Getting the most out of it

Starting a placement, internship or project is an exciting and sometimes stressful experience for many students. Here are some tips to consider during your WIL experience:

• Be patient. Its ok to not know everything – remember you are new to the organisation, and you aren’t expected to know everything. Focus on what you do know and ask questions.
• Remember this experience is about learning – make the most of opportunities available.
• If you are based within an organisation, observe those around you and learn from them, including how they conduct themselves professionally.
• Don’t be afraid to be creative in approaching challenges – draw on a variety of inspiration and use your intuition as well as knowledge gained from your courses.

 A WIL experience allows for you to develop many personal and professional skills, such as communication skills, networking, time management as well as opportunities to develop your professional identity, confidence and more.

Communication Skills

Communication, communication, communication! Regardless of what type of WIL experience you are undertaking, communication is going to significantly contribute to the success of your experience – whether that is with other students when working on a group project, with your academic supervisor, or your Host Contact.

It is also important to note that communication includes speaking, writing, and listening, and it's important to consider how the message you are intending to convey is portrayed – what is your body language saying or your tone of voice?

• Communication is key –keep the lines of communication open with your Host Contact, academic supervisor or course coordinator. They are there to help and support you
• Ask questions!
• Use a variety of communication methods – don’t always rely on email, but try face-to-face or phone. Perhaps there are other ways you will communicate, but make sure you both understand how you will communicate with each other
• Proofread all documents, including emails, and check for spelling and grammar
• Practise any presentations you are required to give
• Consider your audience and adapt your communication style to suit

Networking

Building your network is about establishing connections with people, typically in a field or an organisation you want to be a part of. Completing a WIL experience allows you a fantastic opportunity to start building your own professional network. Building your network early sets you ahead for future opportunities. 

• Where possible, make the most of opportunities to attend meetings, events, and talk to others at the organisation. Are there ways you can get involved with other projects or tasks to help others around you?
• Consider setting up a LinkedIn account and connecting with those around you. The UC Careers team have many resources, and one-on-one appointments to help you develop this
• Say yes to networking opportunities where you can
• Talk to those around you about their career journey – people are usually happy to share their story

 If you are interested in looking into how to develop your networking skills, visit Te Rōpū Rapuara | UC Careers for some great tips and advice. 

Confidence

Adjusting to the workplace and understanding the norms and expectations of the organisation and industry take time. Try to be patient and enjoy the experience. Your confidence in yourself and your abilities will grow throughout the experience.

• Show your enthusiasm and passion, and your willingness to learn
• Focus on what you do know and how you are able to contribute, rather than what you don’t know
• Ask questions! This helps to show your willingness to learn
• Be open to new ideas and ways of doing things
• Reflect positively on your mistakes – these are an opportunity to learn – no one is perfect and by reflecting on these, we continually improve
• Be open and flexible with changing environments, priorities and tasks. Life is not always predictable.
• Be mindful of your own wellbeing – if you feel things are becoming too much, be sure to lean on those around you, and seek help
• Be open and responsive to constructive feedback throughout the experience – this can help with your personal development and in turn, build your confidence

Community

You may feel a wide range of emotions during your WIL experience, so it's important to lean on the support of your community around you. This consists of both your own community outside of your study world, such as whānau and friends, and also the community around you at UC, including your Course Coordinators, peers and student services.

If you are able to connect with other students who are also going through a WIL experience, do so – this may be your classmates (perhaps there is a forum through your course LEARN page?), or others you know who have gone through the WIL experience. Chatting with those who have been there or are going through it can help to normalise what you are experiencing, and to know you are not alone.

If you don’t know any other students who have undertaken or are currently in a WIL experience, contact your UC Contact and ask them to connect you with other students in your programme of study.

Helpful resources

For more helpful advice, tips and ways to develop important transferrable skills, have a look at these resources:

• AKO How to Make the Most of Work-Integrated Learning - For Students
• Te Rōpū Rapuara | UC Careers Build My Skills

More resources can be found on the Student Resources Page

Accessing Support

If you are having any challenges during your WIL activity, or in your personal life which are affecting your WIL experience, there is support available.

For all services offered on campus, visit UC's Wellbeing Hub

General

• Student Care including international student support and UC Rainbow Advisors
• UC Māori - Kaiurungi | Student Advisors
• The Pacific Development Team - Kaiuruni | Student Advisors

Health and Welfare

• UC Counselling Services
• UC Health Centre
• Te Ratonga Waikaha | UC Student Accessibility Service

UCSA

The UCSA is there to help and support you during your studies, including during Work-Integrated Learning. If you haven’t found them already, they are located on level 1 of Haere-roa. 

Māori and Pacific Cultural Support

Cultural support is available for ākonga Māori and Pacific, to offer guidance and support across different cultural protocols through UC Māori and the Pacific Development Team.

Student’s may also decide to connect with a Kaiurungi if something doesn’t feel tika (right) within their placement, regardless of whether it is kaupapa-based or otherwise: for example, if they have been asked, as te reo Māori speaker, to translate work when this isn’t a part of their role description.

• For sourcing a kaupapa Māori or iwi placement, please contact the appropriate faculty Kaiārahi (Faculty Advisor).
• For cultural support or advice, please contact the appropriate faculty Kaiurungi (Student Advisor).

Find out who your faculty Kaiārahi/Kaiurungi is. 

Support off campus

There are also a range of support options for you which are located off campus. Talk with someone you trust to help navigate what the appropriate support may be if you do not feel you are able to approach this on your own. UC’s support staff are also able to help you navigate different options.

UC has a comprehensive list of mental health support options.

Other considerations

Confidentiality

During your WIL experience, you may be privy to information which is sensitive in nature. It is important that you do not share this information more broadly, and only use it for the purposes for which it was intended.

As part of your course requirements, you may be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement – this is to protect both you and the Host Organisation.

Ethics

It is recommended that you speak with your UC Contact to discuss if your project requires ethics approval and the process to follow.

If your project engages with Māori or Pacific communities, it is recommended you speak with Te Waka Pākākano.

Intellectual Property (IP)

Intellectual property as a result of the WIL experience must be disclosed to your Host Organisation and is the property of the Organisation for the vast majority of WIL experiences at UC.

Further information or queries, have a chat with your UC Contact.

When things aren't going as planned

Absences

Life happens, things come up, sickness occurs. Each course will have different requirements in terms of attendance, hours etc and interruptions will have different effects – be sure to understand these before you start the course.

If you are unwell, have an emergency or cannot attend your placement for any reason, be sure to contact your Host Contact or UC Contact (whichever you have been advised to contact) as soon as possible.

If your absence may be ongoing or may affect you meeting the course requirements, contact your UC Contact as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Workplace harassment including bullying and discrimination

Harassment, bullying or discrimination are not acceptable behaviours in the workplace. If at any time during your WIL experience you feel you are experiencing this, it is important to let someone know. We understand this can be difficult to discuss, but it is important to let your UC Contact know so they are able to support you during this.

It's important that you are safe, both physically and psychologically, and feel supported during your placement. If you do not feel this way, UC is here to support you.

Reporting an incident or concern

If something happens, or you have a concern that something doesn’t feel right, let someone know.

Depending on the situation, there may need to be changes to your WIL experience. Talk to your UC Contact to see what can be done to complete the requirements of the course.  

The situation and circumstance may affect who you feel you are able to discuss it with – that’s ok. When you do talk to someone, consider bringing a whānau member or support person along for the conversation.

Who can you talk with?

• Your Host Contact
  What is your relationship like with your Host Contact? Is there someone else you feel comfortable and can trust to talk with at the Host Organisation?

• Your UC Contact
  If you don’t feel you are able to speak with someone within the organisation, that’s ok. Have a chat with a staff member involved in your course – this may be a Course Coordinator, Lecturer, Placement / Work-Integrated Learning Coordinator, Clinical Director - their contact details should be on LEARN including their office location.

• Te Pokapū Ako ā-Mahi | UC Work-Integrated Learning Hub
  If you would like to raise an issue through another avenue, you are able to talk with Te Pokapū Ako ā-Mahi | Work-Integrated Learning Hub, through emailing akoamahi@canterbury.ac.nz and they will arrange a time to speak with you.

• UC Report It
  UC has additional options to make an informal anonymous report, or formal complaint the UC Report It.

Personal safety and emergencies

1. If you feel threatened, in danger or an emergency has occurred, always call 111
2. Advise your UC WIL contact as soon as practically possible so they are able to provide appropriate support to you.
3. Staff member may need to escalate this to other staff to provide further assistance. This will be discussed with you before an action is taken, with the exception of acute circumstances wherein you or others are at immediate risk of harm

If there is an emergency/ disaster where you are based, follow instructions from your Host Organisation and local authorities. UC will contact you as soon as possible with any relevant instructions or information (depending on the circumstance).

Discontinuing your Placement

On rare occasions, there may be times where UC needs to assist you by taking you out of your WIL experience. This includes (but is not limited to):

• if the student no longer feels safe in the environment
• if the student breaches legal, ethical or professional codes of the industry, or shows negligence or unsafe practices
• If the host organisation is unable to provide a safe working environment or provide appropriate opportunities for the student

UC will do their best to find another opportunity for you (where appropriate) and discuss options for meeting the course requirements with you.

If you wish to withdraw from a course containing a WIL opportunity, please be sure to speak with your UC Contact so they can ensure the organisation is also advised.

Useful te reo Māori phrases for the workplace

 You may find these phrases useful during your placement. Give it a go!