SMILE
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Unit 12: Preparing for placement

What do you aim to achieve?

To make the most of your work experience it is important to consider what you can learn from each of the following categories. Choose two or three outcomes which are important for you from the list. You can then note them down and use them as the basis for a personal work experience action plan.

Academic and Personal Learning

To enhance the quality of your academic knowledge, learning and the application of that learning to the workplace. Click on the grey box below for some examples:

Some academic and personal learning activities which you can carry out in the workplace
  • Investigate vocational training and funding opportunities such as post-graduate awards
  • Apply your academic discipline in the real world, in other words, the work place
  • Continue with an existing academic interest
  • Further develop knowledge of a specific subject area
  • Broaden academic learning
  • Gain the ability to transfer academic skills to new situations
  • Seek academic or other credit such as NVQ, or a professional qualification.
  • Gain the Confidence to apply knowledge in the work situations
  • Take a greater responsibility for your own learning and development
  • Improve research skills, perhaps develop new methods of gathering and analysing information

Career Management

To maximise the experience in order to develop your self-reliance and career management skills to boost your career potential. Click on the grey box below for some examples:

Some career management activities which you can carry out in the workplace
  • Review and evaluate learning and performance. opportunities such as post-graduate awards.
  • Find out how organisations recruit and select people: what they look for.
  • Find out about the organisations connected to the work you are in, like suppliers, and customers.
  • Seek feedback on your development from others, for example, a mentor, buddy, or supervisor.
  • Use your experiences to think about what you really want to do with the rest of your life!
  • Find out what really motivates and interests you.
  • Look at how you cope with stress.
  • Explore a range of career opportunities in existing and growth areas. Broaden your horizons.
  • Look at how to cope with uncertainty, and make informed decisions.
  • Record your experiences - keep a log or diary.
  • Ensure that you and the organisation are clear of what is expected of each other.
  • Gain an insight into a sector of employment.
  • Improve organisation, planning, project and time management skills.
  • Increase self-confidence.
  • Try taking the initiative.
  • Take advantage of in-house training.
  • Find new role model.
  • Recognise the benefits of work experience regardless of its status, for example bar work.

Creative Commons License
SMILE - Preparing for Placement by Leeds Metropolitan University Employability Office, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/metoffice/employability/resources/learning_objects/workexperience/index.htm.