Valuable Placements For Students Offered By Citizens Advice Guildford

Published on: 30 Aug, 2016
Updated on: 30 Aug, 2016

Citizens Advice Guildford is offering placements to students while on their sandwich or gap year.

Advisors at work at Citizens Advice Guildford.

The 30-week placement is ideal for someone studying subjects such as sociology, social policy, politics or law.

The bureau’s manager Joan O’Byrne said: “Although we are offering placments to students from the University of Surrey, it occurs to us that there are Guildford families with students who aren’t at university here but who are looking for something to do in their sandwich year and who may be interested too.

“We had a student who spent his gap year here before going to university and he’s coming back to Guildford for a masters and is coming back to help us with analysis and research.

“We are also looking at the opportunities we can provide to the University of Law students at its Guildford college, who can work alongside us on reception, for casework, for initial assessments and even (if they can commit the time) to becoming qualified advisers.”

Joan O’Byrne, bureau manager at Citizens Advice Guildford.

Joan adds that the work placements will start in September, and said: “Whilst we can’t pay them, it’s fabulous to know we’re really providing them with valuable experience for their futures.”

Placement duties a student undertakes includes: fast-track training for advice giving; reception, information assistant and admin roles; helping to shape and improve office procedures, ensure full recording of cases and outcomes, helping to identify development opportunities, and supporting management of contracts; plus campaign and research roles, supporting and identification and production of evidence around issues that could be addressed locally or as part of a national campaign.

One student, Natasha, who has benefitted though a placement at Citizens Advice Guildford, said: “It has and continues to be one of the most important experiences in my life. Opportunities to develop skills and gain knowledge are presented on a daily basis and will help you progress as a student and mature as an adult.

“While in the voluntary sector the words ‘challenging but rewarding’ are used frequently, a placement at Citizens Advice Guildford goes so much further beyond that. The camaraderie between the volunteers was inviting enough to stay on beyond the placement dates. In no other office is there such a caring, intellectual and cheerful network of people to support you not only with advice-giving but with the emotional challenges that are inherent in the role.

“Initial training is intense and clients’ situations can be stressful and hard work, but armed with a wealth of knowledge and access to information, advising those most vulnerable in the local community is the most satisfying learning curve and I cannot stress the importance of this experience enough.

“The vast amounts of information I have learnt so far is invaluable not only for my degree but also for my adult life. Academically, I have been able to consolidate knowledge and theories taught at the university.

“Witnessing how law and legislation practically affects local citizens and where our state system fails those most vulnerable in society is an insight that will not be forgotten. Skills like report writing, face-to-face interview skills and team work are further strengths the placement has given me for my future career.

“Additionally, navigating the ins and outs of local bureaucracy, knowing how to handle a range of disputes and understanding the support available for people facing a variety of problems stands me in very good stead for my future, both personally and in my career.”

Applicants should have a proven academic track record, enthusiasm, maturity, open-mindced, non-judgmental, be able to listen, learn and work in a team.

For anyone interested in finding out more, you can request an application form from the bureau’s office manager John Evans. Email him at john.evans@guildfordcab.org.uk

Complete and return the form and you will then be contacted about an interview.

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