Be able to evaluate your own work experience placement - Travel and Tourism - page 399

UNIT SUMMARY

This unit has given you the chance to prepare for, and complete, a period of work experience in the travel
and tourism sector, helping you develop valuable w o rk and social skills. You have used a variety of contacts
and resources to investigate placement opportunities and considered how a placement is an excellent way
to improve your skills and help focus your mind on car e er development. You have set personal, career and
course-related objectives for your period of work exper i ence and examined the codes of behaviour while
on placement. You have also carried out research into your chosen work experience organisation, including
its key activities, products and services, examining your ow n roles and responsibilities while on placement.
Finally, the unit has given you guidance on carrying out an e v aluation of your own performance while on
placement.

If you have worked methodically, by the end of this unit you shoul d :

• Be able to prepare for a work experience placement in the travel and tourism sector;

• Be able to demonstrate the skills, qualities and behaviours need e d for effective performance in the

workplace;

• Know the key features of the chosen work experience organisation;

• Be able to evaluate your own work experience placement.

You are now in a position to complete the assignment for the unit, under the di r ection of your tutor. Before
you tackle the assignment you may like to have a go at the following questions to help build your knowledge
on work experience in the travel and tourism sector.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

1. List 4 sources of information and advice on placement opportunities.

2. What do you hope to gain most from your period of work experience?

3. In what ways can newspapers and trade magazines help yo u fi nd a good placement?

4. What are the main constraints that students may need to cons id er before fi nding a suitable placement?

5. List 6 skill areas that a placement could help you develop.

6. List 3 personal objectives that you would like to achieve while on placement.

7. Why is it important to set objectives for your period of work experie nce ?

8. List the reasons why you think an employer should give you a placement o pportunity.

9. What sort of questions should you ask and not ask while on placement?

10. Why is it important to carry out an evaluation of your placement once it is fi n is h ed?