What is work experience?
Work experience is any activity that helps you understand what it’s like to work in a real job or career. It could take place in-person or online and might include:
- spending time with a company or organisation working on real work-based tasks or projects;
- talking to professionals about their jobs;
- learning about different careers and skills.
Work experience provides a fantastic opportunity to show what you are capable of doing in a work situation, it looks good on your CV and is valued by employers. It can be the first step on your career journey and help you make choices about courses and future jobs - and it is a great way to develop useful skills.
Types of work experience
The government is supporting schools and colleges to deliver what is called 'Modern work experience' which should guarantee every young person access to high-quality, multiple workplace experiences, totalling 10 days’ throughout secondary education.
There are lots of different activities that can be part of this from employer talks and visits to other specific opportunities in a work place.
Work experience could include:
Block placement (Y10, 12 and college students)
Block work experience is a week or two with an employer where they will put a programme together for you and you. You might be asked to complete specific tasks and often have to complete a work experience diary, which might also ask you to log any skills you have used or developed. This is a great way to have a record of all you have learnt.
One day per week placement (sometimes course related)
This type of work experience is generally linked to a specific course you are completing but does not have to be. You will have a programme for your placement and might be asked to complete a task related to your course or to write a diary of your time with the employer(s).
Work shadowing
When there are specific reasons why you cannot actually do the job-role work, for example if the job requires specialist skills or you are too young to try out the job, you might get to 'shadow' someone who is doing the job. This may relate to some jobs in medicine, engineering and construction.
Internships (paid and unpaid)
Internships give you a chance to work in a company doing the job you would like to do in the future. They can be a great way of developing your skills and adding experience to your CV – they can last usually anything from a few weeks to a few months.
Volunteering
There are many opportunities to volunteer to help you:
- Try a different area of work
- Learn new skills
- Develop skills and experiences you can include on your CV
- Show an employer you are proactive
- Build networks to help you find the career you really want
Not to forget any part time work!
Always think of any part time work as an opportunity to develop your skills, build your self-confidence as well as earning some money. Employers do value these experiences as they show motivation, self-discipline and a willingness to work. Mention them on your CV.
Virtual work experience
There are also now lots of opportunities to do a work experience online - a virtual experience.
Although, this is a bit different to actually being in a work place, having a virtual experience can have other advantages - it could be anywhere in the world from the comfort of your armchair!
Find out more about what a virtual work experience could be like and search for some opportunities.