enter if you have finished uni already.

[mindstate]

basically i've reached a fork in the road...and cannot decide which route to choose....

today in my lecture we were talking about internships and work placements...

these are very good for gaining crucial work experience...so i've been told....and you may agree with that...

problem is i have two options...whether to look for (by myself) a summer internship programme...(after year 2 ends)...that lasts for about 6 weeks...maybe 10 at the most...

the other option is to (and this is what my lecturer and our uni recommends) take a year out and apply for a work placement...and i think they help u find the company to work for?!..not sure...but a year's worth of experience sounds better than 10 weeks..

thing is i want to finish my education as soon as possible...taking the year out would mean i would have to the third/final year a year later...

as long as these work placements dont require me to work 9-5 mon - fri...there isnt anything wrong with it...

tell me what you think is better...in terms of long term benefits...or which would employers much likely prefer....

[Wildcard]

Tell us what course you are doing? What kind of job/industry/career you're going to be looking at? etc

Generally, employers prefer graduates who've done some work experience in the industry (probably at least a year). It's simple really because in the interview process they want people who have proved they are capable rather than others who can only talk about what they could do. Obviously this doesn't always come down to work experience but it definitely does help.

But I understand your point about wanting to finish uni ASAP. I did neither by the way. I never got work experience and because I lost motivation in my course/career ended up prolonging uni by an extra two years. To cut a long story short I've ended up doing something completely different from my degree now...so really at this point it isn't about qualifications and stuff - I'd say it's about knowing what you want to do for at least the next five years.

Good luck whatever you decide!

[mindstate]

i agree with the last three lines...u said...its about knowing what you want to do....


btw im doing a BA (hons) Business Management degree...

just started 2nd year...

i dont know what industry i want to pursue....but i like the thought buying and selling shares/stocks/commodities etc.. investment banking..maybe....and i also like IT...creating websites and shit...and international business...

[Spider Pig]

Do the year out, it will really be benefitial, I done a computer studies degree and a masters in management but my aim now is to try and get a accounting and finance graduate scheme (very tough for me, not likely either so I gota keep my options open). Put it this way think carefully about each job, look at what it involves and if you would involve it, then take a work placement on that, if you like investment etc. then keep upto date with the stock markets, do your calculations, look at what company's are doing etc. thats just an example.

Don't worry about having an extra year to do your studies, its best to be sure, who knows you could take a placement and not like the line of work, but least you will have that back up. You can still go into other areas its all about proving it at the interview, so keep sharp and have a clear mind in what you want to do if possible, but its ok to be confused at the moment, many ppl are but the trick is to the prove to the employer that you've always had a clear idea.

The placements will likely want you to work 9-5 though.

[Ranj]

Well you asked for the 'long term benefits' so based on that I think your one year work placement is the best option. You will gain valuable experience and although yes you finish uni a year later, it will actually have some benefit to you. It can open up more opportunities for you once you do finish uni.

Think it over, talk to you family and friends. Ultimately its your decision to make.

[zoned]

take the year placement, the experience would do a lot of good and also probably make you better equipped for final year project

[Enchantress]

I wanted it over asap aswell, so I didn't take a year out, but I regret it now. I recommend the year in a placement, makes you stand out to employers more than people who just did the normal 3 year course...

[mindstate]

thanks for the help people...i think i will take the year out actually...

enchantress...so what did you do instead?...did u do a summer internship...or did u just carry on with ur education...how did u find job searching after finishing your degree?

[Enchantress]

Just did the three years in a row... graduated this year... job-hunting is very difficult, especially cos I don't live in the city... I'm still a bum

[LuBz]

Originally Posted by Ranj Well you asked for the 'long term benefits' so based on that I think your one year work placement is the best option. You will gain valuable experience and although yes you finish uni a year later, it will actually have some benefit to you. It can open up more opportunities for you once you do finish uni. Think it over, talk to you family and friends. Ultimately its your decision to make.

Originally Posted by zoned take the year placement, the experience would do a lot of good and also probably make you better equipped for final year project

I got here late But what they, and everyone else said Minty.. =)

[mindstate]

thanks lubz...btw juelz is wack...

Originally Posted by Enchantress Just did the three years in a row... graduated this year... job-hunting is very difficult, especially cos I don't live in the city... I'm still a bum

y dont u do an internship or something...for like 10 weeks...then re-apply for a job...or continue working in the same organisation...

[Kayz]

Originally Posted by Wildcard Generally, employers prefer graduates who've done some work experience in the industry (probably at least a year). It's simple really because in the interview process they want people who have proved they are capable rather than others who can only talk about what they could do. Obviously this doesn't always come down to work experience but it definitely does help. But I understand your point about wanting to finish uni ASAP. I did neither by the way. I never got work experience and because I lost motivation in my course/career ended up prolonging uni by an extra two years. To cut a long story short I've ended up doing something completely different from my degree now...so really at this point it isn't about qualifications and stuff - I'd say it's about knowing what you want to do for at least the next five years. Good luck whatever you decide!

Very true... follow your heart do what you want to do otherwise you will slip up and the motivation will go... by doing what you really want to do will make you best at it... not only best but also succeed in it.

Originally Posted by mindstate basically i've reached a fork in the road...and cannot decide which route to choose.... today in my lecture we were talking about internships and work placements... these are very good for gaining crucial work experience...so i've been told....and you may agree with that... problem is i have two options...whether to look for (by myself) a summer internship programme...(after year 2 ends)...that lasts for about 6 weeks...maybe 10 at the most... the other option is to (and this is what my lecturer and our uni recommends) take a year out and apply for a work placement...and i think they help u find the company to work for?!..not sure...but a year's worth of experience sounds better than 10 weeks.. thing is i want to finish my education as soon as possible...taking the year out would mean i would have to the third/final year a year later... as long as these work placements dont require me to work 9-5 mon - fri...there isnt anything wrong with it... tell me what you think is better...in terms of long term benefits...or which would employers much likely prefer....

Like many have said a year out is good.. you have the exp however let me warn you. If you take a year out make sure you do it in the field you are studying otherwise it will be a waste. When you graduate in business you will look for jobs in business.. employers will ask you about exp and you cant say "i took 1 year out to work in pizza hut as work exp" that wont apply to the post whereas you could have finished your degree a year earlier.

You mention you wanted to finish uni and get it over and done with.. thats what i wanted to do also and then continue with masters straight away or get a job without delaying much. However you should also know.. by taking a year out does put people off university when they come to finish their final year off. As i know people who came back to finish their final year and was not in the mood for it.. as final year is the most toughest for some with dissert to do among other work load. You become laxed after the year you've taken out and it feels tiering coming back to uni after having an easy ride with the year out.

I wasnt really bothered whether i got a placement or not, however i did look for placements and a few did turn up which i couldnt see myself in as it wasnt really my field as the subject i did was somewhat of a niche, as not all Universities catered for hence the lack of internships. But i was somewhat lucky because i found a mini placement myself just on time, it wasnt exactly what i wanted but it was something similar. This placement lasted from July to Sept for 3 months and it was during my summer hols when i finished my year 2. I was doing IT support and Web Development for one company who had other clients which i also catered for. Now when my internship finished i started my year 3 straight away... this was for 3 whole months in my holidays i took the placement which was quite wiked! I didnt have to take a year out and still got 3 months in the bag from a work exp internship and also got paid in full and not internship money.

However people do say if you work for a year then you got more exp.. but i took a different route of just a few months. Yes employers look for more work exp ive noticed as oppose to degrees and qualifications... however if you finish sooner then you can look for a job sooner also and its not like those who havent got work exp dont get jobs at all.

Yes these work placements will require you to work 9-5 mon-fri... but it does and can vary... you also say you want to finish asap... but remember the pros and cons of taking a year out.. see what will really benefit you... and whether you can do it?

Its your call at the end of the day... however i personally will try getting uni done and get a better grade rather than get side tracked. I also didnt pursue taking a year out solely because of that reason.. as if i did it may of well affected my final year which wouldve of meant me doing poorly and getting a lower grade.

Remember, i followed my heart i weighed the pros and cons... and didnt take any chances like many of my peers had done which was just for the fun of it. I didnt want a guilty conscience if i did badly for my final year degree and blame it on the year i had taken out. However if you think you can do it and stay focused then go for it.. like many have said it will be a worthwhile years experience under your belt.

But remember you can always get experience anytime.. but it may not be the same when it comes to getting a degree with a good or a decent enough grade.

My advice. Follow your heart.

[mindstate]

thanks kayz that's great advice...but its not like im taking the year out so that i have time to find a jobs at pizza hut for example...

the uni has offered me some websites to look at...so that i can apply for placements at big companies....so i'll see how that goes...

[Kayz]

Originally Posted by mindstate thanks kayz that's great advice...but its not like im taking the year out so that i have time to find a jobs at pizza hut for example... the uni has offered me some websites to look at...so that i can apply for placements at big companies....so i'll see how that goes...

Yea same applies! Make sure its to do with your degree or similar.. as Pizza Hut is also a big company!

[mindstate]

btw are you working now?...how long did it take?....how u findin ur job...