We recently interviewed some of the year 9’s from Foster Secondary College who are undertaking work placement one day per week with with PGL Camp Rumbug. The students are very excited to be a part of the team and are enjoying the skills they are picking up each time they are on site! Take a read of what the students had to say!
Fynley –
What new skills or knowledge have you gained during your work experience so far?
Definitely communication skills, I am able to explain instructions, working with primary school up to yr 7 student groups, raft building, archery skills, working with young people and getting them engaged with activities.
What new skills or knowledge have you gained during your work experience so far?
Before starting I was interested in meteorology and this has helped reinforce that. I have enjoyed working with students but would not prefer to do it professionally.
What has been the most interesting task or activity you have had to complete on placement and why did it stand out?
Orienteering – involved a variety of activities such as teamwork and communication, we ran across most of the different areas around the camp.
Have you faced any challenges while on placement and how have you overcome them?
Some of the students won’t listen and follow instructions. I’ve had to build leadership skills to be able to manage some of the groups.
What qualities or behaviours do you think are important to succeed in a work environment?
Communication, leadership, management skills and also people skills, these all seem to be extremely important.
Is there anything that has surprised you?
The staff have treated us as a part of the team, I thought that we may be treated as students or kids but the team environment is amazing and it is always the highlight of my week to come here!
What advice would you give to another student that is about to start work experience here?
Bring a change of clothes! Bring shoes for walking, be loud and confident, and especially bring energy and be happy!
Sophie –
What new skills or knowledge have you gained during your work experience so far?
Being able to fix things that are relevant to your daily life. E.g. fixing taps, doors etc.
Has the experience helped you to better understand what you might want to do in the future?
Yes, experiencing things that we don’t do at school and being out and about. Before coming I was thinking about going into carpentry or being a Vet and this experience has certainly reinforced this.
What has been the most interesting task or activity you have had to complete on placement and why did it stand out?
The most interesting thing is definitely water testing because you are able to see and compare the results. Testing drinking water in taps and tanks to see if it is safe to drink.
Have you faced any challenges while on placement and how have you overcome them?
Lifting the water out of the ute for students to refill, I’ve needed to ask for help with this task and it was difficult to begin with.
What qualities or behaviours do you think are important to succeed in a work environment?
Patience, Kindness and humour.
Is there anything that has surprised you?
How big the camp is by land size, it’s massive.
What advice would you give to another student that is about to start work experience?
Wear suitable clothes and definitely come with a great attitude.
Rylan –
What new skills or knowledge have you gained during your work experience so far?
I have learned how to go through the water testing process and I have also learned how to put in door stops as well.
Has the experience helped you to better understand what you might want to do in the future?
Yes, absolutely, working with my hands and getting outside and being able to move around and see different things.
What has been the most interesting task or activity you have had to complete on placement and why did it stand out?
Pruning trees, because we have the ability to get out and about and use our bodies.
Have you faced any challenges while on placement and how have you overcome them?
Everything has been well rounded, straight forward and fun.
What qualities or behaviours do you think are important to succeed in a work environment?
Staying happy, working as a team and staying calm, these things make the day feel better and makes a workplace more enjoyable.
Is there anything that has surprised you?
With the water testing when you put the tablet into the water it changes colour really quickly and you are able to tell the result straight away. I didn’t think it would happen so fast.
What advice would you give to another student that is about to start work experience?
Get into it, have fun and don’t mess around. Enjoy the time!
