How to get the best out of my research placement?

[bookwormish]

I'm lucky enough to be on an MSc course in a specialist area of welfare/public health. I had an option for either a work-based placement or a research placement within the university. I opted for the research placement having already completed 3-4 years worth of work-based placements during my undergrad. The placement is underway, and despite mostly enjoying it I am regretting my choice! I guess i'm worried in terms of how employable this is going to make me in my sector and i'm not sure I want to apply a Phd for some time, I wouldn't even know where to begin with that. I can't change it, its too late, but does anyone have any tips for getting the best out of this?

[MedSchoolRat]

hmmm... I am an academic in Public Health. We collaborate with (for instance) people who work for the county council who need to understand & question research methods, then implement policy based on understanding the meaning & strength of the research. So experience in research seems like an employment bonus to me.

[bookwormish]

Ah, thank you. I had been looking at future work in policy for council or NGOs. Its not an avenue that has been open to me prior to the MSc but could be now. I think i questioned myself because the placement so far has been slightly more geared towards future research/phd's but its probably very applicable to working with policy, like you say the strength of understanding research is very important. When I asked my personal tutor she just suggested that outside of direct work with people, the career choices were to either do a phd or become a lecturer.