Inside a placement year at Isle

Inside a placement year at Isle: Biomedical Sciences student Whitney Akem shares her experience of being a Technology Analyst

Inside a placement year at Isle: Biomedical Sciences student Whitney Akem shares her experience of being a Technology Analyst

What’s a student placement at Isle like? We sat down with Whitney Akem, third year Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Surrey, to talk about some of the highlights from her “incredibly rewarding” placement year as an Undergraduate Technology Analyst at Isle.

 

ISLE: Thanks for talking to us, Whitney! Can you tell us a bit about your role during your placement at Isle?

WA: My role was quite varied. On any given day, I could be involved in client work, managing projects, drafting literature reviews, or handling the financial side of things by creating invoices or managing payments. Much of my work involved project management, particularly when it came to supporting TAG and continually improving the model. [TAG advises on innovation strategies and governance, tech assessment and adoption to achieve a sustainable, net zero carbon future].

I helped run TAG Source, Isle’s monthly dose of water sector innovation, which included liaising with innovators, supporting external client communications, and working alongside the rest of the TAG team to meet project objectives. I also helped prepare monthly session materials for TAG Source events and helped ensure the session ran smoothly. Finally, I also became a “technology scout”, researching innovative technologies for global TAG events. 

ISLE: Can you tell us about an impactful project you contributed to, and the role you played in making it happen?

WA: I helped produce European TAG 29 in November 2023 — this was a really impactful project  to learn about novel technologies, identify project opportunities and share experiences. For me, the event marked the culmination of much planning and preparations! My role was to make sure all of the innovators — that is, the teams delivering innovative technology — were fully prepared to deliver their technical pitches. To achieve this, I organised and led dry run sessions ahead of the event. Communication with clients also underpinned the smooth running of the in-person session. My work didn’t end there, though. Following the session I created comprehensive feedback packs for both clients and innovators, capturing the key insights from the session. And prior to the event, I worked on branding and marketing, in particular strategizing with the team as to branding and marketing ideas, and event planning and production.

ISLE: That’s great to hear! It sounds like you had quite a diverse set of responsibilities. Can you tell us a bit about skills development — how has your placement year helped you develop new skills, or hone existing ones?

WA: My time at Isle has been a great opportunity for me to develop and practice a wide range of skills. As part of the TAG team, often working in a fast-paced environment, communication was crucial to ensure smooth operations. I was also able to develop my proposal writing skills by crafting tailored proposals for various clients with different needs.

Additionally, being part of the technology scouting team allowed me to deepen my technical understanding in the water sector. By researching global innovative technologies and the science behind them, I was able to expand my knowledge of technical concepts, which has been valuable across many areas of the business.  

ISLE:  Can you tell us about any challenges you encountered, and how you navigated them?

WA: Placement years are often the first real exposure students like myself have to the working world. As the only placement student at Isle, this felt a bit intimidating at first! However, I found that engaging with colleagues and asking questions when I was unsure was a great way to ease into the new world of work without it being too overwhelming.

ISLE: How would you describe the culture at Isle, and what aspects of it did you enjoy the most?

WA: One of Isle’s core values is ‘a sense of adventure’. The company is committed to making significant strides towards environmental sustainability and a sustainable future, and I am proud to have contributed to driving positive change within the water sector. There is also a curiosity for learning at Isle, and as a placement student I had the opportunity to continuously expand my knowledge while being supported by a team that fosters curiosity.

ISLE: Did you have a chance to build a professional network during your placement?

WA: I’ve had multiple opportunities to build a professional network during my placement. European TAG 29 is one good example; a visit to Cranfield University for an Institute of Water event in March is another. It’s important to make connections within a specific industry because these relationships can provide valuable insights and future collaborations. Especially early in your career, having mentors and contacts to learn from is crucial for growth and development. 

ISLE: What stands out as the most memorable moment or highlight of your placement year?

WA: One of the most memorable moments during my year at Isle was definitely European TAG 29. It was fantastic being able to meet and converse with clients and innovators face-to-face, especially in an era where operating remotely is so common. It was great to see so many of the clients I had been exchanging emails with in person. The event was incredibly inspiring, featuring groundbreaking innovations from around the world and bringing together people who are passionate about making a difference in the world of water. It was truly one of the highlights of my year.

ISLE: Did you have any mentors or colleagues who particularly supported you during your time here? How did they shape your experience?

WA: During my time at Isle, I have been able to experience another one of our core values: growth mindset. My personal development was a key focus throughout my placement year, not only through the projects I worked on but also through opportunities to expand my networks. This includes site visits and industry events within the water sector. I am especially grateful to Erin Zhang, Amelia Liggett, Quddoosiyyah Kaduji, Beth Neucker, Elizabeth Court and Antonia Solanki for prioritising my growth and supporting me throughout the year.

ISLE: Do you have any advice to other students considering a placement at Isle?

WA: One piece of advice I would give to an undergraduate student considering a placement year is to be proactive. There are numerous placement opportunities offered by universities and businesses. Starting your research early will enable you to choose from a variety of placements that align with your future goals and aspirations. Furthermore, being proactive and open to learning does not stop in the classroom. Instead, it’s something that will inevitably be used day to day in your working year. It’s important to come into the placement with an open mind and eagerness to learn and engage with different aspects of the role.

ISLE: How has this experience influenced your career goals or academic focus moving forward?

WA: My year at Isle Utilities has been incredibly rewarding and impactful for my career. This placement year has opened my eyes to the world of water and sustainability, a field I believe will demand increasing attention in the coming years. I have had the opportunity to work alongside many inspiring colleagues at Isle who have dedicated years to studying and advancing these fields. Their passion has been motivating, and I will carry that inspiration with me throughout my academic journey as I complete my final year and in the further studies I undertake.

I am also pleased to say it’s not ending yet! I’ll be continuing to drive change in the water sector by working with the TAG team alongside completing the final year of my BSc in Biomedical Science.

ISLE: Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, Whitney. We wish you all the best in your last year of studies and your continued work with the TAG team!