By Amina Ali, Computer Science BSc student.
Starting a placement can feel intimidating, but I have learnt that it is completely normal to feel nervous at the beginning. I chose to do a placement year to gain real-world experience and better understand how software development works outside of university. It has given me the opportunity to see how large systems operate and how teams collaborate in a professional environment, which is something you don’t fully experience in a classroom setting.
Where is your placement?
I am currently completing my placement at Amadeus as a Software Developer Intern. My team focuses on performance testing using Gatling, particularly working with airline system messages. This involves building test scripts, debugging issues, and analysing responses to ensure systems can handle high loads efficiently. One of the most exciting parts of the role is seeing how small changes in code or logic can impact large-scale systems and understanding how everything connects behind the scenes.
The work environment has been very collaborative and supportive. I have been able to ask questions, learn from experienced developers, and gradually build confidence in my skills. The structured working hours and team support have made it easier to adapt from university life to a professional setting. There is also a strong focus on teamwork, which has helped me improve my communication and learn how to work effectively within a team.
One of the biggest lessons you have learnt?
One of the biggest lessons I have learnt is that things rarely work perfectly the first time. A large part of development is understanding why something is not working and breaking problems down step by step. I have also learnt the importance of asking questions early and communicating clearly with teammates. Sometimes you might feel apprehensive to ask about something you’re not sure of, but it is always better to ask sooner rather than later. At the end of the day, you are a placement student, so you are not expected to know everything, and asking questions is part of the learning process.
I have been able to apply skills from university, such as problem solving and coding, but in a much more practical and complex environment. This has helped me grow both technically and professionally, as I have had to think more critically and approach problems in different ways.
What’s your advice to those wanting to do a placement?
My advice to future placement students is to be patient with yourself and not be afraid to ask questions. Take the time to understand the bigger picture, stay curious, and make the most of the people around you. A placement is a great opportunity to gain experience, build confidence, and explore what kind of career you might want in the future.
Describe your placement in 3 words.
If I had to describe my placement so far in three words, I would say: challenging, valuable, and rewarding.
Leave a Reply