Carrying out and reflecting on work experience

Carrying Out Work Experience

Many land-based industries provide work placement opportunities, giving valuable hands-on experience in the sector.
Before starting a work placement, familiarising yourself with the organisation’s safety protocols is essential.
It’s useful to understand the structure of the company and functions of different roles to help align your work with the broader organisational goal.
Effective communication is key when working in a team, sharing important work-related information, and asking for help when necessary.
Active involvement in various tasks can help enhance your practical skills and knowledge about the operation.
Remember to follow established best practices and protocols during your work to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency.
Learning from others who have more experience in the field can accelerate your professional development.
Making connections during your work placement can be beneficial for future opportunities within the industry.

Reflecting on Work Experience

During and after your work experience, it’s crucial to engage in reflection; this provides insights into what you’ve learned, your skills, and areas for improvement.
Start by reviewing the tasks you undertook, discussing what went well and identifying any challenges faced.
Consider how you applied the knowledge acquired from your studies in dealing with practical problems or tasks.
Reflection should involve assessing your interpersonal skills, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership.
Reflect on how well you adapted to a new work environment, including your resilience, readiness of learning new skills, and response to feedback.
Think about how the work experience aligned with your career aspirations.
Reflecting on the work environment and organisational culture can allow you to discern the types of workplaces that suit your personality and work style.
Utilise this reflection process to identify new personal and professional goals for your future endeavours in the land-based industries.

Remember, the reflection is not just self-assessment of your skills but also gaining an understanding of the workplace, organisational requirements, and your career path. It’s an essential part of continuous personal and professional development.