Dave Donaldson - BA Honours History Student. Placement undertaken with the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne
"My placement last year involved helping the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne to find a way of digitising their archives. I applied for this placement, as I am interested in a career in the archives sector. However, I have no previous experience or knowledge about archives and the digitisation process. This module allowed me use skills that I have obtained during my History degree to devise successfully a way that the group I was assisting could digitise their collections. This included contacting various local history groups and museums regarding their own digital collections, then, critically assessing their responses. I also managed to visit a local history group, which was very fulfilling!
Skills gained during my degree, notably regarding research, critical thinking and presentation, helped me a lot during this placement, all whilst illustrating what I have learnt during this module and its many useful workshops. Doing this placement independently also improved my sense of initiative and my confidence in presenting my findings to this local history group’s committee. I am very glad that I chose this module as it has given me experience of a humanities-related job, whilst improving my employability and giving me more to write on my CV."
Mica Hillier, English and History BA Honours Student, Placement with Kearsney Parks, Dover Council
"Applied Humanities helped me to identify everyday activities and tasks, in current employment and as a student, as transferable skills for the future and how best to demonstrate these to employers. It helped me to identify and consolidate my best attributes and convey them effectively through CVs and cover letters. Employability as a module is perfect for those who have not entered the world of employment yet and to re-engage those who already are."
George Wright, History BA Honours Student. Placement undertaken with Faversham Business Centre
"Applied humanities helped me fine tune my communication and social skills towards a professional objective. My previous work in sectors such as retail and bar management provided the basis for understanding employability on a standard level without much knowledge of the business sector, or how the skills that I am gaining from my History degree could be transferred to other sectors. Applied Humanities showed me the different careers and pathways available to me, providing information such as how to approach big businesses or give your CV the professional edge. These skills and the practical experience I gained from the 40 hour work related learning opportunity as part of the course no doubt helped me gain a summer job with FRP Advisory, a financial company in London. I now feel more prepared for the business world."
Savannah Bradshaw. BA Honours Religion, Philosophy and Ethics. Placement undertaken with Wilsons of Carlisle
"Over and above everything that I learned from my experience taking Applied Humanities and working with Wilsons of Carlisle was the real value of self-worth, and that my capabilities are much more than I give myself credit for. I was able to actively take part in the meetings and contribute ideas and questions to help the buying process of both side companies/agencies that we were building together. I reflected back to the self-awareness workshop at the end of the module on a deeper level than before the placement; initially it was taken as a format to know how one can come across to others and know your own body language and presentation, but now it is much more. It is an acknowledgement of what you can achieve and your capabilities, and being able to confidently use them in a professional environment, growing through social feedback and communication."