from YAPRap December 2002 & January 2003
by Amber & Alex, students at Western Housing for Youth
I arrived right on the dot of 9am! Keen and eager I waited for the workers, desperate to make a good first impression! But not a sign of you in sight as I anxiously waited for my first day of placement. Shaking with nerves I finally noticed the workers arrive and open up the office. I raced over hoping they didn't think I was late, (how did they know I'd already been sitting there for 15 minutes! I later found out the office actually opens at 9:30am not 9am! I think I was just so nervous I forgot what time they told me to arrive and had gotten there early!) A quick tour of the office and everything was under way!
As an initial interview between the student and workers had already taken place previous to their start date, the student is aware of what his/her role is while on placement and what the workers would like him/her to do. Because of this interview beforehand there should be no confusion about what is expected from the student.
Below we advise you of a few tasks that aren't appropriate to give your students while on placement. Following on from that we produce a list of appropriate tasks that you could assign to your student.
What actually is a student placement?
They can be from either TAFE or University. They need regular supervision and guidance, to gain the knowledge and experience to prepare them for the workforce. They are required to meet certain learning outcomes set by their teacher's, so appropriate tasks need to be given so these outcomes are met.
Inappropriate tasks to give your students
Have you ever had a student who washed your car while on placement? Did your dry cleaning, walked your dog and took your calls like your own personal answering machine? Well those days have been and gone!
How many horror stories have you heard about students on placement?
Some inappropriate tasks for students:
- Unsupervised case management of clients (suitable to the agency type)
- Transportation of client without worker present
- Don't give all the dirty jobs to students. (Thing's that you yourself don't want to do means there is a good chance the student feels the same way)
- The student is not the agency's personal cleaner!
- Pressuring the student to do things they don't want to do. (It is OK to encourage the student to do new things)
- Overburdening the student with too many jobs
- Allowing the student to do tasks that may injure themselves or others (eg. moving furniture)
- Too many tasks that don't meet the students learning outcomes unless the task is going to be beneficial to the student
- Giving the student all your own work so you can make that important hairdressing appointment or massage!
- Tasks that are too repetitive or boring for the student (it is important to ensure variety is introduced)
- Tasks that they have little or no understanding of and not being available for questions and answering (try to share a little of your time)
- Left alone at agency while first beginning placement.
These are just some of the things that aren't suitable for students. I'm sure some of you were students at some stage, so you know how it feels to be given tasks that you like and dislike. So choose the tasks wisely!
Appropriate tasks
Some appropriate tasks that could ensure the student gets the greatest skills possible to assist them in the workforce:
- General supervision of student while on placement.
- Participating with other workers in students while working.
- Access to agency documents e.g. policies and procedures.
- Attending meetings and getting a chance to listen and interact with other workers from other services.
- General office duties once a knowledge of the service is gained.
- Giving tasks that would benefit the student, and something they would learn from.
- General day to day activities and getting a feel for how the service runs and operates.
- Assigning certain projects that require students to network with other agencies and talk with the clients of your particular service.
- Appropriate debriefing after certain situations.
- Discussing confidentiality with your student in regards to clients and giving out information.
- And last but certainly not least devote an entire day to praising your student! They deserve it after all the hard work they've done!
Remember these are only suggestions. But assigning tasks that do meet learning outcomes and that benefit students are of the best advantage to them! Good luck with your students!
S ensible
T asks for
U nskilled yet
D etermined &
E nergetic
N ew
T ertiary
S tudents !
