2. OBTAINING MY PLACEMENT
Found my placement advertised on UniHub
Completed the application form
Was offered an interview over zoom
Used feedback from practice interview with Niki
Abbott
Started placement on the 6th September
Finished on the 5th August
Obtained a reference from my PSP2 tutor
Check regularly
3. MY PLACEMENT ORGANISATION
Sheffield Hallam is one of the UK’s largest and diverse
universities with more than 30,000 students (1)
The university’s current mission is working towards its strategy
of ‘Transforming lives’
Delivered by three core activities:
Contributed to these every day as a placement student . . .
Research and innovation
Teaching and learning
Commitment to place
(1) Our strategy | Sheffield Hallam University. (2017).
Shu.ac.uk. https://www.shu.ac.uk/about-us/strategy
4. MY PALECEMENT ROLE
Worked as an assistant technician within the department
of Laboratory and Analytical Operations (LAO)
The department is split into 3 main areas
Supports Biosciences and Chemistry, Chemical
engineering, MERI, BMRC, Food Sciences and Teacher
Education Science.
I helped facilitate teaching and projects in Owen, Norfolk
and EMB laboratories.
Supported all levels from Undergraduate Foundation to
Masters.
Research and Analytical operations
Life sciences
Science projects
MERI = Materials and engineering research institute
BMRC = Biomolecular research centre
EMB = Eric Mensforth Building
5. SEMESTER 1 DUTIES
Completed induction and a range of training courses
Assisted lead members of staff in preparing and testing
reagents for teaching practical’s
Assisted in set up and clean down laboratory classes
Responsible for equipment maintenance of
thermometers, hotplate stirrers and homogenisers
Weekly legionella checks
Regular stock checks of the prep room
Standard operational procedures
Risk assessments
6. SEMESTER 2 DUTIES
Given practicals to lead as well as assist on
Assisted in preparations for Undergraduate projects:
Open, closing and restocking of cell culture
Project housekeeping duties:
Balanced this alongside continuing duties from semester 1
More responsibility for the preparation and set up of practicals
Responsible for practical run throughs
Training courses
Organisation of cold room for student reagents
Responsible for producing supervisor boxes
Cell culture – aliquots, cell splitting and cell line maintenance
Restocking of project lab consumables
Waste management
7. SEMESTER 3 DUTIES
Completed practical development
Prepared for masters projects as did for undergraduate
Attended training courses to further develop practical
skills
As confidence increased I assisted on project support
Gained an insight into possible project topics
Helped mentor work experience students
Amended teaching practicals according to feedback from academic staff
Checked all related documents – Quality management system, RA, lab script, standard data
8. Professional and
organisational
awareness – valued
by NHS
SKILLS GAINED
Verbal and written
communication
Skills
Teamworking skills –
Showing leadership
when leading pracs
Active listening when
assisting
Self-
Improvement – reflect
for performance
reviews and synoptic
learning portfolio
Problem solving
and resilience
Numeracy and
IT skills
Increased
confidence
Developed best
working practice
and theory
knowledge
Time
management
skills
9. THINGS TO CONSIDER
Other Benefits
Paid placement
Year out of ‘university learning’
Head start on final year coursework – PSP3 portfolio
Gave me the confidence to take new opportunities e.g. STEM
ambassador volunteering
Need to consider
Completion of the IBMS portfolio
8.30 am -5.30 pm working week (get annual leave)
Reduced funding during a placement year
Work contract may not align with accommodation dates
10. SUMMARY!
Placement is great way of gaining experience in the world of work which
will help you in applying for graduate roles.
Gain a variety of course specific and transferrable skills which will equip
you for your final year of study
Opportunity to gain an insight in what you would like to do for your final
year project
Chance to meet new people – socialise outside of work (2) Placements | Sheffield Hallam University. (2019). Shu.ac.uk.
https://www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/why-choose-
us/employability/placements
According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency 82% of students who
take a placement year at Hallam are in highly skilled employment or
further study 15 months after graduating (2).
