My Year Out – Aberystwyth University
A couple of months ago I started applying to lots of different businesses about conducting a ‘Year Out’, this is sometimes called a yes placement, a sandwich place which is basically the year after 2nd year but before 3 year of university where you can go out and work for a business.
I’m doing Business and Management and so I’ve looked at Bank Placements and Retail Management, but I’m finding that the competition is so high for these placements that nowhere seems to want to employ me.
I personally think that my CV isn’t boring, It contains lots of different experiences but perhaps not enough ‘Work’ experience, but even so, I keep getting turned down everywhere.
- Toys ‘r’ us – Declined
- Tesco – Declined
- Sainsbury’s – Declined
- Lloyds TSB – Declined
- Bank of England – a long shot but they also declined.
- Marks and Spencers – Declined
- and a whole list of other businesses that have also declined!
Online Numerical Tests
I have taken a few numerical tests for businesses online but I’m having a few problems with them. The placements ask for a Minimum of GCSE Maths C grade, I have a B. I have completed the practice questions that they give fine but when I come to the real exam it appears to get more difficult. Someone from Marks and Spencers Said ”It’s more like A-Level – University Maths” – Great, I didn’t take Maths any further than GCSE!
I guess it’s another way of picking the best of the best…
Other Options?
Now I really still want a year out, doing some interesting etc. I think it’s more about the placement than the salary but if I am to move else where then I’m going to need a salary good enough to pay living costs.
Now do I do something different? – Do I tailor make my year out, not doing a bog standard placement but say a mixture of Go Wales work placements…. work tasters… or even applying to a local business for an assistant manager job? – I have noticed in my area ‘Aberystwyth’ they seem to be struggling with filling these Vacancies…. hmm
I have also been involved in coming up with Marketing Plans for a local business called Re-Ply designs etc, perhaps more of this nature? – but I have been doing a lot of work for free and ideally I’ll need a paid job otherwise I won’t be able to afford to live… as I don’t get a student loan in a year out…
It is a difficult one….
