Participating in a placement while you are studying will provide you with valuable professional experience and can help you figure out your future career. Many students learn a lot from their placement period and find them to be an opportunity for development.
A placement offers you:
- the chance to try out different tasks and work cultures;
- a way of testing and developing your skills in a professional environment;
- collaborations and new contacts for your future;
- references and achievements to put on your CV when you are applying for jobs.
How to find a placement yourself
Companies, public authorities and organisations in Sweden and abroad all offer placements. Finding a placement yourself takes preparation, but enables you to focus on the employers you find most interesting.
Some tips:
- Make a list and start contacting the employers straight away.
- Look for information about placements on employers’ websites.
- Tell others you are looking for a placement – talk to teaching staff, course coordinators and your programme director of studies.
- Contact former students (alumni) in your field.
- Participate in careers fairs and make sure to have copies of your latest CV with you.
- Look for vacancies on the SLU student Career Connect portal.
Apply for a work placement course
You will need to apply for and register on a work placement course before you can earn credits and be eligible for student finance from CSN. A work placement course may be included in degree programmes. SLU also offers freestanding work placement courses.
Work placement courses