Workshops

The Biosciences Placement Team runs a series of workshops for Level 1 students in Semester 2. These will help you identify the type of placement that is right for you and understand the process of securing a placement. 

**If you are not currently on a programme with a placement year/year in industry, please let us know that you are interested in doing a placement using this form.

Workshop 1:  Placement Inspirations

1st of March 2027, 4:00-5:30 pm

Online via Blackboard Collaborate (BIS124). 

To attend the workshop, please register here (same form as above).

You can join the BB Collaborate session via the BIS124 Blackboard site by clicking on the Join Session under the Class Collaborate Tab (right side of the page) and selecting the Workshop 1:  Placement Inspirations link. Instructions for joining the session can be found here.

Workshop 2: Exploring Placement Opportunities 

Week 7: Monday 15th March 2027, 4:00-5:30 pm.

In person, Alfred Denny Building, Lecture Theatre 02.

Workshop 3: Getting Application Ready

Monday 12th April 2027, 4:00-5:30 pm.

In person, Alfred Denny Building, Lecture Theatre 02.

**If you are not currently on a programme with a placement year/year in industry, please let us know that you are interested in doing a placement by emailing biosciences-placements@sheffield.ac.uk 

You can access the recordings of the level 1 workshops using the following links

Workshop 1:  Placement Inspirations. 

A recording of the workshop can be accessed here.

Workshop 2: Exploring Placement Opportunities 

Slides from this workshop can be accessed here. This session was not recorded, but you can watch last year's session using this link.

Workshop 3: Getting Application Ready

Slides from this workshop can be accessed here, and a recording can be accessed using this link.

At level 2, we run focused workshops for specific types of placements or specific employers.

Details of level 2 workshops scheduled for semester one are below 

September - October

Applying to AZ - insight and tips on the AZ placement application - Wed 9th September at 12 pm (online). 

You can watch a recording using this link.

Applying to GSK - insight and tips on the GSK placement application. 

ONLINE:  Wednesday, 30 September · 17:30 – 18:00 https://meet.google.com/oid-wyzq-bjg

Biosciences Placement Poster session (Thursday 1st October at 5 pm)

~45 Bioscience students who have just returned to university after completing a placement will present their placement posters. This is a great opportunity to speak with students who have completed a range of placements at various companies/organisations. You can also ask them for advice about placement applications and assessment centres/interviews. The event will take place in Mappin Hall on Thursday, 1st of October, from 5 pm. Please register for the event here. 

Applying to Pfizer - insight and tips on the Pfizer placement application - TBA

October - December

Each session is 30-40 minutes long, and the time after is open for any placement-related questions.

1. Where to find placements

Workshop to remind students not just where placements are advertised but how to prioritise which ones to apply to, how to know if a placement is right for you, advice on the number of placements to apply to and the timeline for when different types of placements are advertised

Monday 28 September - 5.30 pm - ONLINE (https://meet.google.com/gje-czhj-nwg) 

2. How to tailor your CV/letter to a specific employer & how AI can help

Workshop explaining how to tailor applications to a specific role and how forms are reviewed by larger organisations using AI, and what that means for the way you present information. Monday 5 October - 5.30 pm - ONLINE (https://meet.google.com/fzx-kmpt-nrq) 

3. Conservation, Environment and Ecology placements

Workshop on where to find these elusive placements and tips to create opportunities that don’t seem to exist.  

Wednesday 7 October - 1 pm - IN PERSON - room TBA 

4. Video interviews - how to charm a robot

Workshop explaining the role of video interviews and how employers use them to shortlist; explain how to hit the right note and overcome nerves and awkwardness. 

Monday 12 October - 5.30 pm - ONLINE (https://meet.google.com/gwe-kddi-jqo) 

5 . Relocating for a placement - what will it cost and is it worth it?

Wednesday 14 October - 1 pm - IN PERSON - room TBA 

6. Interviews - how to prepare and build your confidence and how AI can help 

Workshop with tips on how to anticipate the questions and how to give convincing answers. Explore what we mean by enthusiasm  and why it matters

Tuesday 27 October - 1 pm - IN PERSON - room TBA 

7. Assessment centres 

Workshop on what to expect at an assessment centre and how to prepare and do well.

TBA (awaiting date of Careers Assessment Centre)

9. Hidden opportunities, speculative approaches and LinkedIn

Workshop to explore where you might find placement vacancies in less obvious places and how to make speculative approaches to help you find a role that is right for you. 

Monday 5 November - 5.30 pm - ONLINE (https://meet.google.com/aeh-fkfz-dpx)

Pre-placement advice session, May 2027, date to be confirmed.