Business and Mgmt- 3rd year placement as part of degree
12
Hi, so as the title suggests, I'm currently studying Business and Management, and when it comes to my 3rd year, I'll need to look for a years placement as my degree offers placement year and I really want to do one.
So my degree is just Business and Management - I knew I wanted to do this degree specifically but with no specific focus such as HR, finance, etc.
And I know 3rd year is technically 2 years away, but I am thinking about this now and don't know where to start.
I'm really unsure what field of work I want to go into , and I don't know what I want to do a placement in. Apart from speaking to careers advisors maybe, where else should I look so that I can find what area I want to specialize in, as I'm finding it really hard at the moment.
So my degree is just Business and Management - I knew I wanted to do this degree specifically but with no specific focus such as HR, finance, etc.
And I know 3rd year is technically 2 years away, but I am thinking about this now and don't know where to start.
I'm really unsure what field of work I want to go into , and I don't know what I want to do a placement in. Apart from speaking to careers advisors maybe, where else should I look so that I can find what area I want to specialize in, as I'm finding it really hard at the moment.
Reply 1
Original post
by Avz4XOHi, so as the title suggests, I'm currently studying Business and Management, and when it comes to my 3rd year, I'll need to look for a years placement as my degree offers placement year and I really want to do one.
So my degree is just Business and Management - I knew I wanted to do this degree specifically but with no specific focus such as HR, finance, etc.
And I know 3rd year is technically 2 years away, but I am thinking about this now and don't know where to start.
I'm really unsure what field of work I want to go into , and I don't know what I want to do a placement in. Apart from speaking to careers advisors maybe, where else should I look so that I can find what area I want to specialize in, as I'm finding it really hard at the moment.
So my degree is just Business and Management - I knew I wanted to do this degree specifically but with no specific focus such as HR, finance, etc.
And I know 3rd year is technically 2 years away, but I am thinking about this now and don't know where to start.
I'm really unsure what field of work I want to go into , and I don't know what I want to do a placement in. Apart from speaking to careers advisors maybe, where else should I look so that I can find what area I want to specialize in, as I'm finding it really hard at the moment.
Hi @Avz4XO 👋
It’s completely normal to feel unsure at this stage, and it’s great that you’re already thinking ahead about your placement year! As a Business and Management student currently on placement, I’d love to share a few tips that helped me when I was in your shoes.
There are many useful ways to explore which area you might want to specialise in career-wise:
💭 Reflect on your modules – Which ones have you enjoyed so far? That can be a good clue toward your interests. You still have your second year ahead though, so use it to pay attention to what excites you the most, whether it’s HR, marketing, operations etc.
💻️ Check the National Careers Service – This website allows you to explore job profiles and take free skills assessments to see what roles might match your strengths. LinkedIn is also great to follow professionals and companies in different business areas to see what their day-to-day looks like.
🤝 Get involved and start networking – If your University has societies related to business, finance, or entrepreneurship, I’d highly recommend you to join. They might host employer talks, networking events, and career fairs that can give you exposure to many fields and connect you with potential placement opportunities.
To search for placements, check your University’s careers portal or get in touch with the placement team; they should have roles advertised which are suited to your degree. Also, check out platforms like Reed, Bright Network, TargetJobs, and Indeed to maximise the effectiveness of your placement search.
In the meantime, I'd suggest you focus on developing transferable skills through part-time work, volunteering, micro-internships, or student representative roles. Unitemps advertises many roles specifically for students. Having a range of experiences will help you build a strong CV and show initiative, which employers really value.
Through these resources and getting practical experience, you'll gain valuable insights into what excites you most and where your strengths lie, helping you make a more informed decision about your placement. Remember, the important thing is that you’re exploring. Keep an open mind, try different things, and see where your interests naturally lead. Your placement is part of the journey, not the final destination.
I really hope this helps, and wishing you all the very best! If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out 😊
Siya
Business and Management BA
(edited 10 months ago)
Reply 2
15
You're worrying yourself unnecessarily. Look for Industrial Placements for students studying for a 'Business' degree. Apply and wait hopefully for an offer. Pay attention to each job description, for this will give you a heads up on what the role will entail....IPs are fiercely competitive! I would not overly concern myself with 'career specifics', yet. You don't know if the specific one you like will even call you for interview, let alone an offer you will also be narrowing your pool of opportunities in your application process. Apply for as many 'Business' roles as you can.
If you find yourself in the enviable position of more than one offer, then you can scrutinise the job descriptions a bit more and choose.
Remember, an Industrial Placement is an opportunity for you to gain work experience but also discover within your field what you like or don't like. Your entire career is not determined by the industrial placement! You may even complete the placement and decide Business management is not for you, and upon graduating, would like to convert to Law instead. Likewise, you could do an IP in accounting, but apply for graduate roles in Marketing strategy. Employers will not penalise you for that, all they want to see is that you spent 1yr in industry, regardless of which department/business area it was in.
If you have not registered on these sites already pls register, they will send you all the latest Industrial Placement for your Course as soon as they open. Set your filters properly so you get the correct info.
Gradcracker:
Maths/Business Placements / Internships | Gradcracker - Careers for STEM Students
BrightNetwork:
Industrial Placements | Bright Network
Prospects:
Work placements | Prospects.ac.uk
Indeed:
Industrial Placement Work, jobs in London (with Salaries) | Indeed United Kingdom
Good luck!
If you find yourself in the enviable position of more than one offer, then you can scrutinise the job descriptions a bit more and choose.
Remember, an Industrial Placement is an opportunity for you to gain work experience but also discover within your field what you like or don't like. Your entire career is not determined by the industrial placement! You may even complete the placement and decide Business management is not for you, and upon graduating, would like to convert to Law instead. Likewise, you could do an IP in accounting, but apply for graduate roles in Marketing strategy. Employers will not penalise you for that, all they want to see is that you spent 1yr in industry, regardless of which department/business area it was in.
If you have not registered on these sites already pls register, they will send you all the latest Industrial Placement for your Course as soon as they open. Set your filters properly so you get the correct info.
Gradcracker:
Maths/Business Placements / Internships | Gradcracker - Careers for STEM Students
BrightNetwork:
Industrial Placements | Bright Network
Prospects:
Work placements | Prospects.ac.uk
Indeed:
Industrial Placement Work, jobs in London (with Salaries) | Indeed United Kingdom
Good luck!
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