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