Why placements are important, a thread.

This week I had my final placement visit @DCA_Design for one of my engineering students, and it re-enforced why we recommend our students do them, and why we recommend them to companies!

@LboroEng @WolfsonPlcmnts
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It might sound cheesy, but placements give students a chance to grow
They can learn and improve interpersonal and presentation skills, which are crucial for operating in the 'real world'. My student's manager commented often on incredible improvements in presentation skills
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They also get a chance to learn practical engineering skills. One of my students learnt how to use a piece of data acquisition equipment, another has learnt how to use a very complex piece of engineering software and another got their track licence for testing cars!
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Also, the students get paid to do real engineering, which is great for them!

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Students also get the chance to learn about how engineering fits within the wider business.

As engineers we often focus on the fun bit (the engineering!), but in a company everything needs to be justified, costed and checked - people's lives may depend on our work.
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Companies with placement students also win! They get enthusiastic soon-to-be-graduates who work hard and cost less than they will once they graduate. It's also a year-long interview. Placement students who do well will often be employed by the same company after graduation!
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And that's what happened in this case! @DCA_Design were so impressed with the student that they have offered him a job post-graduation!

The moral of the story: Placements are awesome and you should do one if you can!

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