From dissertations to exams, planning a graduation fit and looking for a graduate job or scheme, we know there’s loads to think about. So to help you get on top of your applications and secure that all-important role, we’ve created your ultimate graduate job timeline.

Inside you’ll find all the key dates and top tips. Click below! It’s free.

Graduate Tips

Once you’ve downloaded your timeline check out all the advice below to help you slay the graduation application process like an absolute boss.

A Guide to Graduate Jobs

Find out everything there is to know about graduate jobs and schemes, the difference, who’s hiring and how to apply.

Writing a Graduate CV

Your staring point: a CV that shows off your skills and grabs an employer’s attention. We’ve also included a free template!

Writing a Graduate Cover Letter

A good CV comes with a great cover letter. Here’s how to write one.

Be Interview Ready

Have you been invited to an interview? That’s great! Here’s everything you should expect including commonly asked questions and how to answer them.

Feeling ready to jump in? We have over 300 graduate roles waiting for your application. Click below to get started.

The post The Ultimate Graduate Job Timeline appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

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.

A good mentor can provide advice, guidance and clarity at any stage of your career or life, whether you’re stuck on an assignment you just can’t get your head around or you’re an intern whose just taken your first step into the corporate world. 

But finding one is another story. So, where do you even begin? Before you just go and ask anyone to set up a random weekly call to chat about everything and anything, let’s look at what mentorship is, the benefits and how you can find one yourself.

• What is mentorship?
• Why it can be important for your career
• How to find a mentor
• Setting goals and expectations
• What do students say about their mentors

What is mentorship?

A mentorship is where a mentor, helps to support an individual with either personal or professional growth. Essentially, someone you can go to for advice, feedback and a general chit-chat about work.

You might already be familiar with mentoring already and have had some sort of mentoring whether with a lecturer or even your classmates or students in the years above you.

There are many different types of mentorships, let’s take a look at a few:

Group mentoring

A mentor works with multiple mentees in a group, meeting regularly to discuss relevant topics.

Peer mentoring

Working with someone of the same level to offer feedback, assess one another or even grading each other in certain assignments. 

Reverse mentoring

A two-way relationship where both the mentee and mentor benefit. It can help people gain confidence, try new experiences, and broaden their ideas.

Traditional mentoring

A more experienced mentor provides ongoing advice to a mentee, including guidance on career decisions and challenges.

So now you know what mentorship is, how will it help you? Let’s get into it.

Thinking about applying for placements in September? Here are:

Why it can be important for your career

Having a mentor can positively impact your career development, in more ways than you may think.

You want to make sure you’re taking full advantage of your placement year. Whether that’s learning loads, networking and setting yourself goals that you can achieve throughout your journey. A mentor will help with that.

General Support and Guidance 

Starting your placement is a DAUNTING experience, imposter syndrome is in full swing and you’re constantly doubting yourself in all facets.

Having a mentor for these exact reasons alone should convince you to look into finding one. 

A great mentor will:

• Provide a different perspective when you are being your biggest self-critic
• Motivate you to ask any enquiries you may have
• Push you to shout about new ideas
• Encourage you to be your passionate self. 

Think of a mentor as your personal agony aunt. Having this confidence to push yourself out of your comfort zone will not only leave you with more chances to get involved in so many key business projects but even more experiences and opportunities to talk about, in your coursework, in interviews and to put on your CV!

How to find a mentor

Firstly, think about whether you actually need a mentor. There are plenty of ways to decide this. You should always consider what you want from your work experience. Ask yourself some of the following questions…

• Are you someone who can flourish on your own or would you prefer a little guidance?
• Do you have the means to actively find out about other parts of the business, without a mentor?
• Are you going to learn something new?
• Do you think you’ll need advice during your work experience?

It may be a good idea to speak with your manager and see if they have anyone in mind who would be good to mentor you. You may find that some of your colleagues did a placement year themselves which is a really good starting point when deciding who to ask.

What to look for in a mentor and how to reach out

Explore possible mentors, a way to do this is to always have it in the back of your mind when meeting new people that you work with, will you be able to learn from them? Is there specific knowledge I can gain from talking with them?

Ask someone you also think you’ll get along with. We 100% don’t want awkward meetings or your mentoring sessions being something you dread. So our advice is to base it on friendships or positive connections you’ve made within the company. But equally don’t choose someone you talk to every day.

Reaching out is the easy part! The worst that could happen is they’ll say no, BUT at least you tried.

Don’t forget, they’ll only ever say no if they feel as though they don’t have the time – it’s not you, it’s them.

Setting goals and expectations

You may be thinking, what can I expect from a mentor if I get one? Setting goals is a great way to start mentorship meetings, these goals could be around:

• What would you like to get out of your placement or internship?
• Are there certain metrics you’d like to hit in the year?
• Is there a fear you want to get over? For example, public speaking

You can then treat these meetings as catch-ups on where you are at with your goals, and if there’s anything your mentor can do to ensure they are achievable. 

Make sure that these goals fit the SMART Objectives format for the best chance of success. Discussing them with your mentor will not only allow you to set the right goals for you but will also hold you accountable.

Here’s what SMART Objectives stands for: 

S – Specific 

M – Measurable

A – Achievable

R – Relevant

T – Time Based

TOP TIP
Make sure to write these goals down, so that when it comes to writing your university coursework or updating your CV you can remember what you’ve achieved throughout your work experience.

Counting down the days to move back to university? Attending freshers and careers fairs might be the last thing on your mind. But here’s Why You Should Go to A Careers Fair

What do students say about their mentors?

“Having a mentor has been a game changer. It’s great for someone like me who has a million questions that may sound “too stupid” to ask in meetings. I’ve asked my mentor just about everything from how a certain software works to what to wear to the work party.

They’re fantastic for getting to grips with the company culture, how things operate, and who does what. Especially if you’re on a placement year, their pot of experience is going to be so much fuller than yours and you’ll end up learning things 10x faster!“

Rhea, RateMyPlacement Campaigns Placement Student

“Getting a mentor is so much easier than I thought it would be, literally asked him and he agreed. It’s so useful to have someone outside of your direct working circle to address any struggles or celebrate successes as they act like a third body.

I would definitely recommend getting one as you can learn about things you wouldn’t necessarily have otherwise if they are in a different team. And most importantly, it’s just nice to have someone else to rely on and ask those silly questions you don’t feel you can ask anyone else.”

Lucy, RateMyPlacement Marketing Placement Student

There are 1001 bits to tick off your list when it comes to preparing for work experience, make sure that finding a mentor is one of your top priorities – it’ll make your experience extra special. 

Good luck!

The post What Is A Mentor And How To Find One appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

“Do you consider yourself to have a disability?“

You don’t know why the employer is asking you the question; or what the consequences will be if you say that you do have a disability; or what judgements will be made; or will they just reject you? And so you say that you don’t have a disability, even though you do. 

The reality is that employers are looking to recruit the very best talent, and they recognise that this includes individuals who have a disability or health condition. They want you to inform them about your disability or, more specifically, the support that you will need through the recruitment process so that you can demonstrate your potential.

Only you can decide whether you are going to be open. The following are 5 reasons that you may wish to tell an employer:

Reason #1: You can request the adjustments/support you need

The main reason for telling an employer that you have a disability is to obtain the adjustments and/or support that you require during the recruitment process. Obtaining this support will enable you to demonstrate your full potential and your suitability for the role. Without it, you may be rejected for a role that you are more than capable of doing.

Reason #2: You can discuss your disability positively with an employer

When you are open about your disability, you have full control over what information you share and the way your disability is perceived by others. This is your opportunity to present your disability positively to an employer.

By articulating the skills and strengths you have developed as a result of managing your disability on a day-to-day basis, you will leave the employer with a positive impression of your abilities.

Reason #3: You can draw on your disability to demonstrate the required competencies

During an interview, an employer will ask you questions about your competencies, skills and strengths, and ask you to provide examples of when you have demonstrated these. If you have been open about your disability, you will be able to draw on the unique skills and competencies that you have developed because of managing and adapting, to your disability.

These may include skills such as resilience, determination, flexibility and problem-solving which are qualities they are likely to be recruiting for.

Reason #4: You can be yourself

It makes sense to be open about your disability because it is part of who you are. Rather than trying to cover it up, being open about your disability with an employer can help you focus on being yourself and positively presenting your talents and abilities.

Equally, trying to keep a ‘secret’ takes a lot of effort. The effort you use trying to cover up your disability would be much better spent focused on demonstrating what a great candidate you are.

Reason #5: Your disability will help you stand out

Employers receive 1000s of applications every year for their student and graduate programmes. Standing out and ensuring you are remembered, for the right reasons, is hard for any applicant. However, as someone with a disability or health condition, you can positively use this to stand out in the crowd and be remembered by those who read your application and who interview you.

By articulating your achievements, despite having a disability and the barriers that this can present, you can stand out as an exceptional candidate and one who can add value and make a positive difference to the organisation you are applying to.

For more advice and information, become a member of www.myplusstudentsclub.com, for free, and explore our eBooks covering a range of topics such as disclosure, making an application and requesting adjustments.

MyPlus Students’ Club is a free online resource for students that offers comprehensive guidance on all aspects of applying for a job or internship with a disability, as well as providing connections to, and jobs with disability confident graduate employers.

Author: Helen Cooke, Director and Founder of MyPlus Students’ Club

The post Disclosing Your Disability to an Employer: 5 Reasons to be Open appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

“My disability doesn’t make my any more special than anyone else. But I do believe it has given me something extra, a ‘plus’.” (Helen Cooke; CEO & Founder MyPlus Students’ Club)

When it comes to disability it’s easy to think about all the things you can’t do, or that you can no longer do. However, when it comes to searching for a placement or a job, it’s helpful to think about what you can do and what skills, strengths and competencies you have.

We all develop skills as a result of our experiences, and this is especially true when you have to manage a disability on a day-to-day basis in a world that wasn’t designed with you in mind. These are skills that employers are potentially looking for.

By identifying the strengths you have gained through managing a disability you can market your disability as a ‘plus’ when applying to jobs and make your application stand out from the competition and catch the eye of the recruiters.

At MyPlus Students’ Club we provide essential information and advice for students on managing your disability* during the recruitment process and into the workplace, as well as profiling disability-confident recruiters looking to engage with you.

1. Identify your ‘plus’

There are many ways to identify your strengths however a good starting point is to reflect on your own experiences, including those related to your disability, to understand where your strengths lie.

By finding real examples in your life where you have overcome disability-related challenges to achieve success, your talents and character strengths will become clearer. A good way to do this is to consider what you must do daily that your non-disabled friends don’t.

2. Communicating your ‘plus‘

For each of the strengths and skills that you identify as having developed because of your disability, you will need to be able to provide a couple of examples. The examples should be related to your disability; ideally, each skill will be developed by a different experience.

On your application form or during an interview, think positively about your experiences of disability and articulate a couple of strengths that your disability has forced you to develop that will enable you to achieve results in the future.

By communicating these strengths in an interview, and discussing the disability-related challenges you have overcome to achieve success today, you can begin to really stand out as a candidate with a ‘plus’.

3. Relating your ‘plus’ to the role

As you identify your strengths, remember that the aim is to show the employer that you have the relevant competencies and attributes to succeed in the role. Read the job description carefully and familiarise yourself with the requirements of the role.

You can then match your strengths to the job and explain how these will enable you to achieve the best results in the organisation.

4. Leveraging your disability as your differentiator

Once you have chosen your strengths, you can prepare one or two supporting examples to demonstrate how the strengths you have developed through a disability have enabled you to excel or why this strength will be an asset to the organisation.

By drawing upon personal experiences to illustrate your strengths, you can set yourself apart from the competition.

For more advice and information, become a member of www.myplusstudentsclub.com, and explore our career guides covering a range of topics such as disclosure, making an application with a disability,  and requesting adjustments by clicking on our Resources section here.

MyPlus Students’ Club is a free online resource for students that offers comprehensive guidance on all aspects of applying for a job or internship with a disability, as well as providing connections to, and jobs with disability confident graduate recruiters

*Disability includes, but is not limited to conditions such as visual and hearing impairments, mobility impairments, autism, diabetes, epilepsy, dyslexia, dyspraxia, mental health conditions, speech impairments and major illnesses such as cancer and MS.

Author: Helen Cooke, Director and Founder of MyPlus Students’ Club

The post 4 Ways to Positively Position Your Disability to a Potential Employer appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

The best way to do this is by gaining relevant work experience before you graduate.

Whether it’s a placement, internship or even a vacation scheme, work experience is so important to have under your belt as it provides you with the practical skills and industry knowledge employers love to see.

Can an internship or placement really help you get a graduate job?

Absolutely! Work experience is there for you to try your hand at your chosen career before anything you take the career plunge IRL.

You’ll get to grips with relevant tasks, work on projects and meet industry professionals. It’s a game-changer.

Also, around 49% of interns and placement students hired by our Best Student Employers were offered full-time jobs.

There are 1001 reasons why work experience is the number one route to snapping up that all-important grad job. We’ve painstakingly picked four. Read on to find out more.

• Build your skillset practically
• Set you apart from other candidates
• Gain experience outside your role
• Meet industry professionals

Build your skillset practically

Picture it. You’re in a cool office, maybe there’s a ping-pong table and free pizza on a Friday. You’ve got a snazzy ID badge and are about to head into a project meeting. This isn’t just theory anymore. It’s real life.

Your work experience is an opportunity to build upon the skills you’ve learned at university while picking up new ones.

Make no mistake, everything you learn at university is 100% important, but you’ll learn so much more doing the actual thing as opposed to reading about it. There are a host of skills you’ll gain while working that you might not have learned at university, some of these can include:

• Dealing with difficult customers and clients
• Networking
• Budgeting

Employers expect you to come to an internship or placement not knowing everything about the role or industry you’re stepping into. The whole point is to give you that practical experience that’ll set you up for success when you either get onto a graduate scheme or a role after university.

“I have developed time management and prioritisation skills. This is especially important when outlining the week’s tasks: what is most critical and needs to be completed first? I have learnt new skills around setting boundaries, learning to say no when I cannot take on additional workload, but also setting aside dedicated time to prioritise my University work. I have also developed my confidence, working to lead monthly CSQ meetings with numerous stakeholders and contributing to both the charity project and business project.”

Commercial Executive, TUI UK

Set yourself apart from other candidates

You share something in common with thousands of other students – a degree! And while degrees are a huge achievement and look damn good on your CV, a Bachelor’s degree isn’t that special on its own.

The graduate market is huge but super competitive. And you’ll be up against plenty of students with similar degrees. In fact, the ISE reports that there are 86 applications per graduate role.

Having a good chunk of work experience to go alongside your formal education will show an employer that you have the theory and can use that IRL. That’ll put you miles ahead of someone who might not have that experience.

You’ll be able to demonstrate a range of skills that those who don’t take on work experience might not have.

Securing work experience before you graduate will show that you’re actively trying to upskill yourself in your chosen career. You’ll score major brownie points with employers when it comes to securing your graduate role.

Think of this formula: your degree + work experience = magic.

Not yet found a placement or internship? Hear from placement students and interns and find out what they say about their work experience.

Gain workplace culture experience

Employers love students with work experience because it also means you have an understanding of what it’s like to be part of a workplace. 

Just because you’re there for a short time, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get involved in activities and projects outside of your immediate tasks.

Being part of a workplace means you get to experience its culture. Whether that’s attending (or even helping to organise) work events and socials, being part of a D&I team, sharing your opinion on current processes or just being a really cool person to talk to at the water cooler makes a real difference.
It makes your experience much better and shows that you’re a team player. A graduate employer would be interested to know what else you did during your time at your placement or internship, so make the most of it.

“The organisation operates with a highly participative culture. I cannot recall the number of times I have been asked by upper senior members for my suggestions on how to improve the processes. The entire Finance Directorate is like a family; we take time to celebrate each other’s achievements every month, and we also look forward to meeting each other during our in-office days on Wednesdays.”

Finance Assistant, De Montfort University

Currently doing a summer internship? Good stuff, here’s how you can get the absolute best out of it.

Meet industry professionals

You may not think it, but the people you work with can be integral when it comes to snapping up a graduate role after university.

You’ll meet and work with a whole bunch of people during your work experience so much so that once you’re done, your contact list will be thick a f.

These contacts will be filled with everyone from colleagues to managers and maybe even clients.

If you haven’t already, get yourself on LinkedIn. Think of it as Facebook for professionals where you can connect with your colleagues as well as key figures within your chosen industry and beyond. Need a little inspiration? We have a full guide on how to get started, just click below.

The point is, any one of your colleagues could be the route to a potential graduate job when the time comes. So it pays to be kind and work hard during your internship or placement.

All-in-all, work experience can really be invaluable and will go a very long way in helping you secure a graduate job. It’s also a great way of learning some all-important life skills.

Whether it lasts two weeks or one year, work experience is a real job where you can make some real impacts and even some differences.

On top of that, it’ll look damn good on your CV. If you haven’t started it already, it’s a good day to start looking for some work experience. Get started by clicking below.

The post Why Work Experience Gets You a Graduate Job appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

Good on you for snapping up some cheeky work experience before the next academic year. It’ll go a long way in getting you prepped for a placement or graduate role and look great on your CV.

You’ve probably thought a bit about what your internship might be like, especially if it’s your first outing in the working world. No problem, that’s where we come in.

Here’s what to expect from a summer internship.

• Expect to be given responsibilities from day one
• Expect to be proactive
• Expect lots of summer fun
• Expect regular check-ins with your manager
• Expect not to be offered a full-time job at the end

Expect to be given responsibilities from day one

Usually, when people think of interns, they think of a very rushed and sweaty teen running around a city looking for two manuscripts of an unreleased book.

Whether your summer internship lasts one month or 12 weeks, you will get involved with various projects. This can either be one big project or a series of smaller ones. It’s very likely your name would’ve been put forward for projects before your start date.

“Most weeks I was mentoring one or several work experience students aged 16-18, giving them support in the tasks, Revit tutorials and watching their presentations. I calculated some beams and columns and was implementing them into the Revit model which I was working on most days to make it up to date and align with the architect’s model.”

Summer Student, Atkins

You’ll work on tasks that can range from small tasks to larger ones that’ll have a real impact on the business. Whether that’s scheduling appointments for the team you work on, shadowing a senior in a large meeting or sifting through and pinpointing data, you’ll have lots to do during your internship.

Expect to be proactive

Just because you find yourself twiddling your thumbs, doesn’t mean you should.

While there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of downtime, if you ever have a spare minute why not ask to help out? Employers adore interns who put themselves out there and actively look for tasks to get on with.

Speak to your manager and ask if there’s anything that needs doing or if there’s another department you could shadow for the day. It’s your internship, so you should do all you can to get the best out of it.

“I was really busy during my first rotation, did a lot of interesting work that also helped me a lot for my knowledge on the products and more administrative work at the second desk. This was less helpful for my skill set, but left some time to learn more about the products.”

Summer Analyst, Nomura

Expect lots of summer fun

It’s summer! Meaning there is much frolicking to be done. From BBQs to socials, the sunny season is a really good time to join a company.

Workplace summer parties are great because they give you a first-hand insight into the company culture. Plus, it’s a way to get to know your colleagues without the slightly awkward office chat.

Whether it’s a boat party, an afternoon at an escape room, or a very well-stocked picnic. Whatever the mode of celebration. GO! ATTEND! TAKE PART!

We love a summer social at RateMyPlacement, have a look at last year’s festivities at one of London’s many rooftop bars. The views were top-tier.

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A post shared by RMP Enterprise (@rmp_enterprise)

Expect regular check-ins with your manager

What’s any job without a good old one-to-one? These check-in meetings are SO important. They can last anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour.

Think of your one-to-one as your opportunity to bring up everything and anything with your manager. They can be as formal or informal as you both prefer, but ultimately they will be used to track progress during your summer internship.

During your catch-up meetings, you’ll do some or all of the following;

• Get feedback. This is a great way to get direct feedback on your work. Your manager will talk you through feedback and help you find ways to improve.
• Goal setting. Time is fleeting on a summer internship. So your manager will be on hand to help you meet any targets or personal goals while you’re there.
• Weekly actions. You’ll go through all the tasks you have for the week while going through last week’s tasks. This is to make sure you’re on task and if not, to help you prioritise.
• Your general well-being. These catch-ups aren’t all work. It’s also time to talk about yourself and how you’re doing, at work and outside.
• Team updates. While these likely happen during team or whole company meetings, you might get the heads up from your manager first.

Expect not to be offered a full-time job at the end

Summer internships are temporary. Meaning there’s no real promise of a full-time offer once your internship ends.

Sad as that may be, don’t look at it as a negative. During your internships, you will gain a wealth of knowledge and work experience that’s going to do you a lot of good when it comes to finding your dream job.

That’s not to say that your employer won’t forget you. Oftentimes, businesses will look at previous interns and placement students when it comes to hiring for graduate roles. So if you’ve made an impression, keep an eye on the phone.

There are some instances where you can be offered a full-time position. This is especially the case if you’re already out of university. Many employers use internships as a way to scope out and develop talent essentially making them role-ready.

No matter what, work hard and make the most of your summer internship. Want to know how?

Read How to make the most of your Summer Internship

A summer internship is a fantastic way of adding work experience notches to your CV. No matter what the role. Always put your best foot forward and be open to whatever happens during your internship. You never know where you’ll go.

Yet to find an internship? We have roles live right now for you to get stuck into. Apply now.

Good luck, and enjoy it.

The post What to Expect During Your Summer Internship appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

If you’ve managed to land some work experience for the summer, good for you. It’s a fantastic opportunity to sharpen your skills, gain an insight into the working world and will look really damn good on your CV. It’ll also come in handy when it comes to looking for a placement or graduate scheme.

We want to ensure you get everything you need from your experience, so here are a few tips and tricks to help you make the most of your summer internship.

• Make a good first impression
• Establish professional connections with your colleagues
• Do everything and develop new skills
• Set goals and actions for yourself
• Ask for feedback

1. Make a good first impression

Before you think about anything else, you want to make sure to come out the gate swinging.

First impressions are lasting. No one’s asking you to walk in with fanfare and presents to give everyone, but you want people to think fondly of you when they hear your name.

Making a good first impression is all about being your authentic self, asking questions, arriving 5 minutes early, being friendly with your colleagues and managers, and having a “can-do” attitude.

This can go a long way. If your summer job regularly looks for interns or placement students, you could be fast-tracked to a position if you work hard enough.

Not secured a summer internship yet? That’s okay. There are loads of internships still available. Click below to get started.

2. Establish professional connections with your colleagues

NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK.

Your summer internship is the perfect opportunity to get to know your colleagues. If you’re working in a role that’s directly related to the industry you want to get into, this is invaluable. Why?

• They are industry experts with knowledge that’ll put Tony Stark out of business
• These are the people who will vouch for you when it comes to finding a placement or internship by being a reference.

Remember that your colleagues are still people, so seeing them as just a leg up in the career world is wild. Get to know them!

It’s also really nice to have people to talk to at work. People are much more willing to help out genuine people who aren’t just looking for their next big break.

3. Do everything and develop new skills

The best way to learn is to get involved in projects and do everything you can. Summer internships are temporary, so it’s up to you to make sure that you experience everything.

Summer can be a very fun time in the workplace, so expect lots of BBQs or even a summer party. And attend them all.

Naturally, you’ll develop and pick up loads of soft skills which can be used in every career. These include;

• Teamwork
• Time management
• Computer skills
• Communication
• Attention to detail.

Is there a particular task you don’t do that you’d like to try? Ask to get involved. Ask for more training where possible. Your summer internship is your opportunity to develop a truckload of industry-relevant hard skills, especially if it directly relates to your dream career.

You’ve probably heard 1001 tales about soft and hard skills, but what are they? Find out how to use and develop these below.

“Through getting firsthand experience in doing legal work, I learned how to draft documents according to term sheets, gained an understanding of technical concepts such as securitisation and legal research. On top of work-related skills, I also developed soft skills such as teamwork and networking.”

Vacation Scheme Participant, Latham & Watkins

4. Set goals and actions for yourself

This is probably one of the most important. Whether you’ve already started or are yet to, think about what you want from your summer internship.

• Are you looking to develop and pick up new skills?
• Do you want to get involved in a certain aspect of the role?
• Keen to get involved in a bit of the company culture?
• Do you just want to work hard, secure the bag and save your earnings?

Whatever your goals are, write them down and look to achieve them. Your one-to-ones with your manager and team leader is a great opportunity to discuss these goals – they’d love to see you take initiative and admire your drive. They will 100% help you achieve your goals.

Still haven’t decided whether you want to do a summer internship? Here are some amazing reasons why you should.

5. Ask for feedback

Feedback is, hands down, the best way to improve.

Asking for feedback shows that you care about your job and your self-improvement, and employers really like that. It’s also a great way to track your goals and reevaluate your strengths and weaknesses.

Although you’ll likely discuss feedback with your manager, there’s nothing wrong with asking the colleagues you work with the closest to for feedback. Sometimes, you’ll be offered feedback during tasks or projects—accept it and take it on board.

You’ll notice improvements very quickly.

“My managers always gave me support and advice specifically related to the work I was carrying out. I was also assigned a mentor and a buddy. My mentor helped greatly with my log book, which I had to complete during my placement, and my buddy helped introduce me to the company and help me settle down within the company.”

MBDA Summer Placement

Don’t forget to take the time to enjoy your summer

Ever heard of the saying “work hard, play hard”? Well, it’s true.

While getting work experience is important, so is enjoying your summer break.

So make sure to make time for your family and friends, take a holiday (you’ll 100% have entitlement, even if you’re working for a short period) and do all the things that make you happy.

If you haven’t managed to secure a summer internship for yourself, why not join an insight day? They’re short work experience programmes that typically last between 1-10 days, during which you’ll find out what it’s like to work for a particular company.

All in all, a summer internship is the way to go, and we wish you luck!

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