1. Placements – why should you do one? Aston University Careers and Employability Centre with SEAS Placements 2010

2. Aims of this session Help you to understand what a placement is What are the benefits of doing one? How and where do you begin to get one? Who can help?

3. Who are we? Emily Hammond - Placement Officer, MB133 e.j.hammond@aston.ac.uk Siobhan Qadir - SEAS Careers Link Adviser qadirs@aston.ac.uk

4. What is a placement? “A Sandwich Placement ("Internship" or "Industrial Placement") is a validated work experience opportunity which forms part of a university degree programme (usually the third year, of a four year course).” Wiki jobs http://www.wikijob.co.ukhttp://www.wikijob.co.uk Aston student Sunil Pardasani, Electronic Engineering and Computer Science on his placement.

5. Why is a placement so useful Applications – learn procedures involved Employers want relevant experience ‘Try before you buy’ Develop your skills and self confidence Get a graduate job before you graduate Earn cash Better degree classification/ better grad job pay Nathan Shane (2005) Logistics (Now Project Manager for Proctor and Gamble )

6. Where can I do a placement? Locally Nationally Internationally

7. An employer speaks… "Strong academic performance is a pre requisite for application, but those with the Employability edge will demonstrate experience and skills gained inside and outside of study that puts them in the best possible position, even in a downturn." Sonja Stockton, head of PwC’s graduate recruitment Times 20/01/09

8. How do I start? THINK! Which particular area or sector? What do I want from my career? my placement? Who do I target? Where will I find the vacancies? When are the closing dates? How do I apply? Why not download Careers leaflets and start your CV & covering letter? Rob Prince, Automotive Design (2009)

9. What do I start? What placement job do you want? Which companies offer this? Reflect on your work experience Look at ways to develop your skills – Guild activity? Professional bodies? Work experience?

10. Placement Registration Form

11. Where are the vacancies for me? Vacancies available on the Placement Database Vacancies online

12. How do I access the Placement Database? Select Vacancies and follow the link Access the database via Blackboard: EAS Placement (2011-12)EAS Placement (2011-12) Via the Aston Careers and Employability Centre pages on the website (under placements).

13. Placement Database Login:

14. Create your personal search: Select Create a New Search

15. Select search criteria:

16. View results.....

17. .....and start applying

18. When I get my Placement what then? It is your responsibility to find a placement (we can support you) Once you have found a placement you must get it validated

19. Resources for you to use Visit the Careers website for: Vacancies Events Leaflets Ruth Bullerwell, Maths and Business Studies (2009)

20. Remember …. Aston University won Rate My Placements 2010 ‘Award for the University with a forward thinking attitude to Work Experience’ AND!!! “Placement student of the year” Nick Gilbert, BSc Marketing

21. CVs and applications Wednesday 27 th October 1pm, Sumpner Lecture Theatre Bring a printed copy of your CV and we will give you some advice following the lecture Next session is on…

22. Stay if you want and ask questions on doing a placement, if not see you next time And now Q & A….