- Set personal goals and objectives
- Create a good impression
- Have regular meetings with your Broadening Horizons supervisor
- Ask questions
- Use your initiative
- Network
- Professional practice
Set personal goals and objectives
Consider setting some realistic personal goals and objectives, such as learning specific skills for your CV, building new contacts and networks or research potential future roles.
Create a good impression
How you present yourself is essential. Consider your punctuality and attendance, have a positive and professional attitude, dress appropriately for the work setting, take your duties/responsibility seriously and try to meet the deadlines set for you. Show colleagues respect, be open minded, and engage with learning opportunities e.g. meetings or workshops.
Have regular meetings with your Broadening Horizons supervisor
If possible, try to meet your placement supervisor regularly to discuss your work, experiences and any difficulties. They may be able to offer advice and provide you with feedback.
Ask questions
Your placement is a learning experience, so ask for advice and clarification when you need to so you can complete your tasks to the best of your ability.
Use your initiative
Employers like to see employees take the initiative and tackle problems themselves. Problem-solving will help you become more confident in your work.
Network
Networking is a learned skill and essential in developing useful contacts for potential jobs, job application/references and career progression. Chat with colleagues, join groups or teams within your placement settings to enhance your communication skills.
Professional practice
You should conduct yourself professionally at all times, in line with the standards and expectations of your placement organisation.
If you agree a placement, with the documentation in place and agreed, it is not acceptable professional practice to withdraw from the placement, unless there are genuinely unforeseen circumstances.