University of Kent

Gaining experience as an undergraduate can give you a competitive edge over other graduates in the job market, as you can ‘hit the ground running’ when it comes to knowledge and skills. Experience on placement can greatly increase your transferable skills, like: communication, teamwork, independent learning, critical thinking, numeracy, IT skills and research. These skills can be applied to any number of settings and situations, and will help you make a smooth transition into graduate employment; a great asset for potential employers. Research indicates that graduates who undertake a work placement have higher employment rates (69.1%) compared with those who did not (55.3%).

You will gain first-hand experience of applying psychological knowledge within an applied setting as well as have the opportunity of developing transferable skills. All of which can benefit your degree when you return to university to complete your final year. It gives you the opportunity to increase your confidence and initiative in a real working environment, whilst being able to watch how professional psychologists apply the theory to practice. Check what our Kent students have to say about developing their communication, teamwork, independent learning, critical thinking, numeracy, IT Skills and research skills by undertaking an applied degree.

It is a good opportunity to talk to numerous people in your chosen field, showcasing your skills and abilities, potentially highlighting to professionals how employable you are. Statistics have shown many people get jobs through referrals, so a work placement is a good chance to get yourself noticed. It also allows you to develop social skills, within the business environment, such as integrating with staff and learning to work in new contexts; another major aspect employers consider during recruitment.

A one year work placement allows you to ‘try out’ a job before you commit to that career path on graduation. You can benefit from a taste of the industry or area of your degree and the type of work you may encounter. This allows you to decide if you enjoy it, finding out where your strengths and weaknesses lie and gaining valuable knowledge of the world of work.

Apart from the direct work-related insights, you may also find you develop on a more personal level as well, once you’ve been subjected to the challenges and responsibilities of the professional workplace. Maturity and initiative are the most commonly reported personal developments achieved throughout a work placement, as well as improved confidence and social skills. With the aid of a personal development portfolio, these achievements can be recorded, reflected upon and used as evidence of development after graduation.