Tell us a bit about your placement role
I worked as a DBS and Scholarships assistant for Brunel. My placement provided me an opportunity to experience the realities of working life and helped me to prepare for my future career. My daily role involved a wide variety of tasks, including responding to queries from students over the phone and email. My main task was to assist with the DBS and scholarships, but I also supported the admissions and enquiries team as a whole. It gave me a chance to experience the other side of university life, which is something I would not have encountered without this placement. What I enjoyed is that there was always something to keep me busy so there would not be a moment where I was sitting around doing nothing. The placement helped me to develop my skills further both on a professional and personal level. I can now apply my learning into real life situations, both in my studies and in my professional life.
What have been the challenges and highlights of this experience?
I learned what professional life looks like. In the beginning I struggled a bit with time management but while working I learned that I needed to focus on my punctuality. This was an important lesson that will help me be successful in future roles. On the last day of my job, I was sad to leave as I had learnt many precious and important things.
What support did you recieve from the PDC and how it has helped your professional development?
I visited the PDC many times throughout my second year, and this really helped me to find a placement. My placement adviser helped me to develop an eye-catching and effective CV. I was also able to build my confidence through attending lots of helpful workshops run by the PDC - these helped with all aspects of employability skills.
What advice would you give to students or recent graduates wanting to work in a similar area?
If you've decided to do a placement, it's a good idea to visit the PDC right from the start, in your first year. This will give you plenty of time to prepare yourself for applications. Your careers consultant will be able to guide and advise you on how to build your skills and improve your approach. In your second year, you'll need dedication and commitment to be able to secure a placement, but working closely with your placement adviser makes this easier.