Professional Placement Reflective Diaries - Desklib

Read the reflective diaries of a student during their professional placement. The diaries cover their learning experience, achievements, and personal development. The student worked as an inventory associate in Zara and shares their insights on communication, critical thinking, and IT skills. They also reflect on their career aspirations and how the placement has changed them.

PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT
REFLECTIVE DIARIES
Student Name:
Placement Organisation:
Personal Tutor:
IMPORTANT
Placement Preparation (Placement Launch) weeks (1&2) take place on university campus. The diaries for
these weeks are on the two blue line pages. Placement takes place on-site at the employer, and diaries are
on the five red line pages.
Complete all 7 reflective diaries.
Submit this completed document via the submission Turnitin link on the BMM4982 Moodle page.

REFLECTIVE DIARY
1) Preparation Week One (Placement Launch)
Learning Experience: What did you do? What did you learn from the sessions? How well do you think you
participated?
During my training sessions I was able to develop various skills which help me a lot in during learning aspects in an
effective way. As training sessions includes the various aspect of communicating to customers in an effective way.
During my academic learning I was able to experience the various aspect of marketing strategies which has developed
my future career.
What went well? What went not so well? Why? How can you assess this?
There were various things which went well and there were times where I face difficulty. At the starting of the career I
was nervous which was a serous issue for me in communicating. Then slowly, I was able to develop communication
skills. There was activities where I was not able to perform well. But gradually I have develop to perform the various
activities and also able to develop confidence during the course.
What did you learn/achieve? Which employability criteria does this event impact upon? Have you changed how you
feel about your placement? If so, how? How do you want to be perceived on placement?
In order to achieve the goals and objectives and develop the better future career by getting a placement I was
practising the various strategies so that I can develop my skills in an effective manner. As during the placement
process I have practices in order to present well within the classroom and this has enhanced and developed my
presentation skills.
Reflection: How will this experience be used for your personal development? What do you need to do or know before
you start? What practical actions can you take before your placement?

In order to use the various skills within my personal development I can practice the management skills which will help
me in developing the time management and will able to organize my work in an effective and efficient manner. There
are various actions which I can take before the placement which is that I can enhance on my practical knowledge so
that I can perform the activities effectively.
Reflective Diary
2) Preparation Week Two (Placement Launch)
Learning Experience: What did you do? Have you enjoyed working in mixed groups?
I have enjoyed a lot in working in groups as this helps in dividing the work. The group activity helps in developing the
team management skull and this develops the working in a collaborative manner. It is very important for me to
develop this skill as in corporate the team work is most important. This also help in developing the strategies in order
to achieve the growth and success in an effective and efficient manner.
What went well? What went not so well? Why? How can you assess this? Do you feel more confident about starting
your placement?
At the starting of my placement process I was nervous while giving interviews as because of the lack of confidence
and communication skill use to hesitate in giving the answers. But through the several practice and group discussions
I was able to gain confidence and through the help of my professors and peers I was able to develop the confidence
while giving interviews.
What did you learn/achieve? Which employability criteria does this event impact upon? What have you learned
about your personality preferences? What attitudes or behaviours will help or hinder your placement and how?
There were various aspects which I learn and this has development my personality. It is very important to develop the
confidence and the calm nature in order to be professional. Also it is very important that I am able to develop time
engagement skill and keep that thing at the most top priority which will help me in my future.

Reflection: How will this experience be used for your personal development? What do you expect of the employer?
What support will you need? What do you want to achieve from your placement?
As I got selected in the Zara company as a inventory associate which has development my professional career in the
management field. My experience have counted in the professional development where I have development the
aspect of the learning how to manage the work effectively. Also in order to develop my career I need to the support
of my professional authorities in order to be effective in my job role. From my placement I want to achieve growth
and success within this field.
Reflective Diary
3) Placement Week One (On-site Placement)
Learning Experience: Tell us a bit about your placement. What is the organisation, what does it do? Where is it based,
with how many staff? Are you clear on your role/project/targets?
I have got a placement as a inventory associate within the Zara company which is the grat opportunity for me to start
my career.
What went well? What went not so well? Why? How can you assess this? How did you approach your first week?
What impression do you think you made? What are you excited/confident/nervous/worried about?
What did you learn/achieve? Which employability criteria does this event impact upon? What might you have done
differently? How confident did you feel? What could help you? Do you know where to go for support? Have you
contacted your Placement Tutor?

Reflection: How will this experience be used for your personal development? What is your action plan? What could
you do to get more out of your placement?

Reflective Diary
4) Placement Week Two (On-site Placement)
Learning Experience: What are you enjoying? Who have you met? Who do you work well with and why? Do you like
the working environment you are in? Why?
From my experience within the job role I am enjoying the task which I have got where I have got a good working
environment and the people around me are helpful which has developed my confidence. My senior manager is soi
supportive that I am able to work in an effective and efficient manner.
What went well? What went not so well? Why? How can you assess this? Do you have review meetings scheduled in
with the employer? Do you feel underworked/overworked or is the workload just right? Could you meet with your
supervisor to ask questions, ask for more support, clarify workloads and set realistic deadlines?
In the initial days I was not perfect and I did now knew how to do task ned to be performed. There were daily
meeting and training sessions where we use to be guided with the instauration from our respective managers. As an
inventory associate I was confused while label;ling of the stock which has been arrived at the store. But in order to
ask questions there was a time slot in between where I can report my queries.
What did you learn/achieve? Which employability criteria does this event impact upon? What might you have done
differently? What skills are you developing? What are you doing for the first time? What are you noticing about
yourself?
There were various skills which I have developed during this job role such as management skills, labelling of the raw
material, arranging the clothes, punctuality, communicating with customers. I have achieved the self personal
developed where I am able to develop confidence is the customer handling and understanding their perspective.
Reflection: How will this experience be used for your personal development? What is your action plan? What could
you do to get more out of your placement?
From my experience in the Zara store as a inventory associate I have developed working under pressure and also I am
able to gain the confidence in interacting with customers. In order to develop the strategies I can practice the
marketing strategies which will enhance my skills for the future growth and development.

Reflective Diary
5) Placement Week Three (On-site Placement)
Learning Experience: You are almost halfway! What are you enjoying? Do you feel part of the team? Do you think you
are you vocal enough? Have you brought any new ideas to the organisation? What are your key achievements so far?
I am able to develop the communication till now as there are various incidents which have helped me in
understanding customers perspective. I have seen the various aspect as there were time when I use to reach home
late because of Pilling up the work at the last moment. Also I have developing the critical thinking in order to place
the clothes in a attractive way in the store.
What went well? What went not so well? Why? How can you assess this? What are you most proud of? How you
think you are perceived at work? What have you found difficult? Is it different to how you thought it would be?
The most difficult aspect which I found is that arranging the same clothes again and again as if the customers is not
willing to purchase it they tend to spoil the rack in an appropriate manner. At times I have loose my temper with
customers which is the bad experience I have faced. The long meetings which are conducted after working hours was
difficult for me.
What did you learn/achieve? Which employability criteria does this event impact upon? What might you have done
differently? Are you more confident now? How? Have you met everyone you want to meet?
I have met the different people in my job role from which I have learn the different things. As every human has
different perspective. From my seniors I have learn the perspective of doing the task effectively. Also, I was able to
make good friends in my organisation who supported me. I was more confident while practising daily.
Reflection: How will this experience be used for your personal development? Is this the kind of work you would like
to do when you graduate? Why? Are you at your best in this environment? Are you ready to progress a level in your
work?
Yes I need to progress level in my work where I need to be more professional in my career. As an inventory associate
there are no holidays on festival because this is the only peak time in order to attract customers. This is the work
which I liked the most where I can develop my career and growth and wanted to achieve the position on senior
management.

Reflective Diary
6) Placement Week Four (On-site Placement)
Learning Experience: What are you enjoying? Are you getting feedback from the employer on your progress? How are
your energy and stress levels? Have you spoken to your Placement Tutor?
Yes, I use to get regular feedbacks from my senior associate where I need to improve on the daily task which I use to
perform . There was the reports which use to develop on daily basis. In my training problem I use to make mistake
and also need to need to correct those mistakes. At initial I use to take pressure and stress about that how will I
handle so much of work. But from the support of my colleagues I was able to manage it.
What went well? What went not so well? Why? How can you assess this? How any different groups of people have
you worked with? How have you grown personally and professionally?
As working with the different groups there were various conflicts which have arise and I was not able to manage the
team in an effective way. I use to be arrogant and rude within the group task which went wrong in doing the task. But
gradually I started understanding that the team work is important in order to mange work effectively.
What did you learn/achieve? What might you have done differently? What skills and competencies have you really
developed? Which achievements will you update your CV with?
I was able to develop verbal communication skills where I was able to connect to customers easily. This has
developed the understanding of customers. Also I was able to develop problem solving skills which has enhanced in
my professionalism and created a positive impact.
Reflection: Will you continue working with the organisation in some capacity following your placement? How many
Linkedin connections will you make before you leave?
Yes I would like to work within the same organisations as there is growth opportunities which will enhance in my
career. Also I was able to make at least 20 linked in connection which will help me to stay con nested and also find
future growth opportunities.

Reflective Diary
7) Placement Week Five (On-site Placement)
Looking back to the three areas of development you identified- what activities have you done relating to each of
these? How have you progressed? Any digital skills you acquired?
Area 1:
information technology skills – this is the skill which I have developed in roder to record every aspect within the
system by using the bar codes.
Area 2:
critical thinking – the inventory management is the way in which how I am bale to maintain the stock of the particular
department and managing those aspect in an different way. Also placing and arranging the apparel in the attractive
way.
Area 3:
verbal communication- this is most important where I am able to develop in an effective way.
What feedback have you received from your supervisor at work? What is your reflection on this feedback? Is it what
you hoped for?
I have received that at initial I use to not place the clothes according to series which was the major issue. Also in
recording the inventory of a particular department was difficult. I need to develop this effectively.
How has this placement changed your career aspirations? What would you like to do for the Level 5 placement?
The placement has changed my career aspirations ans working in a restated organisation has developed my personal
and professional skills.
How will you update your CV with this experience?
I will be adding my working experience within Zara as a inventory associate