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If your placement is not progressing quite as you had imagined, try not to panic!
You may be feeling isolated and missing friends and family.
You may be concerned about whether you are able to meet the challenges of the role.
You may experience problems adjusting to the culture of the workplace.
It's totally understandable to be feeling a sense of unease and anxiety during your time on placement, and these concerns are actually very common and are to be expected, especially during early stages of a placement.
However, there is no need to suffer alone! Here are a few things that might help:
Arrange regular meetings with your mentor/supervisor: approach these meetings with an open-mind and have possible solutions for any concerns you may raise.
Ask questions! If something is unclear or you don't understand what you have been asked to do then ask!
Remember that you are here to learn, you are not expected to have the responsibilities/skills or knowledge of an experienced employee from day one.
Be patient, even though starting your Year in Industry can definitely be exciting and enjoyable, most people will agree that it takes time to settle into a new job!
If there are social activities arranged by your company - try to get involved, it's a great way to meet people and settle in to your surroundings.
If you are working for home:
Try and join any online social activities the company may arrange e.g. quiz nights, 'online' coffee/tea breaks, fantasy football leagues, online book clubs.
It is even more important when you are working at home to take regular breaks and get out of the 'home office' before or after work to get some fresh air and exercise. Make sure you still take a lunch break and move away from your laptop.
Make sure you read the advice given by your placement provider on DSE when working from home and other 'working well' advice they may provide.
Even though these suggestions may help, there are certain situations when you need to contact The University of Sheffield straight away, these include:
If you are having absences from placement due to you being unhappy.
If you think your health and safety is being compromised in any way.
If you are being discriminated against (this can include discrimination on the grounds of your race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or age).
If you are experiencing bullying behaviour from colleagues or a manager.
If you are involved in disciplinary action including sickness absence management.
As a placement student you still have access to the support services provided by the University:
The Faculty of Engineering has a Well Being officer who you can have 1-1 appointments (online), this is often a good place to start if you are not sure whether you need more specialist support.
Student Support (SAMHS) offer a range of support including online resources and online triage for counselling appointments.
Any student who is having suicidal thoughts, thinking of self harming or harming others should contact one of the agencies listed on this webpage.
The Students Union offers a free, professional and confidential advice service for all students and Nightline continues to be available for you anytime during term time.
If you decide to leave your placement early:
Please contact engineering-placements@sheffield.ac.uk at the earliest opportunity to discuss this.
If you leave your placement early and have not worked the required number of weeks to qualify for Year in Industry then you will have to take a Leave of Absence. This will have implications for your student status and you may also have to pay back all or part of your student maintenance loan.
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