Written by The SAMPID Team
SAMPID (Staffordshire Advanced Manufacturing, Prototyping and Innovation Demonstrator) is a new project to the University that supports businesses from Staffordshire. You could be involved with helping local companies on a paid placement based in the Mellor Building to develop a new product, service or process. You could take part in this project using brand-new cutting-edge manufacturing equipment and have the opportunity develop your skills, whilst continuing your training and increasing your employability.
The SAMPID team have written a description of what a day in the life of a student undertaking a SAMPID placement may look like:
8am and my alarm goes off. My first lecture isn’t until this afternoon, but I’m going to spend some time this morning working on my SAMPID job placement. I work 15 hours a week in my role as a Prototyping and Innovation Consultant, and it’s great because I can choose the hours I work to suit me. It’s based at the University too in the Mellor building, which is so handy for me because it means there’s no travel time between work and lectures, and also no commute in the morning as I live on campus! Maybe I can get away with one more snooze…
9am and I’ve made the short walk from my accommodation to the Mellor Building. I’ve booked some time to work with the University’s new robotic arms, which are so cool! My favourite is the collaborative robot, or cobot, as it has the capability to mimic exactly what I’m doing with my own arm. The company I’m working for on the placement are looking for help with stress-testing their prototypes, so the robots are perfect for this. I’ll be here all morning and then think I might pop to Squeeze Box for some lunch before my lecture.
3pm and my lecture has just finished. Since starting my SAMPID placement I’ve been feeling a lot more confident on my course, as one of my lecturers is also the academic assigned to support me and the company. It’s great getting that extra one on one time with them, and I’ve also been able to relate the things I’ve learnt on my placement back to my course – for me I find that stuff sinks in so much better when I can see how it is actually applied in the real world! My lecturers are really pleased with how my work is coming along and my personal tutor’s asked if I’ve ever considered going on to do a PhD after I finish my Master’s course. I hadn’t until recently as I didn’t know if I’d be good enough, but lately I’ve started to think that maybe it is something I could do!
Some days I’ll head back home after lectures and do a bit more work in my room but today I think I’ll go and type up my SAMPID update report in the Library to send off to the company, as I also need to pick up a book for my course and do some printing too. It’s so convenient being able to get everything done in one go!
I don’t want my 12-week placement to end as I’ve built up a really good relationship with the company I’ve been working with and they say that they’ve been really impressed with me. They’ve also told me to keep in touch as there may be job opportunities with them in the future that they’d consider me for, which would be great.
An email pops up while I’m at the Library from Unitemps, and I notice that there are now two other SAMPID placements being advertised which are due to start soon. I’ve had such a good experience with this one that I think I’m going to apply for another – fingers crossed I’ll be able to make a start on one of the new projects just as my current one is wrapping up!
5pm and I’m just finishing off at the Library as I’m meeting some friends for a drink soon. A couple of them can’t come because they work in bars and restaurants and will just be starting their shifts which is a shame, I’m glad that’s not me! They’re all dead jealous that I’m earning £9.34 an hour too, as most of them get way less than that – guess the first round had better be on me!
All SAMPID placement opportunities will be advertised on My Career https://www.staffs.ac.uk/students/careers/mycareer.
If you require any support with your application for a SAMPID role or other roles please email careers@staffs.ac.uk or chat with our Career Coaches at https://www.staffs.ac.uk/students/careers/careers-studio/chat-to-our-careers-coaches
If you have any questions about the SAMPID project please email Rachel Wood, SAMPID Programme Manager, rachel.wood@staffs.ac.uk.
To speak to one of our Career Coaches get in touch:
Email: careers@staffs.ac.uk
Twitter: @CareersAtStaffs
Instagram: @CareersAtStaffs
Facebook: Staffordshire University Career & Personal Development
LinkedIn: @CareersAtStaffs
Career Chat: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/students/careers/careers-studio/chat-to-our-careers-coaches