Extend your experience and personal development, improve your employability, develop your understanding of the world of work and earn a good reference from your employer.  Applying the experience to your final year projects could also help you gain a better degree.

Explore ideas for planning a gap year on the Graduate Prospects website.

Opportunities in the UK:

• Year In Industry – www.yini.org.uk, opportunities in engineering or manufacturing.
• National Council for Work Experience – promotes quality work experience for the benefit of students and employers. (website at www.work-experience.org is powered by Prospects.)
• The vacancies database on our main jobs page includes placements and temporary jobs.
• Fledglings, www.fledglings.net - student resource for industrial placements and graduate careers.
• Talentladder – www.talentladder.com - service matching students with employers offering paid work placements.
• Creative job search – try networking and contact organisations whose area of work interests you.
• Volunteering: our page on Charities & Volunteering has both paid and unpaid opportunities in the UK and overseas.

Finding jobs and internships abroad

•  Graduate Prospects website section on working abroad
•  Opportunities overseas – Our page of resources on work and travel abroad