Student Work Placement Agreement
Be as well prepared as you can, and conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times. Most work placements are unpaid, please make sure you can afford travel and accommodation before you accept a work placement.
Before you Go:
-Start and finish times
- Know your start and finish times for all days, they may vary
- Make sure you are punctual
- Be there early on your first day
- Do not leave early, be prepared to stay late
-Dress Code
- Check what their dress code is – suits, or just generally smart
- Always dress to impress
-Location
- Make sure you have their full address and post code
- Take a telephone number so you can phone them if you get lost
- Check where you need to be on your first day
- And, who you need to report to
-What you need to do
- Be prepared in advance
- Make sure you have everything before you set off
- Think about what ‘you’ want to get out of the placement
- Be enthusiastic and proactive, ask lots of questions
- Take in ideas for stories of your own
Please Note:
Students who accept a placement organised by the university are under obligation to attend. No further placements will be offered to students who drop out of placements at the last minute without good reason.
Our links with local employers are fostered over long periods and students are expected to give a good account of themselves and the University and to respond enthusiastically to the tasks they are asked to do. Placements are obviously variable, but students should remember that it is those who show initiative and enthusiasm,especially on SLOW news days, who make the best impression.
You may find you are thrown in at the deep end and are given plenty of opportunity to show off your skills, but sometimes in highly pressured newsrooms you may not be given a huge amount to do. If this happens, please remember that you can still learn a lot by observing professionals at work, and if you are interested and enthusiastic you are more likely to be allocated tasks, particularly if you suggest your own ideas. Remember at the end of this placement you will be given feedback by your supervisor. Good feedback from a work placement can play a big part in getting you freelance shifts, a contract or even a job when your course finishes.
Health & Safety
All workers have a right to work in places where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled. Health and safety is about stopping you getting hurt at work or ill through work. Your employer is responsible for health and safety, but you must help. Please read DSE (display screen equipment) Regulations.
Responsibility of the Student – to the placement provider
-Abide by all rules regarding health and safety requirements, and other practices and procedures of the placement organisation
-Carry out the work programme specified by the placement provider under the supervision of the specified supervisor(s)
-Inform the placement provider of any health concerns or disability that may require adjustments
-Report any serious incidents or concerns about health and safety to your supervisor at your placement, if these are not addressed contact the department , or call our reception 9am to 5pm 0114 2222500.
Responsibility of the Student – to the University of Sheffield
-Attend briefing sessions and access all provided information
-Inform the University of any health concerns or disability that may affect the level of risk or may require adjustments
-Consult with the University prior to seeking any changes in the terms and duration of the placement
- University’s emergency contact number is 0114 2224444. Please note these numbers down before attending your work placement…
- Please make sure your University record details (through Muse) are up-to-date before you go
- If you are using your own motor vehicle, make sure your car insurance covers work related travel
- If your work placement involves an overnight stay or travel by plane we can arrange insurance through the University – you must let us know
If you do experience any problems while you are out on your placement then please do not hesitate to contact me. Itis much better that we get things sorted out while you are there.
Please remember anything you blog or write on Twitter or Facebook will be seen by your placement provider and can be accessed by our department. Social media is NOT private.
I hope your placement goes really well and you get a lot out of it. Please check your University email regularly; we will be in touch with you to see how you are getting on.
Induction formmust be completed on your first day and returned to the department
Feedback formsmust be completed on your last day, and a copy returned to the department
Email both back asap to
-If you wish your work placement to go on HEAR (UG students only) we can only do this if we receive positive feedback and it is signed by your supervisor, emailed to us or you have a business card/comp slip or letterhead with a hard copy.
Makesure you keep a file of the work you do on your placement, and of any feedback that you receive. A successful work placement is a significant achievement. You should make sure you have evidence of what you have achieved, so that you can show it off to potential employers. You should also include the feedback and your best work in your NCTJ Portfolio, if you are submitting one. N.B. the work you submit to the NCTJ must include the original work produced by you, i.e. before any changes are made in the production/editing process. If possible, get this original work verified by one of your supervisors.
DATABASE LINK: will be emailed out when available
Please sign and date to confirm that you have read and understood all of the above, and have attended the work placement briefing session 10/10/2017.
Signed: …………………………………………………………. Date: ……………..…...
Name (Print): ……………………………………………………………………………...
Please complete below:
What are you studying: UG 2nd year UG 3rd year MA Journalism MA Broadcast MA Magazine
Type of placement preferred (tick one ONLY):
Radio TV Newspaper On-line Magazine PR Other …..…………………………………..