This summer, Louise Austin, a soon-to-be Business and Finance student, spent three weeks gaining hands-on experience with Kenny Waste Management’s HR team. We caught up with Louise to discuss her journey and the insights she gained during her placement.
Q1: What has your work experience placement involved you doing?
Louise: Loads! I’ve mainly been working on research assignments such as changes to employment law under the new Labour government that the business needs to know about and prepare for. I’ve also been sorting out HR files on the Staffology system.
I have looked at people’s CVs on Indeed and wrote down who would be a great match for Kenny Waste Management. I have also filled out different letters to do with probation, resignation, and contract changes.
My main tasks here at Kenny Waste Management have been big research tasks about Labour, effective strategies on how to keep employees in the business, performance management tools, and looking at the different skills, behaviours, and knowledge which are important for an HR professional.
Q2: What made you want to take up this opportunity with Kenny Waste Management?
Louise: I wanted to get the experience for University and afterwards. I’ll be studying Business and Finance at University, which this will be useful for, but I’ve also got a lot out of my HR placement so may consider it as an option for the future.
I have also heard a lot about Kenny Waste Management, with how everyone is always positive, and it leads to a happy workforce, which was one of the reasons why I wanted to work here as my summer placement.
Q3: You’ve almost completed your three weeks work experience now. What are the main things you would say you have got out of the experience?
Louise: Working on big research assignments and understanding how to do this properly. Meeting the amazing team, who helped me and supported me through the placement.
Q4: How have other team members supported you?
Louise: They’ve been so friendly, including me in conversations about work as well as being interested in me as a person. They’ve taken time to explain and show me what I needed to do, which has helped me understand all of the work I have done, which led me to complete a lot of different tasks.
Q5: Is there something you’re especially proud of achieving or overcoming?
Louise: Just being in an office environment. Also, it’s my first time doing big research assignments into things like government policy changes and staff recruitment and retention, which will help me prepare for university, as I will mainly be completing these big assignments once I’m there.
Q6: What advice would you give to anyone looking to start or enhance their career at Kenny Waste Management?
Louise: If you are considering Kenny Waste Management as a career, I would say do some research about the company, so you understand what they do. There’s lots of information on the website.
Q7: Anything else you want to add?
Louise: It’s been a really positive experience, and everyone has been so friendly. I’ve got a lot out of it.
Louise’s experience at Kenny Waste Management highlights the valuable skills and insights that can be gained through a well-structured work experience program.
Her time with the team has not only prepared her for her upcoming studies but has also provided her with a clearer vision of her potential career path. We’re proud to have been part of her journey and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
