University and local business celebrate student skills
Release Date 07 October 2010
The University of Reading recognised the contribution students have made to local businesses at an awards ceremony for the summer work placement scheme.
The Summer Enterprise Experience and Discovery initiative is run by the University's Careers Advisory Service and offers valuable paid work experience for students and provides organisations with welcome additional resources.
Companies, organisations and charities take on students for eight weeks over the summer to work on specific projects. This year 17 students participated and showcased their achievements at the awards ceremony on 1 October.
The winner was Rhian McPhail, who worked with Spice Thames Valley & Solent, an adventure, social and leisure group. Rhian worked on the company's website and marketing strategy and was so impressive that the company offered her a part-time job during her last year at Reading.
"I was so overwhelmed to hear I had won," said Rhian, who is studying consumer behaviour and marketing. "When I applied I never thought I would be able to do it but it's been brilliant - a real confidence-booster."
The judges were impressed by Rhian's determination and ambition. One of the judging panel, Mike Shepley, UK Learning & Development Manager at Baxter Healthcare, said: "Rhian is an absolute firecracker in her approach to the placement and was a real inspiration to the panel. We are delighted that she will still be involved with the company."
Dominic Renshaw, MD of Spice Thames Valley & Solent, said this was the first year the company had been involved with the scheme but would definitely take part next year. He said: "To be honest I was apprehensive at first but I was amazed at the difference Rhian made. Her contribution couldn't have been any bigger if she‘d had 10 years' experience. We're very proud of her and glad that Rhian will still be working with us."
Rhian received £300 for winning. The other winners were, second, Maryam Hussain (£100 prize) who worked at The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education, and, third, Lorna Woodman (£50 prize), who spent her placement at charity AACT for Children. This year, the judges awarded two highly commended prizes for the first time such was the calibre of the candidates. These went to Tom Bushby, who worked for WebBrick Systems, and Jennifer Hulse, who was at Kennet Water Components.
Andy Port, Employability Projects Manager in the Careers Advisory Service, said: "All of the students who took part were an exceptionally talented bunch and I know the judges found it very hard to choose the winners. We'd like to thank all the participating organisations this year for supporting SEED. It's a fantastic opportunity for students to apply their academic skills and gain valuable work experience in the local community."
Prizes were awarded by Jennifer Ghandhi, Director of Student Services. The judges were Mike Shepley, Lizzie Brock, from website RateMyPlacement, and Susan Matos, Head of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at the University.
Picture caption: SEED winners, from left Tom Bushby, Lorna Woodman, Rhian McPhail, Maryam Hussain and Jennifer Hulse.
ENDS
For more information please contact Rona Cheeseman, press officer, on 0118 378 7388 or email r.cheeseman@reading.ac.uk
Additional comments
Second place winner Maryam Hussain spent her placement with The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) for Higher Education. Maryam's role was research-based contributing to a consultation report on whether the OIA should publish its decisions.
She said: "I wanted to gain some real-world experience to complement my law degree. I did enjoy it and my colleagues were really nice. I was working independently but knew I could rely on them to help me when I needed it."
Charlotte Corrish, Communications and Policy Manager at the OIA, said this was the second year the organisation had taken a SEED student. "This is a really great scheme where both students and the employer benefit.
"Maryam showed great initiative, working closely with the chief executive and other senior managers. She was of real help in the project."