Please give a brief description of your placement role.
I worked as a Technician alongside a team of Design & Technology teachers, who taught 11-18 year olds all about the workshops and how to create a physical object from ideas on a piece of paper.
What did you enjoy most about your placement?
I loved having the opportunity to work in the real world and interact with people who were themselves designing. Working with secondary school kids meant that I was constantly pushing myself to collaborate with them to create new and different ideas. I really enjoyed teaching the younger kids about the possibilities available to you when you understand the materials and machines available to them. This was alongside trying to keep up with the fascinating minds of the older pupils, who would take an idea to new heights, bouncing ideas off one another as they went.
What was your proudest achievement in this role?
There was a small handful of pupils struggling to get their physical coursework submissions ready by the deadline, who I worked everyday with (both before and after school, along with all breaktimes). In persevering together, they were able to hand in a product that they were proud of on time.
How have you developed professionally since you began your placement?
I have developed my ability to communicate within a team and have become more confident, both in the workshops and in my ability to command a classroom of pupils. The timings of this job have also allowed me to develop my own personal interests in design sects and enter them into competitions.
What advice would you give to students wanting to work in this industry/sector?
Whilst there is the demand to know about the tools and machines you are working with, the most important thing is your ability to communicate with both pupils and staff. Remember that despite their position or age or ability, nobody is below you. Making an effort to speak to all the staff and pupils will make your placement much more enjoyable.
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