Whether optional or essential, an industry placement provides valuable work experience, which for most graduates is a lifeline when hunting for a job, particularly when the words “experience required” appear on the job description.
Of course, we can list the obvious benefits of a placement year that most people and Universities will tell you for example, you will increase your employability, discover the real working world, and build your professional networks. But truthfully, an undergraduate will only benefit from a year in placement if the employer gives them a real opportunity to make an impact within the company.
How we do it at SE Controls
At SE Controls, we are passionate about introducing undergraduates to our business on flexible 3, 6, and 12-month placement opportunities, enabling them to share their latest skills and knowledge, and add a new perspective and vision to our business with energy and enthusiasm.
From day one, our undergraduates become ‘one of the team’ embedded within our inclusive culture, fully integrated into the business, and receiving the same trust and respect all our employees receive.
It’s not unusual for some businesses to offer fixed placement opportunities; however, we pride ourselves on being able to shape and steer our placements to provide greater value to both the student and the business, because we tailor the placement content individually.
Those joining us can make a difference and take away clear learning evidence to showcase what they’ve achieved. We do this by not asking them to just complete generic tasks, but by giving them the confidence and autonomy to frequently take on real-life business projects that add legitimate value to the business.
We recognise that students need more than just exposure to the technical skills in relation to their degrees, but also development in the softer skills too, as these will not only better equip them to complete their degree but allow them to stand out from the crowd in a highly competitive working world once they graduate.
We interviewed our graduates so that they could tell us first-hand about their knowledge and experiences.
Efe Suner, Computer Sciences, University of Birmingham
Efe, studying Computer Science at Birmingham University, has joined our DIS (Digital Information Systems) team on a year’s placement. Having discovered us at a career fair he clicked with our HR Manager, Amanda, as she described several ongoing projects that are being steered by the DIS team. This piqued Efe’s curiosity and in his own words, his “curiosity was rewarded”.
The interview process was an opportunity for our undergraduates to talk about their interests and if they had a particular direction that they hoped their placement would go in. In Efes’s case, he was keen to develop his cyber security knowledge and improve his knowledge in IT.
The onboarding process provided Efe, and our other undergraduates, vital interview experience to take with them when trying to break through barriers, that’ll propel them onto their career paths once graduated.
So, what projects has Efe got his teeth stuck into?
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Development of SE Controls’ online product configurator.
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Equipping new starters with the IT infrastructure that allows them to do their job effectively and providing ongoing support with end-user IT queries.
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Developing and improving our cloud and on-premises infrastructure systems.
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Developing and maintaining our cyber security along with our infrastructure security systems.
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Preparing cyber security training for employees to ensure employees remain safe online and offline whilst at work and personally.
Efe described his time so far at SE Controls as “going better than he expected”. He feels like he has been given responsibility and autonomy to press on with the projects he is involved in, knowing that when he needs support he doesn’t have to look far. In fact, Efe described the team here at SE Controls as “kind, helpful, understanding and accommodating”.
Charlie Cox, Mechatronics Robotics Systems Engineering, University of Birmingham
Charlie, studying Mechatronics Robotics Systems Engineering has joined our Operations/Research & Development department on a 6-month placement. Charlie initially struggled to find a suitable placement because of the complexity of the course title until he approached SE Controls. After only just a few meetings with SE Controls, he described the feeling as “everything felt right” and he was being noticed and listened to when discussing the objectives that he wanted to achieve from the placement.
Charlie’s time with SE Controls so far has “exceeded all expectations”. Much like Efe’s experience, Charlie also feels like he’s been given the opportunity to take responsibility but knows that the support is there when he needs it.
Charlie commented that his feelings and thoughts have been noted in conversations with his colleagues, shaping the project he is currently working on.
In just a short time, Charlie has appreciated the benefit of an inclusive company culture that encourages all employees to have a voice, which he feels will add value to his prospects in the employment market.
David Cattell, Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham
David, studying Chemical Engineering, has joined SE Controls on a 3-month placement over the summer months and will soon be returning to university to start his 2nd year.
David was of the minority, as someone that had just finished his 1st year and was eager to build his work experience alongside his studies to ensure that he wouldn’t finish his degree without any experience, enabling him to stand out amongst others.
Having described opportunities as few and far between, as most employers were looking for 2nd or 3rd year students. David described SE Controls as welcoming from the initial contact at the careers fair through to the interview and beyond. The fact that David had just finished his 1st year wasn’t an obstacle for SE Controls.
Working in Procurement, David has achieved the goals he had from the outset:
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Gain industry experience.
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Develop his soft skills, which would put him in a better position for future career prospects.
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Gain an understanding of how a business operates.
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Gained insight into the broad applications of his Chemical Engineering degree.
In just 3 months, David has worked across many departments, working closely with production and colleagues in the warehouse. He was given the opportunity to build one of our products, a window actuator, and feels like he has gained insight into a business’ supply chain.
David said that he’s found his placement fulfilling since he is a part of improving life safety. He also “didn’t realise the importance of company culture” before joining SE Controls and would certainly be looking for companies with a similar ethos once he graduates.
SE Controls Leading the Way
With costs increasing it comes as no surprise that the number of placement opportunities out there for undergraduates is falling and will likely continue to fall over the coming years. However, here at SE Controls, we have no plans to withdraw our valuable placements that benefit not only the undergraduate but also the business.
As we continue to invest in the talent of the future, we aim to improve our opportunities year on year, by taking learnings from our undergraduates to enable us to create even better worthwhile opportunities for the next students who join us. We want to put those who complete an internship with us in the best place when they are tackling the challenge of securing their first role after graduating, and we will wish them well as they begin their career journey beyond us, proud in the knowledge we helped steer that course.