Student Work Placements: Connecting the Scottish Library and Information Community

Category: Blog

The following guest blog was submitted by Dr. Rebekah Willson from the University of Strathclyde.

Next week I will be finalising the second semester work placements for the students in our Information & Library Studies programme. This is one of the favourite parts of my job. When I took over the role of the Deputy Director of the ILS programme at the University of Strathclyde, I didn’t know what work placements would entail – it seemed like a lot of administrative work. However, it has turned out to be a rewarding experience to see my students learn, as well as a great way to connect with the Scottish library and information community.

I ask students to keep a reflective journal about their experiences over the 11 weeks of their placement and then write a reflective paper. This paper explores the change in their professional knowledge and skills, mirroring CILIP’s chartership process and using the PKSB as a guide (https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/PKSB). This means I get a direct view into what students are doing and how their perspectives are changing. While I expect students to learn and gain new skills (and they do!), what I was surprised at was the number of professionals I have met who shared their own experiences of doing a work placement as a student – many of whom went on to get employment where they did their placement. In fact, I have now seen this happen in the one year since I have been coordinating.

Coordinating work placements means that I see the Scottish library and information community in action. I see professionals giving of their time and expertise to help facilitate the learning of students who will soon be their colleagues. Because the community is willing to work with our
students it has meant that – whether they are working in the National Library of Scotland or in a prison library or in a records management department – they are getting the training and mentoring they need to become the next generation of Scottish information professionals.

So, as I finish off matching students with placement organisations, I wanted to take a minute and say thank you to all of those who work with our students and the community that is so welcoming to new professionals. I also wanted to say, if you are interested in getting involved, drop me a line! rebekah.willson@strath.ac.uk