"If you are wondering whether a placement year is worth it, my immediate answer is yes, no hesitation. I would rather say 'oh well' than 'what if'."
This week’s Humans of York story comes from Interactive Media graduate Aaron.
Aaron chose York because every module appealed to him as something he would enjoy learning, with the bonus of a placement year working in such a competitive industry.
This golden opportunity secured him a year-long position with Primark Dublin, where he gained valuable experience that became his platform for a career in user experience (UX) design.
He said: “My role as a Technology Placement Student was anything but boring. Some days were full of meetings, planning sessions and user interviews. Other days, I would be overhauling current designs, testing them with real users and presenting updates to the team and stakeholders.
“That gave me the edge I needed to land my current role as a UX Designer, where I work on websites and services for brands such as MyProtein, LOOKFANTASTIC, Holland & Barrett, and Disney.”
Aaron’s placement experience plus support from the University proved valuable, giving him the technical and practical skills to help boost his employment opportunities.
“The University was there for me throughout,” he added. “They helped me polish and refine my CV, prepare for interviews, sort out the logistics of moving abroad and they checked in regularly while I was away. That support made a big difference.
“If you are wondering whether a placement year is worth it, my immediate answer is yes, no hesitation. I would rather say 'oh well' than 'what if'. Even if you don’t find your dream job, you’ll come away with new skills, more confidence and a much clearer idea of what you want next.”
