This is your guide to the highest-paid work experience schemes in the UK.

• The average salary for placements this year is £20,346 a year
• The average salary for interns this year is slightly higher, at £20,415 on a pro-rata basis

Keep reading for a breakdown of average salary by industry and region…

How did we work out the average salaries?

Last year, over 6,000 students submitted reviews on RateMyPlacement.co.uk about their undergraduate work experience.

In each review, they responded to a series of questions about their role, the company they worked for and the perks of their scheme.

Students also revealed their salary information*, enabling their peers to discover how much they would be paid if they worked for a particular employer, or on a similar scheme.

Using the data from the reviews, we were able to work the average salaries for jobs in different industries, and in various regions across the UK.

*around 5-10% is taken off the top and bottom figures to make averages more realistic.

Highest paid internships and placements

By industry

These are the highest-paying industries for placements and internships in the UK.

Who knew that you could earn over £30k by getting work experience?

Just imagine what you could do with that sort of money… you could be very sensible and put it all in the bank or book an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai.

Highest paid internships by industry

Highest paid placements by industry

By region

These are the average salaries for different regions in the UK. (Bear in mind that London tends to have higher average salaries because the cost of living is more expensive.)

Looking for work experience? Find out more about the Best Student Employers in the UK. They are the creme de la creme when it comes to paid placements and internships.

We believe ALL internships should be paid

At RateMyPlacement.co.uk, we believe that ALL interns and placement students should be paid a fair salary for their work.

During a work experience placement, you will effectively assume the responsibilities of a regular employee – so it’s only fair that you’re rewarded (and paid) like any other worker.

Most companies do now pay their interns a decent wage, and on our jobs page, we don’t advertise any unpaid internships in the UK.

If you have a spare 3.5 minutes, read our blog Why I Regret Doing an Unpaid Internship, written by a member of the RateMyPlacement.co.uk team who did four. Wow.

The post The Highest Paid Internships & Placements in the UK appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, and this year’s theme is Movement: moving more for your mental health.

It’s never been more important to look after your mental health, and even just short bursts of physical activity can really help lift your mood during exam season. 

So, here are 7 easy ways to get you moving every day this week…

Download your guide to 7 Days of Movement now. Save it, screenshot it, or even print it off and stick it on your fridge…

Then get MOOOOOVIN’.

Our best piece of advice? Find something you love that makes you feel connected to your body, and let the energy move through you. That way, it won’t feel like a chore.

To keep moving with us throughout the week, follow @ratemyplacement on Instagram. (Making moves for your career, and your mental health.)

For further support, have a read of our Mental Health Support blogs or check out these trusted resources:

• Young Minds
• Student Minds
• Mind
• UMHAN
• Headspace

The post RateMyPlacement’s 7 Days of Movement appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

It’s not uncommon for there to be 50-100 applicants for an internship, meaning recruiters often have to sift through an unholy number of CVs.

So your CV needs to grab their attention quickly. Not unlike speed-dating, you should be looking to impress in the first 30 seconds otherwise they’ll lose interest.

Our ultimate step-by-step guide to writing a CV for an internship (complete with examples and a downloadable template) will help you land more interviews than you know what to do with.

• What is an internship CV?
• Internship CV template
• How to use ChatGPT to write your CV

What is an internship CV?

There is so much more to an internship than making tea and photocopying. An internship is a real job with real responsibility, and securing one requires a real CV.

A CV for an internship is the same as any other professional CV, except it will focus more on your key skills than previous work experience. (So don’t worry if you haven’t stepped foot in an office before – this won’t rule you out of the game.)

You can do an internship or insight day even if you’re a fledgling first year. Getting in early is a good idea because if you slay, you could be fast-tracked for a placement or graduate job.

So get that internship CV sorted out, pronto. It’ll do wonders for your career.

Internship CV template

There’s nothing more daunting than starting with a blank page. Instead, start by downloading our FREE template, which features all the sections you should include in your CV. 

TOP TIP: Fill out the template as you work your way through the steps below. Just remember to replace the text with your own words and proofread your CV before you send it. 

Want to create your template from scratch? You don’t need to be a graphic design whizz to secure your dream internship… but there are a few style choices that will help elevate your CV.

• Stick to a standard font like Arial or Times New Roman.
• Use a consistent colour scheme and 1 to 1.5-point spacing to stay professional. 
• Ditch logos and profile images. Employers don’t need to see your latest selfie! 
• Keep your CV template clean and simple. A plain Word doc or PDF is fine.

What you should (and shouldn’t) include in your CV 

First and foremost, you should always tailor your CV towards the specific internship, industry and company you are applying for. 

As tempting as it is to send one CV out to multiple companies, don’t. It’s not a good look and recruiters can spot this a mile off. Showing that you have made the effort to research the employer and what they are looking for will have them leaping for joy.

Now, follow these seven simple steps to nail your application every time…

STEP 1: Contact Details

Start by including your full name, phone number and email address (make sure this isn’t something unprofessional like groovygal99@gmail.com). 

Put your details at the top of the page so that it’s easy for recruiters to get in touch with you about next steps. You could even write your name in bold and use a bigger font so it stands out.

There is absolutely no need to include a photograph or any personal details, such as your date of birth or gender. If you have an online portfolio, relevant blog or LinkedIn account, you can link to those by converting your CV into a PDF.

STEP 2: Your Profile

Your CV profile is a short paragraph (no longer than five sentences) that should…

• Introduce who you are
• Explain why you are interested in the internship
• Briefly highlight your career aspirations

Keep it brief and focused on the type of internship you are applying for.

If you’re applying for an internship at an accounting firm, for example, it would be a terrible idea to ramble on about your cat, your love of the clarinet and your weakness for hummus.

Instead, describe yourself as an ‘analytical and methodical thinker’. Emphasise your ‘keen interest in accounting practices‘ and ‘seeing how an accountancy firm functions in a professional environment’. This way, the recruiter will be super impressed.

Hear from the RateMyPlacement Team what NOT to do when writing your internship CV… 

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STEP 3: Key Skills

Some folks try to shovel their key skills and talents into their profile. There’s a better way of doing this. Put together a list of bullet points that highlight your strengths and skills.

To stand out from other applicants, try focusing on the soft skills that all employers are looking for, including…

• Dealing with conflict
• Negotiating/influencing
• Resilience
• Time management
• Problem-solving

Add 4-5 of your own. Check the job description for the specific skills the internship requires.

STEP 4: Education

Reverse chronological order is preferred by most recruiters and ATS (the software used to scan CVs), so start with your most recent qualifications.

If you’ve just finished your A-Levels, put those grades first and your GCSEs after. You also don’t have to mention what grades you achieved for every subject.

If you do this…

• Physical Education – A
• History – B
• French – C
• Chemistry – A

… you are wasting lots of space on your CV. Remember, a CV for an internship shouldn’t exceed two pages. Here’s an example of how this could look…

A-levels: History – A, English Literature – A, Product Design – B

GCSEs: four 9’s, five 8’s, two 7’s (English – 9, Mathematics – 8)

If you are currently studying at university, providing a predicted grade is acceptable. Write – ‘currently working towards a BA (Hons) English Literature (2:1).’ You may also want to include any end-of-year results or standout marks in relevant modules. 

Level up with our FREE online session: Build An Effective CV, run in partnership with Sage and The University of Law.

STEP 5: Previous Employment / Work Experience

Writing your very first CV can be tricky. As tricky as eating a packet of crisps in the library. How on earth do you write a CV for an internship if you haven’t got any experience? 

The best way round this is to think about what defines you beyond your academic achievements – have you, for example… 

• Volunteered in your local community or organised an event?
• Picked up some technical skills like coding or PhotoShop?
• Joined a sports team or society at university? 

If you do have previous professional experience, you should list your key responsibilities to show what you can bring to a role. Your key skills are there to whet the appetite. But this section is where you give evidence of those skills.

As always, try to match what the employer is looking for. For example, if they are looking for ‘problem solvers who are full of initiative’, tell them about a time you solved a problem at work.

You should also ensure that you give start and end dates for each job, so the recruiter knows you don’t have three jobs on the go. If you were working at Ikea, The Rose and Crown and the Pukka Pie factory at the same time, you would hardly have the time to do an internship.

STEP 6: Interests

This section of your CV is totally optional, but it can be a useful way of showing recruiters you have what it takes to do the job – even if you don’t have the experience. 

Did you gain any relevant skills at school or uni, like time management or public speaking? Did you win an award? Or captain a basketball team? 

Craft your interests and extracurricular activities to portray yourself as the ideal candidate for that specific internship. So for a marketing internship, you could share how you built your online personal brand on LinkedIn or set up a successful TikTok fashion account. 

If you’re applying for an internship, they might ask for a cover letter too. Here’s our guide to Writing an Internship Cover Letter. It features a pretty good joke about getting in (and out) of skinny jeans.

STEP 7: References

Employers typically ask for you to provide two references. It’s a good idea to choose somebody you know academically. A tutor or teacher perhaps. And somebody you have worked with, such as a manager or superior colleague.

Your mum or dad will not suffice. No matter how charming a reference they would provide.

You do not have to provide the details of your referees when you first send your CV. Write –

REFERENCES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

The recruiter will contact you if they are impressed by your CV and wish to speak to your referees. And that’s it!

Triple-check that your spelling and grammar is on point. Grab yourself a packet of Frazzles, and wait for the internship offers to start pouring in…

How to use ChatGPT to write your CV

If you’re still stuck for inspiration or need some extra help creating your CV template, you can always try ChatGPT.

This free chatbot is on everyone’s lips at the moment. But did you know that as well as telling it to read you Harry Potter in a Welsh accent or write a hit grime rap in seconds, you can use it to take your internship CV game to the next level? 

PROS

• You can create a full internship CV in less time than it takes to make a cuppa
• ChatGPT can even research potential employers and tell you about their values/culture
• It allows you to focus on the content of your CV, rather than structure or grammar
• You can access it any time, anywhere

CONS

• ChatGPT has limited knowledge of anything that happened after 2021 so its research may be out-of-date and not always accurate
• It doesn’t have the same attention to detail as a human (yet) so is not error-proof
• It may not fully understand the specifics of your experience and career goals 
• It won’t be able to capture your personality or unique writing style 
• The Advanced CV Checker requires ChatGPT Plus, which will set you back around £25 for an annual membership

With that in mind, it is essential that you still take the time to carefully check your CV before sending it out to recruiters. To help ChatGPT on its way, make sure you include as much detail as possible about the job description and your own experience, for example… 

“Hi ChatGPT, my name is [NAME] and I need your help creating a CV for a law internship that highlights my skills and strengths. I am currently doing a degree in History at Newcastle University and have previously attended an insight day at Linklaters. I am applying for a summer internship with the law firm DLA Piper, and they are looking for candidates who are self-starters and independent thinkers…” etc.

Then, simply wait for ChatGPT to work its magic – and voilà! You’ve got yourself an internship CV.

The post How to Write an Internship CV (With Template) appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

Whether you’re doing an internship, placement year or work experience, it’s really important you are clear on the terms of your employment so that you are not taken advantage of.

You may feel your lack of experience lets your employer off the hook when it comes to reimbursing you or treating you fairly. That is not the case.

We’ve put together this guide to help you better understand your employee rights. 

Do you get paid for work experience?

One of the most important questions to ask when it comes to your rights on work experience is whether or not you should be getting paid…

This all boils down to whether or not you are classed as a ‘worker’. Employers are legally obliged to pay all workers the National Minimum Wage. However, the laws around this are far from black and white.

Let’s break it down…

You are entitled to the National Minimum Wage if you are:

• Undertaking regular paid work for an employer (whether part-time or full-time)
• Required to show up for specific hours or carry out a set list of tasks
• Given a written or verbal contract of employment
• Promised a contract of future work.

You may not be entitled to the National Minimum Wage if you are*:

• Work shadowing
• Volunteering for a charitable organisation 
• Taking part in an EU programme: Leonardo da Vinci, Erasmus+, Comenius
• Required to do work experience as part of a higher education course.

*If none of these apply to you, it’s likely your employer is breaking the law by letting you work for nothing. Keep reading this post to find out how to take action. 

What are the National Minimum Wage rates?

Placements

What are they?

A placement (aka a ‘year in industry’, ‘industrial placement’ or ‘sandwich placement’) usually forms part of a four-year degree. Less tasty than Subway’s footlong Meatball Marinara… but a great way to get your foot on the career ladder.

What are my rights on placement? 

Placements can be paid or unpaid. If you take on an unpaid position, you will be free to work your own hours and should not be asked to carry out tasks usually completed by paid employees.

The law states that you should be paid at least the National Minimum Wage if your placement lasts for 12 months or more.

Why should I do an unpaid placement when I could be paid?

If this is playing on your mind, you are wise beyond your years my friend. The majority of placements pay a very reasonable salary and even come with extra perks such as paid holiday time. The average placement student earns £23,070 a year.

Focus your search on those employers willing to pay you and you won’t have to live off Heinz Spaghetti Hoops for a year.

Internships

What are they?

An internship is a formal work experience programme that typically takes place over the summer holidays. It can last anywhere from 1-4 months and will help you decide if your chosen industry is the right fit for you.

What are my rights during an internship? 

Frustratingly, the term ‘intern’ still has no legal status under minimum wage law. But if you answer yes to any of the following, you should be getting paid:

• Do you have a contract of employment (written or verbal)?
• Are you required to turn up to work rather than choosing hours that suit you?
• Have you been promised a contract for future work?

The average salary for an intern is £20,869 pro-rata, so don’t be afraid to ask your employer for payment where it’s due. If you’re not being paid, ask to have your expenses covered and try to negotiate flexible working hours so you can fit it around a part-time job.

After all, experience doesn’t pay the rent.

Read our guide to The Highest Paid Internships & Placements to find out how much you could earn in a particular industry or region.

Work experience

What is it?

Work experience or work shadowing is usually aimed at younger students looking to get a feel for working life in a particular role or industry.

It is an opportunity to observe someone in their day-to-day job and can last for just a few days or up to a couple of weeks. Although you may be asked to help out with a few small tasks, it is more of a chance for you to watch and learn.

What are my rights? 

Employers are not obliged to pay you but, as a minimum, your travel and lunch expenses should be covered so that you’re not out of pocket. In turn, you are not required to complete any set tasks and can come and go as you please.

If you are told you have to work certain hours or carry out tasks on the behalf of full-time employees, you are technically working and therefore entitled to the National Minimum Wage.

We believe in paid internships

It can be easy to forget your own worth when you take on an internship or placement, but if you’re working like a full-time employee, you should be treated like one.

46% of graduate hires from companies in our Best Student Employers table were students that had completed an internship or placement during their degree. So it’s vital you find an employer who will take an interest in your professional development.

That’s why we champion employers who pay their interns a fair wage. As well as rewarding your hard work, these employers are better motivated to make sure you get the most out of your time with them. This means more mentoring, more responsibility and more learning. 

And with most companies now offering competitive salaries (plus exciting employee perks), there’s simply no reason to undersell yourself.

Holiday pay and work experience

If you’re classed as an employee, you will also be entitled to holiday pay. If you only work for a company for a few weeks, this won’t amount to much, but over a six-month period, you could collect quite a lot. Check how much holiday pay you’re owed at GOV.UK. 

But it’s not all about the money, money, money…

A good employer will treat you well regardless of whether you’re doing a one-month internship or you’ve been working for them for years.

If your role classes you as a ‘worker’, you will have other employment rights besides your pay check, including:

• A working week no longer than 48 hours
• Protection against discrimination and harassment 
• Protection against unlawful wage deductions
• Protection for reporting wrongdoing in the workplace, aka whistleblowing
• The right not to be treated less favourably for working part-time.

The best internships and placements are paid, but you should also be: 

• Treated with respect at all times
• Recruited through an open advert that specifies your day-to-day duties
• Given a proper induction to help you integrate into the team
• Trusted with responsibilities beyond admin, photocopying and making tea
• Trained appropriately for the tasks you are asked to complete
• Supervised and mentored by an experienced employee
• Assessed through regular performance reviews
• Allowed time off to attend job interviews 
• Provided with a reference letter.
  

Where can I get support and advice if I need it?

Never presume that your role as an intern or placement student means you shouldn’t be paid. If you think you have a right to a wage, it’s best to start by plucking up the courage to broach the subject with your manager.

If you have proven yourself to be a capable employee whose work adds value to the company, they should be willing to reward you by negotiating the terms of your employment.

Focus the conversation on your successes and bring examples of any outstanding work you’ve done so far.

Pay and work rights complaint

If that doesn’t work, you can make a “pay and work rights complaint” with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC); a government body tasked with ensuring the National Minimum Wage is enforced. 

You may feel uncomfortable doing this, in which case you can report your employer to HMRC once you have finished and claim back the money you are owed.

Even if you agreed to work for free at the time, it is possible to claim back wages for an unpaid position up to six years later. Companies found to be breaking the law can face fines, public naming and criminal prosecution.

We recommend always setting out the terms of your employment before carrying out any work for an employer. 

There is no legal obligation to do so, but a written agreement will help clarify what is expected of both parties and may be useful to refer to if any misunderstandings arise. It should cover things like payment, expenses, working hours and learning objectives.

Everybody has rights, whether they are in education, volunteering or working, so make sure you know yours or you may miss out on what you’re owed.

The post What Are My Rights on Work Experience? appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

Did you know that getting a part-time job at university can help you secure a placement?

Our sister company, On-Campus Promotions (OCP), fills 700 Brand Ambassador roles every year, and we’re always blown away by the incredible things these students achieve!

Here are 8 reasons why we think you should apply to be a Brand Ambassador…

• Get paid a good salary
• A foot in the door with top employers
• Develop transferable skills
• Gain in confidence
• Build networks
• Receive expert training
• Award-winning material for your CV
• Make informed decisions about your future

#1 Get paid a good salary

We’re glad to hear that the National Minimum Wage has recently increased.

However, the real Living Wage – which calculates how much people need to get by –  suggests this still isn’t enough.

That’s why Living Wage Foundation is encouraging employers to pay their employees a wage that actually meets the cost of living.

Part-time work is really important for students who are struggling with the rising cost of living. So, as well as rewarding Brand Ambassadors for their hard work by paying £12 per hour, we hand out performance-based bonuses to those students who go above and beyond.

Free time is particularly precious when you’re balancing studying and socialising with a part-time job, which explains why more and more students are seeking paid work that fits around their busy schedules. 

#2 A foot in the door with top employers​

Why do students apply to become Brand Ambassadors?

Whether it’s pay, experience or simply to get a free hoodie, most students are passionate about representing a particular brand. A Brand Ambassador role is a fantastic opportunity for you to get to know both the brand and the people who make decisions on who to hire.

A whopping 57% of Linklaters Brand Ambassadors were hired directly by the firm after their Brand Ambassador contract ended!

To help you get there, we invite our top-performing Brand Ambassadors to network with industry leaders at various events.

This invaluable experience exposes you to multiple employers at a pivotal point in your career: just as you’re starting to think about what you want to do.

#3 Develop transferable skills

Regardless of which employer you represent, the Brand Ambassador role is a great way of gaining essential soft skills such as time management, teamwork, and organisation.

For example, sticking to a campaign schedule, filled with key events and application deadlines, whilst meeting relevant targets, demonstrates excellent organisational skills. This is a great example to use when applying for graduate roles!

Over the duration of the campaign, it’s the OCP campaign manager’s job to remotely manage and motivate the Brand Ambassadors. They create and manage open channels of feedback to help you understand what is expected of you and to offer support during busy periods.

#4 Gain in confidence

Public speaking is a hugely sought-after “soft skill”, and one that’s easier to refine with practice!

As a Brand Ambassador, you’ll often find yourself in situations where you have to speak to lots of new people, whether it’s chatting to a student at a busy fair, attending a society meeting or speaking to a full lecture hall…

We ensure all our long-term Brand Ambassadors are trained on how to deliver an expert elevator pitch, whatever the occasion. This includes providing key facts about the brand to give credibility. 

#5 Build networks

Brand Ambassadors have a unique opportunity to build relationships with a wide network of people, including students, heads of societies, university staff, business representatives, and even firm partners!

These experiences develop your networking skills and commercial awareness; something that will set you apart from other applicants when it comes to interviews.

You’ll also be part of a nationwide community of Brand Ambassadors, who support and motivate each other through our collective Facebook group.

#6 Receive expert training

As soon as you’re hired, we’ll make sure you have the tools you need to succeed. This includes keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in digital marketing and event management.

OCP champion

Each campaign has a dedicated OCP champion to deliver this training, and some of our Brand Ambassadors even get to visit the employer’s HQ to get further insights.

Monthly newsletter

Once you’ve been hired as a Brand Ambassador, you can also opt into our monthly newsletter for exclusive access to industry news, application tips, and announcements such as the winner of ‘Brand Ambassador of the Month’.

Selected from over 600 students working on campaigns across the country, this award is a huge achievement and comes with a well-deserved bonus. 

#7 Award-winning material for your CV

If you work on a champion campaign or are lucky enough to be crowned ‘most creative Brand Ambassador’ at the campaign debrief, your CV will shine! Throughout your role, you’ll build a catalogue of examples where you have overcome challenges and met targets.

NUE Awards

Our most prestigious award – for ‘Best Brand Ambassador’ – is presented at the annual National Undergraduate Employability (NUE) Awards.

Each year, we ask high-performing Brand Ambassadors to nominate themselves in the hope of winning fame, glory and £250.

Find out more about the NUE awards.

#8 Make informed decisions about your future

If you’re not sure what you want to do after university, a Brand Ambassador role is a brilliant way of dipping your toe into an industry.

On-Campus Promotions can match you with a role that suits your personal strengths and interests, whether you’re set on a career in finance, engineering or marketing.

What’s more, as a Brand Ambassador, you’ll be uniquely positioned to help educate students from all backgrounds about the opportunities available to them – all while benefiting from the programme yourself!

To apply, head over to On-Campus Promotions’ website.

We spoke to Molly, a Clifford Chance Connect Ambassador about her experience representing the firm!

Written by Ellie Ashford-Hodges, Account Director for On-Campus Promotions.

The post 8 Reasons to Be a Brand Ambassador appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

You’re approaching the end of your degree in chemical engineering, and you can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. You live and breathe thermodynamics, reactors and process systems – but what are you actually going to do with all of this knowledge?

We’ve put together this guide to advise you on everything you need to know to find the right chemical engineering graduate job for you.

• What is chemical engineering?
• Getting work experience in chemical engineering
• Chemical engineering jobs: where can my degree take me?
• How much is a typical chemical engineering salary?

What is chemical engineering?

Chemical engineers understand how to alter the chemical, biochemical or physical state of raw materials in order to turn them into something useful, such as making petrol or plastics from oil.

Using their scientific knowledge and knack for solving complex problems, they ensure the everyday products we all rely on – from paracetamol to face cream – are produced in a safe, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way.

Chemical engineering plays a pivotal role in answering important questions such as:

• How do we reduce the use of fossil fuels?
• How do we prevent disease spreading in remote areas?
• What can we do to alleviate the pressure on the climate from CO2 and pollutants?
  
  
  

“With increasingly severe warnings about the impact of human activities on our climate and planet, there has never been a more crucial time to maximise our efficiency and minimise our footprint. Working in some of the most energy and resource intensive industries in the world, chemical engineers are uniquely positioned to address these challenges.” Mark Aspey, Vice Chair of the IChemE Energy Centre Board

A brilliant example of chemical engineers doing just that is Canadian waste management company Enerkem, who have found a way to convert 100,000 tonnes of landfill waste per year into 38 million litres of liquid biofuels.

These waste-based biofuels emit 60% less greenhouse gases than fossil fuels do!

Watch this video from the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) to find out more:

To become an expert on all things engineering, take a gander at our comprehensive guide to Engineering Work Experience.

Getting work experience in chemical engineering

You might think that paying upwards of £9,000 a year to get a degree would be enough to guarantee you a graduate job.

Think again. There are around 51 applications per graduate engineering role, so you need to do everything you can to keep your CV from ending up at the bottom of the pile.

Doing an industrial placement (whether it’s a few days or a whole year) will put you miles ahead of the competition when it comes to applying for chemical engineering graduate jobs.

Let’s take a look at your options…

Internships in chemical engineering

For: All students
Duration: 4-16 weeks
When to apply: Sep-Mar

If your degree doesn’t incorporate a year in industry, you can apply for chemical engineering summer internships instead. These shorter schemes can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, so you might be able to fit more than one into your summer holidays!

An internship gives you a unique insight into working life, company culture, and what it’s really like to be a chemical engineer in that sector. It will give you a much clearer idea of which career path you want to pursue when you graduate.

For a bit of light bedtime reading, head to our reviews page to hear from chemical engineering placement students and interns.

Chemical engineering jobs: where can my degree take me?

Coupled with a star-studded CV, a chemical engineering degree opens doors to a vast range of career options. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all, here are a couple of questions to help you narrow down your options…

Which industry do you want to work in?

Start by thinking about which industry you’d like to break into – you might be influenced by your personal interests or where your specific skill set is most suited to.

Last year, the majority of graduates secured employment in the pharmaceuticals and personal care products sector, followed by water, and oil and gas exploration.

However, chemical engineers can be found hanging out in laboratories, factories and offshore rigs in any one of the following industries:

• Energy
• Environmental
• Healthcare
• Food and drink
• Manufacturing
• Plastics
• Water
• Waste management

What type of role interests you most?  

Most roles fall into two groups: the development of new substances and materials or the design, manufacture and operation of machinery.

Within each group there are zillions of different roles to choose from. You could find yourself developing new vaccines, working on stem cell treatments to cure blindness, or manufacturing microchips with a tech giant like IBM.

Here are just a few places you could take your career:

Use your scientific knowledge to advise policymakers in parliament

Gain chartership

How much is a typical chemical engineering salary?

After analysing the thousands and thousands of reviews on RateMyPlacement – each written by a student who has done a placement or internship themselves – we can reveal that the average salary for engineering work experience is £17,709 a year.

Those who decide to stick with chemical engineering after university can expect to start on a salary that’s up to 60% higher than that of their peers, with chemical engineers who graduated recently earning a median salary of £30,000.

Once you have some professional qualifications and a few years experience under your belt, this could jump upwards of £41,300. If money is high on your priorities, the oil and gas industry dishes out the juiciest pay packets (often in excess of £70,000).

The post How to find Chemical Engineering Work Experience appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

Are you working towards a mechanical engineering degree? Fancy yourself a bit of an expert on thermofluids, computing and material sciences? That’s smashing.

However, these days a degree without work experience just doesn’t cut the mustard – which is where this guide comes in.

Featuring essential advice to help you secure a mechanical engineering placement or internship, you’ll soon be up to scratch on everything you need to know to put your career in the right gear.

• Getting mechanical engineering work experience
• What is the best career path for a mechanical engineer?
• Best Student Employers to work for in engineering
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  Getting mechanical engineering work experience

  There are hordes of fresh-faced students, just like yourself, who will do anything to get their hands on an engineering job – 91 of them per graduate vacancy, to be precise.

  If you want the upper hand, you’re going to have to arm yourself with professional work experience. So, let’s run through your main options…

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  Mechanical engineering placements 

  For: 2nd or 3rd years
  Duration: 5-13 months
  When to apply: Sep-May

  A mechanical engineering placement is a brilliant opportunity to spend up to an entire year in full-time employment before you enter the rat race. It’s a real job that pays a real salary. In turn, you’ll be relied upon to deliver projects that have an impact on the world around you.

  This experience will give you the soft skills, technical knowledge and worldly wisdom you need to confidently take on the graduate job market.

  At ASM, for example, you’ll join a team of world-class engineers in designing industry-leading machines, engines and systems.

  You’ll learn what it’s like to work in an engineering environment and build the skills you need to thrive, including problem-solving, creativity and communication.

  As well as giving you an invaluable insight into the industry, ASM’s mechanical engineering placements offer a competitive salary, 25 days of annual holiday and flexible working hours. Not bad for a student.

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  View mechanical engineering placements

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  Mechanical engineering internships

  For: All students
  Duration: 1-4 months
  When to apply: Sep-Mar
  
  If your course doesn’t require you to do a year in industry, two or three stints as an intern will make a great impression on future employers. Internships last around 12 weeks and usually take place in the summer.

  A mechanical engineering internship is a chance to put theory into practice by taking ownership of a project; something that will give you the edge when applying for graduate jobs. 

  And if you perform well, your employer might even offer you a permanent role – which will take all the stress out of your final year!

  TOP TIP: Engineers are great at thinking outside the box. So, rather than waiting for a mechanical engineering internship to fall into your lap, go to as many careers fairs, employer presentations and recruiter workshops as possible. Meeting employers face-to-face is a unique opportunity to ask questions and find out more about specific roles and industries.
  

  Find mechanical engineering internships

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  For further career advice, read our in-depth guide to Engineering Placements, where we put the spotlight on engineering internships, placements and salaries.

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  What is the best career path for a mechanical engineer?

  In a nutshell, mechanical engineers design, create and improve the mechanical components and systems that make the world go round. 

  They apply scientific principles, technical expertise and a dash of creativity to turn great ideas into reality.

  These ideas could be anything from prosthetic limbs, 3D printers and toasters, to high-speed trains, driverless cars and supersonic planes that fly you from Tokyo to San Francisco in less than six hours.

  With a degree and relevant mechanical engineering work experience under your belt, you too have a real shot at landing your dream job.

  Your ability to solve complex problems, manage projects and navigate tools like MATLAB and AutoCAD will set you up for a successful career in any one of the following industries:

  • Aerospace
  • Automotive
  • Biomedical
  • Construction
  • Cross-sector technologies
  • Defence
  • Energy
  • Manufacturing
  • Railway
  • Water

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  Best Student Employers to work for in Engineering

  Once you’ve decided on a sector that interests you, you can start thinking about which companies you’d like to work for. 

  Each year we announce our Best Student Employers; a list that is based on the thousands of reviews submitted to RateMyPlacement.co.uk by previous placement students and interns.

  This year’s top companies for mechanical engineering placements and internships are:

  • Arup
  • GE Aviation
  • Nissan UK
  • Centrica
  • Buro Happold
  • Cummins
  • BMW Group
  • Network Rail
  • Jaguar Land Rover
  • Costain

  If you’re struggling to pick, have a think about what you want to get out of your placement. For instance, do you want a global brand like Dyson on your CV? Or would you rather make a bigger impression in a smaller company?
  
  Try securing mechanical engineering work experience with both types of employers so that you can make an informed decision once you graduate. 

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  Browse thousands of reviews left by students like YOU to hear what it’s really like to do a placement or internship in mechanical engineering…
  

  Read reviews

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  How much will I earn as a mechanical engineer?

  Based on the thousands of reviews on RateMyPlacement.co.uk, the average salary for students undertaking work experience in the engineering sector is £17,781 a year.
  
  Mechanical engineers tend to bring home a considerably higher wage than the average Joe, and rightly so. Once you secure a graduate role, you can expect to start on an average salary of £28,500.
  
  It takes hard work, commitment and a high level of skill to get to the top – but if you do, there is the potential to earn a tidy average salary of £65,536 a year. 

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  The post An Overview of Mechanical Engineering Placements & Internships appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

  ]]> https://www.ratemyplacement.co.uk/blog/guide-investment-banking-internships/ https://www.ratemyplacement.co.uk/blog/guide-investment-banking-internships/#comments Tue, 19 Sep 2023 18:13:03 +0000 https://www.ratemyplacement.co.uk/blog/?p=11632 Discover everything there is to know about investment banking internships, and how to secure one with the UK’s best student employers.

  The post A Guide to Investment Banking Internships appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

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  So you’ve got the numerical ability and a sound knowledge of the stock markets… but have you got any real investment banking work experience?
  
  The average starting salary in investment banking is £55,000 a year, making it the highest-paying sector for graduates in 2023. But without any professional experience on your CV, securing a job in this WILDLY competitive industry is going to be tough.
  
  Use this guide to discover everything there is to know about investment banking internships, and how to secure one with the UK’s best student employers.
  
  If you’ve got The Big Short on pause, skip ahead to…

  • What is investment banking?
  • Do you need an internship to get into investment banking?
  • How much do interns at investment banks make?
  • Investment banking internships in London
  • Bank of America Internships
  • How to get an investment banking internship

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  What is investment banking?

  When we think of investment banking, it’s usually all big dollar signs, buzzing trading floors and Wolf of Wall Street chanting… But what do investment bankers actually do?
  
  Investment bankers are essentially corporate financial advisors. Typically working with businesses, governments and high net worth individuals, they offer strategic advice and find creative solutions to complex financial problems.

  What else do investment bankers do?

  As well as advising them on how to reach their goals, investment bankers help their clients with buying and selling companies (rather like estate agents, but for businesses not houses), raising capital for expansion and assessing risk. 

  As an investment banking intern, you’ll work with graduates and senior leaders alike, getting involved in real projects for real clients. You might find yourself carrying out financial analysis, working on Excel modelling or researching different financial markets.

  Investment bankers are the champions of analytical thinking and building long-term relationships.

  What do employers look for?

  Employers in this fast-paced industry also look for intellectually curious candidates who can bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to what they do, as well as having a strong work ethic and an ability to keep a cool head under pressure.

  Think you’ve got what it takes? Keep scrolling to find out how YOU can become an investment banker…

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  Do you need an internship to get into investment banking?

  You sure do. With banks hiring less people than ever before, competition for graduate jobs is now hotter than Benidorm in August.

  The good news is, the more investment banking work experience you can get on your CV whilst you’re still at university, the more chance you have of being snapped up when you graduate…
  
  So let’s take a look at your options.

  Investment banking internships

  DURATION: 1-4 months
  
  WHEN TO APPLY: Sep-Mar
  
  The best way to learn about the world of investment banking is to dive right in with an internship.

  This will give you an insight into how the industry operates, as well as oodles of opportunities to develop your skills and network with people across the business.

  Most employers run their internships in the summer, making it an opportunity to spend the holidays building the skills you need to succeed in the industry AND getting paid…

  Not to mention the fact that most employers use their investment banking summer internships to find future graduate recruits. Dazzle on yours, and you could find yourself with a job lined up before you leave university.

  (In other words, it sure beats spending those long, long months between semesters twiddling your thumbs at home, or working night shifts in the local Co-op.)
  

  Find Investment Banking Internships

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  “Day-to-day activity (depending on your team) could involve: analysis of work, building models, getting involved in various deals in DCM, BCF, or conversations/shadowing in Sales and Trading. There are also social events, networking and team meetings etc.”

  Corporate & Investment Banking Summer Intern at Santander

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  How much do interns at investment banks make?

  These schemes tend to come with serious pay-checks. In fact, the average salary for an investment banking internship is £25,010 pro-rata (*based on 5,855 student-written reviews submitted to RateMyPlacement.co.uk).
  
  However, it’s worth bearing in mind the long hours you’ll likely be expected to work. Whilst you’ll be able to save a heck of a lot of money to return to university with, you may have to sacrifice some of your free time to do so.

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  Investment banking off-cycle internships

  DURATION: Dependent on business needs
  
  WHEN TO APPLY: Any time
  
  Typically associated with the banking and finance industries, off-cycle internships are for students in their penultimate or final year of study, as well as recent graduates.
  
  The only difference between an investment banking internship and an off-cycle internship is that these nifty schemes can be found ALL year round. So they’re perfect if you want to cram in some more work experience before graduating.
  
  Goldman Sachs is one of the few employers who run off-cycle internships in the UK. They offer hands-on experience and mentorship in one of several divisions, including Consumer & Wealth Management, Global Investment Research, and Operations.

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  Explore the wealth of opportunities available to you in the banking industry with our Guide to Banking Internships & Spring Weeks.

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  Investment banking internships in London

  When it comes to finance, London truly is at the heart of the action. All of the best investment banks have at least one office in either the City of London or Canary Wharf.
  
  And they ALL offer internships in investment banking. So if you already live in London or you’re looking to make the big move, there are heaps of opportunities you can apply for. 

  However, that does mean that the competition to secure an investment banking internship in London is ON! To get ahead, make sure you get your applications sent off ASAP – places are filled on a first come first serve basis, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. 

  Find Investment Banking Internships In London

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  The best investment banks to work for in 2023-24

  Each year we reveal the Best Student Employers to work for in the UK, based on the thousands of reviews submitted to RateMyPlacement.co.uk.
  
  The employers that make the table do so because they offer world-class internships for students. You could call them the Novak Djokovics of undergraduate work experience.
  
  This year’s TOP 10 companies for investment banking internships are:

  1. J.P Morgan
  2. Rothschild & Co
  3. Nomura
  4. Goldman Sachs Group
  5. Lazard
  6. Bank of America
  7. UBS
  8. Credit Suisse
  9. Deutsche Bank
  10. Jefferies International

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  SPOTLIGHT ON: Bank of America internships

  Aimed at students in their penultimate year of university, Bank of America’s 10-week Global Investment Banking summer analyst programme is an opportunity to work on real life deals with global clients. 

  This internship is specifically tailored to give YOU the best chance of landing a job in investment banking…
  
  “The summer internship class is our primary source of hiring into our full time programmes.” 

  You’ll be supported with training and exposure to senior business leaders, whilst becoming proficient in analytics, working on live transactions and interacting with clients.

  Day-to-day tasks will include the likes of developing complex financial models, performing financial analysis and conducting in-depth industry research.  

  Apply For Bank Of America Internships

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  How to get an investment banking internship

  There are a few things you can do (other than applying early) to boost your chances of securing an investment banking internship.

  Interview

  The first is to prepare yourself for an intensive interview process. This will either be conducted face-to-face, via video or a combination of both.

  Be ready to answer questions about your strengths and to really prove your passion for investment banking, rather than giving generic answers (or talking about how much you like money!).

  CV & Cover Letter

  Prepare an internship CV and cover letter that are honest, but compelling. Show how your experience, whether financial or not, really sets you up for success on an investment banking internship. 

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  Watch the video below to hear YouTuber Afzal Hussein share his advice on answering common investment banking internship interview questions:

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  Now that you know HOW and WHO to secure an investment banking internship with, all that’s left is to wish you luck with your search! 

  Search For Investment Banking Internships

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