Moksha Butpandra
- Programme: Economics and Accounting BSc (Hons)*
- Role: Student
- Placement Organisation: Vinci Construction Management Limited
The main benefits of undertaking a placement year are that it allows you to gain experience of what it would be like to work in a real-life environment and to apply your theoretical knowledge to practice. There are also many other benefits, including boosting your network and connections, real-world training, and increasing your confidence to prepare you for the working world.
My placement enabled me to significantly develop and improve my employability skills within communication, teamwork, problem-solving, Excel, self-management, organisation, and planning. Before coming into my placement year, I’d thought that my Excel skills were excellent, but after using it, I realised there were a lot of gaps in my knowledge. The ability to use Excel is a crucial skill for almost every type of job and using Excel every day within my placement role has significantly enhanced my knowledge and will be very helpful after I graduate.
The advice I’d give to other students applying for a placement role is that it’s extremely important to investigate the companies you’re applying for. Knowing their culture, values and expectations will have a massive impact on your placement experience.
To increase your chances of securing a placement job offer, attend the various careers fairs, workshops, and industry events which the University offers. Also, connect with professionals on LinkedIn as it will open doors to opportunities. Finally, don’t wait for opportunities to come to you – reach out to companies directly, express your interest, and enquire about potential placement roles.
My biggest achievement during my placement year was getting out of my comfort zone and making a big decision to move miles away from my home location, as it’s allowed me to grow in ways which I wouldn’t otherwise have been able to. It’s also given me clarity on what I want for my future and enabled me to significantly improve my confidence and connect with people who I wouldn’t usually approach. Confidence has always been one of the areas I’ve wanted to improve on, and this opportunity allowed me to do that, as well as to develop valuable employability skills.
Overall, my placement year will be a big help in the future, as I’ve gained practical skills and experience relevant to my field, making me more employable. Building professional connections during my placement has led to job opportunities for the future, and taking a placement year will demonstrate commitment and adaptability on my CV, which will make me more employable when I graduate.
* UON no longer offers Joint Honours programmes. Study Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons) or Economics BSc (Hons) as Single Honours courses.