Overview

With the end of my second semester working on placement approaching, this entry is an overview of my experience. I write from the perspective of a second-year LLB Law student on placement with the Islamophobia Response Unit (IRU). I cover everything from applying to reflecting on the skills gained to advance career progression.

Application Process and University Support

Having secured my position with the IRU during the autumn cycle of the Social Sciences Placements Programme, I quickly learned that vacancies are released before the academic term begins. If you wish to do the same, make sure you keep an eye out for the necessary information over the summer break. The application process begins with a written form. If that is successful, you are shortlisted for an interview with representatives from the organisation you are applying to. The process is straightforward. A timeline sets out the interview period, welcome week and placement start date. This schedule helps you manage the application steps while also starting the academic term.
The Careers and Employability service supports you throughout both the application stage and the placement itself. Alongside their wide collection of resources, ranging from interactive tools that match you with roles to podcasts on acing remote interviews. The Careers team continually reminds you to book one-to-one appointments. Whether you need help preparing for a specific interview or reviewing feedback from an unsuccessful one, the service stays available to guide you through your placement journey and beyond.

Role, Skills and Reflections

As a caseworker for an organisation that aims to be the first point of contact immediately after, or even during, an Islamophobic attack. I have learned to prioritise client safety and to support their pursuit of justice. Working with a designated legal supervisor, my role involves assisting with free legal advice, providing basic emotional support, collecting and monitoring data and referring clients to specialist services. These duties have strengthened my listening and communication abilities. Particular emphasis has been placed on training in how to speak with clients living with mental-health disorders. In combination with cultural and religious sensitivity, the role has also expanded my capacity to convey empathy. I have learned to avoid solutions-based advice until I have consulted the assigned legal professional.
As a second-year student aiming for a legal career, I value the core legal skills I have gained through practical experience. I now understand data-protection rules and the need for confidentiality around client and case information. I have practised drafting complaints to authoritative bodies and have gained foundational insight into the profession. Although my duties focus on law, I believe my previous experiences, showing dedication to helping those in need, allowed me to excel. Volunteering and social advocacy, such as serving as a student ambassador for anti-modern-slavery organisation It’s a Penalty and acting as Welfare and Diversity Officer for the University’s Mooting Society, demonstrated genuine regard for providing support and safe spaces for marginalised groups. The ability to communicate regularly with new people was reinforced by part-time jobs and society roles.
Undertaking a placement alongside my studies has been invaluable. Some periods are busier than others, but my status as a full-time student with deadlines and exams is fully acknowledged. The workload is adjusted accordingly. The programme offers a wide range of positions and organisations. My advice is to stay open-minded when choosing where to apply. Each opportunity offers extensive skills and practical experience that benefit not only your career progression but also your personal and interpersonal development.

The post Meghana Badanapuram – Islamophobia Response Unit appeared first on Faculty of Social Sciences Placements Blog.

My Placement at Refugee Roots

Hi, I’m Gladys, a first-year undergraduate education student. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Refugee Roots as an activity assistant. During my placement, I primarily supported English classes, including the Women’s Group, Trinity English, and Access English. Refugee Roots is a Nottingham-based charity that fosters a sense of belonging for refugees and asylum seekers. Overall, my experience has been incredibly enriching and rewarding, broadening my understanding of community needs that bolster long-term integration.

Embracing Challenges and Adaptability

In a room with varying levels of proficiency, our role is crucial as we need to be observant, flexible, and ready to provide guidance. One of my most memorable experiences was explaining different terms to learners. I struggled to convey the meaning of essential words like cereal or concepts like on versus above. It has encouraged me to consider the nuances in language and underscored the importance of patience and adaptability in teaching. When something isn’t clear, I put myself into their shoes, rephrasing it with different approaches or finding alternative ways to make the concept more tangible. This process has strengthened my communication skills and taught me to think more creatively when explaining ideas, enabling me to scaffold learners more effectively. Along with this, I have come to recognize the importance of building students’ confidence.

A tutor once told me that I could easily go through the entire worksheet within 10 minutes, but can they take the most out of it? That moment really shifted my perspective. Instead of solely focusing on the completion of the material, I started paying more attention to creating space for them to speak. It’s not always about getting the right answers; it’s about giving them the confidence to use English, even if they make mistakes. Seeing them gradually become more comfortable expressing themselves has made me realize that an encouraging environment could foster student confidence. 

Fostering Confidence and Creating Space to Learn

Additionally, I am truly grateful for the support and encouragement I received from Refugee Roots throughout my placement. When I expressed an interest in leading sessions, they were very open-minded and receptive to new ideas, giving me the freedom to bring my vision to life. Currently, I am working on a session focused on medical terminology, inspired by a news article highlighting the language barriers they face when accessing healthcare services. Where I will be teaching common medical phrases and practical applications, such as making an emergency call and describing symptoms. Furthermore, Refugee Roots actively fosters collaboration with organizations like Streetwise Opera and Primary. These collaborations have provided me with valuable opportunities to engage with diverse groups, widening my understanding of community needs.

A Rewarding Experience

Looking back, my placement at Refugee Roots has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has deepened my passion for education, accessibility, and community support. More importantly, it has taught me that the true impact of teaching goes beyond just imparting knowledge. It has shown me that building relationships and instilling confidence can be just as transformative as the lessons we teach. I’ve learned the importance of being a good listener, showing empathy, and tailoring my approach to each individual’s needs.  This experience has inspired me to continue supporting and contributing to different communities in society.For anyone considering a placement, I wholeheartedly encourage you to seize the opportunity, regardless of your field of study or year. Even though I’m only in my first year, it didn’t limit my chances of being selected. I believe what truly matters is being well-prepared, being proactive, and showing genuine passion for the role. 

Refugee Roots offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities beyond placements. If you’re interested, visit their website to learn more: https://www.refugeeroots.org.uk/

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During the autumn semester, I participated in the Faculty of Social Sciences Placement Programme and chose to work with Action Tutoring, an education charity that supports children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Interview and Tutoring Experience

After submitting my initial application, I was invited to attend an interview. The interview process was very straightforward – I answered some questions about myself and my motivations and I was asked to demonstrate how I would teach an English and Maths topic to Year 5 students. Action Tutoring offers both in-person and online tutoring, and I opted for online tutoring to better align with my schedule. To prepare, I underwent specific training for online tutors and learnt how to effectively use the online classroom platform.

Challenge and breakthrough

One of my pupils struggled to unmute herself and participate during sessions. I communicated with my Programme Coordinator through calls and emails to find ways to support her better. To help her feel more comfortable, I increased casual conversation time, allowing her to share her hobbies. This approach led to a significant breakthrough, as she spoke comfortably without being prompted; that session was a highlight moment for me!

Through this experience, I gained deeper insights into effective communication with children. I persevered and became more open to adapting new methods to ensure learning. Additionally, my problem-solving skills have greatly improved, and I have developed a greater sense of empathy towards my pupils, understanding their needs and perspectives more deeply.

Support and Future

During my placement, I had regular check-in sessions with Brenda Turnbull, my Senior Partnerships Coordinator at Action Tutoring. She was extremely supportive and provided valuable guidance. Brenda helped me work effectively and encouraged me to explore opportunities at Action Tutoring that went beyond tutoring, allowing me to maximize my placement experience and acquire additional skills. I am continuing my work with Action Tutoring and am grateful to the University for providing this opportunity, and I aspire to keep making positive contributions to the pupils’ education.

I highly recommend seizing any opportunities the university offers, as they not only aid in building a professional career but also have a lasting impact on personal growth. This is the best time to take a risk and explore different options if you’re uncertain about what you want to pursue. The skills you acquire along the way are transferable and will benefit you regardless of the path you choose!

The post Sara Kage – Action Tutoring appeared first on Faculty of Social Sciences Placements Blog.

My Virtual Internship at Transparency International UK

My 10-week placement was a virtual internship with Transparency International UK (TI-UK). I worked as part of their business integrity team as a business integrity officer, and was supported by a mentor. My internship was divided into 2 main parts, where I first worked on a research task, followed by some work on TI-UK’s corporate benchmark tool. For the research task, I spent the first 5 weeks looking into how AI is used in corporate compliance and summarised a legal document, which I encapsulated into a 20-minute presentation for the team.

I was given a degree of freedom with this broad topic, and so I focused my research on a range of areas that I thought were particularly interesting not only to me, but also to TI-UK. This included looking into greenwashing, public procurement, and financial services. The presentation was a success as I prepared thoroughly and enjoyed discussing my findings in front of the very friendly team.

Working with the Corporate Benchmark Tool

This experience allowed me to present in a formal setting, allowing me to practice my communication and presentation skills, which are valuable for the legal career I am pursuing. Next, I spent some time familiarising myself with TI-UK’s corporate benchmark tool, which is a self-assessment tool that participant companies use to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their anti-corruption and bribery programmes.

My tasks here were to come up with some questions for the tool, using my previous research on AI in compliance, and specifically the risks this brings to businesses. I then did some data analysis of the benchmark results from 2024, which allowed me to put into practice some of the Excel formulas my mentor previously taught me. To complete these tasks to a high standard I had to keep open-minded, as I used a new skill set, which included analysis of quantitative data and problem solving, which are not skills I often use within my university work.

Key Takeaways and Advice for Students

The internship was therefore a great opportunity to practice these new skills and to challenge myself. Another benefit of the internship were the great contacts I was able to make. Beyond the team at TI-UK, I was put in contact with two commercial lawyers at Mayer Brown, with whom I was able to have some great conversations. This is not something I was expecting to get out of the internship, and so I was very pleased to be given the opportunity to have these discussions.

Overall, I would recommend students to take up a placement due to the many benefits it will provide. You will be able to develop new skills, challenge yourself in a new environment, and gain a feel for what it is like to work in a given field. Students will therefore be able to gain valuable experience by being given an opportunity to put their skills and knowledge into practical use, which is great for personal development and for your CV!

The post Julia Struk-Zawadzka – Transparency International UK appeared first on Faculty of Social Sciences Placements Blog.

I started my postgraduate course at the University of Nottingham this year and applied to the Social Sciences Placement Program even before arriving in the city. It seemed like a fantastic opportunity to explore a career path I was interested in—and it turned out to be an amazing experience.

Gaining Hands-On Experience as a Data Analyst Intern

I worked as a Data Analyst Intern at University of Nottingham Sport for 10 weeks, dedicating just seven hours per week. The schedule was highly flexible; I could work all seven hours in one day or split them across multiple days. Additionally, I had the freedom to choose between working from home or in the office. Typically, I opted to work from the office for 3-4 hours over two days each week. This flexibility allowed me to effectively balance my internship responsibilities with my academic and personal commitments.

The team I worked with was incredibly friendly and supportive, creating a positive and collaborative work environment. I felt comfortable asking questions and always received helpful guidance whenever I faced challenges. My supervisor was approachable, open to my suggestions, and genuinely valued my insights, which made me feel confident and motivated.

The work itself was highly rewarding. I’m the type of person who gets genuinely excited about large data sets, so working with live data was a thrilling experience. Most of my work involved Excel, and a significant part of the process was compiling datasets from different sources and cleaning the data. While this was the bulk of the work, I enjoyed exploring fast and efficient ways to handle these tasks. Once the data was cleaned, the ‘fun part’ began—I had the opportunity to analyse the data, create compelling statistics, draw meaningful conclusions, and design attractive visuals to present my findings.

Balancing Academic Life with Career Development

As a postgraduate student, balancing academic commitments with career development can be challenging, but this placement provided a perfect bridge between the two. The opportunity allowed me to apply the advanced theoretical knowledge gained through my studies to practical, real-world tasks. The Careers and Employability Service played a key role in facilitating this. Although I wasn’t able to participate in the workshops offered at the beginning and end of the programme, I appreciated that the team was consistently available for support when needed. Additionally, the Moodle course they provided was a rich repository of resources that proved useful in navigating my placement journey.

This internship has been a great opportunity for both professional and personal growth. It has given me a clearer understanding of what I want to do in the future, boosted my confidence, and allowed me to demonstrate responsibility. I enjoyed going to the office in the mornings and looked forward to continuing my work. This experience was so rewarding that I was thrilled to be offered the chance to continue on a paid basis after the internship ended. I’m excited to build on our previous project and apply the lessons I’ve learned to work with a new dataset.

The post Tunde Henz – University of Nottingham Sport appeared first on Faculty of Social Sciences Placements Blog.

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to participate in an amazing placement experience offered by the university. Placement experience is something highly valued by all workplaces nowadays, so I was eager to undertake one myself.

Choosing the Right Placement

The placement I undertook with LGBT Foundation stood out to me due to its alignment with my interests. Not only does LGBT Foundation offer a diverse range of support to LGBTQ+ communities, but this placement also allowed me to explore Marketing and Communications, an area I had been considering for a while.

Starting with Excitement and Nerves

As I began the placement, I was both excited about the potential opportunities and nervous about working in a new environment with unknown expectations. I felt as though I needed to know everything before even starting. While I reminded myself that I was there to learn new skills, it didn’t fully calm my nerves. However, once I started meeting and collaborating with the team, my worries quickly disappeared.

Everyone was incredibly welcoming, especially my placement supervisor, Matt, who helped me settle in and learn the ropes at HQ. From the very beginning, Matt was keen to tailor my internship to align with my interests, finding tasks that would be mutually beneficial. This approach allowed me to undertake a variety of projects, building a diverse skill set.

Learning New Skills and Completing Tasks

During my placement, I had the chance to work on a range of tasks. I learned to use Canva to create Instagram squares and carousels, ensuring that I consistently applied brand guidelines across all the content I developed. I worked with the Education team to create reels and posters for their ‘Vote with Pride’ campaign and collaborated with the Sexual Health team by inputting data from their Ketso workshop.

I also researched and contacted student groups about the ‘Vote with Pride’ campaign, and looked into potential podcasts for collaboration, helping to expand the foundation’s reach. Additionally, I wrote and uploaded a blog post to their website using WordPress and learned techniques for making websites and documents more accessible. Writing a bulletin announcement to boost engagement for the Sexual Health team’s Salford STI campaign was another valuable experience, and I took part in team meetings and creative brainstorming sessions, which were both insightful and inspiring.

Reflecting on the Placement Experience

Throughout this three-week placement, I gained extensive experience and learned what a Marketing and Communications role entails. I am proud that I put myself out there, despite having little prior experience, and gained invaluable knowledge that I can carry into my future career. To any students considering a placement, I highly recommend it. Not only do you learn so much from the people you work with, but you also gain valuable insights into what life could look like after university. Whether you know exactly what area you want to work in or are still exploring, giving these opportunities a try is always a great idea.

The post Leah Russon Watkins – LGBT Foundation appeared first on Faculty of Social Sciences Placements Blog.

Throughout my second year, many of my friends had internships lined up for the summer or were going on to do an industrial placement year. I felt like I was at a disadvantage and started to become nervous that I wouldn’t have enough experience to secure a job when I graduate. However, after applying for the Faculty of Social Science widening participation placement scheme, I was given the opportunity to undertake a three week placement with Nottingham Counselling Service.

Navigating Internship Anxiety and Finding the Right Opportunity

My time as a research and social impact officer for NCS was extremely eye-opening and fulfilling. Being a criminology student, I’ve always been passionate about supporting marginalised groups so I knew I’d made the right choice to do my placement with Nottingham Counselling Service, which prides itself in providing a safe space for those in need of mental health support, no matter their background. With the placement being only three weeks long, I was unsure what to expect but I felt confident that I would be able to adapt and learn throughout the experience. Despite not knowing exactly what I would be researching before going into the placement, I was ready to utilise the skills I’d acquired during the first two years of my course at university.

Gaining Insight and Impacting Lives as a Social Impact Officer

I spent my placement researching the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. The aim of this research was to help prepare NCS for their upcoming project which would provide free mental health support for refugees. To undertake this research I referred to existing studies, as well as attending meetings with a variety of individuals and organisations. Additionally, I conducted interviews with a range of professionals, such as counsellors who were conducting sessions with refugees, an ESOL teacher, and a representative from a charity that supports refugees in Nottingham. I was incredibly fortunate to meet with so many inspiring people, including refugees and asylum seekers who shared their stories at a refugee week event. This gave me a real insight into the experiences of refugees, rather than learning solely from academic works.

Not only did the placement strengthen my research skills, I also learned a lot about how an organisation operates. As I was supervised by the CEO of Nottingham Counselling Service, I was given insight into the aspects of the everyday functioning of the charity. Additionally, I spent a lot of time talking to individuals that work in different areas of the company, including psychotherapists and administrative staff each with an abundance of experience. They made me feel incredibly welcome and were happy to answer any questions I posed to them, which in turn made me feel more confident about working in a professional setting once I graduate.

Reflections and Advice for Future Internship Seekers

For those thinking about applying for internships or placements, I would tell you to go for it! It may feel daunting, even during the application process, but you will gain skills that will be invaluable in both your academic and professional careers. Moreover, you have the chance to do work that could be hugely rewarding to you and the organisation you work with. My main piece of advice for those undertaking an internship is to note down all the things you learn and experience – whether this is related to the tasks you’ve been asked to do or about the company itself. This information could be useful for future job applications and for reflecting on the knowledge and skills you gained.

I am exceedingly grateful to have been able to undertake this three week placement, as I gained a new confidence in working professionally. I was able to build a strong connection with the organisation and continue to volunteer with them, which allows me to keep developing my skills and gain experience.

The post Grace Millward – Nottingham Counselling Service appeared first on Faculty of Social Sciences Placements Blog.

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern as an archivist at Nottingham Girls’ High School (NGHS), which is celebrating its 150th anniversary. This role was part of the Widening Participation Summer Internship programme and involved working with the school’s extensive archives to highlight its history and notable contributions to education.

Initial Expectations vs. Reality

Upon accepting the internship, I anticipated a summer filled with document scanning and basic archival work. I expected a solitary environment focused on organizing materials, perhaps with occasional research tasks. However, I soon realized that my role would involve much more than just preserving files; I would be diving deep into the history of the institution and its impact on generations of students.

Duties and Discoveries as an Archivist Intern

As an archivist intern, my primary responsibility was to assist with the 150th-anniversary project by digitizing and cataloguing significant documents, photographs, and artifacts from the school’s history. This included early ledgers, uniforms, letters, photos and art, headmistresses’ reports, newsletters, prospectuses, and letters from notable alumni. I spent many hours scanning documents, ensuring they were preserved in high quality for future access. Additionally, I conducted research on key figures in the school’s history, particularly the headmistresses who shaped its educational philosophy. I compiled profiles on these women, detailing their contributions and the challenges they faced in advancing girls’ education.

One of the most enriching aspects of my internship was uncovering stories about the school’s influential women. For instance, the school had a committee dedicated to producing their own magazine, compiled into a few volumes known as the Whetstone of Whit. These volumes contained beautiful drawings, poems, and short stories that truly touched my soul. Knowing how dedicated these students were to their work inspired my enthusiasm for archival work. While reviewing historical documents, I became engrossed in the lives of the early headmistresses, who overcame funding challenges and lack of support. Discoveries like this highlighted the school’s long-lasting impact on its students’ lives and careers.

Skills and Personal Growth

Throughout my internship, I developed a range of skills. I became proficient in archival digitization techniques and learned the importance of meticulous cataloguing. Researching historical figures improved my analytical skills and taught me how to construct a narrative based on primary sources. Additionally, I enhanced my ability to work independently and manage my time effectively to meet project deadlines.

One of my significant achievements was contributing to a curated exhibit for the 150th-anniversary celebration. I selected key artefacts and documents that illustrated the school’s history and its role in advancing girls’ education. Seeing my contributions presented to the school community was rewarding and reinforced the importance of preserving such histories.

Reflections and Advice for Future Archivist Interns

My time at NGHS provided me with invaluable insights into the role of education in shaping society, particularly for women. I came to appreciate the complexities of historical preservation and the responsibility of archivists to maintain the narratives of institutions. The internship was not just a job; it was an opportunity to engage with the past and understand how it informs the present. I never felt alienated from my work, and the experience even sparked my interest in possibly becoming a fashion archivist.

For those considering a similar internship, I wholeheartedly recommend approaching the role with an open mind. Be ready to engage deeply with the materials and stories you encounter. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek guidance from supervisors and mentors. The work can be meticulous, but the discoveries and connections you make will make it worthwhile.

A Transformative Experience

My internship at Nottingham Girls’ High School was truly special and an enriching experience that allowed me to delve into a significant part of educational history. It highlighted the importance of preserving the legacies of those who came before us and the impact of education on generations of women, contrasting with the opportunities available to women today. I am grateful for the experience and look forward to applying the skills I gained in future endeavours.

The post Rozelin Pehlivan – Nottingham Girl’s High School appeared first on Faculty of Social Sciences Placements Blog.

From Classroom to Community

I learnt many things during university; how to balance a social life; squeeze student discount out of every purchase and find hidden gems and secret restaurants. Though I found a home from home and found my academic content intellectually stimulating, I didn’t know Nottingham itself and felt detached from the non-student population, so I jumped at the chance to volunteer for ‘Citizens Advice Derbyshire Districts’ as part of my ‘Law in Practice’ module. Through a 50-hour placement, I heard stories and struggles of people living a stone’s throw away, helping me escape the university bubble and see how the law in practice truly affects the people it seeks to serve.

The charity sits at the heart of the Derbyshire community acting as a support mechanism and confidant. My role involved offering advice and information about a range of social issues over the telephone. Empathy and professionalism were key skills and the role required compliance with data protection and safeguarding rules. After what seemed like mountains of online training, I was apprehensive about the enormity of my role as my actions had the potential to change the trajectory of a person’s life. I was pushed outside my comfort zone – I couldn’t rely on my usual hand gestures and non-verbal communication skills on the phone, so had to develop other ways to show I was actively listening.

The initial nerves were immediately quashed when meeting my wonderfully supportive supervisors. With each call, I learnt more about the importance of charities like Citizens Advice to vulnerable members of society. Seeing the bigger picture, beyond my own performance, I gained confidence in my judgement and honed a telephone response focussing on building rapport with the client to gather as much information as possible. I realised the role did not warrant a perfect, robotic approach. I learnt to put less pressure on myself and to prioritise having an informal conversation. This method proved successful with one frequent caller requesting I answer all his future calls! As I wanted to get to know the local community and help make a difference it was incredibly rewarding to hear that I had helped someone navigate a problem they were facing.

I came out of the placement a completely different person and learnt things about myself I wouldn’t have anywhere else. I went in admittedly narrow-minded with a preconception of what the calls would bring but could not have been more wrong. I spoke to some truly inspiring people often at their lowest ebb and in trying to find a solution, I found myself seeing the law and policy in a completely different light.

I grew frustrated for some of my clients and surprised at how inaccessible legislation was in real-life situations. Embarking on this placement gave me an alternative perspective – the ability to question the law and the confidence to criticise policy and propose reform. Learning from a law in practice perspective enhanced my academic ability. So, to anyone thinking of completing a similar placement… do it! Do it and be open minded, because you will learn things you didn’t even know there was to learn. It will teach you to be comfortable outside your comfort zone and will teach you more than you could ever read from a textbook.

The post Sofia Solanki – Law in Practice Module Placement appeared first on Faculty of Social Sciences Placements Blog.

Developing Professional Communication and Reflection Skills

In terms of professional communication and reflection skills, the placement has allowed me to develop these by preparation for and delivering a presentation to those that work in the office. During my time at DSA – Environment + Design, I had been working on compiling a dataset relating to councils that use Building for a Healthy Life urban design guidance. This was done by locating local plans and core strategies relating to urban design on each of the 264 Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) websites in England.

Before beginning the project, I was made aware that I would be expected to present my findings to those that I worked with in the office. Due to this, I knew that I needed compile findings in a way that would be coherent. Creating the PowerPoint presentation required reflection skills to bring together my findings and reach supported conclusions. This required decision-based reflection, to decide which parts of the data would be included when calculating overall percentages and simple statistics to show proportional values. For instance, I needed to decide whether I was to include the values of London LPAs.

This was evidenced by what was found from researching each of the councils in England. David Singleton, the Director of DSA, was very informative in teaching more intuitive ways of engaging audiences while presenting. Through his recommended resources, a better way of formatting presentations became clear and I adapted my presentation based on this as it was an improvement. An example of this is by using contrast (highlighting) to cause an audience to look on the exact part of the slide you would want them to.

Enhancing Digital Capabilities with Excel and QGIS

Digital capabilities proved to be a very important skill to develop when carrying out my assigned project at DSA. Due to the work involving a large dataset, Excel was used to record this data in an organised manner. Excel was also used to create master sheets, which were needed to help map the data. I believe that this extensive use of Excel allowed me to become more familiar and efficient with navigating the programme. QGIS was used significantly to create maps that visually showed which areas of England were or were not using the specified guidance. This related to colour-coding LPAs based on the criteria to help identify spatial patterns. QGIS was a new software which I had not used before, which allowed me to challenge myself in learning new capabilities. Prior to the placement, I was only familiar with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online.

Due to an office environment being unfamiliar to me, I learned how to conduct myself within such an unknown space. This felt like an important part of the experience, as I wished to challenge myself to adapt to unfamiliar working conditions.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience working at DSA, and find that my time there allowed me to experience a potential avenue for the future. I also am grateful for the insight into the professional world that the company operates in.

The Widening Participation Scheme, Eligibility and Benefits of the Scheme

When applying for a placement with the Widening Participation scheme, a bursary is awarded based on living wage working full-time for three weeks. The process to apply for this funding was very straightforward. Upon securing a placement, someone from the placement team sends an email with some basic forms to fill in, as well as instructions on how to set up a direct debit with the University via NottinghamHub. Through this, the bursary is paid to the account added. This process takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and ensures you earn the money that you are supposed to.

With regards to this, considering whether I was eligible for applying to Widening Participation placement roles was important as you may only apply if you qualify as part of the criteria. This made me feel that any disadvantages I may have when applying for a role regularly are being recognised and opportunities like this allow me to overcome them.

There were many benefits to this placement being full-time and outside of term time. I was allowed the flexibility of starting my placement at the end of June until mid-July. This allowed for me to focus solely on the placement, without any academic pressure from my course. I also enjoyed experiencing what a full-time role is like, as I look into the future.

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