“By creating we think, by living we learn” Patrick Geddes
Q. What is the Placement Base?
A. The Placement Base is Dundee University Careers Service 'one-stop-shop' for students and employers, for internships and work experience placements. The Employer Liaison Team who are based in the Placement Base are working to find as many students within the University a work experience placement and therefore help to increase their employability after graduation. The Placement Base is open to both students and employers, our foyer area is open for information and latest placements five days a week and our drop-in sessions are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2-4pm, and Thursdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm (other times by appointment.)
A. An internship is a position which allows a student to gain professional experience in an occupational area they are considering. Typically the experience has a level of responsibility that allows a student to develop new skills in the field and offers the student training and supervision that facilitates learning.
We aim to be flexible to respond to both students and employers requirements in terms of timing and length of placement, but they will probably be around 30-40 hours in length and would normally take place over Easter or Summer holidays in your own time. The placements would involve the student working on a short project for example in marketing or public relations; designing web-pages or software; to collect / analyse some research data in a particular field; to organise an event - really anything that benefits both the student and the employer.
Q. Can you find me an internship?
A. We will endeavour to find as many students placements as possible. However, in some cases, depending on the area of work you are looking for, it might not be possible to find you an internship. In the event that we are unable to find you what you are looking for, remember that the Careers Service has other services available for finding part time jobs and there may be something else out there for you.
A. If you would like to proceed with an internship, we will need you to come along to the Placement Base with your CV and complete a note of interest form. This is where we capture the type of placement you are looking for and when you are available. If you are unable to come to the Placement Base at the drop-in times please email us on placementbase@dundee.ac.uk and we can arrange another time to see you.
If you would like help with your CV why not come along to one of our CV checking sessions.
If you would like help deciding what type of placement you might benefit from, why not make an appointment to see one of our Careers Advisers.
Once we have found you a placement, we would need you to ensure that you attend the placement on time and undertake the work that the employer asks of you. Remember you are representing the University as well as yourself while on placement. What you get out of an internship placement depends on what you put in!
Q. How can I prepare for my internship?
A. It is important to get the most out of your internship, this is your chance to impress the employer and perhaps get yourself one step closer to a job after graduation.
Why not come along to one of our lunchtime sessions, typical topics include presentation skills, interview skills and CV building skills. These will help equip you with the skills you will need for your placement.
Do your homework! Try to read and find out as much as you can about the company and the work that they do before you go. The Hub at the Careers Service has a wealth of information on employers, and if you can't find what you are looking for, please ask a member of staff.
Be sure to ask us any questions that you might have before you go or to get in touch with us during the placement if there is anything you need.
Q. What else can the Careers Service do to help me?
A. The Careers Service offers a whole range of services to students. For details of what is on offer click here
A. Internships are usually unpaid although some larger organisations will pay students on their formal internship programmes. Employers will often pay travel expenses if you are required to travel some distance to the place of employment, and possibly accommodation expenses too.
A. An internship is a way to test the waters in a variety of career fields.
It is also a fantastic way to explore an industry, gain invaluable insight
into the working world and make those all-important contacts which you hear
so much about. There are certain industries where an internship, or unpaid
work experience, is effectively the only 'way-in' for most people.
Most employers value relevant work experience because it shows that you have
a real interest in their industry, an idea of what is required in the field
and the determination to succeed. Having undertaken an internship puts you
at a natural advantage to someone with a similar qualification but no relevant
work experience when applying for jobs. In some cases, an internship can lead
directly to paid employment.
A work experience placement can be a great life experience too. It offers a great insight into the working world which cannot always be gained from part-time work during term time and holidays, and you also get to meet lots of new people.
If you know what skills you possess but are unsure of the exact job you want, an internship can give you a great idea of what jobs are available within an industry. As an intern, you will often get an overview of how an organisation operates and what roles are available. This can help you shape an idea of exactly what you want to do.
A. Internships are open to any current undergraduate students of Dundee University, but you have to be an overseas-fees payer to sign up to ISIS.
A. Most internships that we facilitate are not accredited and you will usually be expected to do this in your own time. However, the experience you gain from undertaking an internship is invaluable and it will look great on your CV and really make you stand out from the crowd when it comes to applying for jobs after graduation.
If you are a Level 2 student you might want to think about taking the accredited Internship Module which runs in Semester 2.
Q. What's expected of the Employer?
A. We would be expecting the employer to provide you with a concrete project to work on, something that is going to be of benefit to them but obviously of benefit both to you and their organisation. Ideally you should not just be work shadowing or making cups of tea!
Employers would be expected to cover all aspects of health and safety, including insurance, for the time that you are with them. Employers will need to inform us and you if you are required to undergo a Disclosure Scotland check.
When the student arrives on placement, the Employer would be expected to make them feel at home and part of the team.
As an employer you would also be expected to liaise as much as possible with the team at the Placement Base to let them know how the student is getting on and also if there are any issues that need dealing with.
Q. What is the role of the Employer Liaison Team?
A. The Employer Liaison Team aim to work with students, academic staff and
employers to try and make Dundee University students as employable as possible,
through organising internships and work experience placements.
We are here to facilitate all aspects of the internship programme and to offer
support and advice to both students and employers.
A member of this team will visit the student whilst on placement
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