SWM are proud to provide young people with opportunities to develop themselves. Hear from both our current and past placement students, as they share their experiences.
SWM is indebted to the support of volunteers who have worked with us for many years, especially on our communications and Roadmap analysis. For them, it’s an opportunity to gain vital experience for a career in sustainability.
SWM has been providing opportunities to young people for over 10 years, welcoming students from the University of Birmingham and Coventry University predominantly. We have even had a student from Staffordshire University and Leeds University some years ago.
With Lucie, Annie, Kiera and Thomas being our most recent volunteers, you can learn more about their roles below.
Kiera Ellis
As part of her volunteer placement, Kiera is undertaking our annual Roadmap to 2030 analysis, looking at the data that underpins our targets and updating these. She is also supporting Thomas with his task, outlined below.
Thomas Jasper
As part of his volunteer placement, Thomas is supporting SWM a five-year review of our Roadmap to 2030, to determine if the targets are still relevant and aligned with national policy.
Annie Thompson
As part of her volunteer placement, Annie is supporting SWM’s Stakeholder and Engagement Team, concentrating on communication activities.
Lucie Mueller
Lucie Mueller, previous communications and marketing volunteer.
Lucie joined SWM for a placement over May to July of 2023. Lucie concentrated on comms and marketing activities for SWM.
Lucie has followed her time at SWM with a placement at a cycling and walking charity, Sustrans, looking at clean and active travel and behavioural change in Dudley.
Our Office Manager, Shabnum, managed to catch up with previous placement student Lucie, and our current Roadmap volunteers, Kiera and Thomas, at their presentation at the University of Birmingham.
‘How do you think working for SWM could support your future career options?’
Tom: “I personally would like to become a sustainability consultant, so just being around other people in the field of sustainability is great experience for me. And as my role is looking at sustainable policy and targets at the moment, it has been great for me to learn that knowledge and hopefully use it in my future career.”
Kiera: “After my studies I would like to go into the environment/sustainability sector, and through this placement I feel I have learned much more through chatting with the team and also through looking at SWMs wide range of members, and what this could entail. It has also been good in developing my professional skills as well; working as a team, communication and time management for example.”
Lucie: “I would like to work within the sustainability field and I have really liked working within the team because it is quite small, and it has provided me with a strong understanding of everybody’s role, getting to know them personally. I have also been interested in learning about the West Midlands specifically, as I love living here at the moment.”
Annie: “After my studies, I am hoping to have a career within the environmental sector. I am grateful to gain experience by working alongside the SWM team, and so far I am finding the experience invaluable.
Working with the SWM team has provided me with a better understanding of how the company is able to make the region in which I live more sustainable, as well as teaching me so much more about the sustainability sector as a whole.
I am thankful to be learning these skills during my time at SWM, which will help me even after university.”
Where are your hometowns?
- Tom: South-West London.
- Kiera: Aberystwyth
- Lucie: Nottingham.
- Annie: Coventry.
SWM have had placement students from quite the diverse geographical locations!
