Work Experience: The Breakdown

At school, I was told I needed to do a week of Work Experience (WE) straight after I completed my all important GCSE exams. So around May I set about getting the WE.

I was too complacent and I left it a little too late so I didn't have that much of an option. I also asked my school to find one for me as well but they weren't too successful either. Well, they DID find something absolutely fantastic but it was the WRONG date! Just my luck...

I was interested in anything to do with business or professional so, I set about e-mailing many local Law firms, estate agents, advertisers, PR firms and so on. As I had left it a little late, many turned my down. I kept trying and success finally came with Century 21! If you do not know, Century 21 is an estate Agency franchise with over 8,400 offices in 57 countries worldwide with over 147,000 sales professionals. It is fairly new in the UK with 57 offices.

I had to be in the office at 9.30am and I could go around 4.30pm. At first, it was the usual filing and making tea and coffee but by the end of it, I learnt a great amount of the industry. I became familiarised with the whole process and how commission works and so on. Although I doubt if my future lies in real estate but the week has allowed be to learn alot about working in a new environment.

This just goes to show, it doesn't matter what you choose to do but the whole experience is beneficial in every way.

Finding Work Experience

Why do it?
For any student having some sort of relevant work experience will both enhance an applicant’s application form for university and for general development. This is why it is essential to have this wonderful experience!

Where to find it
I suggest that you first ask your current school/college if they have any opportunities in the area of field that you are interested in. They may have some contacts. If this fails there are websites that link you to opportunities in your local area. You can even try approaching the businesses directly to ask if they do work experiences. The key is to plan early and it is safe to secure your week of experience as early as possible.

What kind of work experience should I do?
The obvious answer is doing the experience in the sector that you plan to work in. For example if you are planning to work in marketing, then go try to find an advertising business that will offer you a placement. However if you cannot find this, it is still a great opportunity to work with people you are not familiar with, this is almost the case in all sectors and it will build your team working skills and leadership.

Can I do work experience?
This may be a silly question but there are legal obstacles that one must pass before doing work experience. Those with British/EU/EEA passports are free to do whatever they wish. However for others, due to stringent British immigration rules, only those with permanent visas or visas that allow work will be able to participate. It does not matter whether it is paid or unpaid, work is work and you will be violating your immigration status if you engage in work experience when you are not allowed to do so.

Is it free?
Of course! 100% free AND you may even earn a little too! But do not expect money to be involved.

It is a great chance to learn and you will almost always enjoy it!