Lifestyle | Is it worth doing a placement year at university?

(Image not my own nor do i own any rights to the image) 

 Hell Yeah!!

 So back in 2012 I packed up my life and moved half way across the country to start a degree in Business Management. It was without a question of a doubt the scariest thing I have ever done. I literally knew nobody north of London so it was a massive change for me.

 My first two years were amazing, I won't go into too much detail here but do let me know if you want that in a separate post! Once second year was coming to an end I had a big decision to make - to take a year out and do a work placement or to stay on at uni, graduate a year early and get to go through final year with all my best friend.

 I probably changed my mind about a million times on what the best thing to do was. When I started uni it was always my intention to do a placement year but when the decision came it seemed so hard to take on the responsibility and leave all of my friends behind to finish uni without me. In the end, I took the plunge and I did the placement and it was the best decision I could have possibly made. I genuinely could't recommend it enough!

Ok.. I'm finishing uni a year later than everyone else but I have a fantastic job and a great reference to fall back on after uni life. I still lived with all my friends, I still went on the odd night out, joined in with the family dinners and spent my weekends hungover and eating unlimited amounts of £3 pizzas. But.. Instead of being skint and spending 3/4 of my life asleep - I worked 9-5 every day and had money to burn.

Doing my placement in my uni town meant I had the best of both worlds and I haven't felt I missed out on anything.

Things to consider: 
-Why do you want to do a placement
-Where do you want to do a placement
-Where will you live
-Will you have friends left at uni after the placement has finished
-You won't have uni holidays

Where to find a placement: 
-Company websites
-Ratemyplacement.com
-University job websites

  How to apply: 
-Start looking early
-Perfect your CV and cover letter and have them checked
-Do research before any interview
-Only apply for jobs you would be happy to spend 12 months in

  Useful info: 
-You are still considered a student, will be eligible for the minimum amounts of student finance and are still exempt from council tax
-If you have not worked for the last year you probably wont be taxed for your first 6 months work
-Don't think you can go out every night and still make it in to work for 9am (you cant I tried many times)
-Remember not to take it too seriously, they will understand you are still a student!

  Benefits: 
-I came out of my placement with a promotion, pay rise and permanent job offer
-I have made a number of useful contacts for my future
-I will be better prepared for interviews
-I have industry relevant work experience
 -I paid off my £2000 overdraft and brought a number of extravagant purchases
 -I have met some amazing people and made life long friends (so cringe but true)

 In simple terms I would 100% recommend doing a work placement if you have the opportunity. Leaving university and trying to get a career relevant job can be tough and having a years experience really does put you one step ahead.

 If you are thinking of doing a placement or already have one lined up and have any questions at all, or just generally want to know more about my experience then please do get in touch I would love to answer your questions.


  Ashley xxx

  Follow @passion0527

Work life | Mid week mini series | The work saga: Part 4 (3)

I am still not really happy with the quality of these photos but I'm getting there!

Outfit one:

Dress: Quiz Clothing £25

Blazer: Next Sale £16

Outfit two:

Dress: Next £35

Blazer: Primark £12

Can you tell I was having too much fun taking outfit pictures this day! I think once I have the lighting sorted these images might actually be alright! 

I have also put more brown through my hair so it is much darker.. whatta ya reckon?

Make sure to follow for next weeks outfits!

Work life | Mid week mini series | The work saga: part 4 (2)

I need some serious help with these outfit photos! 1. I look like a horrendous troll & 2. The quality is not coming out well and is making the outfits look so dark and dull!

I'll go straight into it as I know your all here to see the clothes not and not to practise your ready! 

Outfit one:

I got the top from F&F in tesco for the bargain price of £10.. I'm in love with the Topshop ones and when I saw this, being a lover of polka dots, I had to have it. I was pleasantly surprised in how good quality it is and washes really well.

The skirt is a classic for work and was £15 in H&M, it is available in a range of colours and is so comfy! I actually despise work clothes so found it such a dull chore filling up my wardrobe with this style of clothes but I'm slowly getting used to it now.

The blazer is an oldie but a goody. I'm sure we all owned one of these bad boys from New Look back in the day. For some unknown reason I went for pink.. I never buy pink clothes so this is a rarity in my wardrobe. I love it for the office because it is just so light and comfy so I am glad I kept hold of it all these years! 

Here's a close up for some unknown reason. 

Outfit Two:

This dress is a solid favourite of mine for work, especially for the summer months. This is actually also by F&F at Tesco... I swear that's not where I buy my best clothes!! I think it cost around £20 and is again really comfy.. are you spotting a theme here?

 My face look extra ugly in this one so it was best for everyone that it got cropped off *hands over face*. This dress is the perfect length for work and looks great with a blazer. I personally think that it would also be really nice for a family occasion or a trip to the races.

Make sure you subscribe to see next weeks outfits!

Work Life | Mid week mini series | The work saga: part 4 (1)

You may have noticed that last week there was no mid week post. This was due to me just returning back from holiday, going back to work and just pure jet lag!

Now this is a part of the work saga that I have really been looking forward to, which is probably why I have left it till one of the last 'parts'. This is the sort of outfits I wear day to day in the office.

Please excuse my poor quality images, this is probably why I don't do that many outfit posts! I live with all boys so have know one to take good quality photos for me! *cry*

This outfit looks loads better in person and just screams Cher Clueless. Both the shirt £15 and the skirt £20 are from H&M and are currently in stock.

I love that this skirt is a little bit different, it is made up from a tiny black and white dog tooth pattern giving it a grey finish and is high wasted for a more flattering finish.

The next outfit is this maroon colour shift dress from primark, I believe it was between £10 and £15 but it was purchased a while ago.

It is comfy and flattering and has just the right length sleeves and skirt to it to make it feel that bit more professional.

Taking photos is so so boring and time consuming! I don't know how some of you bloggers find the time and get them looking so pro!

I would usually throw a blazer on top if I was off to a meeting or event but when I'm just sat in the office I prefer not to wear them.

Make sure you subscribe to see next weeks outfits!

Work Life | Mid week mini series | The work saga: part 3 (4)

We are now half way through the work saga! I can't believe I'm 3 months into my new job. Time really has gone ridiculously quickly.

Some of this jewellery I literally never wear outside of work so it's actually quite strange wearing it on a regular basis. 

This is my favourite ring, you don't often see pretty black rings so I like it a lot. They are both from primark at around £1.50 each. 

I originally brought these earrings for a black tie event. I had my hair in an updo and wanted them to really stand out so that I didn't look too manly. £1.50 primark. The ring I can't remember where it's from, riverisland I think but again I've had it for a while and think it was about £8. It's very pretty but the little balls always get caught on stuff! 

Make sure you subscribe to see what's going on in part 4! 

Work life | Mid week mini series | The work saga: part 3 (3)

Week 3 of jewellery for work.

This is probably as colourful as it gets and the least used items in my collection at the moment. 

The ring was £1 in primark so an absolute bargain and I love the blue. The earrings I actually can't remember where there from as I have had them quite a while now. Most likely new look or primark tho for a few quid. 

These earrings were from riverisland, I got them when I was in year 11 and I had a purple uniform. There quite heavy so I don't wear them regulary I think I got them for around £8. The ring I got for 50p in a primark sale.. I still can't believe primark actually has sales!

Make sure to subscribe so not to miss the last in part 3! 

Work Life | Mid week mini series | The work saga: part 3 (2)

I'm going to go straight into it this week, the same format of my work jewellery consisting of statement earrings and costume rings.

Exhibit A 

No pun intended. I love this scrabble ring.. It's so quirky yet so tacky but sometimes it makes a nice change and simple earrings look better when I have my big plait dos that you might have witnessed in part 1 of the work saga. 

I got the ring on eBay a few years back and the earrings were part of a set from new look if I remember right. 

Exhibit B

These are my new favourite earrings, I don't know why, they remind me of pat butcher but I felt like I needed them and they look less tacky for work than normal 'dangly' earrings. The ring I first brought I'm black and decided to go back and get the white because I liked it that much. 

Both were from primark around £1.50 each. 

Work Life | Mid week mini series | The work saga: part 3 (1)

I can't believe I'm on part 3 already, doesn't time fly when your having fun!

I wanted to show you what jewellery I wear for work this month. I'm not really a massive fan of jewellery, I normally stick to a a simple gold ring that used to belong to my mum, my Tiffany bracelet & some kind of earrings. 

For work I try to wear statement earrings in the stud variety just to look a bit smarter and I always have a costume ring on for work to cover a tattoo I have. 

I love these as I don't often wear cream jewellery so it makes a nice change. Both from primark & cost £1.50 each I think. 

These are oldies but goodies. You can tell that they have probably seen better days and are probably 20% superglue right now. They were from riverisland.. I'm going to go with 6 years ago? Wow that's insane. I still love them. There so in your face and bright and leopard and pink and sometimes you just need that. 

Make sure to subscribe to catch next weeks post! 

Work life | Mid week mini series | The work saga: part 2 (4)

Shoes as by far my favourite and I'm sure I have already mentioned that a few times.  This is the last in this part so here goes the last 2 pairs.

Style 1:

So simple yet so Dorothy. It's nice to brighten up a work outfit, I feel like maybe everyone in my office hates me for always wearing such bright outfits and making them look duller than they actually are! haha 

Style 2: 

These were a great buy last year. £12 from primark and they are comfy and flat and high and black and have heels and what more could you want!! These have got a bit battered for work now but in good condition they were perfect for the office! 

I never get tired of buying shoes and my shoe collection got out of hand a long time ago but sometimes you just 'need them' 

It's weird to think that, all these shoes, and my go to pair are a battered up pair of nike air max! 

I haven't decided the theme for part 3 yet so you will have to subscribe to find out! 

Lifestyle | Mid week mini series | The work saga: part 2 (3)

Today's an exciting one!

These are my favourite work shoes, I was supposed to wait for week 4 but I couldn't wait any longer. 

Heels 🎉👠👏

Style 1:

Pointed heels look so smart for work and these ones are only about 2inch which before I would have referred to as 'kitten heels' and would have puked at the sight of them but I think these look so smart for work and aren't too uncomfortable for all day wear. 

£10 in the garage shoes sales

Style 2: 

Practical but not so pretty. 

These blue wedges are the lightest shoes I have ever owned and are ever so comfy so great for work. £17 from tk max

I usefully opt for flats but sometimes it makes a nice change to put some heels on for an important conference or meeting. 

Do you ever wear heels to work? 

Subscribe so not to miss the last in part 2 of the work saga 

Work Life | Mid week mini series | the work saga: part 2 (2)

We are on week 2 of part 2 of the work saga.. That was a mouthful.

This is a boring but very much staple style in any females shoe collection expecially when it comes to work wear. 

Style 1: 

A must have in any girls wardrobe. The black dolly shoe although basic and boring, goes with just about anything and are comfy as hell! These babies were about  £6 from primark. 

Style 2: 

Here we have the same shoe but a different colour, like a shoe twin. I haven't even worn these yet and am not sure how to describe the colour of them but I thought they were a pretty natural colour for work and will come in handy over summer when it want to avoid black. 

Make sure you subscribe to see next weeks styles, I promise they are more exciting! 

Work life | Not so mid week mini series | The work saga: part 2 (1)

It's time for part 2!

I'm sure a lot of you will be in the same boat as me. 1 million pairs of shoes and nowhere to keep them. I am a shoe hoarder and I'm not afraid to admit it. 

In part 2 of the mini series I will share with you what shoes I turn to for the office. 

Style 1

These beauties were from primark, you may have seen them in my haul post the other week. They were the only leopard ones left and they were my size - it was meant to be! I try to steer clear of the standard dolly shoe if I can and I think this pointed style looks smart whilst still being comfy! The best part of all is that they were just £6!!!

Style 2:

A very similar style here from topshop in black. I saw a girl on the train in these and fell in love, however I don't feel they look as good on my fat feet! :( there also not that comfy and came in at £16. I still think they smarted up a plain outfit though and I try to go to these rather than black dollys. 

Leopard: primark £6

Black: topshop £16 

http://m.topshop.com/mt/www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/shoes-430/flats-459/vixen-slingback-pointed-shoes-2790375?bi=25&ps=24

Make sure you subscribe to catch part 2!!