Category:placement
Source: https://blogs.qub.ac.uk/careers/category/placement/ Parent: https://blogs.qub.ac.uk/careers/2020/06/11/alumni-inspiration/
Embarking on a placement is an exciting opportunity for students at Queen’s University Belfast to gain practical experience in their chosen field. Whether you’re about to start your placement or are already knee-deep in the experience, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten tips to help you make the most of your time and thrive in the professional environment. Let’s dive in!
- Set Clear Objectives
Before you begin your placement, take some time to define your goals and objectives. Identify what you hope to achieve during this experience, whether it’s acquiring new skills, specializing in a particular area, or expanding your professional network. Clear objectives will keep you focused and motivated throughout your placement.
- Understand the Company Culture
Every workplace has its unique culture and values. Take the initiative to understand your company’s culture and align your actions accordingly. Embracing the company’s values will not only help you fit in better but also make you more productive and successful in your role.
- Develop a Good Relationship with Your Supervisor
Your supervisor will play a crucial role in guiding and supporting you throughout your placement. Building a strong relationship with them from the start is essential. Maintain open lines of communication, seek regular feedback on your work, and proactively address any challenges or concerns.
- Be Proactive
Don’t wait for instructions; take the initiative to go above and beyond. Volunteer for new tasks and responsibilities, demonstrate your eagerness to learn, and showcase your skills. Being proactive will not only enhance your learning experience but also leave a lasting positive impression on your colleagues and supervisors.
- Network with Colleagues
One of the greatest benefits of a placement is the opportunity to connect with professionals in your industry. Engage with your colleagues, attend company events, and participate in networking activities. Building relationships can provide valuable insights, potential mentors, and even future job opportunities.
- Ask Questions
Never hesitate to ask questions when you’re unsure about something. It’s better to seek clarification than to make mistakes that could have been easily avoided. Remember, everyone understands that you’re there to learn, and asking questions demonstrates your dedication and willingness to grow.
- Be Professional
Treat your placement as a professional job. Maintain a high level of professionalism at all times, from your punctuality to your appearance and behavior. Dress appropriately, respect your colleagues’ time and opinions, and adhere to the company’s policies and guidelines.
- Keep a Record of Your Achievements
Documenting your accomplishments during your placement is essential for future reference. Keep track of your projects, tasks, and any notable achievements. This record will serve as a valuable resource when updating your resume and preparing for future job interviews.
- Seek Feedback
Regularly seek feedback from your supervisor and colleagues. Constructive criticism will help you identify areas for improvement and develop your skills further. Embrace feedback as an opportunity for growth and demonstrate your commitment to personal and professional development.
- Leave a Good Impression
As your placement comes to an end, ensure you leave a positive lasting impression with your employer. Express your gratitude for the opportunity and convey your interest in potential future roles within the company. This could lead to job offers or valuable references down the line.
Conclusion
Your placement at Queen’s University Belfast is a significant stepping stone towards your future career. By setting clear objectives, embracing the company culture, nurturing professional relationships, and demonstrating proactive and professional behavior, you can maximize your experience and lay a solid foundation for future success. Remember, this placement is an opportunity for growth, learning, and professional development. Make the most of it, and enjoy every moment of your journey!
Find placements on MyFuture.
It’s peak season for placement applications. If you attended our Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair last week, you’ll know that a placement is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door at your dream company. But once you successfully secure a placement how can you make an impact that will lead to a potential job offer? We asked some top recruiters and here is what they had to say…
Be Enthusiastic
“The most successful placements are undertaken by students who appreciate the vast developmental opportunity that is presented to them via a work placement. Enthusiasm, active listening and the willingness to learn will result in a successful placement experience for both student and host organisation. Depending upon business requirements, students who contribute effectively, learn from others and ultimately impress during their placement year with Almac, leave with a conditional offer of employment ahead of their final year of study.”
Kim McAllister, Talent Acquisition Manager, Almac Group
Go above and beyond
“A student always makes an impact if they go above and beyond to help others. It could be that they offer to help someone who is struggling to get a job finished for a deadline or just something as small as offering to make tea or coffee for your team.
And ask questions! It shows you’re keen to learn and have a genuine interest in the role.
We also love to see our new members get to know everyone in the office by chatting with them at lunch or attending our social events. We’re a tight knit office so it’s important that people feel part of the team and enjoy the culture at Muldoon & Co.”
Olivia Blundell, Trainee Accountant, Muldoon & Co
Be willing to learn
“Having recently had a Queen’s student on our team, we found that having the willingness to train and learn was a great benefit. Get involved in the team and don’t be afraid to put points and ideas forward.”
Joelene Ridgill , Purchasing Manager at Seacoya Group Ltd
Get involved
“The best thing to do is to get involved in as much as possible. At Liberty IT, we have the opportunity to sign up for an unlimited amount of training and attend internal and external tech talks and conferences. Our past interns have participated in hackathons, talked at events and helped out with recruitment. There’s no limit to what you can get involved in.”
Birgitta Swanberg, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, Liberty IT
Ask questions
“Be eager and demonstrate a willingness to work by arriving on time and with a positive attitude. Look to develop your skills by communicating with employers within the business; ask questions and make sure you seek out those answers. Show interest in the work by keeping up with new technologies within the market.”
Chloe Brown, Corporate Recruiter, MRP
Teach yourself along the way
“Speak up, ask questions, and research topics. We don’t expect you to know everything, but we want to see you proactively learning and engaging.”
Jared Kearney, Senior Campus Recruiter, Citi UK and Citi Ireland
- graduate internships, graduate jobs, graduate placements, graduate recruitment and placement fair, placement, placements
(Psst! There are over 300 jobs on offer over the two days!)
Wow! What a jam-packed day of amazing exhibitors we had yesterday at the Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair. We have over 70+ more organisations coming today, so make sure you come back and check them out. The Day Two event lobby is already open, so you can pop in and check out employers and jobs, request interview slots with selected employers and follow employers to receive alerts.
Here are just some of the awesome companies signed up for Day Two – they are all hiring students just like you! If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so here:
https://virtualcareersfairs.qub.ac.uk/events
A&L Goodbody
A&L Goodbody is a leading Irish law firm
Accenture
Accenture plc is a multinational professional services company and a Fortune Global 500 company.
https://www.accenture.com/gb-en
Alchemy Technology Services
Global centre of excellence for insurance software implementation
The Almac Group is an established contract development and manufacturing organisation providing an extensive range of integrated services across the drug development lifecycle to the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors globally.
AquaQ provides consulting services to several top tier investment banks.
Bank of Ireland
Bank of Ireland Group plc is a commercial bank operation in Ireland and one of the traditional ‘Big Four‘ Irish banks.
https://www.bankofireland.com/
Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) is a health organisation covering Belfast, Northern Ireland
Bombardier
Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains.
https://www.bombardier.com/en/home.html
British Army, The – Army Careers
The Army is always recruiting, and there are a wide range of roles available for both officers and soldiers.
https://www.army.mod.uk/careers/
British Council – IAESTE
From electronics in Japan to earthquake detection technology in Colombia, an IAESTE placement is a guaranteed way to boost your career.
https://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/outside-uk/iaeste
BSG Civil Engineering Ltd
BSG Civil Engineering Ltd is a Premier Civil Engineering Contractor, delivering all Multi Discipline Schemes.
https://www.bsgcivilengineering.co.uk/
Carson McDowell
Carson McDowell is Northern Ireland’s most dynamic law firm.
https://www.carson-mcdowell.com/
CDE Global Ltd
CDE Global is the world’s no 1 wet processing equipment company.
Citi
A global bank providing financial services.
https://www.citigroup.com/citi/
CK International is one of the world’s leading waste baler manufacturers.
Clear Pharmacy
Clear Pharmacy is a family run group of community pharmacies
CME Group
The world’s leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace.
CommScope
CommScope helps design, build and manage wired and wireless networks around the world.
Cygilant provides Cybersecurity-as-a-Service.
Department for the Economy
The Department for the Economy is a devolved Northern Ireland government department in the Northern Ireland Executive.
https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/
DPS Group Global
DPS Group is a global consulting, engineering and construction management company.
https://www.dpsgroupglobal.com/
Dunbia
Dunbia is a red meat processor that sources and manufactures beef, lamb and pork products for retail, commercial and foodservice markets locally, nationally and internationally.
ESO Solutions UK Ltd
ESO offers an integrated suite of software products for EMS agencies, fire departments, and hospitals.
EY (UK)
A multinational professional services network (Accountancy Firm).
Farrans
Farrans Construction is an established building and civil engineering contractor.
fDi Intelligence
fDi Intelligence, a service from the Financial Times, is the largest FDI centre of excellence globally.
https://www.fdiintelligence.com/
FinTrU
Multi-award winning Financial Services company providing resourcing solutions for Global Investment Banks
Fox Contracts
An award winning Northern Irish based Civil Engineering company
https://www.fox-contracts.com/
Graham Construction
A large award winning UK construction company.
Harbinson Mulholland
Award winning accountants rooted in Northern Ireland,
https://www.harbinson-mulholland.com/
HMRC
The Non-ministerial department of the UK Government responsible for the collection of taxes and other forms of support within the UK.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs
IBM
American cloud platform and cognitive solutions multinational technology and consulting company
iManage
Large software company focused exclusively on professional work product management.
Infosys
Global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting.
InterTradeIreland – Career Boost
Provider of practical cross-border business funding, intelligence and contacts.
Invest NI
Invest Northern Ireland is Northern Ireland’s regional economic development agency.
Jacobs UK Ltd
Jacobs is multidisciplinary engineering company that operates globally.
Jameson Graduate Programme
Part of the Irish Distillers Company. It is the largest distiller of Irish whiskey.
https://www.jamesongraduateprogramme.com/
Jones Day
Commercial Law Firm
Kainos Software Ltd
Large NI & UK based software company.
Kingspan Group
Building Materials company based in Ireland.
KTP@QUB
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) at Queen’s University Belfast
Lakeland Dairies
Irish Dairy Co-operative and manufacturer of application specific food ingredients.
Marks & Spencer
Large major multinational retailer.
Marsh and McLennan
Marsh & McLennan is the world’s leading professional services firm in the areas of risk, strategy and people.
McAleer & Rushe
McAleer and Rushe is one of the UK’s largest design and build construction companies
McCann FitzGerald
Leading Irish Law firm
https://www.mccannfitzgerald.com/
MCL InsureTech Ltd
A high-quality provider of services to the insurance industry.
http://www.mclinsuretech.co.uk/
Mott MacDonald
Consultancy Firm
MRP
Sales & Marketing Innovation That Fosters Business Transformation.
Irish Food Wholesaler
Options Technology
The leading provider of cloud-enabled managed services to the global capital markets.
PA Consulting Group
Consultancy Firm
PAC GROUP
A UK-based leading provider of a diverse range of electrical and mechanical engineering applications and solutions.
Philip Morris Limited
An American multinational cigarette and tobacco manufacturing company, with products sold in over 180 countries.
PM Group
International Project Delivery Firm
https://www.pmgroup-global.com/
Puppet
Automation software development company
PwC
Accountancy Firm
Randox Laboratories Ltd
Randox provides clinical diagnostic solutions to laboratories worldwide and is dedicated to improving health on a global scale.
https://www.randox.com/
Rapid7
Rapid7 powers the practice of SecOps by delivering shared visibility, analytics, and automation to unite security, IT, and DevOps teams.
Specialisterne
A socially innovative company where the majority of employees have a diagnosis on the autism spectrum.
Synergy Learning
Experts in creating learning with impact. Premium Certified Moodle Services Provider & Platinum Totara Partner.
https://www.synergy-learning.com/
Terex GB Ltd
Terex Corporation is a global manufacturer of lifting and material processing products and services delivering lifecycle solutions.
Thermo Fisher Scientific
An American provisioner of scientific instrumentation, reagents and consumables, and software and services to healthcare, life science, and other laboratories in academia, government, and industry.
https://www.thermofisher.com/uk/en/home.html
TLT NI LLP
Commercial Law Firm
https://www.tltsolicitors.com/locations/belfast/
TPICAP
TP ICAP plc is a global firm of professional intermediaries that operates in the world’s financial, energy and commodities markets
Company developing innovative medical devices.
Version 1 Ltd
Version 1 proves that IT can make a real difference to our customers’ businesses.
https://www.version1.com/
WuXi Biologics
WuXi Biologics is a Chinese headquartered organization that provides open-access, integrated technology platforms for biologics drug development.
https://www.wuxibiologics.com/
- graduate internships, graduate jobs, graduate placements, graduate recruitment, graduate recruitment and placement fair
You may have heard that our Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair is going virtual on Oct 21 and 22. Did you know the event lobby is already open, so you can pop in and check out employers and jobs, request interview slots with selected employers and follow employers to receive alerts.
Here are just some of the awesome companies signed up for Day One – they are all hiring students just like you! If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so here:
https://virtualcareersfairs.qub.ac.uk/events
Abbvie
Pharmaceutical Research & Development
ACCA
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
https://www.accaglobal.com/in/en.html
AIB Group
Financial services group
Artificial intelligence-based technology
Aldi Stores Ltd
Supermarket chain
Allen & Overy LLP
International law firm
https://www.allenovery.com/en-gb/global
Allstate Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s largest IT Company
https://www.allstate.com/northern-ireland.aspx
Analog Devices
Semiconductor manufacturing company
https://www.analog.com/en/index.html
Andor Technology
Manufacturer
Arm Ltd
Semiconductor and software design company
Arthur Cox
Legal Firm
Arup
An independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, architects, consultants and technical specialists
Chartered Accountants
A Global leader in aircraft leasing
Baker McKenzie
Law firm
https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en
Baker Tilly Mooney Moore
Accountants & Business Advisers
British Council
Cultural relations and educational opportunities
https://www.britishcouncil.org
Cadence Design Systems
Computational software
https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home.html#
Cavanagh Kelly
Chartered Accountants
Chartered Accountants Ireland
Membership body representing 26000 influential members throughout the globe.
https://www.charteredaccountants.ie
Colgate Palmolive
Global Household & Consumer Products
https://www.colgatepalmolive.com/en-us
Collins Aerospace
The Future of Aerospace and Defence
https://www.collinsaerospace.com/en
CyberSource, a Visa Solution
E-commerce credit card payment system management company
https://www.cybersource.com/en-gb.html
DCC
International sales, marketing and support services group
Deloitte UK
Audit, Consulting, Financial Advisory and Tax
https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en.html
DLA Piper
A global law firm
https://www.dlapiper.com/en/uk/
Dynamic Signal
Trusted Employee Communication
Electricity Supply Board (ESB)
State owned electricity company operating in Ireland
https://esb.ie/who-we-are/about-esb
Energia Group Limited
A modern customer centric utility focusing on renewable energy and technology
Entekra Ltd
Off-Site Construction
EY (UK) EVENT SPONSOR!
Consulting, assurance, tax and transaction services.
First Derivative
A leading provider of products and consulting services to some of the world’s largest finance, technology and energy institution
Foods Connected Ltd
Offers all modules and tools connected on one cloud-based system for ultimate time and cost efficiency
https://www.foodsconnected.com
GEDA Construction
A leading Building, Civil Engineering and Property Development Company
Global Payments
Payment technology and software solutions
https://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/en-gb
GMcG Chartered Accountants
A leading professional services firm providing a range of strategic and practical Accounting, Taxation and Business Advisory solutions
Grant Thornton
Network of independent accounting and consulting member firms
https://www.grantthornton.co.uk
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Leading professional services businesses
https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com
Hutchinson Engineering
British made engineering of the highest quality
https://www.hutchinsonengineering.co.uk
Instil Software
Software products and learning experiences
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Promotes, develops and supports chartered accountants and students across the world
Intel Ireland
Advanced manufacturing, cutting edge research and design
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/jobs/locations/ireland.html
Kerry Group
A public food company headquartered in Ireland
KPMG (NI & ROI)
A wide range of audit, tax and advisory service
https://home.kpmg/ie/en/home/insights/2020/04/kpmg-in-northern-ireland.html
Liberty Information Technology
Innovative technology solutions
Lidl Ireland
Supermarket chain.
Metaswitch Networks
A pioneering network software provider.
Mills Selig
Corporate and commercial law firm.
Moy Park Ltd
One of Europe’s leading poultry producers
Muldoon & Co
Firm of accountants in Belfast
https://www.muldoon-accountants.co.uk
NantHealth
Precision medicine and software
National Treasury Management Agency
Asset and liability management services to Government
Nikon Precision Europe GmbH
A leading global supplier of Semiconductor lithography systems
Northern Ireland Audit Office
The Local Government Auditor
https://www.niauditoffice.gov.uk
Olenick
Software Quality Engineering services
PayPal EMEA
Online payment solutions
https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/country-worldwide
PepsiCo
Multinational food, snack and beverage corporation
Pinsent Masons
International professional services business
PKF-FPM Accountants
A leading accountancy and business advisory practice
https://pkffpm.com
Proofpoint
Cybersecurity solutions
Royal Air Force
Aerial warfare force
Ryobi Ltd
Manufacturer of components for automobiles, electronics, and telecommunications industries.
https://www.ryobi-group.co.jp/en/
Signifyd
Industry leader in fraud prevention
SONI
The electricity system operator for Northern Ireland
SpotX
Video advertising platform
Susquehanna
Trading and technology firm
Synopsys
Electronic design automation company
Teach First
A charity that develops and supports teachers and leaders
Telestack Limited
Bulk material handling solutions
Tracey Concrete
One of the largest precast concrete manufacturers
https://www.traceyconcrete.com/site/
Meet Michael Downey, one of our Go Global Ambassadors 2020. If you are thinking of following in his footsteps and spending a year or a semester abroad, he’s here to share his tips, tricks and wisdom with you.
“New York City has an energy like no other – it’s fast-paced and full of life! Certainly, when you compare it to the countryside in Dromore, Co. Down.”
As a Business Information Technology student, I made the decision to do a placement in one of the greatest cities in the world, New York City. The experience of living and working on NYC was a rollercoaster (and included a 4-month quarantine in Miami) but it’s been a life-changing experience. Here are just some of the reasons why….
The placement
I worked as a Software Developer for a SaaS start-up called On The Stage, and I joined at a time when the company was experiencing high growth – this was super exciting! My office was located on Broadway & W 54th St and my apartment in Amsterdam Ave & W 107th St, both in Manhattan so this was only a 20-minute subway ride which was super convenient.
The city
What can I say about the concrete jungle of NYC? The energy of the city is like no other – it’s fast-paced and full of life! Certainly, when you compare it to the countryside in Dromore, Co. Down. There’s too much to do in NYC and it never stops. Luckily, if you’re on an intern budget NYC has tons of FREE events to offer, I mean 100’s each day and it can be overwhelming deciding which event to go to.
If you’re worried about surviving financially on an intern salary in NYC, I’d advise you to create a budget and stick to it and you’ll be fine – this is actually a great learning experience as you learn how to manage your personal finances.
Part of my routine involved running around the 1.58-mile Reservoir Loop in Central Park before work. This run at 7.30 am in the morning was a beautiful start to the day as you could escape the mayhem, relax and enjoy the ambience. There were always thousands of people running and this really fueled my motivation to push harder and improve my run time
Sporting events
The beauty of living in a major city is that historic events are commonplace. Luckily, I was able to attend two notable sporting events: the 2019 US Open Tennis – Women’s Singles finals (Serena Williams was playing) and the PGA Tour National Trust Tournament (Rory McIlroy was playing)
On two occasions I also travelled to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to watch the Brooklyn Nets vs Miami Heat play in the NBA . An NBA game is an awesome experience, they really know how to put on a show. The game comprises 4 quarters with each quarter lasting 12 minutes but the whole show lasts 2 hours!
Escaping the city
In the winter, I travelled to Hunter Mountain Ski Resort with a group of friends for a weekend of snowboarding. This was just over a 2-hour drive from Manhattan which is like driving from Dublin to Belfast, so it’s not far, at least for American standards.
Food
New York City is among the world’s most dynamic culinary capitals.
Sampling new cuisines became a weekly routine. After trying Peruvian at a restaurant named Pio Pio on the Upper West Side I quickly fell in love with this amazing cuisine! Another favourite would have to be Japanese, the ramen from Totto Ramen in Midtown East and the sushi from Sugarfish in Soho were hands down my favorite. Totto Ramen was located within walking distance of my office which was perfect, especially on a chilly winter’s day, the warm broth was an excellent meal to get the blood flowing.
Culture
One of the J1-IWT visa requirements is to experience American culture and I believe this was fulfilled by attending a variety of iconic Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Fortunately, the CEO of On The Stage is also a Broadway producer so one of the perks of the job is to occasionally be offered free or discounted tickets. In 7-months I attended nine shows including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hamilton, Slava Snowshow, The Rockettes, The Lion King, Tina The Musical, The Inheritance, Little Shop of Horrors and Riverdance.
Exploring the States
The United States is a huge and diverse place, every state is like its own country in terms of legislation, culture, people and the way of life – that’s what makes the country so special! I experienced this firsthand by travelling to multiple US cities, for example, Miami, Marco Island, Naples, Orlando and Tampa, FL, Houston, TX and Chicago, IL. Each city has a different flavour, culturally, Miami and Houston are extremely different compared to New York and Chicago – it’s interesting to visit and experience these diverse cities. Another fascinating comparison is the political views of the majority; Miami (Republican) vs New York City (Democratic). Here are just a few of my highlights:
Speaking Spanish in Miami
During quarantine, I spent 4-months living in Miami, so I truly experienced the Latin culture. The majority of people speak Spanish so if you want to practice your speaking and listening skills make a trip to Miami. Since 1st year I’ve been taking Spanish classes at Queen’s, so this was the perfect opportunity to improve my skills. I also enjoyed exploring the Latin cuisines; Cuban, Venezuela and Colombian. Miami is a cool city and its growing at a fast rate.
I also got the opportunity to visit Marco Island on the west coast of Florida, it is situated right on the Gulf of Mexico, so the ocean is beautiful as it is calm and warm – just a few degrees hotter than Portrush.
Visiting NASA
Houston is a modern city in terms of infrastructure and buildings. Everything is BIG, the houses, the cars, the food portion sizes etc. The locals are super friendly, you receive pleasant greetings when out and about. In Houston there is a huge Indian and Vietnamese community, so you see a lot of these restaurants around the city.
The highlight of this trip was visiting the NASA Johnson Space Center, which is home to Mission Control and astronaut training. The behind-the-scenes Tram Tour was amazing, I saw the Saturn V rocket, which is the tallest, heaviest and most powerful rocket ever flown. NASA used the Saturn V rockets during the Apollo program to send Americans to the Moon.
Chicago
Chicago is a pretty city and the most significant characteristic for me was the architecture. It’s like a mini, cleaner New York City. The three days in the city were crammed with tourist activities, these include; the Architectural Boat Tour, Navy Pier, Riverwalk Walking Tour, 360 Skydeck & The Tilt, Deep Dish Pizza and Portillo’s Hot Dog. I loved learning about the history of Chicago.
Fairytale ending
During my last week in the US, I spent some time at Disney World Orlando which was amazing! I visited Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Highlights were Star Wars land, Avatar Land and Toy Storyland. The new Star Wars and Avatar attractions are so immersive, you truly feel like you’re in the movie – Disney has created an incredible experience.
Michael was supported with obtaining a visa and moving to the US by the Rian Immigrant Center. More details here:
Meet Michael at our Go Global Canada/USA info session on October 12.
Register here
https://event.webinarjam.com/register/116/kr7r7sv8
- Global Opportunities, go global, go global ambassadors, go global week, New York, placement, placements, student success, USA, work abroad
Sean, Florian, and Professor Cai wearing different prototype firefighter helmets.
Imagine you’re a firefighter entering a burning building. The room is so thick with smoke that you can’t see. How do you know which way to turn? This was the challenge set for Queen’s Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduate Sean Hackett before he helped design an award-winning fire fighters’ helmet that tells the wearer which way to turn with a simple buzz to the left or right of the head.
As an IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience intern), Sean is enjoying a year placement as an intern at the Visual Intelligence Studio in Carnegie Mellon University in the USA, where he is part of a research team exploring a safer communication tool for firefighters.
Under Senior Systems Scientist Dr. Yang Cai, the ‘Haptic Helmet’ prototype conceived by Sean’s team won the award for “most commercially viable” at the NIST Haptic Interface for Public Safety Challenge. The contest assessed the use of virtual reality environments as a development tool for creating safety technologies.
As part of the project, Sean and the team travelled to Denver, Colorado for live demos in a fire fighting training facility. This practical experience allowed them to understand how firefighters navigate unfamiliar paths through burned buildings filled with smoke and noise.
Sean said: “The experience of interacting with real-life firefighters and working independently on solutions has been very interesting for me.”
The prototype helmet
Dr Yang said: “We encourage engineers to find simple solutions that work in the real world. “Although I give them instructions to guide and get them started, I also encourage them to use their own knowledge and experiment because in the real world there is no textbook that tells you what to do and engineers have to work on a lot of problem-solving”.
Along with Dr Yang, Sean and the team worked to develop technology that successfully improves firefighter’s safety and efficiency of in the most challenging and hazardous environments.
Sean with fellow intern Florian Alber
During his internship, Sean has also been helping edit a research paper for presentation on “Indo-Navigation and Fire Fighters Activity Recognition”.
Dr Yang commented: “Students and participants from western Europe have a brilliant work ethic. Together, they produce research papers and work on innovative solutions, adding value to the lab. Some European interns have great writing style in addition to other talents and that is monumental when it comes to writing and editing research papers for conferences, which is great additional help.”
Sean works on drone projects for public safety alongside a fellow researcher
According to Sean, it wasn’t hard settling into the new environment thanks to the immense support offered at the lab. “Of course, it’s challenging to be away from friends, family, and home. It takes a little while for the initial adjustment of the processes and procedures but once that is done, it’s pretty smooth sailing.”
Sean and Florian check out the Grand Canyon
The year stateside has also given Sean the opportunity to experience American culture and interact with people from diverse backgrounds, participate in social activities and enjoy American adventure and sports.
To find out more about IAESTE internships, visit https://iaeste.org/open_internships
More about Sean’s research
To discover more work and study abroad programmes, visit our Global Opportunities page
Queen’s Chemistry student Anwin Robin has described a paid internship with the British Council’s IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) programme as “the best year of my life.”
Like many Queen’s students, Anwin took the opportunity to gain international experience and boost his employability skills on a paid placement abroad.
Anwin, from Dromore in County Down, moved to Switzerland in June 2019 to work with Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology.
Anwin said: “During my internship I drew on my background as a chemistry student to carry out research into making stronger materials. Knowing that they may be used in the future in structures ranging from airplanes to wind turbines made my work feel tangible and relevant.”
Anwin at work in Switzerland
The best year of my life
During his time in Switzerland, Anwin also had the opportunity to meet up other interns working across the country through weekend excursions organised by IAESTE, the largest global mobility programme for STEM students in the world.
Anwin added: “My time in Switzerland has been the best year of my life so far. My IAESTE placement showed me how international many companies are today and confirmed that I want to grow my work experience outside of the UK. I will forever be grateful to IAESTE for providing me with this opportunity.”
Adapting for Covid-19
Anwin enjoyed the experience so much that when Switzerland went into lockdown because of Covid-19, he chose to stay in the country and continue his internship from home. He also used this as an opportunity to develop his coding skills.
Anwin has remained in Switzerland since finishing his IAESTE placement in May. He is currently applying to further internships in the country and hopes to eventually study for a Masters in computer science.
Whilst Covid-19 has restricted much travel this summer, many IAESTE placements have shifted online in response.
Among the 15 students from Northern Ireland who are currently undertaking remote internships with organisations in the USA, India, Bangladesh and Poland, are several Queen’s students who are joining online seminars and discussions. Their subject areas include biomedical science, business and marketing, computer science, aerospace engineering and chemical engineering.
Life changing impact
Jonathan Stewart, Director of the British Council Northern Ireland, said: “It’s wonderful to hear about the lifechanging impact of Anwin’s IAESTE placement, and we wish him all the best as he starts out in his career. Despite Covid-19, the IAESTE programme has quickly adapted and continues to offer quality opportunities for our university students to gain international experience. The remote internships help to provide Northern Ireland students with new technical skills while also experiencing different cultures and ways of working.”
In Northern Ireland IAESTE is funded by the Department for the Economy and delivered by the British Council.
Queen’s STEM students interested in applying for the IAESTE programme can find more information here:
https://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/outside-uk/iaeste
For more information on work or study abroad programmes, visit our Global Opportunities site
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Graduate internships are short-term paid opportunities for graduates to gain work experience within a company or organisation. The below directory can help you find the right opportunity for you.Graduate internships are short-term paid opportunities for graduates to gain work experience within a company or organisation. The below directory can help you find the right opportunity for you.
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For up to date information on placement and internships, visit MyFuture