Work Experience
Work experience usually lasts for two weeks, although some students have longer placements. Your school or college may offer you the chance to go on extended work experience as part of a programme of work related learning. On work experience you will learn about the world of work and what employers expect of you. You will meet new people; find out what it means to work in a team; learn to act on your own and take responsibility for your actions. All these things will help you to make choices about your career and to develop the skills to be successful in the future. Find out how our work experience student got on. (pdf format - opens in a new window)
What you have to do ...
- A job on an employer's premises based upon an agreed job description
- Obtain a satisfactory employer's report at the end of the placement
- Think about your strengths and weaknesses
- Develop a personal action plan
- Complete the record sheets describing the skills you have learned
- Collect evidence to show your progress in Key Skills
Remember you will receive no pay whilst on work experience.
Your first day at work
Your first day in a new job can be exciting and nerve racking but there are steps you can take to make it run smoothly.Find out…
- What time you are expected to arrive each day
- What breaks you are entitled to and when
- Where the toilets/cloakrooms/lockers are
- Who your manager or supervisor is
- What you are expected to do.
Your manager should tell you all of these things on your first day but if they forget, don’t be afraid to ask.
Listen carefully to things you are told – if you think you won’t remember then make notes. Make time to read any written information you are given.
Try hard to get on with people even if you don’t like them at first. They may be nervous about having a new workmate and may act differently once you get to know them.
Give yourself time to settle in - If by the end of your first day you feel you hate it and want to hand your notice in – don’t despair - it usually gets better! It can take a few weeks to really settle in to a new job.
Last Updated: 28-Sep-2009
