Industrial placement opportunities

Work placements for students

We strongly recommend that our undergraduate students gain work experience in a relevant industry during their degree programme. Getting the balance right between theory and practice is a vital part of maximising your future career prospects which is why we have devoted so much energy to developing links with professional bodies and industry contacts in the key sectors our graduates will be targeting. The aim is to provide relevant work experience opportunities for our students both during term time and in the vacation periods.

Many of our students undertake 3 months of paid work experience during the summer vacation to give them an insight into the career they're interested in pursuing. Our students also have the opportunity to integrate work experience into their degree programme by gaining 12 months' work experience between Years 2 and 3.

This means that as you study, you will be building up extensive practical experience for your CV. And let's face it, in today's competitive job market, working on your CV is a lot like studying for your exams. The earlier you get started, the better your chances of excellent results

Main benefits

Engaging with work experience opportunities can have many benefits for students. In particular, placements allow the student to:

• develop their existing skills and learn new skills in the context of work, at the same time gaining insights into a potential career
• develop links with industry which will be of value as they return to complete their studies, particularly as they conduct project work.

The opportunities presented by a 12 month placement are especially valuable as they will allow the student to fully integrate into the placement organisation, gaining maximum benefit from internal training and extended contact with industry.

What companies can I work for?

There are a range of companies based throughout the UK who offer 12 month work placements, tailored to a variety of disciplines, including:

• Business/Marketing
  Masterfoods
  Griffith Laboratories
• Animal
  Novartis
  Cunningham Farm
• Environment/Rural
  Cotswold Conservation
  Game Conservancy Trust
• Agriculture
  Case New Holland
  The Co-operative Farms

If you are considering undertaking work experience, or are interested in offering a placement, contact Dr Gillian Fraser or alternatively telephone +44 (0) 118 378 6783.