ACHIEVEMENTS THROUGHOUT MY

INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT

Name: Haroon Hussain

Organisation: Smethwick Youth & Community Centre

Role: IT & Marketing Officer

Manager: Luke Darbey

MAKING USE OF OPPORTUNITIES

Working in an organisation like “Smethwick Youth & Community Centre” opportunities to employ the skills acquired throughout university are not always apparent.

Therefore, being able to use my own initiative to seek opportunities that are beneficial to both the organisation and myself is an essential attribute.

TECHNICAL OPPORTUNITIES AND CONTRIBUTION

I have continuously searched for opportunities to employ my technical knowledge and experiences. This has allowed me to improve SYCC as a organisation and to enhance my understanding on how IT can have a crucial impact within a workplace.

Installed and networked the new photocopying system within the organisation.

Solving all technical errors/issues that have occurred within the organisation.

Taking lead and control of the server management

Create, design and implement a financial control system for the nursery.

Enriched client experience through the UK Online project.

Improved the organisations IT infrastructure.

Making improvements to the organisations website

Implemented a structured IT Problem log system.

Configuring and identifying problems with Microsoft Outlook accounts.

Ensuring all computers were are networked correctly. E.g; to their correct domains.

NON-TECHNICAL OPPORTUNITIES AND CONTRIBUTIONS

During this placement, I have also taken advantage of numerous non-technical opportunities to help assist SYCC as an organisation. Examples include:

Created UML diagrams to give a clear view of how the financial system is running.

Created and designed marketing materials for services the organisation offer to its community.

Took on a position as maintenance coordinator

Carried out research of funding opportunities that the organisation is entitled to.

Working with different client groups ensuring their needs were met.

Writing and submitting funding applications to allow development of the organisation.

Created partnership with the local jobcentres and library to help the local community.

Planned, Designed, Implemented and Monitored a Employment Programme to improve employment prospects for the community.

Designed and produced ID Badges for all staff to adhere to health and safety procedures

Representing the organisation at training events.

BENEFITS OF MY CONTRIBUTIONS

Organisational benefits...

•Improved efficiency.

•Enhanced the popularity of services provided.

•Successfully gained funding to deliver various Employability and IT projects.

•Reduced confusion

•Improved cliental experience

•Enhanced managerial structure of the organisation.

•Improved the safety of staff and clients.

•Contributed to the success of projects

BENEFITS OF MY CONTRIBUTIONS

Personal benefits...

•Developed an understanding of hardware devices and how they are maintained.

•Improved my skills in various areas like; problem solving, troubleshooting and project management.

•Became an effective team player and leader.

•Further excelled on my organisational skills

•Developed use of initiative.

•Developed substantial amount of networking skills.

•Developed a keen eye for detail.

•Improved my knowledge of IT and how it is has a crucial impact within a workplace.

•Gained Fire Safety Certificate.

REFLECTIONSMy key motivation as to why I decided to take part in a placement was mainly to improve and further develop in areas that I was lacking in. By searching for opportunities and vital practices I feel as though now I have overcome my weaknesses

Weakness Actions Taken Final Outcome

Communication • Shadowing staff• Seek advice from staff and

manager.• Carry out mock

demonstrations

• Communicating with people of all levels.• Expressed my ideas clearly

and in a professional manner.

Organisational Skills • Ask questions if unclear about something.

• Prioritise tasks to set time frames.

• Submitting projects and outputs on time.

• Completing all tasks effectively.

Networking - Technical

• Trial and Error.• Research. • Practical work

• Taking lead of the server management effectively.

• First point of contact when network is down.

REFLECTIONS CONTINUED…

• Reduced tension between staff.

• Increased motivation.

Reasonable Questioning

• Create list of questions. • Increased quality of work.

Providing and receiving

constructive feedback

• Ask questions thoroughly.• Give accurate

explanations.

Quality Assurance • Seeking for regular reviews.

• Communication.• Proof reading through

work.

• Improved quality of work.

Weakness Actions Taken Final Outcome

CONTEXT AWARENESS

EmploymentFor Employment we provide employment

packages such as creating CV's to HELP

you pursue your career

LearningFor Learning we provide tuition,

literacy, and youth services to HELP you with your Learning

Poverty Reduction

For Poverty Reduction we provide welfare advice to HELP you reduce the poverty

within the local area

HealthFor Health we provide

gym packages & sports for our

community to HELP achieve physical

fitness

SYCC is here to HELPYou achieve Success

About SYCC:

1. Client-Orientated Organisation2. Third-Sector Organisation

3. Mission: HELP the community

CONTEXT AWARENESS CONTINUED...

How my role fits the organisation?

Employability Programme.• DWP Project – aimed at 50 years +

clients.

IT Beginners Course• Basic computing for beginners and

intermediate learners.

UK Online• Future Digital Inclusion Programme

Job Club• Employment Advice• CV Writing • Interview Techniques.

All roles share the same aim: HELP

00

ADDING VALUE TO ‘SMETHWICK YOUTH & COMMUNITY CENTRE’ (SYCC)Throughout my placement, I have been able to successfully add value to the organisation through the opportunities I have taken advantage of.

Adding Value by…

Improving the entire IT Infrastructure:• Reducing referrals and turndowns.• Networking the ‘Follow Me’ printer.• Increase efficiency.

Improving the popularity of the organisation and the services offered.• Establishing partnership relationships• Taking part in marketing campaigns

Adding financial value:• Writing successful funding applications• Through the completions of projects.

Increasing demand and popularity of services.• UK Online – Grand total of 315 registered users• IT Course- High demand for the course.

CONCLUSION

Overall, by taking on a placement it has allowed me to:

Develop in both my technical and non-technical experiences.

Allowed me to become a better computing professional.

Has prepared me for my final year of studies.

Understanding the key importance of being able to contribute effectively and fit into the organisation

Gain experience in working in a client-orientated organisation.

Being able to gain knowledge and experience in being an onsite maintenance coordinator.

Make use of all opportunities that arise which have aided me to reflect on my weaknesses and strengths.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of

preparation, hard work and learning from failure”

Any Questions?