BMM4982 Reflective Diaries: Professional Placement at Advanced Seals

This document presents a series of reflective diaries documenting a student's professional placement at Advanced Seals And Gaskets Ltd. The diaries cover preparation weeks and five weeks of on-site placement, detailing learning experiences, challenges, and skill development. Key areas of focus include machine operation, team leadership, communication skills, and professional growth. The student reflects on experiences such as operating machinery, handling team dynamics, understanding production procedures, and meeting company leaders. The diaries also highlight personal development, improvements in communication and multitasking abilities, and feedback received from supervisors and team members. The final entry discusses development areas, feedback impact, and plans for future placements, along with updates to the student's CV to reflect the acquired experience and skills.

Advanced Seals And Gaskets Ltd (REFLECTIVE DIARIES)

Table of Contents
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Preparation week two...................................................................................................................3
Placement week one.....................................................................................................................3
Placement week two.....................................................................................................................4
Placement week three...................................................................................................................5
Placement week four....................................................................................................................6
Placement week five....................................................................................................................6

MAIN BODY
Preparation week two
Learning experience
In my classroom activities I have learnt many skills which will help me to become
effective machine operator in the future. Skills includes communication skills, decision making
skills, technical skills etc. as at initial days I learnt about how to build skills and gain knowledge
so that I can become good machine operator supervisor. I also got knowledge about different
types of machines. Yes I enjoyed attending classes because the teaching method of my tutor is
interesting and I never feel bored.
What went well and what not
I got knowledge and understanding of different machines while studying in classroom
which earlier I was not having so as per me it went well. Conflicts has developed within some
students because of culture differentiation. I am not that much confident when it comes to
starting my placement because it is my initial time may be after sometime I will feel confident. I
noticed that employees who was working under me has completed work in timely manner.
What you learn. On which employability this will have impact.
I learnt lot of things like how to use time to its fullest. In the future when I will work time
management will help me. My learning attitude has helped me in improving my performance. I
easily trust on everyone and I think this can hinder placement. I also learnt that an individual
should not limit themselves and open for learning every time.
Reflection
this experience has developed confidence in me. From the tutor I expect that they should
be cooperative and helpful and not dominative. I want to get perfect in developing skills and
gaining knowledge and for that I require support from my tutor. As a student I believe that I can
get theory knowledge in classroom lectures and I can implement the knowledge at my job.
Placement week one
Learning experience
I got placed in advanced seals and gaskets ltd. As a supervisor. The products in which my
organization deals with are rolls, seals, gaskets, sheets, fabrication etc. it is a UK based company.
They have more than 100 employees. I have clarity about my job role. I have operated the
machine where Silicone rubber is produced.

What goes well and what not
I have build good bonding with my reporting manager so that can is well. On first week
it has got difficult for me to run team as a supervisor so that everything can went well. My first
week was good as I learnt lot of things. I think I made good impression. I am excited about future
opportunities. Although handling team was looking very tough at starting but after I started
working on monitoring each member carefully I actually enjoy because it was very interesting.
So I can say that I have learnt team handling.
What you learn or what can help
I got knowledge and learning related to production procedure. I took feedback from each
and every team member and this I have done differently and I also got appreciation for this from
my manager. I was pretty confident while operating machines. It has boosts my confidence level.
Advanced seals and gaskets Ltd has provided training so that I can deliver my duty effectively. I
always ask my manager for support. Through email I contacted placement tutor.
Reflection
this experience will help me to work hard. Through action plan I will improve my
analytical skills. I will take challenging tasks. I will also try to build problem solving skills
although it would take time but I think within 6 months I will develop this skill. I have learnt
team handling. I will show my skills and knowledge to placement team and I will also do good
preparation before going for the interview.
Placement week two
Learning experience
Work environment of this company is good. I think from managers to lower level
employees everyone was very supportive to me and because of that I enjoyed working. I also
operate machine which produce rubber sheet.
What is good and what is not
Working culture was well and I think workload was not well because in week two only I
was getting overworked. Yes I do meetings with my supervisor. My manager and team are very
supportive and give reply to my every question. For the first time I got chance to see actual
working of rubber sheet machine.
What you achieve and which skills has developed

I build teamwork skills which is important to achieve as I was handling team. I can say
that for the first time I had handled a team and I realised that when you work in a team then goals
can be achieved more quickly. I think I am becoming more confident day by day.
Reflection
It has developed my personality because now I can adjust with different people easily. I
will pay full attention to the task given to me and try my best to compete it as soon as possible
and also efficiently.
Placement week three
Learning experience
I can say that yes I am enjoying this work because I like to operate machines and to lead
team. Yes I can say that I am feeling like part of the team because everyone is so cooperative and
helpful. I am vocal because I express what I am feeling and also share my views when asked. I
have improved communication skills. At this week I worked on understanding needs of team
members so that task can accomplished effectively.
What is good and what is bad
I am proud of on my communication skills which will help me in the future also. At the
early stage having conversation with the manager was difficult for me. At advanced seals and
gaskets Ltd I have to make sure that all materials are available all time so that employees can
work using resources.
What has achieved
I got understanding about how to handle heavy equipments. Yes after getting knowledge
of machinery and also how to operate that I had became more confident now. I got chance to
meet national head whom i wanted to meet. I can say that I achieved knowledge of various
machines as I worked on those machines.
Reflection
Operating heavy machine is not the easy task. I can say that it has changed my
personality. Yes I want to do this work after completing graduation because I find this very
interesting. I have developed interest in different types of machines. So in the future also I will
keep enhancing my knowledge in various machines. I have got knowledge about the role and
responsibilities of supervisor.

Placement week four
Learning experience
I am enjoying work because now I know perfectly how to operate machines. Yes
employees are giving me feedbacks about supervision. My energy level is good but sometimes I
got stressed out when some difficult task came. I have spoken to my placement tutor that I am
enjoying working. I also learnt about safety and security standards while operating machine at
advanced seals and gaskets Ltd.
Personal and professional growths
Working with different people are not easy and sometimes it also arises conflicts so that
went not so well. By doing this work I did not only grow professionally but also personally. This
is good because communication skills which I have build will help in my personal life as well. I
also got chance to assist head manager and that has enhanced my professional growth at
advanced seals and gaskets Ltd.
Which skills you have developed
I had also learnt multitasking ability. This I can update in my CV also that I am
multitasking and this will be my strength. Nowadays companies are demanding such employees
only who are multitasker.
Reflection
I can say that I have learnt a lot in this organization so now I don't have to rely
completely on placement agencies for job. I will try to get connected with my managers and
seniors on linkedin before I will leave this organization so that in the future I can ask to them for
the vacancy. As a supervisor machine operator I feel that I have done many tasks. I have been in
charge of machine operator, also make sure that materials are available on time always, As a
supervisor machine operator I have monitored production equipments. I got understanding of
safety regulations and this will definitely helpful in building my career in this field.
Placement week five
Development areas
area1:
Communication skills- for developing communication skills I had conversation with various
people which includes my friends, family members, neighbours etc. So that is why I got
achievement in this.

Area2:
multitasking skills- I had deal with various responsibilities at same time like maintaining
machines, operating machines, loading materials etc. and also give machine related knowledge to
the team members.
Area3:
Email marketing skills- I learnt about this digital skill which will help me in building my career
strong. I have learnt how to type professional email. During my placement only I came to know
that how important is to know about how to write professional emails.
Feedback from supervisor
I got feedbacks majorly times for improving performance. I have always taken it in
positive manner and tried to improved myself. From my team member I have got feedback that I
am one of the best supervisor as I understand needs of employees.
Impact of placement on career
This placement has played major role in shaping my career because it helps me in getting
basic knowledge of machines and team handling. Something innovative I will do at level 5
placement.
Update CV
In the experience section of my CV I will write that I had worked as a supervisor machine
operator in advanced seals and gaskets company. I has also worked in a team which has build
teamwork skills in me and also boosts my level of confidence.