Introduction... 1 Important Dates and Tasks... 2 Important Dates and Tasks... 2 Contacts... 3 SECTION 1:... 4 Roles and Responsibilities...

Transcription

1 UNDERGRADUATE WORK PLACEMENT PROGRAMME B COMMERCE A Student Guide to Work Placement

2 Contents Introduction... 1 Important Dates and Tasks... 2 Important Dates and Tasks... 2 Contacts... 3 SECTION 1:... 4 Roles and Responsibilities... 4 a) The Student... 4 b) The Employer and Business Mentor... 5 c) The Academic Mentor... 6 d) The Work Placement Officer... 7 Holidays and Study Leave... 8 Health and Safety in the Workplace... 9 SECTION 2: Academic Assessment of Placement SECTION 3: Appendices Appendix 1: Academic Mentor Visit Report Appendix 2: Business Mentor Report Appendix 3: Sample Learning Log Appendix 4: Definition of Workplace Skills Appendix 5: Induction Checklist Appendix 6: Sample Work Summary i

3 INTRODUCTION The purpose of the Work Placement Module in the BComm degree programme is to complement classroom teaching by giving students exposure to industry work practices in commercial and other relevant organisations. The Module involves a six-month period of work experience on an employer s site, during which students have the opportunity to put into practice the theories and methodologies studied at University. This document provides a set of guidelines for the Work Placement. Module, intended to convey a common understanding of the administrative and academic issues associated with Placement, to all stakeholders involved. Section One contains important information on the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved in Placement. Section Two outlines the academic assessment procedures for grading the Placement module. Section Three contains samples of the reports used in the academic assessment of Placement, as well as other supporting information. 1

4 IMPORTANT DATES AND TASKS Work Placement starts on Monday 2nd April and ends on Friday 14 th September 2007, unless otherwise agreed with your employer. Within 2 weeks of your start date, your Induction Checklist to Stefanie Wojtek at s.wojtek@ucc.ie. The Checklist is given in Section Three of this Booklet. Include your work phone and as well as your Business Mentor s phone and . Stefanie will send these contact details to each academic department. In week one, prepare your Learning Log. Advice on how to do this is given in Section Three. Complete your Learning Log every week and get it approved by your Business Mentor. Use this opportunity to discuss your progress and any difficulties you may be experiencing. Each week, your Learning Log to your Academic Mentor. This will inform your Mentor of your progress on Placement and this regular contact will be taken into account when grading your Placement. Your Academic Mentor will visit you and your Business Mentor once during the Placement, on a day and time that is convenient for all. Prepare your Placement Report and have it approved and signed by your Business Mentor. Submit hard copy to your Academic Mentor by Friday 31 st August Prepare a one-page Work Summary and have it approved by your Business Mentor. A sample Work Summary is given in Section Three. it to Stefanie Wojtek at s.wojtek@ucc.ie by Friday 3 rd August This Work Summary will be posted on our Placement website. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation of your Placement Report and have it approved by your Business Mentor. You will make your presentation when you return to college on a specific date to be advised by the academic department. 2

5 CONTACTS PLACEMENT Sheila Byrne Work Placement Officer B Commerce Careers Advisory & Work Placement Service University College Cork 3 Brighton Villas Western Road Cork Tel: s.byrne@ucc.ie Stefanie Wojtek Executive Assistant Tel: s.wojtek@ucc.ie ACADEMIC * Academic Mentor Tel: * Fill in the name and contact details for your Academic Mentor as soon as they are available. 3

6 SECTION 1: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES a) The Student Placement is a three-way relationship between the student, the employer and the University. Each student s conduct during the internship period will reflect not only on him/herself but also on UCC and the reputation of its programmes. Therefore, each student on Placement will effectively act as an ambassador for UCC. During Placement, the student will: Act within the Terms and Conditions of Employment laid down by the employer Take reasonable care of the health and safety of him/herself and those with whom s/he comes in contact Approach work diligently, take responsibility and be willing to act on his/her own initiative where appropriate Be punctual and observe rules governing time practices Use employment facilities such as , internet and phone in accordance with the employer s code of practice Satisfy the academic requirements of Placement Maintain regular contact with the Academic Mentor during Placement Contact the Placement Office with their contact details and the contact details of their Business Mentor Adhere to dress code Be motivated and enthusiastic in the work role Participate in the firm s social activities where appropriate Students are temporary employees of the company for the 24 week duration of the Placement. When on Placement, students must abide by the rules and regulations set out by the company for its own employees and will be subject to the same disciplinary procedures as would apply to their own full time or temporary employees. 4

7 Roles and Responsibilities b) The Employer and Business Mentor Employers who participate in the Placement programme have responsibilities to treat students in the same way as they treat their other employees. A contract of employment will exist between the employer and the student for the duration of the Placement. The Employer is asked to: Complete a Health and Safety Questionnaire before the start of Placement Give the student an induction course on company codes and practices Provide the student with an address, where appropriate Pay the student a level of remuneration no lower than the current minimum wage Assign a Business Mentor, who is a member of staff who oversees the work of the student and acts as a supervisor to the student. This person should be willing to assist with any problems that may arise. Outline the duties, activities and training that the student can expect Advise and support the student during Placement Approve the student s Learning Log each week. S/he will also approve and sign the student s Placement Report at the end of Placement Meet with the Academic Mentor during the Placement visit Report to the Academic Mentor and to the Placement Officer any aspects of the student s performance that are unsatisfactory Complete the Business Mentor Report, in consultation with the student, at the end of Placement 5

8 Roles and Responsibilities c) The Academic Mentor The Academic Mentor is a member of staff from the Department of the student s major subject area. The role of the Academic Mentor is to provide support and advice to the student during Placement. S/he evaluates the student s performance on Placement and awards a grade for the Module. The Academic Mentor is asked to: Liaise with the student during Placement to make sure all is going well Receive the student s Learning Log by each week, which will inform the Mentor of the student s progress on Placement. You are not expected to reply to each learning log ed to you except where you identify issues that concern you. Visit the student and Business Mentor once during the Placement, on a day and time convenient for all. It is recommended that this visit takes place between weeks 8 and 14 of the 24 week Placement and that the Academic Mentor the student prior to this time to set up the visit. Send a copy of the Academic Mentor Visit Report to the Work Placement Officer following the visit Liaise with the Placement Officer on any issues of concern that arise Evaluate the performance of the student at the end of Placement and award a judgement. See Section Two of this Booklet. Placement Visit The objectives of the Academic Mentor visit are to: Gain a greater insight into the company and its activities Review the tasks/projects being undertaken by the student Ascertain if there are any academic difficulties associated with the Placement from the student s and the Business Mentor s viewpoints Make an initial evaluation of the student s performance on Placement It is suggested that the visit should take the following format (see Appendix 1 for Report): Meet the student to discuss progress and to check the student s Learning Logs 1 Meet the Business Mentor to discuss student s Placement 2 Wrap-up meeting with the Business Mentor and student, providing feedback on the Placement to date, together with recommendations, as required 1 Where the academic mentor has more than one student in the same company you may wish to meet the students as a group rather than individually. 2 In the case of multiple students working in the same company, and where the same business mentor is supervising a number of students across different majors, it is recommended that academic mentors coordinate their visit so that the business mentor has just one meeting with academic mentors from UCC. 6

9 Academic Mentor Record It is recommended that the Academic Mentor maintains a record of all correspondence between him/herself and each student being evaluated. Roles and Responsibilities d) The Work Placement Officer The Placement Officer is responsible for the management and development of the Placement Programme. The role of the Placement Officer is to help students to secure work experience relevant to their course, to build skills to enhance their employability and personal development and to enable them to successfully implement their career decisions. Core activities include group guidance for Placement, individual student mentoring, workplace-skills workshops and employer liaison. The Placement Officer will: Manage the Placement Programme and work to ensure all students are placed Deliver class presentations on Placement Process, CV Writing, Interview Technique Co-ordinate and deliver one-to-one CV Clinics with students Deliver workplace-skills workshops and seminars to students Identify, establish and maintain good working relations with employers Liaise with employers to discuss their requirements for students and request job descriptions Co-ordinate circulation of CVs to employers and facilitate the interview process Co-ordinate and deliver one-to-one mock interviews with students Contact the student and Business Mentor between weeks 4-6 of Placement to ensure that the Placement is progressing to the satisfaction of all parties Maintain ongoing contact with the student and Business Mentor throughout the Placement Provide support and advice to the student during Placement Liaise with Academic Mentors during the Placement period, including receiving copy of the Academic Mentor Visit Report Visit the student and employer during Placement, where appropriate Act as the primary contact between the employer and the University during Placement 7

10 HOLIDAYS AND STUDY LEAVE Holidays Placement is for a period of 24 weeks, during which time you will work up a holiday leave entitlement. Your work contract will give you details of the days due to you and the company s policy about booking holidays. With regard to timing of holidays, ask your Business Mentor and/or the Human Resources Department regarding the most suitable time to take holidays. If it is normal practice for a company to have a holiday close-down during the Summer, then you may have no option but to take holidays at that time, along with all other employees. Your holiday entitlement is covered by the Organisation of Work Time Act Study Leave for repeat examinations: Exam results are available in mid April so for those who have Autumn repeat exams, this gives time to schedule study in the evenings and weekends during the months of May, June, July and early August Students must make their employer aware of their circumstances as soon as they get their examination results and arrange for examination leave accordingly Subject to the agreement of your employer, one day study leave together with the day of the examination, for each subject being repeated, may be allowed This leave will be taken without pay or in lieu of the equivalent number of days from your holiday entitlement Students will return to their place of work after examinations to complete their 24-week Placement These arrangements have been approved by the Academic Director and will be circulated to all employers at the start of the Placement period 3 8

11 HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE Background Information The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 applies to all places of work regardless of the nature of the work performed. It imposes duties on employers, employees and third parties e.g. contractors. This Act is enforced by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), who may carry out inspections to ensure compliance. Employers have a duty of care and must provide: A safe place of work Safe plant and equipment Safe working procedures Information, consultation and training. The company s Safety Statement outlines the programme of action in place to ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees. This document must be kept up to date at all times and must be available for examination by employees and the HSA. Students on Placement Students on Placement are employees and are owed a duty of care like all other employees. On commencement of employment, your induction programme will cover health and safety aspects of your workplace. Ask for a copy of the company Safety Statement and familiarise yourself with its contents. Familiarise yourself with the safety rules, especially: o The layout of the building o The emergency evacuation plan for the building o What to do in the event of a fire o The location of fire-fighting equipment and how it works. o First Aid arrangements in the workplace. o The location of the telephone numbers to contact in an emergency. For some students e.g. those in working in a laboratory, the use of Personal Protective Equipment is essential. Use it correctly at all times. If you identify a safety hazard in your workplace, bring it to the attention of your Business Mentor. Avoid behaviour or activities that may harm yourself or others working with you. If you personally experience an incident of bullying or harassment in your workplace, report this to your Business Mentor, or, if necessary, a higher authority in the company, including your Business Mentor. 9

12 Finally: o Work safely o Never take risks o If not sure ask your Business Mentor o If still not comfortable with the situation, call your Academic Mentor or Placement Officer The provision of a safe, healthy workplace is a legal requirement under the 2005 Act and companies or individuals (both manager and employees) may be prosecuted for non-compliance. 10

13 SECTION 2: ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT OF PLACEMENT Pre-requisite Complete and pass the ECDL. A student who does not obtain an ECDL License cannot undertake the Work Placement Module and instead must select one of the other two options, (i) Business Research Project or (ii) Business Assignment. Each Student on Work Placement is assigned both an Academic Mentor and a Business Mentor. The Academic Mentor is a member of staff from the Department the student is majoring in. The Business Mentor is an on-site supervisor or manager who oversees the work of the Placement student. The Work Placement has a credit weighting of 10 credits, in Year III of the BComm Degree. The Academic Mentor evaluates the Student's Work Placement performance based on the following (with weightings in brackets): 1. Student Learning Logs (see below) (25%) 2. Student Placement Report (50%) 3. Presentation of Placement Report (25%) An Academic Mentor Report is based on contact with the Business Mentor and an on-site visit. The Academic Mentor Report and the Business Mentor Report are used to confirm the content of the Learning Logs, the Placement Report and the Placement Presentation. These also enable the Academic Mentor to understand the nature of the Work Placement to enable him/her to grade the student s Placement independently of the quality of the Placement itself. This permits comparable assessment. These will show that the student has achieved the following: Plan and organise their Work Placement; Attend punctually and conduct oneself appropriately for their Placement; Follow a set of procedures in accordance with specific instructions; Demonstrate evidence of networking and communication skills; Show the ability to work in a professional environment and function effectively in a team environment; Communicate effectively with other workers in a particular Placement; Present written Learning Logs for their Placement; Write a Work Placement Report that fulfils the criteria 1 to 8 below. 11

14 The Placement Report should be of maximum 4,000 words and fulfil the following criteria: 1. Outline the responsibilities held and duties carried out; 2. Summarise key aspects and produce a reflective account of the Work Placement, i.e. a brief summary of the Learning Logs; 3. Provide a critical understanding of the business environment, the work culture and the structure of the organisation in the Work Placement; 4. Discuss your Work Placement in terms of the challenges and level of satisfaction it presented; 5. Discuss the link between the BComm course modules and their practical applications in the Placement setting; 6. Discuss your personal and professional development developed throughout the Work Placement; 7. Reflect on and evaluate the Work Placement in light of career aspirations and prospects; 8. Provide a sample of work that you have completed while on Placement. This should have regard to the requirements of confidentiality of the organisation. The Student Placement Report should be read by the Business Mentor and approved for submission with regard to matters of company confidentiality etc. Report is then to be submitted to the Academic Mentor before the end of the Placement period in September. The Placement report must contain an Executive Summary at the beginning of the report, maximum length of one page. From an Executive Summary a potential reader should be able to ascertain: 1. What your document is about; 2. Whether this is new information or something the reader already has knowledge about 3. What conclusions you have come to and whether these are important 4. Do I need to read this document? Contents of Executive Summary: 1. Where did you work? 2. What did you do (your job description)? 3. What did you learn (what skills and experiences did you acquire)? 4. How did the Placement link to your academic studies (where do you see the links between academic subjects and work practice)? A Final Report by the Academic Mentor makes a recommendation regarding a Fail or Pass judgement on the Student's Work Placement performance and is forwarded to the BComm Board of Studies. 12

15 Guidelines and Criteria for Assessment of Student Work Placement: A Fail judgement may be recommended by the Academic Mentor where: A student fails to address the learning outcomes of the Placement. There is no use of analytical skills and any originality or insight. Such work will have a degree of irrelevance and is presented with expression and style that is poor. The Student has not maintained and not submitted their Student Learning Logs and has not completed and presented the Student Placement Report satisfactorily. The student is deemed not to have performed in a satisfactory manner with regard to the role and responsibilities of the student (see Section 1). A Pass judgement may be recommended by the Academic Mentor where as a minimum: A student shows some awareness and understanding of the critical issues involved in thework Placement but presents material that is professional but may have some technical mistakes. There is some use of analytical skills and some originality or insight but the execution is not very competent. The Student has maintained and submitted their Student Learning Logs and has completed and presented the Student Placement Report satisfactorily. The student is deemed to have performed in a satisfactory manner with regard to the role and responsibilities of the student (see Section 1). The requirements of the Student Learning Log are as follows: The purpose of the Learning Log is to promote learning from experience. By recording observations and experiences as well as relevant reflections, a continuous learning process is facilitated during Placement. The Learning Log is a tool for identifying and reflecting on what is being learned. By providing a transcript of the evolution of the learning, it enhances awareness of the learning and personal development available from the Placement experience. Regular recordings in a Log make for the most effective use of the Placement as a learning opportunity. The Log also provides the Academic Mentor with a means of ensuring that the Placement opportunity is aligned with the student's studies and provides a framework for academic evaluation, feedback and guidance. Initial recordings in the Learning Log should outline the student's goals regarding the skills, knowledge, understanding and attributes expected to be achieved during the Placement and the reasons these are important in the context of education and career plans as well as personal development. During Placement, the Learning Log should describe observations and experiences as a contribution to learning and should evaluate these in terms of the initial goals. 13

16 Presentation of Placement Report All students are required to give a presentation on their Work Placement when they return to College to complete their degree. These presentations will normally take place within 2 to 4 weeks of your return. The Placement Officer, the BComm Director and your Academic Mentor or their nominees will attend. The Aims of the presentation are: 1. To gain a greater understanding of your work experiences by presenting your Work Placement in an informal yet professional and interested environment. 2. Provide your Academic Mentor and Placement Officer with the opportunity to acquire a greater understanding of your Work Placement and to stimulate you with questions and suggestions for your consideration. 3. Enhance your verbal communication skills. The presentation of the Placement Report should be 5 minutes long, consisting of 4 slides covering the following: 1. Outline what skills, experience and knowledge you feel you have gained in the Work Pplacement programme 2. Outline where you believe the BComm programme helped you in your Work Placement 3. Outline where you believe the BComm programme could learn from your experiences in the Work Placement 4. Looking back now, what is your assessment of the Work Placement programme in terms of its place in the BComm programme and your future career plans 14

17 SECTION 3: APPENDICES Appendix 1: Academic Mentor Visit Report Academic Mentor Visit Report Student Name Date of Visit Company Name Company Representatives met Position in Company Based on your meeting with the student and the Business Mentor, please assess or rate the following: Section A: Work Experience Yes No Is the work challenging? Is the work of relevance to the Student s course of study? Are there well-defined targets to be achieved/projects to be completed? Is there adequate support/supervision? Are health and safety matters being addressed adequately in the work place? Is the Student s log book being completed and is it up to date? Please sign and date the log book. 15

18 Section B: Business Mentor s Evaluation of the Student s performance Poor Excellent Student s level of technical knowledge for this placement Overall quality of work carried out by Student Ability of Student to work with others Timekeeping of Student Ability of Student to manage their time effectively and to meet deadlines Ability of Student to manage change, if appropriate Demonstrate a willingness to acquire new skills and to learn? Section C: Assessment of the Student s strengths and weaknesses based on Placement Section D: Overall rating of the Placement Section E: Further comments/suggestions 16

19 Appendix 2: Business Mentor Report Business Mentor Report Student Name: Business Mentor Name: Academic Mentor Name: Section A: (To be completed by the student) Summary of Accomplishments: Section B: (To be completed by the student) Student s Comments: Section C: (To be completed by the Business Mentor) Comments (Were overall goals met? Strengths? Possible improvements?): 17

20 Section D: (To be completed by the Business Mentor) Student Performance Please rate the student s overall Placement performance, under the following headings, according to the rating scale below: Did not meet job requirements. Significant performance improvements urgently needed. 2. Met minimum job requirements. Work improvement plan was needed to bring performance to a satisfactory level 3. Met normal job requirements with few exceptions. Improvements in performance needed in one or more major job elements. 4. Fully met job requirements. Performance was what was expected of a person in this position. 5. Exceeded job requirements. Student performance impressed, exceeded what is normally expected in this position. Did the Student.. Never Seldom Sometime s Usually Always Complete tasks effectively and efficiently? Complete tasks on schedule? Produce an acceptable volume of work? Produce work of good consistent quality? Demonstrate skills and knowledge in his/her technical area? Seek help and additional information when required? Demonstrate a willingness to acquire new skills and to learn? Learn from their mistakes? Exhibit good planning and organizational skills? Exhibit initiative where appropriate? Express him/herself clearly verbally? Express him/herself clearly in writing? Communicate effectively with others? Work well with others?

21 Add value to the group, where appropriate? Conduct him/herself professionally to those inside and outside the group, including clients/customers? Maintain a good attendance record? Attend punctually?

22 Appendix 3: Sample Learning Log Initial recordings in the Learning Log should outline the student s goals regarding the skills, knowledge, understanding and attributes expected to be achieved during the Placement and the reasons these are important in the context of education, career plans and personal development. During Placement, the Learning Log should describe observations and experiences as a contribution to learning and should evaluate these in terms of the initial goals. On a weekly basis, record the work carried out, tasks or projects in progress and training received. Also, record observations and experiences and reflect on how these are contributing to learning (typically one page in length per week). Submit your Log weekly, by to your Academic Mentor. Monday Sample Learning Log Week 1 2 nd to 6 th April Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 20

23 Week 2 nd 6 th April Monday The HR Officer brought me to the Tax Department and introduced me to my Business Mentor and the other members of the tax team. I was given a tour of the department and an explanation of the job roles of the different people. I was also given a full induction tour of the building, including Health & Safety. I spent most of the afternoon with my Mentor, work-shadowing him and assisting where asked. The team is really busy this week with an upcoming quality review, so it is a great time to start, with plenty of work to do. Tuesday I am waiting to be set up with a company and am using a temporary log-on. It will be good to have this up and running, so that I can have access to the various tax packages and applications. Also, it will help me to settle in and feel like I m a proper part of the company. I spent most of the day searching for and retrieving client files in the storage room, as they were required in the office. Was given responsibility for opening and locking up on my own. Wednesday I was given the responsibility of helping to get the files of three large corporate client companies and their subsidiaries into order, identifying duplicate papers, what was unsigned and also identifying what papers, if any, were missing. I was shown what needed to be done and got going straight away. I wasn t very confident about doing it on my own, but by the afternoon, I was more confident and was reviewing the files faster. This task was useful because it had a strict deadline, not only that, but by organising the files, I became aware of the process and structure by which corporate tax liabilities are calculated, given to the client for review and, if acceptable, then submitted to Revenue with payment. Thursday Given task to prepare this year s personal tax request letters. I was set up on the Tax Share system and was shown how use it. I spent the day preparing the various letters required. This involved looking over the 2006 files to get to grips with their personal circumstances and also looking over their 2007 file to date, to determine their Capital Gains Tax disposals etc. if any. This also introduced me to the company s online filing system, which I can now competently find my way around. Friday Today, I went to my first team briefing, which is held every Friday. This meeting is where team members speak about issues that currently face the team and agree what needs to be done. I got an official welcome to the team and was asked to say a few words about myself! This was a bit daunting, but with everybody so friendly, it worked out fine. I will be asked to give input to the meetings and I realise how much this will improve my presentation and communication skills, as well as my confidence. I am beginning to feel a lot more comfortable around the people on my team and not as reluctant to ask questions as I was at the start of the week. 21

24 Appendix 4: Definition of Workplace Skills Definition of Workplace Skills Many of the skills required for success in work are the same as those needed for success in life more generally. The ability to relate to people from differing backgrounds, to cope with a variety of situations, to communicate, to learn from experiences and apply that learning are important in all aspects of life and work. While many students recognise the value of the learning they undertake as part of the curriculum, they often do not appreciate the learning that arises from Placement. The Learning Log should reflect on and evaluate the development of skills in the workplace, some of which are described below: Goal Setting Ability to define targets that need to be reached in order to achieve a successful outcome and to review progress towards achievement of these goals. Oral and Written Communication Ability to articulate well, negotiate and successfully transmit information at an interpersonal and group level, using verbal, written and technological means in formal and informal environments. Team-work Ability to contribute willingly and constructively within groups of any size and not afraid to seek or offer support from/to other team members in order to meet common goals. Problem Solving Ability to collate information relating to a problem, present and evaluate alternative solutions and recommend the optimum solution for action. Time Management Ability to utilise time productively through prioritising of work tasks. Meeting Deadlines Ability to organise the workload to ensure that tasks are completed by the required time. Listening skills Ability to listen without interruption to somebody and interpret the message being given and the action that may be necessary. Initiative Ability to initiate actions or tasks without being prompted by others. 22

25 Appendix 5: Induction Checklist Induction Checklist Company: Start Date: Student: Telephone: Work Business Mentor: Telephone: Work The following items should be included in your induction into the organisation, preferably in your first week. Check off the items below when they occur and then return by to GENERAL Introduction to key staff members and their roles outlined Place of work identified Starting and finishing times/lateness/time-off policies explained Lunch, tea/coffee arrangements outlined Use of , internet and telephone policy outlined Confidentiality policy explained and current best practices outlined Company disciplinary procedures explained HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES Health & Safety procedures outlined Safety Statement received or location known First Aid Arrangements outlined Fire procedures and emergency evacuation outlined Operating instruction of equipment given 23

26 Appendix 6: Sample Work Summary Job Description Company Name, location - Department/Division Name/Team Work Summary Student Name Member of lending team that manages a portfolio of customers primarily in the department/division sector. Assist team in preparation of credit applications. Manage credit risk of the portfolio. Deal with daily queries from customers relating to all aspects of their banking requirements. Liaise with relevant departments and branches regarding various customer queries. Assist team in maintaining good relationships with customers. General office duties including completion of various reports and ensuring compliance. Sector teams within Corporate Banking are generally the Principle Relationship Managers for a number of different customers. We are the first point of contact for customers and provide a range of different banking facilities. The main purpose of this relationship involves lending money to the company and offering various debt facilities. This is achieved by preparing a credit application known as a mark-up seeking sanction for various debt facilities. The primary purpose of a mark-up is to help the reader make an informed credit decision as key risks and issues are identified. There are a number of steps involved in preparing a mark-up but the final result is a summary of the company s financial performance, trading performance, report on key risk issues, borrower grade, industry analysis and competitive position of Borrower. This is then presented before a credit committee where the chairperson makes a decision on whether to sanction facilities. Skills and Experience Acquired Numerical and Analytical Skills A significant amount of the work entails analysis of the financial statements of a company, extracting this information in a format commonly used by the Bank and summarising the trading performance of the company through the use of various ratios. Valuation techniques are often put into practice when determining whether a new acquisition will add value to the existing company and whether the projected increase in debt is justified by the estimated increase in earnings. Understanding of Market Fluctuations and Economies An integral part of the job is observing analyst reports on share price fluctuations for publicly quoted customers. I now have a greater general understanding of the driving forces behind fluctuations in exchange rates and interest rates and have a better knowledge of what is going on in both Irish and world-wide economies. 24

27 Teamwork and Communication Skills Due to the daily contact with customers, branches and various departments within the Bank, my communication skills have greatly benefited from the Placement. Since I worked with a small sector team where flow of communication regarding discussion of various scenarios and provision of solutions is hugely important, I now fully appreciate the importance of teamwork and the need to co-operate and work efficiently and effectively with one another. Placement Link into Academic Studies Financial Reporting Since the majority of information regarding the company s financial performance and trading analysis is extracted from the financial statements, a clear understanding of financial accounting is definitely beneficial. General accounting skills are also put into practice when examining and monitoring customer accounts and credit utilisation to ensure the customer is not operation in excess of their facilities. Business Finance Certain valuation techniques are utilised during the course of the job. However, more widely used and commonly accepted methods that are used to measure variations across markets are learned. Economics Exposure to various market reports and daily comments certainly contributes to a greater understanding of Irish and world-wide economies, markets and companies. 25