Student Experiences
Student Placement Experiences
The School recognises the importance that gaining relevant experience has to our students to support developing skills and a bright career! That's why all undergraduate and some postgraduate students have the option to add a placement onto their degree programme. This is viewed as being one of the most important aspects of the degree, enabling the opportunity to experience jobs in preparation for graduation.
Securing graduate employment is competitive! So gaining as much experience as possible is vital during your time at Queen’s. Each year over 250 students (increasing annually) are opting to integrate a work placement into their studies. We have a dedicated placement team to support students and we are continually increasing our links with organisations both locally and internationally to provide high quality opportunities for our students.
The testimonials, case studies and videos below provide insight to the exciting opportunities and experiences available throughout the School of Biological Sciences.
Placement Experience in 3 Words
Hear from our professional studies students as they summarise their amazing work placement experiences.
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Explore by field
Agriculture
Biochemistry student, Nathan McClure, shares his experience with the McDonald’s Progressive Young Farmer programme.
"Unforgettable, Unique and Lucky" - Joel McCluggage, Agricultural Technology student, shares how he spent his placement year in New Zealand.
"Amazing, Special, Eye-Opening" - Agricultural Technology student, Donagh McAuley, shares his experience with Paplow Harvesting and Trucking in Iowa, USA.
Adam Smyth, Agricultural Technology graduate, shares how his placement with KEENAN and Alltech led to a graduate role.
Agricultural Technology student, Anna Millar, shares her experience with Trouw Nutrition - " I am really glad I had that opportunity as I learned a lot from it and gained great experience."
Joshua Thompson, BSc Agricultural Technology student, shares how he split his placement year between farms in New Zealand and America.
Environmental
Ecological Management and Conservation Biology student, Melissa Morrisson, shares how the MacQuitty Scholarship supported her 13-week placement with Para la Tierra.
Ailbhe Power, Ecological Management and Conservation Biology student, shares how her first week on placement as a research assistant with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Shannon Dolphin Project, went.
Ecological Management and Conservation Biology student, Jack Reidy, shares the first instalment of his short newsletter 'Applying Ecology,' and discusses how his first month on placement with RPS, Dublin went.
"Completing a placement year is the most beneficial thing I could have done for my career" - Environmental Management student, Samuel Rowan, shares his placement experience.
Tori Cooke, Environmental Management student, shares how her placement with EDF led to a graduate role.
"It has solidified my passion for pursuing a career in sustainability and environmental management" - Amy Smyth, Leadership for Sustainable Development student, shares her placement experience with Belfast Harbour Commissioners.
"Challenging, exciting, and rewarding" - Kathryn Sloan, Ecological Management and Conservation Biology student, shares her placement experience with the RSPB.
"Enjoyable, dynamic, and insightful" - Charles Rodriguez, environmental management student, shares his placement experience with Action Renewables.
Environmental Management student, Rhianna Van Merkom, talks about her experience of working at Tetra Tech, from geothermal road shows to ground water sampling.
Neil Lutton shares his placement experience with Amey.
Food Science
Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition student, Thomas Evan Robinson, shares his placement experience with Suki Tea.
Geraldine Renaghan, BSc Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition graduate, shares how her placement year led to a graduate role with Suki Tea.
Life Sciences
Caitlin Magill, zoology student, and Andrew Mooney, Senior Conservation and Science Officer at Dublin Zoo, talk about the placement experience in the zoo.
Marine Biology student, Matthew Munn, shares his experience of working with the Marine Conservation Society of Seychelles for 6 months as part of his year long placement.
Erin Murphy, marine biology student, shares her experience of travelling to America for her placement year.
Zoology student, Charlotte Spratt, shares how she spent her placement year with Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and Alldays Wildlife and Communities Research Centre.
Zoology student, Paul Sheehy, talks about his time in Canada working with squirrels and raccoons to animals as big as moose and wolves and bears.
"Exciting, Developing, Memorable" - Brendan Byrne, zoology student, shares his experience with Para La Tierra.
Lucas Morgan, BSc Biological Sciences student, shares his placement experience with BIOTEC, NSTDA.
"Interesting, informative, and fun" - Maitri Tailor, biological sciences student, shares her placement experience.
Zoology student, Ellen McGeough, and Ecological Management and Conservation Biology graduate and Ecologist, Paul Donaghey, share what the placement experience at AECOM is like.
Chris Deery shares how he split his placement year between Seal Rescue Ireland and the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
Lucy Doyle shares her experience of working as a Clinical Chemist for her placement year at Randox.
Microbiology student, Sam Nolan, shares his placement experience with MSD.
Mark McBride shares his time spent working for Harnas Wildlife Foundation in Namibia.
"My advice to students considering applying for work placement is DO IT!" Isabelle Price shares how she split her placement year between The Loughs Agency and the Society for the Protection Of Turtles (SPOT).
