What does your job entail?
AS A placement consultant my job is helping students on learnerships get hands-on experience in a place of work. After they’ve completed their theoretical learning at Boston, students must do six to 12 months relevant experience, depending on the learnership, before they can receive their certificates or diplomas. I meet with each student to gain an understanding of his/her career aspirations, strengths d weaknesses and to help student prepare for interviews and so on.
I network with companies to find out where they can accommodate students and what their HR requirements are. I explain to both students and companies what required so that both parties benefit from the process. When dealing with students who have a disability, I have to ensure that companies can accommodate them in not only giving them the relevant work experience but also access to the building and any other special needs that may arise from a particular disability.
Describe a typical day?
As I work from home, I don’t really have typical day. A big chunk of my time is spent on planning, putting progress reports together, dealing face-to-face with students doing follow ups with them and the companies, and networking to secure new opportunities for students. I do lots of the admin and planning work at night and on weekends.
What are your biggest challenges?
Preparing students for placement and persuading companies to take students in are two biggest challenges. Staying motivated when working from home is also tough – besides it being very quiet and easy to become distracted by other tasks. Fortunately my work is so dynamic, interesting and exciting that the day goes by without my noticing the time.
And the biggest rewards?
It’s a great feeling when a company takes one of our students on board no matter for what time frame. While students usually need six months with the company to gain workplace experience, I have dealt with many companies who have given Boston students a 12 month opportunity as well as offered permanent placement to the students. That is the biggest achievement because at the end of the day, it is all about helping students get into the workplace.
What does one need to succeed as a placement consultant?
It’s essential to be organized, disciplined and attentive to detail. You need to be persistent and have good selling and negotiating skills. Networking also plays an important part as well as guiding students in the right direction without actually without actually doing the work for them. Preparation and daily planning are essential and most of all, being able to work with people from all walks of life.
What is your background?
After matriculating, I travelled and then did courses in public relations, marketing and event management. I have always worked in these fields and dealt additionally with advertising and media. I believe that no matter how many qualifications one has or does not have, what counts is your purpose, passion and desire to do a job.
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