Here at SilverDoor, our Academy Placement Scheme offers more than just a year of work experience, it serves as a vital bridge between the theory you learn in your degree and its application in the real world. Nothing prepares you for professional life quite like a placement; it’s an invaluable opportunity that goes far beyond just a year in industry.
How does a placement scheme kickstart your career?
Next year marks the 19th year of our academy, a milestone we are truly proud of. Over nearly two decades, we’ve seen how the experience transforms students far beyond academic achievement.
From the very first stage of the application process to the final interview, candidates develop resilience and gain transferable skills that cannot be taught in a lecture hall. The process itself:
- Builds confidence
- Sharpens communication
- Nurtures professionalism
… all essential for thriving in the real world of work!
Core skills you will master
Our academy bridges the gap between academic learning and professional life, helping participants grow their networks, clarify their career goals, and enter the next stage of their journey with confidence and purpose. Here are some of the skills we watch grow and develop:
The first, and most immediately apparent, professional development opportunity at SilverDoor is communication. Regardless of your specific function, whether that be technology, finance, or client-facing roles, the daily operations require high-level interaction. This means you will naturally and continually develop professional communication skills through active participation in meetings, as well as necessary engagement with clients, property partners, and colleagues. This commitment to consistent, multi-faceted interaction across the company ensures that, regardless of department, every placement gains this invaluable and highly transferable skill, which is critical for success both within SilverDoor and throughout their future career.
Hear from Caroline Whitson – Marketing Placement 2013/14, NOW Vice President Marketing, as she reflects on how her communication developed.
“When I reflect on my placement year, what truly stands out is the communication skills I developed through everyday interactions. It was during that time I learned to communicate with clarity, confidence, and purpose, skills that formed the foundation of my career and still influence my work every day.”
The SilverDoor placement throws you into the heart of the industry's social and professional life, ensuring you leave with top-tier networking and professional etiquette skills. By actively participating in events like FAM trips, careers fairs, and internal secondments, you have the opportunity to gain vital experience interacting with industry leaders and building lasting relationships. At SilverDoor there is a very social atmosphere; from netball, football and an exciting Christmas party, there are countless ways to delve into our company’s culture. You learn the nuances of professional conduct, and build your personal brand and online visibility, from establishing a strong LinkedIn presence to representing yourself confidently at industry events. This exposure is invaluable, preparing you not just for your next job, but for navigating the entire professional landscape with confidence.
Hear from Charles Minshull - Partner Relations Placement 2025/26, as he comments on networking.
“During a year in industry at SilverDoor, the FAM trips and regular visits from property partners make networking feel so natural. Seeing properties in person and meeting managers in a relaxed, social setting gives you the chance to build genuine relationships. It’s also a great way to understand the company’s culture, everyone is approachable, and eager to share their knowledge.”
In a fast-paced environment like SilverDoor, you quickly master the art of time management and organisation. A placement isn't about working on one thing at a time: it’s about strategically managing multiple tasks simultaneously, all while navigating demanding and often overlapping deadlines. You learn to prioritise what truly matters and break down large tasks into manageable steps. This hands-on experience transforms a student into a highly efficient and reliable professional, ready to handle the complex, real-world demands of any future role.
Hear from Millie Cain- Marketing Support Placement 2025/26, as she explains her personal development of time management.
“My placement with SilverDoor has taught me invaluable time-keeping skills, which help me form productive routines, efficient workflow and channel positive energy in the workplace. When I return to University, I'm excited to use my experience and these skills to better organise my time on campus. ”
Crucially, the placement provides you with more than just generic business skills, you gain industry-specific expertise that makes you immediately valuable in your chosen field. But a long-term benefit is the profound insight it gives into your career direction. By immersing yourself in a real, functioning role, you truly begin to understand your professional passions, discovering exactly what kind of environment, role, and company suits you best. This year acts as a high-value experiment, saving you years of uncertainty by helping you graduate with clear focus, purpose, and a proven passion for your path.
Hear from Matthew Bumpus – It Support 2023/24, NOW Systems Support Engineer, as he explains how a placement helped gain clarity surrounding his passions.
"My placement at SilverDoor gave me the confidence and clarity to pursue my career in IT. It helped me discover my passion for hands-on, problem-solving work, which ultimately led me to my current role as a Systems Support Engineer”
A personal transformation during your placement is the profound growth in confidence. While you will undoubtedly face challenges and encounter difficulties adjusting to the specific processes and the ‘right way’ things operate within the company, overcoming these hurdles is what drives growth. The environment demands that you take initiative and rely on self-motivation, skills which are undeniably developed throughout the year. By successfully navigating new tasks, solving unexpected problems, and contributing meaningfully, you build a robust sense of self-belief that is invaluable in your final year and every step of your professional future.
Hear from Anna Sava – Finance Placement 2013-2014, NOW Vice President of Finance, as she emphasises how skills she learnt became vital for the future.
“During a placement, your confidence grows so much, not just through comfort, but through challenge. Every unfamiliar task, every new process to learn, and every problem you overcome becomes proof that you are capable. That self-belief became one of the most valuable skills I carried into my final year and played a huge part in my journey to becoming Vice President of Finance.”
Balancing work, study and life
A vital part of a placement is learning to adjust to a structured routine that university life doesn’t always demand. While you might initially miss the freedom of campus, you quickly adapt to your new responsibilities and the rhythm of a professional week, which is crucial for long-term career success. This discipline helps you appreciate your evenings and weekends! This isn't just about work, though, we encourage connection as much as possible with SilverDoor socials, we offer opportunities such as parties, football, netball, and morning yoga.
What truly makes SilverDoor stand out is the unique aspect of housing: for both our London and Lancaster offices, we take the hassle out of finding accommodation by providing a fully furnished property for all our placements to live together. This arrangement maintains that fun, university feel and a socially connected atmosphere, while offering a manageable commute and plenty of opportunities to explore your new location.
Hear from Lydia Rowles - Marketing Support Placement 2019/20, NOW Senior Marketing Executive, as she speaks on her experience in the placement house.
"You become so much closer to your fellow placements by all living in a shared space. Moving to a new city can be a little daunting, but you’re all in the same boat in the placement house – having each other made everything so much easier and way more fun!”
Your Career Accelerator: Placement to Permanent Role
While you’re busy mastering new skills on the job, your placement year is also the ultimate career accelerator! It isn’t just a year of work, but an investment in your future self. By gaining true industry-level experience in your chosen field, you immediately create a powerful advantage, instantly differentiating yourself from other graduates. Crucially, the connections you make whether with colleagues, clients, or partners, become your professional network, unlocking doors and opportunities you wouldn't otherwise access.
The Placement Academy is where your journey begins, and applications for our 2026/27 cohort are officially open!
Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to transform your final year and kickstart your professional life. Start your journey now and check out our detailed brochure and apply here.
FAQs
What kind of work / responsibilities will I have?
- Across all teams, you’ll attend partner visits, have opportunities to go on FAM trips, and participate in internal and external meetings. At SilverDoor, placements are treated as genuine members of the team, so you’ll be given meaningful tasks, real ownership, and responsibilities that contribute directly to the business.
What support and guidance will I receive as a placement?
- Every placement student is assigned a dedicated line manager who holds regular catchups with you to review your workload, performance, development, and priorities. Your well-being is a key focus, and these check-ins ensure you feel supported and comfortable in your role. In addition to your line manager, you’ll also be paired with a buddy from either the London or Lancaster office. Our buddies are former placement students themselves, so they understand exactly what the experience is like. They’re there to answer questions, offer guidance, and help ease any nerves as you settle in.
Can you tell me more about the placement housing?
- SilverDoor removes the stress of managing accommodation during your placement year by providing fully arranged shared housing. We source the property, handle the deposit, and set up all utilities and household bills on your behalf. Rent and bills are bundled together and deducted directly from your monthly payslip, keeping the process simple and hassle-free. If any housing-related issues arise, the Workplace Operations team oversees the accommodation and is available to resolve problems quickly and effectively.
What happens at the end of the placement?
- Many placement students have the opportunity to convert into a full-time role after they finish their studies and graduate. At SilverDoor, successful placement students may be offered permanent positions if suitable vacancies are available. To date, at least 26 former placement students have returned to the business, with many progressing into senior roles. If you’re interested in coming back after your studies, we encourage you to let us know, we’re always keen to support strong talent where opportunities exist.
How do I apply to the SilverDoor placement academy?
- You can apply to the SilverDoor Placement Academy by exploring our academy brochure, choosing the role that best matches your skills and interests, and submitting an application.
