Industrial Placement Student Review

Working with the ecology team in a mixture of site and desk based work. Site work usually involves assisting lead surveyors on a range of ecological survey types including habitat, bat, badger, otter and water vole surveys. Desk work includes report writing, data analysis and organisation, survey scheduling, and survey preparation.

As I progressed through the placement I saw an increasing amount of responsibility given to me. I was treated as any other team member when approached for work and recieved plenty of support when needed. I was responsible for my own organisation of work, preparation for surveys, and later on in the placement I was responsible for producing health and safety documentation for a number of projects and site visits which would help guide other surveyors' prep work.

Ecological survey skills I used throughout my placement were completely or recently new to me before starting my role. I gained or developed survey skills while out of site and was supported by lead surveyors. I also gained a number of new health and safety qualifications including safe working near water, outdoor first aid, and asbestos awareness.

I recieved support directly from my team and from other members of the department when asked for. Weekly team meetings, quaterly meetings with my line manager, and regular communication via teams facilitated this

My team and wider department were very friendly and approachable. Despite having concerns about working in a corporate space, I felt I was able to be relaxed while still being professional. The wider company encourages social activities and opportunities for different offices and divisions to meet. I was given the chance to take part in volunteer work and corporate social responsibility opportunities.

I thoughroughly enjoyed my placement. I felt I was doing work that I enjoyed and have progressed skills that I wanted to improve. I have felt included and respected while working, and haven't felt that I was taken advantage of or dismissed because I was a placement student. I felt satisfied with the work I completed and am more confident going back to work after graduating.

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