{"id":13035,"date":"2023-02-13T09:16:40","date_gmt":"2023-02-13T09:16:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.york.ac.uk\/student-voices\/?p=13035"},"modified":"2023-02-13T09:16:42","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T09:16:42","slug":"work-placement-expectations-and-first-impressions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.york.ac.uk\/student-voices\/2023\/02\/13\/work-placement-expectations-and-first-impressions\/","title":{"rendered":"Work placement expectations and first impressions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I am a MSci <\/span><\/i>Natural Sciences<\/span><\/i><\/a> student who specialises in Physic<\/span><\/i>s – I did the Chemistry, Maths, and Physics (CMP) pathway for those interested. I<\/span><\/i>‘m doing a \u2018Science Communication\u2019 work placement at a Science and Technology Facilities Council\u2018s (STFC)<\/a> national laborator<\/span><\/i>y in Oxfordshire. <\/span><\/i> In my job, I undertake many different roles related to internal and external communications, both physically and digitally. T<\/span><\/i>o list a few, I support events on-site, public engagement activities, give site tours, and help manage our website and social media accounts<\/span><\/i>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What were my first impressions of my employer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My first real interaction with my employer was during the job application process. I was interviewed in front of a panel of communication officers at STFC during the application process – I was terrified! However, once I got into the Zoom call and started actually talking to them, I was okay. I realised they were all just people, and they were just as passionate about my placement as I was. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does the work environment live up to my expectations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The short answer is no, the work environment actually far exceeds my expectations.<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was expecting a very rigid management style and strict working hours.<\/span> I was worried I’d be expected to work extra time on top of my contracted hours. Plus, because I’m a student surrounded by professionals, I was expecting to be ignored and not have my voice heard. This was the impression of \u201creal-life work\u201d I’d been given by the media I’d consumed from an early age. Much to my surprise, I discovered the work environment at my placement to be just the opposite. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the beginning,<\/span> I was told I got the same privileges as every other employee<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n