Students’ workplace successes celebrated at awards event

Students’ achievements in volunteering, internships and placements have been celebrated at an annual University of Stirling awards ceremony.

The STAR awards, organised by the Careers and Employability Service at the University of Stirling, recognise student, employer and staff successes in the world of student projects and work experience.

The awards reflect the University’s commitment to enabling students to gain access to the world of work, while supporting the business community. Supporting access to placements and work experience significantly contributes to the University’s strategic aim of attaining 85 per cent graduate level employment by 2021. 

For students, placements brings the working world to life, relate studies to the workplace and help participants develop their own career paths. Meanwhile, employers’ feedback demonstrates student projects can benefit their businesses.

Enterprising

Journalism student Anne Stoop, winner of a ‘Most Outstanding Student’ award, said: "Work experience took me out of the theoretical classroom into real working life, reminding me why I studied journalism in the first place – to make a real impact."

Psychology and Business Studies student Solange Doko, winner of a ‘Most Enterprising Student’ award, said: “My internship really opened my eyes to the countless opportunities for business and personal development offered, not only by the University, but by the many organisations in Scotland. I've learned valuable lessons from my fellow entrepreneurs and mentors that will open career opportunities in the future, and I am very grateful."

Jason Wagner, of Ping Creates, and intern Nick Kouroumalos

There were 19 awards handed out at the event sponsored by FDM, marking students’ contributions during placements at a host of firms. Employers in attendance at the ceremony included: FDM; Codebase; Ceteris; Entrepreneurial Scotland; Vidatec; Stirling Council; Santander; Codebase; STEP; SONAS; Townbreak; NHS; Coach My Sport; Ping Creates; Mage Control Systems; Roslin CT; Omega Diagnostics; Diageo; Talking Mats; and Ideas for Ears.

Jason Wagner, CEO of Ping Creates, said: “In summer 2018, we were honoured to take on two interns as part of the Stirling Internship Programme which is supported by Santander. The impact on the business in those 10 weeks included a full rebrand, social campaign and new game to showcase at the inaugural Metafest event at Codebase in December 2018.

“The impact on our business has since paid dividends, with new business opportunities, growth and local engagement.

Insights

“We’ve continued working closely with the University of Stirling, having completed a series of marketing assessments within the food and drink sectors. These live projects offer a great learning experience for students and provides Ping with valuable business data and insights, that in turn become real paying clients.

“If any business is considering taking on interns, I can heartily recommend the University of Stirling and the Stirling Internship Programme. The business benefits are immense and it really does help students further their learning.”

Pam Crawford, Joint Head of the University’s Careers and Employability Service, said: “The opportunity to gain insight into the world of work, network with the business and develop meaningful projects that relate study to practice is a crucial part of developing your career path.”

If your organisation is interested in hosting a placement student or intern, please contact employers@stir.ac.uk