Work experience: it's all good, so get it early

With so many students graduating every year, it takes more than just your academic ability to impress graduate employers these days. Work experience provides an excellent opportunity to prove that you have self-motivation as well as enabling you to earn some extra cash.

But work experience will not only enhance your CV. You'll also get an insider's view of an industry and get 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 develop skills that are essential for and transferable to most jobs.

What types of work experience are on offer for students?

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

• Part-time work Work experience doesn't have to be constrained to 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 complete a specific project or have a specific role. 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 get first-hand experience of time pressures and workloads and talk to the person about their work.
• 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.

Quick alternatives to formal work experience and internships

• 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. These are typically advertised through careers services, but employers also send out announcements via sites like targetjobs.co.uk.
• 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.