Apply theoretical knowledge and skills acquired at university in the workplace and in addition, the new work-based knowledge and skills
Placement Report
5000 words excluding references
The assessment provides opportunities for students to highlight your development and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills and other attributes in the following areas during the placement year.
Apply theoretical knowledge and skills acquired at university in the workplace and in addition, the new work-based knowledge and skills
Reflect on personal performance and professional development
Communicate effectively in oral and written form in a clear, concise and accurate manner.
Understand how to work effectively whether independently or as part of a team.
Description of the assessment
The task asks you to reflect on your work placement experience from a developmental perspective and seeks you to help you reflect on theory and its application in the workplace. A good write up of this report could serve you well in your job seeking. Moreover, an important aspect of this process for someone studying is ability to look at theory and its practice with a critical eye.
Organisation: Royal Marsden NHS Trust Foundation
Contents page
Introduction- Explain what information you are going to include in the report. Tell me what are going to write in the report (500 words)
Placement provider (1500 words)
The nature of the organisation (organisation’s mission, its main products and/or services and business activities that the organisation is engaging with) describe the nature of the business, the industry it operates in its mission statement and strategy, organisation structure. How they generate income. Create A SWOT analysis with competitors in the industry.
Use table and graphs to highlight the organisation structure and departmental responsibilities
My role (1500 words)-
what are your primary responsibilities? Were you given targets to meet? Comment on the personal development plan. How did I add value to the firm? What would they do without me?
Personal Reflection (1500 words)
An account based on your placement experience that focuses on theory and its practice regarding skills development such as:
Communication
Problem solving
Teamwork
Leadership
Networking
A critical reflection on your experience of the work placement. For example, how were you challenged in the course of the work placement and how did you resolve any difficulties? What was your contribution to the goals of the department?
How have you grown intellectually and professionally as a result of the placement? How has the placement changed your thinking about the relationship between academic interests and the working environment?
Make a reference to Personal development plan where relevant in the personal experience.
Grade Guidelines
Excellent work overall with all aspects of the work complete, well presented and a high quality; strong narrative thread that demonstrates an excellent grasp of subject matter; strong sense of critique with excellent synthesis of materials from different sources: very well referenced: all tables are accurately presented and appropriately labelled.
Harvard Referencing include up to 15 References (Include all websites used at the end of the reports well as references. (Include reliable academics references/industry report/ journal articles and not all google links.
Use 1st person when referring in self-reflection section experience.
Font- Arial 10.
Include graphs and tables. (Use Uk based graphs and tables)- reference these as well
Report style not an essay.
Reference to an UK based academic theory (no need to explain in too much detail.) Focus more the reflection
No plagiarism
PDP- Smart Objectives are completed by me and Rating report by manager.
Add heading and subheading where appropriate
My instructions:
Create a contents page.
Rewrite introduction and conclusion. Avoid using 1st person in conclusion and introduction except when self-reflecting. (500 words each).
Rewrite the Kings fund section in the placement provider.
Rewrite the Your role section. Explain what a placement student does and do. Use the same information. Correct grammar and sentencing. Refer to the coursework brief as a guide. Rewrite so the questions in the brief are answered. Improve (1500 words only reduce if it is over)
Writing:
Placement provider- (1500 words)
Follow coursework brief.
Use UK reliable based online references (easily accessible). Use website such ARM GAM, Kings fund, NHS websites etc.
Swot Analysis- Include information for Generic UK NHS Trusts in finance.
Personal Experience: (1500 words):
As I am aware of the work limit. Not all information below needs to be included but is an idea to what to write about.
Keep the transferable skills brief and skills development brief. Do not overcomplicate.
Use theories that are relevant online accessible modern academic resources for skill development.
Reflect on previously what I wrote to show skill development. Use examples from my role and PDP if needed.
Difficulties (in have mentioned briefly in my rewriting work.)- 1. Adjusting to office environment, working with professional accountants (finding that intimidating. Confidence to speak up during meetings etc. 2. Learning accounting software’s- initially struggled with this as I was very unfamiliar with this and had to learn quickly so that I could help my team during busy times. (accounting softwares are agresso. ),
Communication-
Use a theory relating to communication-
Talk about how it relates to skill development-
At the beginning of the placement- Really struggled to talk with other about my work and struggled to ask questions when stuck. Eventually being able to display information clearly and concisely through emails as well meetings during budget review and daily morning meetings. (verbally). Learnt techniques and methods to improve communication for example planning what to say before I say it. etc
By the end, evidently, I have improved, I now able to communicate to my team and other very easily and confidently. My social anxiety has improved. Got involved in volunteering. Asked for feedback from others after presentations and meeting which allowed me to see from third perspective.etc
Refer to PDP
Problem solving
Use theory relating to Problem Solving
Some ideas to talk about:
At the beginning of my placement, I had very limited knowledge about finance therefore I could not problem solve a situation. The more time I spent on each team the more I realised how similar they were. Therefore, I was able to implement my knowledge when moving to the next team.
Creating a report where the figures were incorrect or when the financial position was incorrect therefore I had to either find the correct information or create a journal to fix it. Also, when member of my teams was struggling with workload I would to help them and complete some of their tasks that had deadlines. Etc.
Teamwork
Use theory relating teamwork
Some ideas to talk about:
Working in a team was very new for me as I had never worked with one in office environment. I have worked at university. However never in a financial environment. Therefore, seeing how all divisions linked was intimidating. My team already knew everyone and being introduced to everyone was overwhelming and daunting.
However, it got easier once became more familiar with everyone.
Leadership
Use theory relating leadership
Some ideas:
Leadership- really had no experience in leadership previously. Eventually as I became more confident, I was able to become indirect leader. For example, volunteering onwards. I was one of the first to volunteer which subsequently led a lot of people in the office being encouraged to volunteer at lunch time themselves. The skill development is evident here. (expand on this)
Networking
Use theory relating to Networking
working in the placement encouraged me to develop my social skills. I suffer from social anxiety which made this very difficult for me. Throughout the placement, I became more comfortable talking to others about any problems I had. Was able to have easy going conversations with seniors members in the finance department. Reference PDP and Rating Report
Goals to the department
Both divisions
Help them with month end deadline and invoicing deadlines.
Organise meetings and catch ups to get work completed.
Help with the financial in budget reviews
Liaise with other teams so that deadlines were met.
Expand on thes and use example
How has the placement changed your thinking about the relationship between academic interests and the working environment?
Dealing with huge amounts of financial information better. Not overwhelmed
Help me with my academics more in final year of university as I have real experience working in a finance industry.
Now able to know what I like to specialise in and would like to work more in management accounts. Develop further.
Think it is very important.
How have you grown intellectually and professionally as a result of the placement?
Professionally- the way I communicate and liase with budget holders and manager, writing emails, the way I approach my work, how I treat my co-workers.
Intellectually- become more better, able to deal with large workloads, learn as I go along, find out more about how I work and what I need to improve on, gain more knowledge by attending training sessions and speaking to others about finance. Learning what works for me.
how were you challenged in the course of the work placement and how did you resolve any difficulties?
Beginning of the placement, I found it very challenging and intimidating- very limited knowledge of finance and no experience working in professional environment. (Expand on this)- the journey from the beginning to now. I have improved immensely from then, I am more confident in the work I am given and no longer feel intimidated by work or become stressed. Now where to look and how find information that I need to use. (note: you can use what I have written in my role for examples)
Joining a new team/rotation halfway the placement. Transition was difficult as most of the training was done online. initially was difficult because I had learnt their processes and my tasks were different which I enjoyed once I understood what to do and why they are used. (give an example of this) Working with new individuals. Eventually became very well integrated with the team.
Networking- working in the placement encouraged me to develop my social skills. I suffer from social anxiety which made this very difficult for me. Throughout the placement, I became more comfortable talking to others about any problems I had. Was able to have easy going conversations with senior in the finance department.
Technology- initially my laptop was not working nor were the applications. Made several trips to the office in order to resolve this. Made several appointments with IT team to resolve this. Was able to get a new laptop. Even after getting a new laptop there were issues with the programming. IT technician eventually came fixed it.
(what would I have done differently with hindsight). Been more prepared and spoken out more. Been more direct with people and tell others that I wanted to be more involved in tasks and meetings.
