Student profile – Professional Placement Year 

Graduating year: 2026
Course studied: BSc (Hons) Business and Management with PPY

Eleanor completed a placement as a Project Management Industrial Placement Student at a leading aerospace firm that designs and builds helicopters.

Why did you choose this company/role? 

I originally considered event management, but I pivoted to project management because it offers broader career paths and long-term flexibility. When I saw this role, it stood out instantly – helicopters, aerospace, global operations – it just sounded incredibly exciting and completely different from anything I’d considered before.

I was drawn to the challenge of entering a highly specialised industry without an engineering background, and as a woman in a historically male-dominated industry.

This placement gave me a rare foot in the door – an opportunity I likely wouldn’t have had through a direct entry role post-graduation. On top of that, the company has a fantastic reputation locally and globally, the role was well-paid, and being close to home meant I could save money while gaining high-quality experience.

How did you feel before doing a PPY and how did that evolve throughout the PPY? 

Before starting, I was anxious that taking a placement year might put me behind others and that university in general might put me 3-4 years behind those who hopped on the career ladder straight out of school. 

There’s a lot of articles out there about how hard it is to find a job unless you’ve done a specialised degree like engineering or medicine. But I quickly realised that placement years are designed for growth. You’re not expected to know it all – you’re expected to learn. And by the end of it, I had an offer to fast-track through the graduate application process.

I’d honestly say a placement year will put you ahead, not behind.

I was also a bit nervous socially – many of my uni friends would be graduating while I was still studying. But I’ve built such strong friendships during my placement, with people from across the UK and the local area. And I am excited to return to uni and connect with a whole new cohort of students and others who have undertaken the pathway. 

What have you gained from your PPY?

I came into the role fairly confident, but my personal and professional growth has been significant. I’ve spoken at conferences in front of over 100 people. I’ve been flown to Italy for a business trip. I’ve contributed to meetings where senior vice presidents were in the room. I’ve been given security clearance and visited military bases. I even delivered STEM sessions in schools.

One of the most valuable aspects of the placement was networking. In project management, I worked with all the key functions – operations, engineering, procurement, etc – which allowed me to build a strong internal profile and work alongside senior leaders, even at the SVP level. 

My confidence has grown massively – especially around public speaking and presenting. I am also far more self-assured and back myself. I’ve learned practical skills too, like Excel, SAP, and email diplomacy (a surprisingly underrated skill). One of the biggest takeaways has been realising that managing people isn’t just about being organised – it’s about being liked, respected and trusted.

I’ve learned how important it is to understand people and how they work to collaborate effectively. I’ve also made friendships I know will last well beyond this year. 

How do you see your PPY helping with your degree and future career? 

My placement has shaped both my academic and professional outlook. It’s already influencing the direction of my dissertation, and it’s given me a strong foundation in how businesses operate – from resource planning and supply chain challenges to working across time zones and cultures.

On a personal level, I’ve become more logical and composed under pressure, and I approach challenges more strategically. I have also found my ADHD better to cope with due to my improvements in time management and planning. Therefore, I believe final year will be more manageable than second year (though time will tell!). 

Professionally, I now have a network in the aerospace industry, security clearance, and a solid reputation within a respected organisation. But most importantly, I now believe I could succeed in any sector I’m interested in.

What are your future career aspirations? 

I’m very interested in continuing with Project Management, but I’m now even more open to roles in areas like business transformation and improvement. I’ve realised I thrive in people-facing roles and definitely want to pursue a career that allows me to work closely with others, particularly in leadership or management positions. I would like to ideally end up as a programme manager – and then possibly a future Head of Programmes!