I would highly recommend getting involved with a range of different activities and roles to anyone.

Can you tell me about your placement year position and what your responsibilities will be? 

The role I have secured for next year is a Communications Assistant with the Metropolitan Police Service, specifically within Counter Terrorism Policing. I will have a range of responsibilities within the communications department, including, for example, turning complex language and social issues into accessible, visual, and engaging content, allowing members of the public to educate themselves about new topics and challenges we may be facing.

What was the application and interview process for this role? 

For this role, I had to submit a tailored CV and Personal Statement as part of the initial application. I heard back a few months later with an invitation to an online interview. Within two weeks I received a phone call letting me know I had been offered the role, on the condition that I pass the employment checks and vetting they needed to carry out. 

Why did you decide to pursue a placement year?

At the beginning of my second year I was becoming increasingly nervous about life after university, so I decided to apply for placements to improve my experience and increase my employability. I realised a placement year would allow me to gain and develop crucial skills and abilities that would aid me going forward, as well as provide me with worthwhile and valuable experiences of working in an industry to enhance my CV. So I began the process of applying. I also wanted to pursue opportunities that would improve my skills and experiences to increase my chances of receiving a placement offer.

What steps did you take to help prepare you for applying for placements?

I have taken on a range of responsibilities including becoming the vice-president for Philosophy in the City, the Social Media Manager for PhilonoUS, an internship with the Department for Work and Pensions; and taken on a range of roles with the Philosophy Department: helping to arrange the annual Undergraduate Philosophy Conference, becoming a Digital Ambassador, a Student Ambassador, and taking on internships as an Editor for the Centre for Engaged Philosophy and a Marketing Assistant for a Level 1 Philosophy Module.

I would highly recommend getting involved with a range of different activities and roles to anyone who is becoming worried about employment after university. 

How have these activities supported your employability and your pursuit for a placement year? 

My experiences over the past academic year have allowed me to increase my confidence in my abilities and employability experiences. I have also learnt how to write professional cover letters, personal statements, and CVs, as well as how to prepare for and perform well in interviews, which are all skills which will be highly useful in my future career endeavours. 

Additionally, to help with my placement journey, I reached out to the employability team, and they have been wonderful! The amount of support I’ve received has been amazing: they’re always happy to help and offer advice when needed. To anyone considering pursuing employability activities: Go for it!