Find out about Jake Rose BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology student on placement as a Software Engineering Intern at Natural Motion
What is your advice to students when making placement applications?
You need to be dedicated towards the cause and be persistent. With this, don’t give up after one, two or even three failed interviews. I questioned a placement to over 35 different companies, travelled around England for interviews and completed various coding tests, for me to find somewhere in which worked perfectly for both me and the employer.
What were your main concerns about doing a year placement?
My biggest worry when joining was the process around merging into a team with extensive knowledge who have been in the industry for years, comparing to what I’ve managed to learn at education for only a few years. I was nervous I would feel belittled and frankly dumb, but what needs to be remembered here is that everyone knows that you’re an intern. You’ve been hired because you are there to learn, not because you know everything already. So be ready to ask loads of questions, and take advantage of this skill comparison, coming out of the internship as someone that a future placement student could go to for help.
How has your placement experience influenced your future career path?
At university, I was passionate about coding and just coding. But after identifying my love for both programming and creativity/art, I was placed more so into the rendering team, which I have found myself to really love. This will perhaps change my perspective of my career path, considering the side of me that really loves art but keeping in the world of software engineering. It's important to keep an open mind with placements, don’t be afraid to do something that you don’t precisely want to do – you might find you will enjoy it even more!
Would you recommend the placement year to other students?
There is no doubt about it – yes! Placement is a brilliant way of getting your foot in the door, networking with smart minds, getting insights into the industry and learning more in your desired areas of interest. Don’t give up with applications, be confident in your skills and enforce your desire to learn.