Where & What Type of Work

Where & What Type of Work

Enhancing Employability with Work Experience

Exposure to a real work setting rounds out and amplifies the academic knowledge you are acquiring. Study-related work experience gives you the opportunity to explore possible career options, establish a network of contacts and learn how to apply both your personal and academic skills to the workplace. Most importantly, hands-on experience is one of the best ways to 'test' whether or not a career area is appropriate for you.

Whether the experience is paid or unpaid, evidence proves that relevant work experience enhances both employability and academic performance. Demonstrated work experience is highly valued by a potential employer who sees your skills, interest in/knowledge of a career field and your accomplishments as indicators of your ability to contribute and succeed. Many work experience opportunities turn into graduate job offers as an employer can hire you with confidence, having observed the quality of your work.

Finding work experience opportunities:

• Your university Careers Service will most likely advertise part-time, project, contract and summer vacancies along with a limited number of internships. Make sure you are registered on their jobs database so that you can be kept informed of these vacancies. Employers seeking specific degrees will also target academic departments so check departmental notice boards and keep in contact with your lecturers and tutors.
• Contact smaller or newer companies who often need graduate skills but don’t use traditional recruitment methods. Identify and research possible companies from the business pages of local newspapers, the web or even the Yellow Pages.
• 'Cold calling' can also be effective if you are well-prepared and feel confident about selling yourself. Careful preparation is the key to success. Your university Careers Service can help you develop a strategy.
• Attend employer presentations, Career Fairs and other career seminars held throughout the year. It’s a great way to meet employers first hand.
• Voluntary work can also put you on the road to your new career. Students wanting to work in the media may volunteer for a student publication, community radio or local newspaper. Volunteer websites offers opportunities in a number of areas including web development, marketing, advertising, community work, teaching and administration work.
• Don’t forget about your own network of contacts – family, friends, tutors and student membership of professional associations can all be sources of valuable information.

Work experience can be for several weeks, months or even days and can be paid or unpaid. Careful planning will help you break the can’t get a job without experience – can’t get experience without a job cycle. Use the resources in your Careers Service reference library to help you get started! Another useful resource is the UK's National Council for Work Experience - www.work-experience.org . This comprehensive website features work experience case studies and information for students, employers and academics.