In our final blog post about work experience for students in the language services industry, we look at how companies and participants can get the most out of a placement.
If you are planning a placement, or would like to know what to expect when a student spends time in your business setting for the first time, here are a few areas to consider.
1. Ask questions
Find out what the requirements are from the university or college, and what the student hopes to get out of their time with you. You could organise a visit or a video call before the start of the placement to get to know the student and what they want to achieve.
2. Confirm details before the placement starts
Make sure you understand if the student and their university are expecting you to provide a paid or unpaid placement, if expenses should be reimbursed and if there is any documentation you are expected to provide. Some universities require a placement agreement which sets out the terms of the arrangement and includes details such as working hours, breaks, lunch facilities, dress code and emergency contact details. A placement agreement can be a good idea even if the student or university doesn't request one, as it clarifies the terms for everyone involved.
3. Plan activities in advance
Think about what areas of the business the student would benefit from experiencing, how they can get involved, which activities then can do and how you can make the placement as varied and challenging as possible. You may need to discuss these arrangements with colleagues and share out tasks and responsibilities so that the experience is as consistent and beneficial as possible for everyone.
4. Consider practical aspects
It can be important to think about everyday aspects of working at your company, such as how your student will access your office, what work space and resources are available and what software and system access they might need to carry out tasks. It can also be helpful to find out if the student has any special requirements that you might need to consider, such as building access arrangements, a quiet space, workspace modifications or additional support.
5. Check your policies, agreements and insurance arrangements
Make sure that your policies and insurance documents cover work placement students and that your planned activities respect agreements with clients. If you intend to use any training materials, you should check that you are allowed to share them with people who are not company employees.
6. Provide induction training
You need to think about how to make your student aware of health and safety, cyber security and confidentiality requirements, and also spend time introducing them to your company's policies, procedures, working practices, systems and history so they can work effectively as part of the team.
7. Provide regular opportunities for supervision and feedback
Many universities require students to have a named supervisor as a contact person to answer any questions and provide regular opportunities to discuss their performance. You may also wish to meet with the student at the end of the placement to review what they have learned and achieved, how it relates to their career goals and what their next steps might be, particularly if they plan to look for work soon.
8. Treat your student as a member of the team
Students, especially undergraduate and post-graduate students, have a lot of skills and knowledge that they can bring to their host company, and a work placement is a great opportunity for businesses and students to learn from each other. Where possible, involve students in as many areas of the business as you can and allow them to take an active role. In our experience, it is well worth it!
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