Sides used in my presentation to level 5 students about my experience on placement as an assistant technician at Sheffield Hallam University.

1. By Megan Dutton
MYPLACEMENT
AS AN ASSISTANT LABORATORY TECHNICIAN AT SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY

2. OBTAINING MY PLACEMENT
 Found my placement advertised on UniHub
 Completed the application form
 Was offered an interview over zoom
 Used feedback from practice interview with Niki
Abbott
 Started placement on the 6th September
 Finished on the 5th August
 Obtained a reference from my PSP2 tutor
 Check regularly

3. MY PLACEMENT ORGANISATION
 Sheffield Hallam is one of the UK’s largest and diverse
universities with more than 30,000 students (1)
 The university’s current mission is working towards its strategy
of ‘Transforming lives’
 Delivered by three core activities:
 Contributed to these every day as a placement student . . .
 Research and innovation
 Teaching and learning
 Commitment to place
(1) Our strategy | Sheffield Hallam University. (2017).
Shu.ac.uk. https://www.shu.ac.uk/about-us/strategy

4. MY PALECEMENT ROLE
 Worked as an assistant technician within the department
of Laboratory and Analytical Operations (LAO)
 The department is split into 3 main areas
 Supports Biosciences and Chemistry, Chemical
engineering, MERI, BMRC, Food Sciences and Teacher
Education Science.
 I helped facilitate teaching and projects in Owen, Norfolk
and EMB laboratories.
 Supported all levels from Undergraduate Foundation to
Masters.
 Research and Analytical operations
 Life sciences
 Science projects
MERI = Materials and engineering research institute
BMRC = Biomolecular research centre
EMB = Eric Mensforth Building

5. SEMESTER 1 DUTIES
 Completed induction and a range of training courses
 Assisted lead members of staff in preparing and testing
reagents for teaching practical’s
 Assisted in set up and clean down laboratory classes
 Responsible for equipment maintenance of
thermometers, hotplate stirrers and homogenisers
 Weekly legionella checks
 Regular stock checks of the prep room
Standard operational procedures
Risk assessments

6. SEMESTER 2 DUTIES
 Given practicals to lead as well as assist on
 Assisted in preparations for Undergraduate projects:
 Open, closing and restocking of cell culture
 Project housekeeping duties:
 Balanced this alongside continuing duties from semester 1
More responsibility for the preparation and set up of practicals
Responsible for practical run throughs
Training courses
Organisation of cold room for student reagents
Responsible for producing supervisor boxes
Cell culture – aliquots, cell splitting and cell line maintenance
Restocking of project lab consumables
Waste management

7. SEMESTER 3 DUTIES
 Completed practical development
 Prepared for masters projects as did for undergraduate
 Attended training courses to further develop practical
skills
 As confidence increased I assisted on project support
 Gained an insight into possible project topics
 Helped mentor work experience students
Amended teaching practicals according to feedback from academic staff
Checked all related documents – Quality management system, RA, lab script, standard data

8. Professional and
organisational
awareness – valued
by NHS
SKILLS GAINED
Verbal and written
communication
Skills
Teamworking skills –
Showing leadership
when leading pracs
Active listening when
assisting
Self-
Improvement – reflect
for performance
reviews and synoptic
learning portfolio
Problem solving
and resilience
Numeracy and
IT skills
Increased
confidence
Developed best
working practice
and theory
knowledge
Time
management
skills

9. THINGS TO CONSIDER
Other Benefits
 Paid placement
 Year out of ‘university learning’
 Head start on final year coursework – PSP3 portfolio
 Gave me the confidence to take new opportunities e.g. STEM
ambassador volunteering
Need to consider
 Completion of the IBMS portfolio
 8.30 am -5.30 pm working week (get annual leave)
 Reduced funding during a placement year
 Work contract may not align with accommodation dates

10. SUMMARY!
 Placement is great way of gaining experience in the world of work which
will help you in applying for graduate roles.
 Gain a variety of course specific and transferrable skills which will equip
you for your final year of study
 Opportunity to gain an insight in what you would like to do for your final
year project
 Chance to meet new people – socialise outside of work (2) Placements | Sheffield Hallam University. (2019). Shu.ac.uk.
https://www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/why-choose-
us/employability/placements
 According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency 82% of students who
take a placement year at Hallam are in highly skilled employment or
further study 15 months after graduating (2).

11. ANY QUESTIONS?