Introduction to Placements

Dr Vikki Carolan – Placement Tutor

Topics covered today:employabilitywhat we mean by a placement

What is employability?

‘a set of achievements - skills, understandings and personal attributes - that make graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations, which benefits themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy.’

Yorke 2006

Ways to improve employability:get a (science) degreeget (relevant) work experiencedevelop transferable skills

PSP1, PSP2 and PSP3 will all aid this process

Spending year 3 on placement will improve your employability

What is a 'placement'?fantastic, exciting, daunting opportunity

48 weeks employment (often paid) in industry / research institute / hospital .......

Placement period - year 3 of a 4 year degree

Day to day work; projects; team working; communication; learning; self-development etc.

placements located throughout UK (and a few in Europe)

Placement gives experience of 'reality'; may let you try out a career

Placements can be:

lab-based e.g. microbiology, analysis, synthesis, genetics, biochemistry, toxicology, hospital labs etc

non-lab based e.g. clinical data management, bioinformatics, technical writing, clinical trials, field work, primary / secondary education

more info on types of placement later in module

Who can do a placement?

Any student on the Biosciences programme

But...........getting a placement is like getting a

job

you have to make (lots of) applicationsyou have to prepare for and attend interviews

Aims of a placement

It provides the opportunity to:participate in the job selection processapply specialist skills & knowledge in a work

environmentsee relevance of your studies to the workplaceexperience different techniques/equipmentdevelop key skillsconsider career optionsbe an independent learnerimprove employability

To obtain a 'sandwich degree' you must satisfactorily complete a placement

How do I obtain a placement?Start a 'placement file'Produce a good CV

advice / guidelines in PSP modulesseek and utilise feedbackfinalise over summer (1st year results; potential

employers may ask SHU for results transcript)

Practice...covering lettersapplication form questionsamend based on feedback

How to get a placement, contd.....Get a good academic reference:attendanceattitudemarks

Attend placement workshops (year one and year two)Follow guidanceUse facilities and expertise available to you (Careers

Service)If you have contacts - use them

We help you to obtain a placement - you get it!

How does a placement help with my degree:

you get a sandwich award (shows employability)

you get another reference sourceyou make professional contactsyou may get a job offeryou may enhance your final degree

classification

It contributes to the PSP3 module

Professional & Scientific Practice 3

20C level 6 module based around employability

you have to show evidence of transferrable skills and employability

Components:literature review (40%)employability portfolio (60%)

Employability portfolio:

skills reviews, pre- and post-work experienceevidence of oral and other communication

skillswritten work based on professional

experiencereflection on employabilitygraduate level CV

Work experience can be from: 12 month placement; summer projects; part-time work; Venture matrix; simulated work experience

To do or not to do a placement......

To get a sandwich degree need to do a placement!

Aims: improve your employability experience of job selection process development of academic and transferrable skills consider future career options become an 'independent learner'; identification of

strengths & weaknesses

Research has shown students that have completed placements tend to get a better final degree than FT equivalents

BUT - obtaining a placement is hard work and requires dedication and planning