A Decent Proposal: Helping Placement Students Plan Projects Using Interactive Workshops Matt Wood & Julie Fowlie BMAF Conference 2009

Overview Background Issues New approach Conclusions

Background Undergraduate business courses 3rd year on placement Dedicated placements office maintaining long-term relationships with leading client companies e.g. IBM, Sony, American Express and Channel 4 Employers are increasingly placing more importance during selection on an applicants ability to learn through practical experience. (Herbert and Rothwell, 2005; p4) Requirement to prepare an academic project report based upon their work experience

Issues Previous years placement students invited to a day school during which they were taught proposal writing Didactic approach did not translate into useful proposals Lack of attention Negative feedback

New Approach We designed an interactive placements conference Commercial format with brand identity Delegates working in small groups using workbooks to guide them through the key elements of the proposal Exercises introduced through case study

Agenda RegistrationMithras House Reception All Welcome Student experiences MG8All How to choose an appropriate topic and relevant literature MG6 MG5 MG3 Red Group Blue Group Yellow Group How to select research methods MG6 MG5 MG3 Red Group Blue Group Yellow Group Break How to prepare your proposal MG6 MG5 MG3 Red Group Blue Group Yellow Group PlenaryMG8All All dayDrop in with Placement Issues MG2All

Conclusions More structured, interactive approach Student centred Facilitated by appropriate staff Delegates engaged Positive feedback Spring conference: acting on feedback; presentation and report writing