Work experience: it's all good

The years you have at university are the perfect time to get some work experience. Whether it's with a multinational company or behind the bar, work experience is your chance to earn some money and impress graduate recruiters at the same time.

Work experience - it's all good

With so many students graduating every year, it takes more than just your academic ability to impress employers. Work experience provides an excellent opportunity to prove that you have self-motivation as well as enabling you to earn some extra cash. Work experience will not only enhance your CV, you'll also get an insider's view of an industry, be given the chance to network and make contacts who could help you to secure a permanent position after you graduate. Even if your work experience isn't related to your future career you will have developed skills that are essential in most jobs.

What's on offer?

There are plenty of things you could do both in and out of term time. Here are some of the options:

  • Part-time work Work experience doesn't have to be during the summer holidays. Some students work part time during the academic year to help support themselves at university.
  • Internships These are structured placements offering graduate-level work. Typically you will have a specific project to complete. Internships are mainly City based, particularly at investment banks.
  • Voluntary work This can include anything from helping the homeless to conservation work, or from archaeology to sports initiatives. Overseas projects are often based in developing countries. Organisations such as Community Service Volunteers and VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) will have more information.
  • Working abroad Not only do you get to earn some cash while travelling, meeting new people and exploring a new culture in a different country but employers love to see this as proof of your initiative and independence. You could find yourself working overseas with organisations such as BUNAC or Camp America.
  • Work shadowing This allows you to observe the work of a (usually senior) professional. You will get first-hand experience of time pressures and workloads.
  • Industrial (sandwich) placements A placement in industry areas such as construction, engineering, hospitality, business management and performing arts. They usually last one year, often during the third year of a four-year technical or vocational degree.

Alternatives:

  • Open days Open days provide you with the opportunity to get a taste of a particular type of work or company without commitment. They include presentations, business games and the chance to talk with recent graduates.
  • Insight courses Several universities and careers services offer two- or three-day courses, covering management, media, technical or marketing work. The programmes involve business games, case studies and projects tackling business issues.

Where to look next

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