Advice on a placement for next year...

[cagoule]

Hi,

I am currently in my 2nd year at university in the UK studying Marketing and Management (please do not hold this against me!), and next year I have an option called an Erasmus year. The premise is that if I can source a work placement in Europe then I will still receive my loan and grant, plus an extra Erasmus grant of €200 per month. Also for the year I am away I would not have to pay any university fees. It's quite an exciting package, and certainly when combined with a salary would be quite an exciting thing to do, I would even be willing to take a pay cut due to the fact I would be somewhat subsidised by my loan/grants.

As a mature student (I'm 24 years old), I have over 5 years work experience as a charity fundraiser (within events management, direct marketing, and community/corporate fundraising) as well as my academic study. However I seem to have hit a stumbling block after receiving rejection after rejection! I have applied for positions in the Netherlands (as business is mainly spoken in English) but I have also been looking for placements in other countries too. As we have such a widespread network here I thought I would ask the forum for advice on seeking a placement... If anyone feels they could help me with my CV or cover letter then I could post examples, or even if anybody works in a firm or has friends who would take on a UK student for a year? I'm eligible to start my placement in the summer (July 2011) and would be looking to work for for 10-13months.

I'm sorry if this thread is a bit cheeky, please delete this if it breaks any rules. I know the forum is not a job centre but I'm really struggling to source a placement and thought perhaps I could seek some help. I think it would be great to "get away" from the UK and it would be a vast learning curve for myself to live in a different country away from the comforts of home.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks xx

 

[Cyre2067]

Hey Cagoule, maybe some clarification would help others, are you looking for a internship (usually unpaid position) or a job? Will you be taking classes while you're doing this program? Have you looked in the US? The economy here does suck at the moment, but there are positions available if one continues to look, especially in your field. I know there's a lot of non profits in NYC that recruit for temp-to-permanent positions and offer internships.

There's this website: _http://www.nycnonprofits.org/ that has an index you could use to find something you're interested in.

Hope that helps

 

[cagoule]

Hi Puck,

I am looking for a paid internship as financially I would not be able to support myself in an unpaid position. The Erasmus scheme is only applicable to Europe as it is a European Union initiative to get students to travel. Basically with the Erasmus scheme I could study at a partner University (which they have in France, Spain, Holland, Sweden and Norway) or if I could source my own work placement I could work anywhere in Europe. The package is quite nice - your loan/grant plus the extra grant and no Uni fees but due to my financial situation I do not think I could afford to study abroad without a part time job and it may be a gamble moving abroad and trying to find part time work.

I have thought about the USA but I would not get the same package as if I worked in Europe. It may be something worth looking into though. I could sacrifice my loan/grant if a had a salary but unfortunately I would not be able to support myself if I had an unpaid position.

I know it's a bit of a wild shot asking for a job on the forum and it is not the purpose of the forum at all, but perhaps I could post my CV and an example of a cover letter I would typically use with my application? Thank you for posting the link to the NYC non-profits organisation. I will have a look and see what they do. You never know maybe they offer free accomodation for interns?

Thanks