Extending Career Opportunities - BSc & HND Health and Social Care

Work-based experience is one of the core modules during your year 2 academic studies on the BSc or HND Health and Social Care undergraduate degree course.

Employers in Health and Social Care will require specific skills or knowledge and want individuals who possess a wide range of skills/personal attributes such as communication and interpersonal skills, initiative, problem solving and team working abilities. No matter where you develop them (e.g. via a part-time job, placement or voluntary work) you can transfer and use them in any graduate job.

Here is what two second years students have to say about their work experience opportunity.

Darlington Idahosa: “I am presently carrying out my work placement in a charity organisation as part of my Health and Social Care degree.

"The organisation provides a safe and conducive environment for children and young people to socialise and learn life skills. These skills include helping service users to build self-esteem, confidence, resilience and employability skills through mentoring.

"It has been a privilege to be part of a team, which engage, empower and enable children and young people to be the best they can in the future. My roles ensure that services users are safe, engaged and included by developing professional friendship and trust through activities such as sports and other leisure activities.

"I believe working as a volunteer at the organisation will allow me to learn and gather new experiences needed in my career role as a social worker in the future”.

Tino Kadzirange: “Although I already had a paid job in a health and social care setting as a Complex Health Care Assistant, when it came to the work experience module I sought an opportunity to learn something new and broaden my horizons.

"I managed to obtain a volunteer role as an Administrative Assistant for a busy, nationwide domiciliary care agency. The role was advertised as a general office assistant however once the interviewers realised the scope of what I had learned on the university course so far, they decided I would be more useful assisting with writing care plans.

"I am grateful for this opportunity and hope to continue volunteering next year and translate this into a paid role once I have finished my course”.

The Work-Based Experience Module on the Health and Social Care course prepares you for the world of work and helps you to build and demonstrate the skills and attributes employers are looking for.

Bimpe Kuti (Senior Lecturer)

BSc & HND Health and Social Care