If you’re looking to gain some practical work experience, this is the section for you and if not, then it’s definitely something to consider. Whether you want to figure out how to find volunteer work, you’re looking for the benefits of volunteering or you need some work experience ideas, here’s all you need to know in breaking into the world of work.
Whether you’ve grasped a week working at a magazine, a month at an engineering firm or a few days shadowing a solicitor this summer, skills and experience you pick up can help you stand out in a progressively competitive industry.
There are a number of organisations who provide an insight into their business for GCSE and A-level students. Work experience can range from 1 day to 2 weeks and is a great opportunity for students to get exposure to these organisations, and will be enormously helpful in future applications.
What should you do?
Not only will it give you a real insight into the working world, but it will also give you a chance to try out a few different industry options of what you might be interested in doing and filtering out careers you won’t be pursuing, if you are still feeling pretty undecided of your career path.
I have gathered just some of the more common career areas of interest and how to get work experience in these fields – just to get you started.
Career fields:
• Banking & Investment Management
• Commercial
• Insurance
• Property
• Media
• Science
• Commercial
• Art
• Government
• Legal
• Retail
• Consulting
Why you should consider it?
From making contacts and getting noticed to simply figuring out what you don't want to do, my experience has shown me that work placements and internships are invaluable. That said, to really get the most out of work experience, you'll need to be proactive.
Where to find it?
Finding work experience is heavily reliant on the people you know, so ask family, friends or neighbours if their work or those involved would consider you for a work placement. Or if you already have an organisation in mind that you are interested in, contact them through their website, use LinkedIn the business social network or find employers in your local area.
Useful websites:
- https://uk.linkedin.com
- http://www.studentladder.co.uk/Work-Experience/work-experience.html
- https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/work-experience-and-internshipsWork
Once you’re in…
1. Get involved.
2. Ask questions, make suggestions and be pro-active.
3. Get to know people. Remember it’s who you know that can get you a job as much as what you know and start to build your network.
4. Try to use the time as efficiently as possible and find out as much as you can.
5. Ask for feedback. References count for a lot.
I hope you enjoy, make the most of it and remember to have fun.
Good Luck!
By Hannah Gilby
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