You find a placement without contacts by searching widely, applying to openly advertised roles and building connections as you go. Plenty of students do it every year.
Why do contacts matter so much?
Because many roles are never advertised. Sutton Trust research found internships were almost twice as likely to be found through family and friends (20%) as through an advert (11%) (Sutton Trust, 2025). If you don’t have those connections, you have to look harder for the roles that are open to everyone.
Where should you look?
- Placement job boards. jobsforinterns brings placements from across the UK into one place, so every student sees the same roles.
- Your university careers service. Ask what placements past students on your course have taken.
- Employer websites. Larger companies often list placement schemes on their own careers pages.
- LinkedIn. Follow companies you’d like to work for and turn on job alerts.
Can you build contacts from scratch?
Yes. Go to careers fairs and employer talks, join societies linked to your subject, and message people on LinkedIn who did a placement where you’d like to work. Keep it short and ask one specific question. Most people are happy to help a student.
What if you don’t hear back?
Keep applying. Placements receive over 100 applications each, so rejections are part of the process for everyone. Ask for feedback, adjust your CV and set up job alerts so you’re among the first to apply.