School of Social Science undergraduates secure paid placements with Welsh Government

Harry Corin, Lizzie Harris and Carly-jo Rosselli – second year undergraduates at the School of Social Sciences - have successfully secured one year paid placements on the Welsh Government's Social Research Internship Scheme.  

The internship scheme gives students insights into how social research is used by government to inform and shape policy.  Harry will be based in the Department for Economy, Science and Transport (Tourism Research), Lizzie will be based in the Department for Economy, Science and Transport and Carly-jo will be based in the Finance and Corporate Services Division (Sustainable Futures Research Team). 

All three students are currently studying the second year Working Knowledge: Analysing and Experiencing Employment module coordinated by Professor Alan Felstead. 

The second year module allows students to develop relevant knowledge and expertise through first-hand work experience. Completing a work placement away from campus gives students a chance to gain experience in a professional setting, acquiring practical skills to complement their academic qualifications.

Harry said: "The working knowledge module has given me a fundamental insight into the processes within the world of work, whilst also highlighting the essential need for work experience in improving my employability. This helped me secure the Welsh Government placement which will support my future plans to work in the tourism or market research sectors." 

Along with lectures in the autumn semester, students on the module attend seminars on CV writing as well as working on job application and interview techniques.  In the spring semester they complete a credit bearing work placement with a host organisation matched to their interests.

Competition for the Welsh Government  scheme was fierce, with applications coming from other schools within Cardiff University as well as from the universities of South Wales, Swansea, Bath, Bristol and Exeter. Andy Dodge, Placements Manager at the School of Social Sciences, was instrumental in the students' success.  He coached and advised a number of  students through the rigorous application and selection process.

Lizzie attributes her successful application to the module, saying: "The module enabled me to effectively tailor my CV and complete the competency based assessments as part of my application.  I gained useful interview and work experience which proved invaluable when being interviewed for the Welsh Government placement.  I am delighted to have this opportunity which will support my future career plans as a researcher".  Carly-jo added that she believed the module was central to her successful application and that the experience will be vital to her preferred future career in the Civil Service.

Professor Felstead spoke on behalf of the School of Social Sciences and said of the students' success: "We are delighted that the employability skills the students have learned during the course of the module have been put to such good and immediate effect. This marks a clean sweep for the School with all available places on this sought after placement going to our students.  It is especially gratifying to see students who have taken the placement module excel against fierce competition for such prestigious opportunities.  It is a tangible outcome of our recent efforts to improve the student experience and provide students with the employability skills they will need when they graduate".