Placement 101 – Preparation & Planning for Industry Placement

Abstract

Industry placement is a compulsory component of several undergraduate courses aimed at enhancing a student’s transition from learner to professional. Undergraduate students face many challenges when they embark on their first industry placement, some of which could be resolved and managed more effectively if students were given the appropriate tools before they undertook the transition to professional learner off campus. The preparation and planning for industry placement workshop is an innovative pilot program offered to first year education and nursing students at QUT’s regional Caboolture campus. The workshop aimed to improve the preparation of students prior to their first industry placement, and to foster social connectedness and develop a sense of belonging as described by Devlin, Kift, Nelson, Smith and McKay (2012). Early data indicates the workshops have a positive effect in providing support for student’s life and learning issues and in enhancing student experience.