Skip to main navigationSkip to main content
The University of Southampton
Humanities

Students excel in vacation placements

Published: 7 November 2012
Eleanor stringer collecting award

Humanities students have been recognised for their achievements as part of the University of Southampton’s Excel placements scheme during the Easter and/or summer vacations. This is an opportunity to spend between four and 12 weeks with a wide range of external partners or within the University, organised by the Careers and Employability Service. Students are paid during their placements.

During summer 2012,168 students took part in the scheme. The Careers and Employability Service celebrated their activities with an awards ceremony which invited employers to nominate those students who had excelled during their placement. In total 12 awards were given out, two to Humanities students.

Sian Steggles, who has graduated in English, worked with Dr Eleanor Quince, Director of Postgraduate Studies and the academic lead for employability in Humanities on researching and writing web pages on employability for her fellow students. She won a runners-up award.

Philosophy student Eleanor Stringer, who worked for Triggered Messaging, also received an award and fellow Philosophy student Joe Madden spoke about his current graduate placement with B&Q to the audience at the awards ceremony.

“This is a brilliant way for students to gain valuable work experience during their studies,” explains Eleanor. I enjoyed working with Sian who was highly motivated and produced excellent set of informative pages from a student perspective.”

Sian says “The Excel placement was a stimulating and rewarding experience. I came away with so many skills that I didn't have before such as time-management, organisation, initiative (which played a big part throughout the three months) as well as a great experience working both in an office environment and in a higher education environment. If I had the chance to go back, I would definitely apply for an Excel placement in every year of my course - it's great for your CV and provides you with a substantial amount of money outside of term time.”

Both undergraduates and taught master’s students are welcome to investigate the 2012-13 Excel programme and apply for places on the University's careers pages.

Joe Madden speaks about his experiences on his placement with B&Q
Joe Madden speaking at the ceremony
Eleanor worked for Triggered Messaging during her placement
Eleanor Stringer collects her award
Privacy Settings