From assessment centres to rejection emails to finally securing a placement, Callum shares his honest experience about what it was like to apply for a placement...
...including what they learned, what they wish they’d known sooner, and why persistence really matters.
I knew from the moment I applied to Newcastle University that I wanted to complete a placement year.
When researching different universities, I realised that at Newcastle University there was a significant opportunity to do a placement year when studying the humanities.
The flexibility of my Combined Honours reinforced my decision to make Newcastle University my firm choice.
Why I wanted to do a placement
Personally, I wanted to undertake a placement because of how much it would help me when applying for graduate jobs in an increasingly competitive job market.
University teaches you so many valuable critical thinking skills, but I also wanted practical experience of working in a professional environment.
These practical skills gained from a placement can prove even more vital for the world of work.
My time working would let me understand how to collaborate in a work environment, master new software applications, and develop my problem-solving abilities when met with tasks that require innovative solutions.
The possibility of becoming more employable is what motivated me to apply for so many placements.
The reality of applying
Looking back, one of the most worthwhile parts of searching for a placement was being exposed to the application process itself.
It offered me an expectation of what looking for a graduate job would be like.
I quickly got used to continually writing cover letters, adapting applications, completing self-recorded interviews and taking online assessments.
The latter two, at the time, felt incredibly unfamiliar.
In total, I applied for about 20 placements, all in the hope of securing just one offer.
My goal is to obtain a job in the media, communications, or broadcast sector, with a focus on broadcast journalism.
LinkedIn job advertisements were a fundamental part of my process of becoming informed about companies hiring for placement years.
I even had Hiring Managers reach out to me and ask me to apply for roles. This was probably due to clearly stating in my bio that I was looking for a placement.
Consequently, they looked through the things I’d been involved with and the experiences I’d shared online.
But, as I soon discovered, finding opportunities was only half the battle...
Handling rejection
When searching for placements, it is very easy to go from being so close to securing a placement to being rejected and having to start the whole process over again.
The emotional toll on your self-belief is something you need to prepare yourself for.
Look at every rejection as an opportunity to learn and grow, making you better prepared for your next application.
Around November was the first time I truly felt hopeful about potentially securing a placement.
I had made it through to the final interview and assessment stage for an Internal Communications placement at Sony.
Unfortunately, I fell at the last hurdle.
Of course, I was momentarily upset, but I quickly told myself to get back to the search, as this meant that there was another job for me instead.
Things got awfully quiet around the Winter holidays, but it is important to note that placements are available to apply for all year round, from September until around May.
So don’t feel disheartened if others secure a placement before you are able to.
I couldn’t help but think that companies thought I was not even deserving of a rejection response. Yet, I soon learned this wasn’t the case.
As the New Year rolled around, I was greeted with a whole host of first-stage rejection emails in my inbox.
I wasn’t going to be a Creative Intern at SAP, I didn’t have a future as a Commercial Intern at Coty, and I had no possibility of completing an International Media Broadcast placement at Universal Studios.
At this rate, I was beginning to become deflated, and I was just grateful that I had submitted a study abroad application as a back-up option.
Luckily, in the wake of a wave of rejections, I was also met with a variety of emails informing me that I made it to the next stage of their respective application processes!
It quickly became a three-horse race.
Assessment centres and interviews
After completing a series of online assessments, I was offered mobile, online and in-person interviews with Disney, the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) and Hearst Networks.
While on holiday in Norway, I had to attend two interviews in one day.
I was in the penultimate stage for Disney and the final stage for the NICS.
Upon reflection, it was certainly one of the most nerve-racking days of my life!
It took over two months to get a response from the NICS, but Disney got back to me within two weeks.
I had been invited down to London to attend a final assessment centre and interview!
In February, I visited London twice in one month for the first time in nearly ten years.
First up was my assessment centre at Hearst Networks, which consisted of me getting the seven-hour coach to London... Thankfully, I got the train home.
All of my preparation led up to that moment when I walked into the office alongside 19 other hopeful candidates...
Looking back, I am chuffed with the effort I put in.
I had to navigate tasks such as group presentations, quizzes about the company and problem-solving tasks that resembled the responsibilities of the job.
Two weeks later, I was headed to Disney’s London headquarters feeling significantly less anxious.
As I was not only familiar with how assessment centres operate, but I had also been informed that I had secured a final stage interview for Hearst Networks.
The structure of the assessment was very similar, except that this marked the final application stage for Disney.
Upon leaving, I genuinely think I gave the best interview I had ever given, but all I could do was wait.
Both Hearst Networks and Disney told me that they would get back to me within a week of the final stage.
However, one week turned into two...
With each day that passed, I grew exceedingly paranoid, and it was not until a fateful Thursday that I heard the outcome.
At 09:00, I realised I wasn’t going to become Disney’s Production Operations intern, and at 16:30, I was regretfully informed by Hearst Networks that I was not selected for the TV Scheduling and Navigation (On-Air) placement.
The email that changed everything...
Without a doubt, this series of events was one of the hardest things I've had to accept.
On that day, I felt as if all my hard work was in vain. It felt like my aspiration of obtaining a placement was unattainable.
Yet, unbeknownst to me, the very next morning, my fortunes would dramatically change.
I received an email from the NICS with a placement offer letter attached! All feelings of negativity instantly disappeared.
I did it. I secured a placement.
To this day, there is nothing that I am prouder of.
Since the job offer, I am currently waiting on the results of my background checks, and if successful, I will have my department of work finalised.
What I learned from the process
Don’t get me wrong - I am incredibly excited to begin my placement, but I am equally anxious about no longer being a student going out every week with my friends.
However, third year will come around in no time!
On the bright side, I get to spend a year living with my family, not having to pay rent!
I truly encourage everyone to consider doing a placement as the skills gained from the application process and the job itself are truly phenomenal.
Make sure to get involved in activities beyond your degree, and trust me, you can do this!