Summer placements inspire students to succeed

Teesside University students relished an opportunity to boost their employability prospects by taking part in a summer internship scheme.

Scores of first and second year students at Teesside University used the summer break from their studies to secure five-week or six-week work placements with various companies in the region.

The placements were sourced by the University, in partnership with Tees Valley Community Foundation and NEPIC and were designed to fit in with students’ courses and career aspirations.

In total, 100 placements were completed by students about to start their second or final year at Teesside University and the feedback has been positive – with many saying the experience has provided inspiration to follow their chosen career paths.

Among those who completed a placement was BA (Hons) History student, Harriet Beadnell, 19, of Saltburn, who spent six weeks with Durham County Council Records Office.

She said: 'I really enjoyed working in the archives and I really think doing the placement really helped me to progress, as I’ve since been offered a placement working as researcher on a BBC historical documentary.

'My placement at Durham involved lots of research and data handling and also handling historical documents. It required a lot of attention to detail and it was really great experience.'

Ross Peddie, 21, of Middlesbrough, is a BA (Hons) Marketing and Advertising student. He completed a six-week placement at Middlesbrough Football Club.

He said: 'I was given a project involving the family stand at MFC's Riverside Stadium. I was involved in market research and analysis, all focused on creating a good atmosphere within the stand.

'I was given lots of responsibility and it was really enjoyable doing the placement. I was able to put into practice what I’d been learning during my degree and it’s also led me to be offered work with the club during the summer and over the coming season, which will enable me to continue working on the placement project and see it through to completion.'

Sasha Nycander-Howells, 20, of Stockton, is studying BA (Hons) Fine Art. She completed a six-week placement with Arc in Stockton. She said: 'I really enjoyed the placement as it was really broad, involving marketing, research and advertising. It has helped me to see the different directions my degree could lead me to and it’s also given me valuable experience.'

She added: 'During the placement I was given a research project which was really arts-based, which fitted in well with my degree. I'm still in touch with the mentors I worked with at Arc, it was a really positive experience.'

Bill Greenwood, Senior Careers Advisor at Teesside University, said the placement scheme has had a positive impact in terms of boosting students’ employability and also supporting regional businesses.

He said: 'The feedback we have had about the scheme has been fantastic. The students have really taken it upon themselves to make an impression during their placements and the work they have done has been of significant benefit to the businesses.'

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