Work Placement Diary: Ben Asher – post 1

Chemistry in the real world Student experience 2nd September 2019

Hello, my name is Ben; I am 20 years old and originally from Leicester. I study Chemistry at the University of Manchester and have just finished my second year. As I am enrolled on the Chemistry with Industrial experience course, my third year will be spent working at a company whilst completing some modules alongside this.

Where are you doing your placement, can you tell us a little bit about the company?

The company that I am doing my placement at is called Scapa Group, based in Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester. Scapa is a leading global manufacturer of bonding and adhesive components and solutions for the Healthcare and Industrial markets. They operate from various facilities across Europe, North and South America and Asia. The company was formed back in 1927 as Scapa dryers Ltd and has since joined with and acquired many other companies operating in similar markets to become the successful company it is today.

How did you get your placement?

I obtained my placement at Scapa Group by first writing a cover letter and CV when I saw the advert for the role on the webpage set up by the School of Chemistry. Once I was happy with my cover letter, I sent them off to the company. A short time after this, I was contacted by the careers service and they informed me that Scapa wanted to interview me. About a week after the interview, I was contacted again by the careers service who said Scapa wanted to offer me the role, and I accepted!

What support did you get while you were preparing for the placement?

The support I had when applying for placement roles was very useful. The university careers services were incredibly helpful and would answer any of my queries as soon as possible. They were always happy to read my CV and cover letters before I sent them off to the companies I was applying to and would provide constructive criticism on how to improve them. They also provided mock interviews both technical and competency style to give me a feel for how an interview will be like meaning when I had one I was less nervous and more prepared.  Alongside the careers services both in the School of Chemistry and the general university service, my tutor was also I great help. He was happy to write me a reference and also look at my CV and cover letters as he knew what the companies wanted to see and what to leave out.

I will begin my placement at the start of September 2019 and finish at the end of July 2020.

It’s been lovely to hear from you Ben, and good luck with the start of your placement. We look forward to finding out more as your placement progresses.

Ben AScapaWork Placement Diary