By Ihab Azhar, Computer Science BSc student.
Why Did I Choose a Placement?
Choosing a placement was a decision based on 2 main factors. Firstly, finances played a significant role as I needed to manage living expenses as well as support my family in finances, and a placement offered a great solution. Secondly, after what I consider my toughest academic year prior, a placement offered a very refreshing break from studying.
What’s the Environment and Workspace Like?
The environment at my placement is both welcoming and flexible. My office offers free coffee, which is always a nice perk, and allows us to work from home if we meet our deadlines. The office itself is in a great location, making travel convenient. The atmosphere is friendly and colleagues are always happy to answer questions.
How Did I Pick My Placement?
When selecting my placement, I aimed for a role that combined technology with business, finance, and auditing. I wanted to expand beyond a purely tech-focused position like software engineering and found BDO to be a perfect fit. I also considered the travel involved in reaching the placement. Not all pay is good pay, and it’s essential to consider the overall impact on your life. For those searching for placements, it’s vital to ensure you’re ready for commuting if you apply to distant locations. Be prepared to go in five days a week if remote work isn’t an option at the business you’re joining, as these factors directly impact your day-to-day life.
Why Should You Go on a Placement?
A placement offers a brilliant chance to gain a whole year of experience ahead of your university peers. It allows you to immerse yourself in a career and see if it’s something you can envision doing in the future. Additionally, placements are a great way to make valuable contacts in your industry, and these connections can be instrumental in your career development.
How Would I Describe My Experience So Far
I think the first thing to mention would be how tiring working full-time can be, especially if it is your first time working professionally. Although contracted hours may be different, it is normal to work later some days or begin earlier on others to complete the work. However, the experience has been very rewarding as it has helped me to learn lots of different types of work and this has made me so much more adaptable. This placement has also given me the chance to really change my mindset to want more work as the recognition I have received from colleagues has been immense. BDO continuously recognises its workers, and this makes me happy to complete my placement here.
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