Getting the most out of it
Starting a placement, internship or project is an exciting and sometimes stressful experience for many students. Here are some tips to consider during your WIL experience:
- Be patient. Its ok to not know everything 鈥 remember you are new to the organisation, and you aren鈥檛 expected to know everything. Focus on what you do know and ask questions.
- Remember this experience is about learning 鈥 make the most of opportunities available.
- If you are based within an organisation, observe those around you and learn from them, including how they conduct themselves professionally.
- Don鈥檛 be afraid to be creative in approaching challenges 鈥 draw on a variety of inspiration and use your intuition as well as knowledge gained from your courses.
聽A WIL experience allows for you to develop many personal and professional skills, such as communication skills, networking, time management as well as opportunities to develop your professional identity, confidence and more.
Communication Skills
Communication, communication, communication! Regardless of what type of WIL experience you are undertaking, communication is going to significantly contribute to the success of your experience 鈥 whether that is with other students when working on a group project, with your academic supervisor, or your Host Contact.
It is also important to note that communication includes speaking, writing, and listening, and it's important to consider how the message you are intending to convey is portrayed 鈥 what is your body language saying or your tone of voice?
- Communication is key 鈥搆eep the lines of communication open with your Host Contact, academic supervisor or course coordinator. They are there to help and support you
- Ask questions!
- Use a variety of communication methods 鈥 don鈥檛 always rely on email, but try face-to-face or phone. Perhaps there are other ways you will communicate, but make sure you both understand how you will communicate with each other
- Proofread all documents, including emails, and check for spelling and grammar
- Practise any presentations you are required to give
- Consider your audience and adapt your communication style to suit
Networking
Building your network聽is about establishing connections with people, typically in聽a field or聽an organisation聽you want to be a part of. Completing a WIL experience allows you a fantastic opportunity to start building your own professional network. Building your network early sets you ahead聽for future opportunities.聽
- Where possible, make the most of opportunities to attend meetings, events, and talk to others at the organisation. Are there ways you can get involved with other projects or tasks to help others around you?
- Consider setting up a LinkedIn account and connecting with those around you. The UC Careers team have many resources, and one-on-one appointments to help you develop this
- Say yes to networking opportunities where you can
- Talk to those around you about their career journey 鈥 people are usually happy to share their story
聽If you are interested in looking into how to develop your networking skills, visit聽Te R艒p奴 Rapuara | UC Careers聽for some great tips and advice.聽
Confidence
Adjusting to the workplace and understanding the norms and expectations of the organisation and industry take time. Try to be patient and enjoy the experience. Your confidence in yourself and your abilities will grow throughout the experience.
- Show your enthusiasm and passion, and your willingness to learn
- Focus on what you do know and how you are able to contribute, rather than what you don鈥檛 know
- Ask questions! This helps to show your willingness to learn
- Be open to new ideas and ways of doing things
- Reflect positively on your mistakes 鈥 these are an opportunity to learn 鈥 no one is perfect and by reflecting on these, we continually improve
- Be open and flexible with changing environments, priorities and tasks. Life is not always predictable.
- Be mindful of your own wellbeing 鈥 if you feel things are becoming too much, be sure to lean on those around you, and seek help
- Be open and responsive to constructive feedback throughout the experience 鈥 this can help with your personal development and in turn, build your confidence
Community
You may feel a wide range of emotions during your WIL experience, so it's important to lean on the support of your community around you. This consists of both your own community outside of your study world, such as wh膩nau and friends, and also the community around you at UC, including your Course Coordinators, peers and student services.
If you are able to connect with other students who are also going through a WIL experience, do so 鈥 this may be your classmates (perhaps there is a forum through your course LEARN page?), or others you know who have gone through the WIL experience. Chatting with those who have been there or are going through it can help to normalise what you are experiencing, and to know you are not alone.
If you don鈥檛 know any other students who have undertaken or are currently in a WIL experience, contact your UC Contact and ask them to connect you with other students in your programme of study.
Helpful resources
For more helpful advice, tips and ways to develop important transferrable skills, have a look at these resources:
More resources can be found on the聽Student Resources Page
