Steph's industry year: Amazon

Health and Medical Sciences student Steph took a year in industry between her second and third year. Here she shares how she found the experience.

Taking a year out of my degree to work in industry was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It gave me the chance to step outside of university, build real-world skills, and figure out what I enjoy doing.

I decided to do a year in industry because I wasn’t completely sure what career path I wanted to take. I knew experience would help me stand out, but more importantly, I wanted to try things out for myself rather than guessing what might suit me.

During my placement, I worked at Amazon as a Product Manager in the Subscribe & Save team. I got involved in a mix of things like A/B testing, user research, and working with technical teams. I really liked being able to try different areas—it helped me understand how products are developed and how decisions are made behind the scenes.

It wasn’t always easy, but that’s what made it worthwhile. At the start, everything felt new, but over time I became more confident sharing my ideas and taking on responsibility. Being around other young people in similar positions also made a big difference and helped me settle in quickly.

I was based in London and worked in a hybrid way, commuting from home so I could save money while still getting the full experience.

Coming back to university was an adjustment, especially getting back into essay writing, but I noticed a real difference in myself. I felt more confident speaking up, better at managing my time, and more organised overall.

To help ease the transition back, I joined the Residential Community Team, which helped me feel connected again and gave me the chance to build on my leadership skills.

Looking back, the biggest thing I gained wasn’t just experience, it was also confidence. I feel more independent, more sure of myself, and more open to different career paths. It also showed me that you don’t have to stick strictly to roles linked to your degree, your skills can take you in lots of different directions.

Right now, I’m exploring options in areas that combine health, data, and technology. I don’t have everything figured out yet, but I feel much more prepared to make that decision.

If you’re thinking about doing a year in industry, I’d definitely recommend it. Even if you’re unsure, it’s a great way to learn more about yourself and what you want from your future.