{"id":13552,"date":"2023-12-12T13:20:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-12T13:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.york.ac.uk\/student-voices\/?p=13552"},"modified":"2025-01-10T08:40:49","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T08:40:49","slug":"has-my-placement-lived-up-to-my-expectations-not-all-of-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.york.ac.uk\/student-voices\/2023\/12\/12\/has-my-placement-lived-up-to-my-expectations-not-all-of-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Has my placement lived up to my expectations? Not all of them…"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
I’m about 4 months in to my Science Communication placement at ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC. I love my placement, but before I started, I certainly didn’t think it would be all sunshine and roses…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like anything new, starting a placement brings with it a certain number of concerns and worries. Will I get on with my coworkers? Will I make a mistake and embarrass myself. Will I get lost? In my case, the answer to all of these was YES! And I will probably continue to get lost and embarrass myself for the rest of the year…<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I expect… I will be looked down upon.<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Prior to working here, I didn\u2019t know anything about the work carried out at ISIS Neutron Muon Source, and so my expectations were a bit all over the place. As a young woman in STEM, we are forewarned that the STEM industries are faulty and need to change. This, and the fact that I am a biologist, working at a facility full of physicists, engineers and chemists (among other disciplines) meant I expected to be a bit looked down on, due to my lack of knowledge. I haven\u2019t felt this at all.<\/strong> When I tell other scientists that I am a biologist, their immediate reaction is to explain their research in a way that I can relate to and easily understand. Since the work here is so broad, there is always an example that can be linked to something I am interested in.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nThere are loads of opportunities to get involved with public engagement in my role. Here, I am testing some robots for an activity with schoolchildren. The robots follow colour (hence the corn).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
I expect… to be treated like the bottom of the food chain.<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Likewise, as a student, I don\u2019t feel that my role is any less important. STFC places great emphasis on early careers, with a number of apprenticeships, industrial placements and grad schemes each year. Many of the staff, including our director at ISIS started out on placement here. I am treated like any other valued member of staff.<\/strong><\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I expect… to struggle to converse with scientists.<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
My role involves talking with visiting scientists about their research and writing about it. There is a stereotype that scientists are bad at talking with people, or that they just like to drone on about their work regardless of if you are following the conversation. Like most stereotypes, I have found this to be unfair. Everyone I speak to is lovely.<\/strong> Yes, they are passionate about their work, but they are also willing to explain it in a way I can most easily understand. In science, there really in no such thing as a dumb question- it is built on curiosity after all.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I expect… to be bored by so<\/span><\/b>me of the research happening.<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As mentioned, I am a biologist, with a particular interest in ecology and environmental science. I<\/span> thought I might be bored by a lot of the research carried out here as they are not in my areas of interest. Instead, I have learnt about new areas of science that I would otherwise never have explored.<\/strong> I think the wide research I<\/span>‘m encountering on this placement will set me up well for my future career by applying my writing skills to whatever area of science is needed. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nHere I am in one of our Target Stations. Behind me are some of the instruments, where experiments take place. This is where I give tours to visitors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Its okay to have expectations about your placement, but it\u2019s also important to keep an open mind. I am learning skills that I never expected to a few years ago, like filmmaking and being a tour guide. <\/span>The most important thing you can do on placement is let go of your expectations<\/strong> (I know, it’s hard) and take every single opportunity that comes your way, speak to every person and sign up to every event! Really make the most of your placement, because it is only a year! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow Orla’s placement year journey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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