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Placement Success Helps In The Pursue Of A Career

Nikki Wilson is studying Human Resources (HR) and Events Management at the University having just begun her final year. Nikki completed a one-year placement at a leading IT company to help her pursue her career in HR.

Much needed experience

A placement year was not part of Nikki’s course but she knew that to have a career in HR you need to have work experience. Nikki explained: “Half way through my second year I applied for a role at Computacenter and was successful in my application, being offered a one year’s placement as a HR Assistant.”

An understanding of HR

Nikki carried out a variety of tasks during her placement year: “The tasks I carried out consisted of taking minutes for meetings, diary management and answering the telephones. I would shadow other members of the HR team on case work, which I found really helped me in gaining an understanding of HR. The case work I shadowed included flexible working meetings, disciplinary and grievance investigations.”

As the student placement, Nikki also had to assist the occupational health advisor to promote health and well-being initiatives to staff. As a department, there was a HR mailbox which employees would email their queries to and the HR team would respond accordingly. Nikki also arranged assessment centres for recruiting new members of staff and organised a stress workshop for employees.

Advice

Nikki’s placement has given her invaluable experience and furthered her HR knowledge through practical learning. Although every HR department will be different, Nikki now has the background knowledge to help her move forward with her career in HR.

As advice to students planning a placement year, Nikki said: “Definitely apply and go for it, as you are able to see if the area you are working in is actually for you. A placement helps you to understand your work through a real life business environment rather than through a classroom perspective.

“Do not be afraid to ask questions; if training is available to you, take it! Also, do as much as possible and get involved with your team to make the most of the experience.”

Find out more

To find out more about studying HR and Events Management at the University please visit www.herts.ac.uk/courses/subjects/event_management/undergraduate.cfm http://www.herts.ac.uk/courses/subjects/human_resource_management/undergraduate.cfm

Nikki’s case study has featured in Graduate Prospects’ October Work Experience and Internships issue http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/146f2a67#/146f2a67/1

For more student and graduate advice and opportunities, please visit www.prospects.ac.uk