Sandwich courses and work placements are a great way to get some real world skills and convince a prospective employer that you're not too wet behind the ears.

If your degree doesn't incorporate a sandwich year, however, don't despair. You can use your spare time and holidays to get vital work experience in your chosen field.

What is a sandwich course?

These are degree courses involving an extra year, 'sandwiched' between your years of study. During the extra year you get to work with an organisation or department in your degree field. If you're studying chemistry you could work with ICI, or a budding journalist might join a local paper for a placement.

The extra year does not necessarily involve a work placement. Language courses, for example, commonly send undergraduates abroad for a year to put their skills into practice, usually as an assistant in a school.

What's in it for me?

• It proves to potential employers that you've been in the real world during your degree
• It gives you vital workplace experience where you can pick up extra skills
• It will boost your confidence and ability to interact with professionals
• If you shine, the company could offer you a long-term job at the end of your degree

What if my course doesn't include a work placement?

All is not lost, but it is up to you to make an effort and knock on a few doors.

If you can't find paid work to fit in with your studies, you might well have to work for free and sacrifice some of your precious free time.

The most important thing is to make the most of any opportunities. For example, if you want to get into the media, work on the student paper; if you want to get into education, do some voluntary work at a school or playschool; if you want to get into the care sector, volunteer at a hospital or care home.

Make your placement work for you

Once you have landed a placement, you need to make sure that it is time well spent to benefit your career.

Here are some top tips from Sarah Penny, graduate recruitment consultant for the Stevens Company:

• Treat a placement like your first job. Don't slack or see it as a relaxing year away from your studies. That'll be a waste of your time. Dress professionally, watch your timekeeping and remember who's boss.
• As well as picking up skills and abilities related to your course, think about boosting other know-how such as IT or the 'soft skills' that employers look for - communication, time management and organisational skills, for example.
• Try to involve yourself in different roles in various departments. As well as showing you're keen, it will give you an experience of as many areas as possible.
• Aim to leave with a good reference at least, but the best endorsement the company can give you is a job offer at the end of the placement.

How do I apply?

Applying for a placement is like applying for a job. Sell yourself to the organisation with a convincing application. Some companies prefer application forms to letters, and online applications are increasingly common. Like a job, placements usually have academic requirements, so your course grades could be considered.

It's vital to stick to the deadline. Companies have different cut-off dates for placement applications, and you should get in early with your bid to make sure you're ahead of the pack. Steve Isherwood, recruitment advisor for PricewaterhouseCoopers, says you should apply at least six months before the deadline for placement applications. PWC has intakes in August and October, and Isherwood recommends applicants start approaching them soon after Christmas.

The earlier you apply, the better chance you've got of landing the placement you're looking for. The later you leave it, there's more chance of missing out on your first choice location and department. Applying early is also another indication of your keenness and professionalism.

Where should I look?

Totaljobs has a list of the biggest graduate recruiters. Take a look at the employers in your sector.

For general information on placements see www.ukplacements.com.

PricewaterhouseCoopers has a dedicated web site for undergraduates looking for a placement.

The Institute of Cancer Research offers opportunities for students in medical and scientific subjects.

Ernst & Young has placements available for undergraduates in a range of finance-related areas.

The Government has information on numerous departments that offer sandwich placements over different sectors.

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