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Two Newry, Mourne and Down District Council placement students have been presented with Highly Commended Placement awards by Ulster University after submitting short videos about their roles with the Council. Katie Gribben and Katie Watt, whose placements end this August, said they were sad at the prospect of leaving after what they described as an "invaluable" experience.
The Council's placement scheme allows students to earn a salary while gaining hands-on, degree-relevant experience across a number of council departments. Earlier this year, both students also completed an Institute of Leadership and Management course through the Council's Upskilling for Growth and Labour Market Partnership initiative.
Katie Gribben, an International Hospitality and Event Management student from Mayobridge, said her placement with the Council's Events Department had confirmed her ambition to work in that field once she graduates. "That's what I really want to do and the opportunity to work with the Council was really perfect for me. The placement has been better than I ever could have imagined and I got the opportunity to work with some brilliant people who welcomed me and did everything they could to help," she said.
"I have loved every minute of my time with the Council and genuinely don't want to go. If I could stay, I would be more than happy. This has been the quickest year of my life. I've really enjoyed it, learnt so much and been made to feel part of the team. The experience has been amazing and the people around you are so helpful. You could never ask a silly question, which gives you confidence and I was never treated like a student, just a colleague," Katie continued.
She said her placement had allowed her to make a meaningful contribution while being paid to learn, adding that she sees her future career in event management and would love to return to the Council if she could.
Katie Watt, an Indoor Leisure marketing student from Tandragee, described her placement as "unreal" and said she had received great support and encouragement from everyone she worked with. "I have loved it here and my placement ticked every box. I have been involved in so many things and what I've learnt will be so useful to me in the future. My experience with the Council will always stand me in good stead," she said.
"My advice to university students considering a placement opportunity with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is to go for it. You can take the skills you learn here anywhere and my experience has been better than I ever could have anticipated. You are welcomed and made to feel part of a team with everyone so supportive and encouraging. It's a tremendous learning experience. You are not made to feel like a student and have your own workload, responsibilities and projects," Katie added.
"It has been a great experience. I was trusted to get on with it and will be sad when my placement ends. I genuinely don't want to leave. Working with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has been an invaluable experience. The time goes by so quickly and I am jealous of who comes behind me. They will not regret this opportunity. This is the place to be."
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna, said the student placement scheme offered undergraduates not only invaluable experience but also workplace skills and career insight. "It demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting young people's development and future success," Cllr Hanna said.
"Students are paid to learn and the fact many are reluctant to leave when their placement ends and express a desire to come back, speaks volumes of the staff they work with and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council."
