The document discusses the University of Exeter Business School's "With Industrial Experience" programme. It aims to increase the number of students undertaking work experience and completing industrial placements. Key points include: - The programme offers paid internships between 36-52 weeks to gain credits and real world experience. - Placement numbers have grown significantly and the school aims to improve conversion rates between years. - Students provide positive feedback on the valuable experience and preparation for employment. - Employers also provide positive feedback on interns' work ethic and contributions. - The school works to continually enhance placement support, training, and the student experience.

1. Running
the “with Industrial
Experience” Programme
Elaine
Dunn,
Susannah
Day,
Beate
Wilmshurst
and
Sandy
Williams

2. Business School strategy
Strategic objectives established in 2012 include major focus
on delivering outstanding student careers:
• Be in Top 5 UK Business Schools (DLHE)
• Increase number of students undertaking work experience
• Grow number students on industrial placement (150)
…within 5 years (from Sept 2012).
Informed by research, convinced that Exeter degree + good work
experience = increased employment prospects.

3. Improving employability - UG students
The Business School currently offers several ‘experiential’ options:
• 4-Year pathways available on all degrees:
Ø With Industrial Experience (WIE)
Ø With European Study (WES)
Ø With International Study (WIS)
• Business Experience module (15 credit elective, year 1 or 2)
• Business Practice module (new for 2014/15; compulsory on
Business & Management degrees)

4. WIE metrics
Growing number of students on WIE and working to improve
conversion rates from Year 1 to 2 and from Year 2 to 3:
Business
School
Undergraduate
WIE
student
numbers
Academic
Year
Academic
Year
Academic
Year
2014/15
2013/14
2012/13
(forecast)
(actual)
(actual)
Academic
Year
2015/16
(forecast)
Year
One
191
252
250
280
Year
Two
84
(70%)
164
(86%
)
227
(90%)
225
(90%)
Year
Three
(on
placement)
Year
Four
62
(70%)
67
(80%)
131
(80%)
181
(80%)
49
62
67
131
Total
386
545
675
818

5. WIE overview
Paid internship of up to a year (at least 36 weeks) either in the UK
or EU and certain overseas countries
• 120 credits
• Assessed by course work (reflective report, business awareness
report, reflective poster/video after return)
• and two employer reports plus one tutor report
• Allocated a placement tutor who provides ongoing support, marks
and gives feedback on work, and visits once

6. The good bits
Positive student feedback
• a memorable experience
• surprised at the welcoming employment environment
• excellent preparation for future employment
• excellent preparation for final year of study

7. The good bits (cont.)
Positive employer feedback
• students learn fast and work hard
• integrate well
• often have specific responsibilities or projects
• make a real contribution

8. The challenges
• how best to prepare students for placement search
• how best to prepare students for the placement experience
• how best to support international students on WIE
• concern about fees
• what, how and when to assess
• keeping lines of communication open

9. Placement processes
Improvements to prepare students for placement search:
• Timing – begin prep sessions 6 months earlier (January start)
• Integration - embed pre placement sessions in timetable
• Commitment - introduce 1st year learning agreements - enable
students to reflect on the suitability of WIE for their career and
acknowledge responsibilities
• Practice – compulsory mock assessment centre and interview;
also employer visits and WIE specific skills sessions

10. Placement processes (cont.)
• Networking - connecting year 1 & 2 students with year 3 & 4
• Personal support - drop in’s and appointments with CARe staff to talk
through placement search in an accessible, welcoming space
• Improving guidance - on international placement destinations
• Communications - using social media to promote careers events,
application deadlines, CARe team availability
• Availability - recording pre placement preparation sessions and
sharing with students via ELE

11. WIE Support Scheme
To encourage peer to peer support:
• New WIE Support Scheme – returning 4th year WIE students
• Online profiles on ELE – their placement search
• Provide support in advance of application and selection process
• Assisting with extra curricular careers activities and timetabled
sessions

12. Support
Placement support for all years:
• networking events for all years (invitation to alumni events)
• monthly email communications to students on placement
• welcome back debrief to 4th years and “Farewell to WIE” event
Learn about our WIE students at:
http://business-school.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/
buildingbrilliantcareers/meet/

13. Reflections of the first cohort
Welcome back review
• Returner’s survey
• Identified highlights, challenges
and areas requiring change
• Set up WIE mentors
• WIE network ‘the HIVE’
September
2012

14. Highlights and Challenges
Highlights
Challenges
Increased
confidence
Early
starts,
long
hours
Learning
from
people
with
industry
knowledge
Maintaining
focus
in
meeQngs
SiRng
ACA
exams
Work-­‐life
balance
The
Christmas
party!!
Office
poliQcs
Lunch
at
No
11
CommuQng
Being
paid
Business
networking
Becoming
organised
Unfamiliar
IT
Becoming
a
professional
PresentaQons
to
clients/senior
management

15. What would you change or enhance?
Change
Enhance
training
Reduce
number
of
assessments
Interpersonal
skills
Change
Employer
Assessment
Assessment
centres
form
to
reflect
business
skills
Define
role
of
Tutor
/
central
support
PracQcal
skills
Improve
ELE
informaQon
IT
training
Enhance
WIE
handbook
PresentaQons
to
senior
team