Placement Student of the Year

Sustainability Award winner

The nominee should have made a significant contribution to the organisation’s sustainability whilst on placement. This could be in the form of environmental sustainability or social sustainability.

We’re pleased to announce that the winner for this award is mechanical engineering student Sumreen Aziz. Sumreen was an Engineering Operations Placement Student at Quaker Oats, PepsiCo.

The judges commented that Sumreen’s lifelong passion for sustainability really shone through in her presentation. They also noted that her ability to convert that passion into a tangible outcome at Quaker Oats made her a worthy winner.

View Sumreen's video

Sumreen Aziz

We asked Sumreen why students should take a Professional Training Year?

"To be successful in any field, knowledge is critical and our academic studies provide us with a foundational understanding but completing a Professional Training Year develops that understanding into practical experience so I would recommend that every student completes a PTY. During my placement, I worked on a wide range of engineering projects and took on leadership responsibility within both cross-functional and cross-site projects; this experience allowed me to develop my skills and the exposure I experienced provided me with an insight into future career options. Above all, my placement cemented my confidence in my capabilities and more importantly, my potential."

Trailblazer Award winner

The nominee should have done something whilst on placement to identify and/or implement a new innovative change that positively affected their organisation and/or community.

We’re pleased to announce that the winner for this award is accounting and finance student Alice Ford. Alice completed a year in industry in the finance department at Network Rail.

According to the judges, Alice’s placement year was full of amazing achievements, like winning the DICE competition commenting that this ‘is another trophy for trailblazing Alice’.

Alice Ford

We asked Alice why students should take a Professional Training Year?

"I would definitely recommend a placement year to anyone in a position to take one. I’ve gained valuable transferable skills and insight into different career options while developing personally and professionally in a work environment. I have no doubt that my placement year was key to me securing my graduate role with a top employer as I was able to evidence a range of skills and experience that I developed over the year. It also gave me the opportunity to move to a new city for a year, experiencing city centre living and the diverse culture of one of the UK’s biggest cities."

Resilience Award winner

The nominee should have completed their placement year despite facing difficult circumstances these could be personal, professional, or both.

We’re pleased to announce that the winner for this award is psychology student Jamina Hadlow.

Jamina is the first entrepreneur winner of a PT Award and according to the judges she ‘epitomises the resilience needed to start and run a business.’ Jamina spent the year as a student entrepreneur on the University's Student Enterprise programme.

View Jamina's video

Jamina Hadlow

We asked Jamina why students should take a Professional Training Year?

"I definitely recommend a professional training year to students who are curious about the industry they aspire to work in. There's a huge array of skills that can be obtained, developed, and refined during the placement year and there are many exciting opportunities that can't go missed! It's also a great opportunity to grow in confidence and network with industry professionals."

Inclusivity Award winner

The nominee should have made a significant impact on equality, diversity, and inclusion in their placement year, where they have helped influence the culture of the organisation they worked with or implemented something new to meet diverse customer needs.

We’re pleased to announce that the winner for this award is aerospace engineering student Kaden Trueman. Kaden was an Industrial Placement Engineer at Ricardo Plc.

The judges commented that Kaden’s placement year embodied inclusivity in so many ways, and the inclusive events they ran will have a lasting impact on diversity in STEM careers.

Kaden Trueman

We asked Kaden why students should take a Professional Training Year?

"I had a difficult second year and doing placement has changed my outlook for the rest of my undergraduate degree and future master’s degree. I know that I would not be thriving the way I am in my current third year, without a placement. University is great for gaining a whole range of knowledge you need, but a placement year gives you the chance to develop on a personal level and use that knowledge to create a powerful real-world impact. Engineering is at its core, about solving problems, and a placement year gives you the perfect opportunity to do that."

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

The student could have made a significant contribution to raising the profile of their subject area whilst on placement, or who have made outstanding contributions to their own development as a professional through their Professional Training Year.

We’re pleased to announce that the winner for this award is film and video production technology student Boyan Borchakov. Boyan was a Creative Producer Intern at Disney.

The judges noted that Boyan captured brilliantly how he used his university learning and experiences to make his Disney placement such a success.

View Boyan's video

Boyan Borchakov

We asked Boyan why students should take a Professional Training Year?

"The University of Surrey provides every student with solid, up-to-date learning. One must consider getting into a placement to ascertain that and improve further.  A Professional Training Year is a priceless experience that may enhance your life. It will propel your professional self before you have even graduated.  I did it to establish a professional path and feel more confident in my abilities. I made a name for myself and joined a network of individuals with the same interests and passion for creating. Launch your career early and have a smooth introduction to the field you are studying for."

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

The student could have made a significant contribution to raising the profile of their subject area whilst on placement, or who have made outstanding contributions to their own development as a professional through their Professional Training Year.

We’re pleased to announce that the winner for this award is civil engineering student Hanna Stoneman. Hanna spent the year as a Trainee Contracts Engineer at Balfour Beatty.

Hanna’s summary of her achievements at Balfour Beatty was so engaging. It left the judges in ‘no doubt she will achieve her main goal of loving what she does!’

View Hanna's video

Hanna Stoneman

We asked Hanna why students should take a Professional Training Year?

"For a better understanding of future plans and what you actually enjoy in the sector, a Professional Training Year is a must. The year gives students a good idea of the nature of the industry and helps to decide whether it's right for them. Students have the chance to network and make connections with others in their sector, which is beneficial for their future professional goals. After returning from a placement into my final year, I've learned to value how having a stronger work ethic and better all-around understanding of the subject helps in studies."

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

The student could have made a significant contribution to raising the profile of their subject area whilst on placement, or who have made outstanding contributions to their own development as a professional through their Professional Training Year.

We’re pleased to announce that the winner for this award is biomedical sciences student Abby Ross. Abby completed a Student Research Assistant Placement under Dr Camelliti, here at the University of Surrey.

Abby’s work not only led to authorship and co-authorship of multiple papers but according to the judges ‘she also exhibited the increased confidence that comes with a successful placement.’

View Abby's video

Abby Ross

We asked Abby why students should take a Professional Training Year?

"Professional Training Years enable students to gain great experience, learning many new skills whilst working with significant independence and responsibility. The placement gives opportunities for students to be involved in discussions with other scientists about their work, enabling contributions beyond their own project. My year was really satisfying, I’ve taken pride in what I achieved throughout my placement. A placement year also allows you to meet new people and gain new experiences as well as developing the skills and knowledge learnt in the first two years of university. The experience is also invaluable in choosing careers after university."