The work-placement at Wittenborg: a certain challenge!

For Wittenborg’s bachelor students the last phase of their studies may very well turn out to be the most exiting period of their education, as they start preparing for their practical ‘master piece’: the work placement. In their last year students take off in all directions to take their place in various companies, some abroad, others in Holland.

But before they can go, some work placement skills need to be acquired. A special module takes them through the necessary stages of preparation. They have to write their CV and a motivation letter, think about the planning of their work placement, do a mock interview and, very important, start looking for a suitable work placement company. As stated before, this can be in Holland but may as well be abroad, e.g. in their native country. If they need help in this, Wittenborg  uses its’ contacts to provide a proper work placement company for them.

During the work placement, which lasts four to six months, students are not only working along in the company but also have to do research for their dissertation, as at Wittenborg the graduation program consists of two components: the work placement and the dissertation. To conclude the work placement students have to write a work placement evaluation report which comments on their personal experiences and progress made during their work placement period.  In order to finally graduate they have to write a dissertation in which they describe the research into, and solutions for a certain problem or question their company has stated.

In this whole process the student is guided by a personal tutor, to whom he or she can turn for help regarding the research and writing of the dissertation. If necessary, and depending on the content, a specialist tutor is added in the process. Once the dissertation is completed and approved of by the tutor and a second marker, the student has to defend his report in a final presentation. With the successful conclusion of this presentation, the student has officially graduated. In a festive graduation ceremony this is celebrated, the student receives the much desired diploma of Bachelor of International Business Administration and is ready to find his or her way in the world of business.

Karin Pelle, Tutor and Work Placement Coordinator