The Careers and Employment website and Resource Centres have further information on careers for International Students. Before you rush off to book that trip and pack your backpack, think first about how you could use your break to gain some valuable work experience. Many students will, of course, continue their part-time work for at least part of the summer, and maybe even increase their hours. But a formal vacation work placement is usually with a larger employer and typically involves working in an area where graduates are employed. Many of these employers use vacation work as a selection tool, to try out a potential employee.
Students often receive offers of a graduate job as a result of their vacation placement.
You may not always be working on the most exciting projects but you will have a chance to do some real work, not just observation, in an everyday situation. Smaller and medium size employers also employ students for vacation work over the summer and during peak periods. The long summer vacation break is an ideal time to try to line up some course-related work experience. Working in your chosen field will help you develop some additional skills, which will make you more attractive to employers. It will also give you an opportunity to find out more about the industry, talk to people who have been working for some years and help to refine your career plans.