Case Studies
- Indie Johal on her Experience at M&C Saatchi, Summer 2008
During the summer I managed to get a work experience placement with M&C Saatchi. I’m in my second year at the University of Birmingham, studying a BA in History and Politics.
For all those who do not know much about M&C Saatchi. Firstly, it’s an advertising company but like most successful business’ it has expanded and now has a PR company running along side it, “Talk PR”. They have done many memorable advertising campaigns such as British Airways, NatWest and Ribenia, to name a few.
Aon Limited
Length of Placement
4 weeks
Company feedback
X had a refreshing approach and keenness to learn a subject not well known
in the industry. A positive attitude was shown at all times. X had good communication
skills, and hearing issues were not a problem.
Student's feedback
I greatly appreciated the opportunity to work in a hearing office environment
and interacting with hearing people and being given tasks to complete and
learning from them.
Barclays Global Investors
Length of Placement
2 weeks
Responsibilities
Given a project to review web sites in relation to the Disability Discrimination
Act. Also asked to re-organise a biography database.
Company Feedback
X did more than we expected on the project and the quality of her presentation
was excellent. She also did some useful work on a biography database. Although
we found it difficult to understand what X was saying a lot of the time, we
got around this by email and writing things down. She has a bright, enthusiastic
manner and integrated easily into the team, despite the communication difficulties.
Student's Feedback
My work placement has helped me immensely when considering my career path.
During my stay I felt very welcome and was treated as a valued member of the
team and organisation. I had very little confidence when I first arrived but
following the placement feel I have developed confidence in working with hearing
people.
Nestlé UK Ltd.
Length of Placement
4 weeks
Responsibilities
To summarise how Nestlé UK Ltd works as a large multinational corporation,
how the company is structured, and summarise what a number of functions are
responsible for.
Company Feedback
X took the challenge with great enthusiasm and got on very well with the people
he met. The standard of work was always very high and turnaround times fast!
Student Feedback
Getting to know other people has been a good experience with so many different
people working at Nestlé UK Ltd. The work experience was a real opportunity
to do some proper work such as analysing data and using programs to forecast
sales.
Other quotes by students and employers that have participated in the scheme:
"I have learnt so much in my time at BGI; it is not just the work that is particularly new to me, since this is the first time I have experienced a business working structure. I have also learnt the ways of interacting with the staff and how diverse the company is, allowing so many people to work in different areas closely to one another. Level of understanding, communication and interaction with hearing people would have definitely increased by the time I leave."
"The experience has sparked the team's interest in the needs of disabled or special needs individuals and our lack of awareness. We are not as good at communicating with all individuals as we first assumed"
"The placement made us aware of the difficulties deaf people encounter and how we need to adapt our way of working"
" The placement taught us how to work with an individual with a disability. It made people think about their interactions with each other and how easy it is to accommodate slight differences in working practices in order to be inclusive"
"The scheme has been hugely successful and has provided us with a greater awareness of the needs of disabled employees. It has also re-iterated the importance of good communications skills at all levels of the organisation and of cause provides as with intelligent, motivated and enthusiastic people who can make a positive difference to meet the needs of the business"