Earn and Learn: Taking Advantage of Work Placements and Internships

Studying a course that allows you to undertake work experience or an internship can reap rewards for students in an ever changing and competitive graduate job market. The added benefit of real-world work-experience in your chosen field of study strengthens the theory learned at University by allowing you to see it all in practice and an opportunity to learn new skills such as presenting to audiences, organising meetings or setting up events.

At Cardiff Metropolitan University, completed work placements or internships during study contribute towards your academic credit. In fact, all second year degree students are required to take a work placement, allowing you to work with some our business and enterprise partners, or within some of our industrial links with companies and organisations you chose to actively approach. Such placements can be a real extension of the classroom and will increase your course knowledge, as well as enhancing your skills to be a successful graduate in the near future.

Those fortunate enough may even achieve paid positions which will certainly help with those student fees and bills. You will build a great professional network and outstanding references - some of the more tangible benefits of the work experience.

While finding the right placement takes some leg work, with the support of your personal tutors, this too is a valuable learning experience. This aspect of preparation allows students to acquire and practice their skills in conducting effective job searches; preparing the perfect CV and knowing how to gain that ever important interview.

You can create your own learning opportunities by volunteering in the community during the school year, or carefully choosing a summer job which complements your course work. Our Students Union offers lots of guidance and advice for students looking for work and actively advertises potential job opportunities on their website.

Getting a degree is a great accomplishment in itself. Pairing your university education with relevant, professional work experience will increase a students’ marketability in the workforce and paves the way to successfully finding a job at the end of studies.

It’s not too late to apply to university for September 2014! Cardiff Met continues to accept applications for most programs throughout the summer and admits students as UK visa timings permit.

Visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/international to apply to study with us. Contact Nicola Brabyn by email with any questions or inquires at NBrabyn@cardiffmet.ac.uk. Your career starts here!