We caught up with James Harris to ask him all about his placement year!
Where did you go for your placement year?
I went to Ashford Borough Council for my placement year.
Why did you decide to do a placement year?
I decided to do one because I thought the experience in a real working environment would be good to get to grips with and help me decide what I wanted to do in future!
What did a day/week on your placement look like for you?
I spent my time working in the office to keep the councillors informed and up to date with government legislation, and when I wasn’t doing that I was working with the Mayor of Ashford on her chosen charity, the Singleton Environment Centre, to help them raise money and preserve their green space!
Favourite memory/best thing that happened?
My favourite thing was coming in on my birthday to the charity to support them on their Bat Walk and Talk and their meal that I’d helped prepare the last few months! The Christmas choir and market we had there was definitely a close second 🙂
Where do you hope to go next with your career after you graduate next year?
I’m hoping to use this experience to look at options in central government like the civil service.
What was the biggest challenge on your placement and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was finding the time to keep having a social life haha, but thanks to my team at Ashford I was able to work more flexibly and still learn new things, while getting to spend time going out and seeing my friends.
How did the university support you in finding your finding your placement?
I worked with my Academic Advisor, Dr Raluca Popp, to help me brainstorm ideas for the placement originally until I came up with the option of Ashford Borough Council.
“Getting to have a mix of work, between the office and getting outdoors makes the placement so much more fun!”
James
Overall, James’s placement year at Ashford Borough Council has been an enriching experience filled with learning, community engagement, and personal growth. The blend of office work and outdoor activities made the role dynamic and enjoyable. As he looks to the future, James is eager to pursue a career in the public service, determined to make a positive impact on his community. Â
James studied for his Bachelor’s degree with us and is currently studying MA International Relations at Kent too!