Explore work experience on targetjobs

There are many different types of work experience placements available to you as a university student or graduate that can enhance your CV and improve your chances of getting a graduate job.

The best known form of work experience scheme is an internship, which is a structured programme that can last any amount of time between two weeks and three months and is most usually run in the summer. Internships are typically aimed at penultimate-year students, although some are open to other year groups and graduates. Placement years enable you to spend an entire year in the industry of your choice, although they are typically geared towards students who are studying a degree with an optional sandwich year placement. Open days and insight weeks, meanwhile, are usually aimed at first years and are typically held in the autumn and spring. These give an introduction into an employer or profession.

However, you can also gain experience in a workplace and develop key employability skills without applying for one of these formal work experience placements – for example, through getting a part-time job, temping and/or volunteering.