During the summer vacation prior to entering the final year; each student is required to obtain practical experience by undertaking a period of at least six weeks duration working within the renewable energy sector or a related industry or organization. The placement should give you practical skills, a better idea of working in a professional environment, the opportunity to earn a good reference and possibly a job offer. The placement report gives experience of writing and receiving feedback on a report ahead of the third year project.
 

There are no prerequisites for completing the module.

Work placement report: To provide students with some experience of work within the renewable energy sector prior to graduation. To ensure that candidates have evidence of an effective, relevant and useful work experience to record on their CV and to show to prospective employers upon graduation.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 demonstrate you have gained useful experience and awareness of the world of work in the energy sector.
2 demonstrate the acquisition of new knowledge and practical skills, the specifics being dependent on the particular work placement undertaken
 

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
3 work in an area relevant to the energy sector and develop career related skills while doing so.
4 apply academic skills from the degree programme to analysis and solution of problems in a workplace setting

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and  Knowledge:

5 prepare a concise report to professional standard and to a strict deadline
6 write and keep a reflective journal
7 discuss the key features of a learning experience
8 appreciate the constraints imposed in a work situation
9 respond positively to work appraisal
10 reflect critically on your experience
11 develop some of the following skills: communication, assertiveness, presentation, team working, meeting, negotiation, time management, stress management, and problem solving skills, while in the world of work.

A short session is arranged with the student group during their second year studies to explain the requirements of the work placement report and the procedure to follow to arrange an NDA if necessary. A work placement handbook is provided to students laying out the requirements of the placement, the report and the obligations of the student to the employer and to the university.

Referred and deferred assignments will mirror the original mode of assessment. The element of the mark for the Employers Report will be carried over.

Basic reading:

Extended reading:

Neugebaur, J "Making the Most of your Placement" , Sage Publications (2009), ISBN: 978-184787

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

CSM3370 Work Placement Report Handbook

Web based and Electronic Resources:

RMIT University. “Reflective Journals”,

https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/2_AssessmentTasks/assess_tuts/reflective%20journal_LL/index.html [Accessed 09 May, 2012]

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module: