Student Interview

Can you briefly tell us about your work experience, your role, and the type of organisation you were working in?

As part of the Stirling Cares Programme, I completed a two-day work experience with HSTAR, a small organisation that supports women experiencing trauma, anxiety, stress, and other mental-health difficulties. I attended from 10am to 3pm on both days.

During the experience, I was introduced to the organisation and learned more about the work they do to support people. I learned about their intake calls and how they gather information from people who contact the organisation, including their circumstances and whether the organisation is able to support them.

I also helped with organising information and sorting donated items for an upcoming fundraising event. The organisation receives donated items such as clothes, bags, Christmas items, and other goods, which can then be sold at fundraising events to raise money for their work.

I also had the opportunity to see how the organisation promotes its events. Karolina showed me how they create promotional posters and upload them to social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. This gave me an insight into the variety of tasks involved in running a small organisation.

How did being immersed in a professional environment shape your understanding of workplace dynamics and building professional relationships?

One of the biggest things I learned was how much responsibility each person can have in a small organisation. I saw that even someone in a management position may be involved in many different tasks, from organising information and preparing events to helping with practical tasks and promoting the organisation’s work. It showed me that, in a small organisation, everyone contributes in different ways.

I also learned about the importance of communication and building professional relationships. I asked Karolina lots of questions about her career, the different roles she had worked in and how she eventually reached her current position. She explained that she had originally started as a volunteer and progressed into different opportunities over time.

Hearing about her experience helped me understand that career paths can develop gradually through volunteering, work experience, and new opportunities. It also made me feel more comfortable asking questions and discussing my own career interests with professionals.

Can you describe a specific moment during your work experience where you had to adapt quickly or overcome a challenge, and what key skills you gained from that experience?

At the beginning of the placement, I was entering a completely new professional environment, so there were many things I didn’t understand immediately.

For example, I was shown some of the organisation’s data and processes, but because I had only just joined the organisation, I didn’t have all the background information needed to understand everything straight away.

I adapted by asking questions and listening carefully when things were explained to me. Throughout the two days, I also moved between different tasks, such as learning about intake calls, organising information, sorting donated items and learning about how the organisation promotes its events.

This helped me develop my confidence, communication skills, adaptability, and willingness to learn. It also taught me that when you enter a new workplace, you aren’t expected to know everything immediately, and asking questions is an important part of learning.