Over the last few weeks we have been holding Pre Placement briefings for our Year in Business students (YIBs) who are about to start on placement. For the first time we have held such briefings virtually, which has had the advantage of allowing us to invite students currently out on placement to join and share their experience and top tips with the students. A massive thanks to Harry (placement at Mercedes Benz), Hannah (PwC), Georgie (Microsoft) and Simran (Sumitomo Mitsui bank) who joined our briefings.
It has been a challenging year for YIBs seeking a placement in 2020/21. For a few students placement offers were rescinded and others found fewer vacancies being advertised due to COVID-19. However, we are pleased that so many students have secured positions and that one, Dania, was not put off by having her offer rescinded and has gone on to secure another position, a Finance placement with The National Physics Laboratory. This is fantastic news!
Many companies are continuing with their programmes, with students starting remotely with the view of transitioning back to the office when this is possible. Students are starting with Awin, BMW, Brondby IF (Denmark), Canon UK, CGI, Disperse Lt, Frost Wealth Management, Grohe, Lazard, London Infrastructure Limited, L’Oreal, Maxus Solutions Ltd, National Physics Laboratory, Quick Cart Ltd, Rolls Royce, Samsung, SAP, Take-Two Interactive, The Walt Disney Company, Vilinius, Virgin Media and VMWare. Massive congratulations to all! We also have students continuing to seek placements with the deadline for applications being July 31st
The YIBs were reminded of the benefits of the Year
in Business programme:
> the chance to try out a Career path and determine if they want to do this long term.
> the possibility of securing a graduate job offer or being fast tracked through recruitment.
> the opportunity to gain valuable experience on their CVs – highly valued by graduate employers.
> development of increased focus and time management skills – can lead to better Final year results
> increased personal development which builds self confidence.
The current placement students shared their top tips, including their experiences of working remotely during the latter part of their placements. Further material about Remote working and the Thriving on Placement manual can be found on the Year in Business moodle page (2nd years). Top tips include:
> the chance to try out a Career path and determine if they want to do this long term.
> the possibility of securing a graduate job offer or being fast tracked through recruitment.
> the opportunity to gain valuable experience on their CVs – highly valued by graduate employers.
> development of increased focus and time management skills – can lead to better Final year results
> increased personal development which builds self confidence.
The current placement students shared their top tips, including their experiences of working remotely during the latter part of their placements. Further material about Remote working and the Thriving on Placement manual can be found on the Year in Business moodle page (2nd years). Top tips include:
> Seek opportunities - speak out with your ideas and be motivated to go above and beyond
> Know how to manage your workload/ plan your time and seek help with priorities if needed
> Don't be afraid to ask questions
> It may take a while to adjust but the outcome is worth it!
> Communication is key
> Brush up on excel before you start.
Hear more from former YIBs: http://yibprofile.blogspot.com/2019/10/rhyib03-placement-advice-v2.html
We talked about expectations of the Placement Provider, student and
University during the Placement year. As part of this we talked about the
importance of open communication and keeping the lines of communication open with Managers, understanding how
feedback will be given and being receptive to such feedback and presenting
solutions to situations and not just problems. YIBs were also reminded that the Year in
Business team at the University are also there for them during their year: they
can call to talk through anything at any stage and indeed will receive a visit
or MS teams call from the YIB team.
Resilience is an important skill employers are seeking and some of the key features will help the YIBs get the most out of their placement. Defined as an individual’s ability to overcome difficult experiences and adapt to new situations, resilience is key for solving problems and prospering in today’s job market. Many of the YIBs have demonstrated resilience in securing placements during the challenges of COVID-19. Students are encourage to:
Resilience is an important skill employers are seeking and some of the key features will help the YIBs get the most out of their placement. Defined as an individual’s ability to overcome difficult experiences and adapt to new situations, resilience is key for solving problems and prospering in today’s job market. Many of the YIBs have demonstrated resilience in securing placements during the challenges of COVID-19. Students are encourage to:
1. Adopt a positive mindset
2. Be open to continually learning – think of obstacles as stepping stones to develop your own career
3. Identify goals – this will help put short term difficulties into perspective and help one move forward.
4. Network – make connections with others to learn from them and gain support during periods of difficulty or uncertainty. If working remotely initially, do take advantage of every virtual networking event, be it a lunch or team building activity.
The Workshop concluded by reminding students that while starting a placement can be nerve wracking, it will also be a fun and unique experience. It provides the chance to make useful contacts and gain invaluable skills/ experience helping with applications for graduate positions.
2. Be open to continually learning – think of obstacles as stepping stones to develop your own career
3. Identify goals – this will help put short term difficulties into perspective and help one move forward.
4. Network – make connections with others to learn from them and gain support during periods of difficulty or uncertainty. If working remotely initially, do take advantage of every virtual networking event, be it a lunch or team building activity.
The Workshop concluded by reminding students that while starting a placement can be nerve wracking, it will also be a fun and unique experience. It provides the chance to make useful contacts and gain invaluable skills/ experience helping with applications for graduate positions.
Some of our students starting on placement
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