BSc Psychology

1

• BSc Psychology
• BSc Applied Psychology and Sociology
• BSc Sociology
• BSc Sociology, Culture and Media
• PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT YEAR
• 2008/9

2

• Getting a Professional Placement THE PEOPLE
  INVOLVED
• tbc - professional placement tutor
• Cheryl Price - placement secretary
• Dr Lynne Purvis - senior professional placement
  tutor (Psychology)
• tbc - senior professional placement tutor
  (Sociology)
• Room 39b AD 03, extension 9172 or 3765
• Contact us via Sociology or Psychology Office
  pigeon holes or by putting a message under the
  door, or by email l.bates_at_surrey.ac.uk until end
  August 2007
• c.price_at_surrey.ac.uk
• We keep in touch with you via the website, the
  placement noticeboard, opposite the placement
  office on level 03 and by email.
• http//placements.psy.surrey.ac.uk

3

• WHATS IN IT FOR YOU?
• Apply knowledge acquired at university extend
  and improve these skills
• Improve transferable skills required in all
  jobs
• Get concrete experience to put on CV, talk about
  in applications and increase chances of
  successful graduate employment
• Contribute in real way to organisation make a
  difference
• Perhaps get material for final year dissertation
• In some cases get graduate job offer
• Look at career options from the inside
• Change from academic study, chance to develop
  confidence and maturity

4

• WHATS IN IT FOR EMPLOYER?
• Motivated and intelligent worker without long
  term commitment
• Evaluate suitability for permanent employment
• Contribute to undergraduate education

5

• WHATS IN IT FOR UNIVERSITY?
• Produce more rounded and mature graduates
• Promote links with non academic world
• Enhance Surreys reputation for good graduate
  employment

6

• WHAT CONSTITUTES A PLACEMENT?
• 46 working weeks (excluding holidays) if paid and
  30 working weeks if unpaid.
• Normally you are expected to work for one
  organisation for the whole placement.
• Job responsibilities have to be real and add to
  your degree experience and/or to your personal
  and career development.
• Before accepting a placement it must be approved
  by the professional placement tutor.
• The company must provide an appropriate
  manager/supervisor.
• The placement organisation must and sign and
  return a placement agreement and a satisfactory
  health and safety assessment form.
• It is expected that the placement will be
  situated in the United Kingdom

7

• WHAT KIND OF JOB CAN I DO?
• CLINICAL/HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
• SOCIAL RESEARCH
• PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH
• EDUCATION
• FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY/ CRIMINOLOGY
• SOCIAL/CARE WORK
• HUMAN RESOURCES/ OCCUPATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
• RETAIL MANAGEMENT
• MARKET RESEARCH
• MARKETING/PR
• MEDIA

8

• WHAT DOES THE UNIVERSITY DO?
• Provides help, support and guidance throughout
  the process of deciding about placements in the
  second year.
• Makes available to you details of a range of
  placements to apply for.
• Helps you to make individual applications and
  negotiations.
• Provides contact and support throughout the
  placement year in the form of phone and email
  contact, visits, newsletters, return day etc.
• Conducts the assessment of the placement year.

9

• WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?
• Evaluate yourself
• Your likes and dislikes
• Your strengths and weaknesses
• Research possible placements
• Press
• Websites
• Friends and family
• Part-time work
• Update your CV
• Show to family/friend/employer for constructive
  criticism
• Fill in gaps
• Get useful work experience
• Improve it skills
• Learn to drive
• Network
• Let everyone know you are looking for a placement

10

• WHAT TO DO NEXT SEMESTER?
• Be prepared to start working on placements early
  in the semester
• Attend weekly placement seminars
• Sign up for individual interview
• Keep in regular contact with Placement Office and
  placement website at http//placements.psy.surrey.
  ac.uk
• Enhance and update CV
• Seek out relevant experience
• Use resources from Careers Service and career
  Management Skills website www.surrey.ac.uk/cms/
• http//portal.surrey.ac.uk/careers
• www.prospects.ac.uk
• Be determined, creative, persistent

11

• The Surrey Centre for Excellence in Professional
  Training and Education has been set up with
  Government funding to reward excellent practice
  in higher education.
• Our work focuses on understanding and improving
  student experiences of learning in professional
  workplace settings and developing opportunities
  so that students are better prepared for learning
  in a complex world.
• www.surrey.ac.uk/sceptre
• Watch out for events next semester in the centre
  in AC building

12

• USSU
• Remember that the union through projects such as
  DAVE and Volunteering will able to give you lots
  of ideas/training/help in the process of applying
  for placement jobs.
• www.ussu.co.uk

13

• UNPAID PLACEMENTS
• In the PUBLIC SECTOR (health, education, social
  services, prisons) and in the MEDIA many
  placements will be unpaid
• Before considering one you need to work out your
  finances
• In public sector jobs you will qualify for a full
  loan but not if working for private company
• Some unpaid placements offer some remuneration in
  form of travel subsidy, meals or paid extension
  to placement
• We will try to locate you in a convenient area

14

• UNPAID PLACEMENTS
• You will gain experience in an area that is
  relevant to your possible future career
• You may work in an organisation where you would
  not be able to get a paid job
• Unpaid placements last for 30 working weeks
• Some organisations offer 4 day working weeks

15

• UNPAID PLACEMENTS -
• Lack of money
• Lack of clarity over status as volunteer

16

• Its not an easy process
• It may take quite a lot of time
• You will need to work hard at it
• BUT
• its well worth the effort for your academic,
  professional and personal development
• REMEMBER
• that the harder you try the luckier you get