Fraser's Journey
Meet Fraser Milligan, a past Erasmus+ Programme Participant who undertook an Assistant Project Coordinator placement at Synopsis Practice in Lisbon, Portugal in September 2020 to December 2020. We asked him some questions about his current role and advice for our current Turing Scheme participants.
What were your day-to-day tasks while on placement in Lisbon?
I was mainly in charge of looking after the digital media for Synopsis - before my placement, Synopsis was a relatively new organisation and had no social media presence at all - Therefore, I created social their social media channels and updated them regularly as well as the website.
What was your most meaningful experience while on placement?
Meeting people from multiple host organisations, developing new skills such as web-development and stakeholder management. Exploring a new city and culture was extremely meaningful and went a long way in my own personal development.
What was the best thing about living in Lisbon for 3-months?
The people! I got to meet a lot of people from different backgrounds that I would have never got to meet if it wasn’t for my placement. I fell in love with the Portuguese culture, the coffee and of course the Caipirinhas!
Did the pandemic affect your placement and did COVID-19 make you feel uncomfortable while abroad?
It did indeed, but not drastically. About half way through, new restrictions meant that we had to work from our flat. However this wasn’t much of a problem! We had to wear masks inside and on public transport but we were able to still socialise in groups of 10.
What advice would you give to participants who are missing home?
The ones you miss the most are just a phone call/text away!
What course did you complete and what topics did you find particularly useful?
I completed the Level 3 Entrepreneurship within the European Creative Industries course - I have a MSc in International Business and Marketing so I found that it was good to refresh my basic business knowledge.
How valuable were the language skills that you learnt while abroad, and have you used them since?
Extremely valuable! Since my placement, I’ve been back to Lisbon twice and the expression “uma cerveja por favor” is very handy! Jokes aside, the language tuition and assessments really helped me to immerse myself in the Portuguese culture and i learned way more than I thought I would.
What company are you working for now & for how long, and what is your current job title?
I am now working as a Project Manager for DSC Regen - A UK based training organisation that specialises in facilitating internships through the UK Government’s Turing Scheme - My past experience is particularly important in this role as I can empathise with the interns I work with. I’ve been with DSC Regen since March 2021.
Do you feel your placement abroad helped you achieve your current job and if so, why?
Most definitely! My experience abroad helped me boost my employability by gaining valuable international work experience with a reputable company. The vocational qualification only added to my CV; it showed I’m adaptable and motivated to learn. The overall experience shows that I’m willing to step out of my comfort zone which is extremely attractive to prospective employers.
What knowledge/skills did you learn on placement that you use regularly at your current job?
Stakeholder management is key skill I use on a daily basis at DSC Regen. To manage a UK based team as well as interns abroad in multiple locations requires effective communication skills - These are skills which I was able to solidify while on placement.
What advice would you give current participants when seeking their next role after completing their placement?
The job market is hard, particularly after a global pandemic! So keep going no matter how many times you get rejected. You’ll get to where you want to be eventually so stay tenacious and give it 110%
Would you recommend the new Turing Scheme programme to others, if so, why?
I would 100% recommend! I can safely say it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. It’s a rare and unique opportunity that goes a long way in your personal and professional development. There’s so many positives and the support that DSC Regen provide means that the Turing Scheme is accessible to anyone regardless of financial background. Getting paid to explore a new city, meet new people and boost your employability; what’s not to love?