As my placement continues, I am gaining more knowledge and skills about the higher education field, therefore, my responsibilities have increased through informal learning. For example, I have been given the referral exam to organise and proctor every month. The referral exam is an English language test for Northeastern’s college of professional studies applicants. Details can be found in appendix 1. This responsibility includes many tasks throughout the month including registering students, booking rooms on campus, proctoring the exam and sending out the results.
Research cites the importance of informal learning “Along with education and formal training, informal learning is seen as a key to corporate competitiveness as well as to employment and employability and is thus recognised as a major target area for companies’ human resource policies and also for social partner policy and intervention” (ETUC/UNICE/CEEP, 2002). By having this experience in a competitive workplace, I am able to gain the advantage of experience and informal learning which can aid me in my future career and job search. Each day I am able to observe the workplace and contribute to it, in conjunction with the opportunity to reflect on my experience through these blogs. Through this year I am hoping that informal learning, experience and the gained confidence from this industrial placement will be seen as desirable qualities from future employers.
In gaining this responsibility I have been able to fulfil one of the IP objectives, objective 2 (see appendix 2). Being given this responsibility provided me with confidence in conquering new challenges in the workplace.
References
ETUC/UNICE/CEEP (2002), Framework of actions for the lifelong development of competencies andqualifications(European Trade Union Congress: Brussels).
Appendix 1
https://cps.northeastern.edu/admissions/international/language-requirements/english-language-exam
Appendix 2
IP Objective2:
Develop the ability to receive, quickly comprehend and execute instructions to the employer’s satisfaction as a means to progressing to a more responsible role;
Abby Duncan 