Resources and timeline
Here you will find a selection of resources which we believe students will find useful in their search for a professional practice year and support to get there.
Work experience gives you the opportunity to develop relevant skills, knowledge and experience while getting first hand experience of life in a real working environment.
The best thing to do when you aim to secure a professional practice year is to start your research early.
These resources are a rough guide of how you could start your search in finding professional practice years opportunities.
However, the key is to be creative when thinking about opportunities like that:
- Draw up a long list of companies that you want to work for, you might have found these at careers fairs or online. You might want to choose a mixture of large, medium sized and small companies to apply to. Check websites of companies that offer placements based on your list and then periodically revisit them to find out if there are any new opportunities
- Use search engines. The internet holds lots of information about placements and Google is going to be your best friend. There are even specialised sites where you can narrow your searches to your location or specialised area and they will show a list of available placements matching your criteria..
- Newspapers, local papers, books, magazines and directories are a very good source for leads or finding out more about companies that interest you. Search through vacancies in newspapers from the beginning of your second year.
- Attend networking events. This is a valuable way of developing contacts.
- Write speculative letters/emails to potential employers to enquire about placements.
- Write to companies in your local area and familiarise yourself with events and information. If a company doesn’t advertise their placements online, you could call to what placements they offer.
- Register with recruitment agencies and make regular contact with them.
List of websites to start your search: