Making it work

‘Most universities hound you fairly early on, telling you that experience in the field can be more important than a high grade. With the impending doom of graduation many students feel that if they don’t get enough experience - if they don’t differentiate themselves from everyone else - they may end up working in a call centre.’

Katie Holcombe is in her final year of a degree in International Journalism at Liverpool John Moores University. She expresses perfectly the importance of getting experience (and the feeling of dread this can inspire).

Work experience can take many different forms. Your contemporaries may have done internships over the summer. Some degrees include work placements as part of the course. For others there are no formal opportunities and you have to use your initiative. Whichever category you fall into and whether you do it during the holidays, term-time or after your finals, as Katie notes, it is important to get this experience.

Taking the initiative, Katie lined up a volunteer placement as a Media Assistant at Oxfam. The role involves answering the phones and organising photographers for publicity launches, but more importantly it gives her an insight into the field and her own interests. ‘I am learning a lot,’ she says. ‘Not only about the job, but about myself and what I may enjoy doing in the future and I think that’s priceless.’

Industry insight

Susie Field is Managing Director at Leopard Films which makes television programmes for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. The company also offers work experience opportunities which give participants a useful introduction to the industry.

‘Work experience placements give you a valuable insight into an industry and first hand practical experience of how it operates on a daily basis,’ she explains. ‘For example, understanding the hierarchy of the TV industry, the myriad of difficulties facing production on a daily basis and an overview of the support in the background often helps potential employees understand what might be expected of them. It also gives our participants a chance to see which direction they would like to go in.’

Something for everyone

Outside the media there are other high quality opportunities offered by companies like GlaxoSmithKline and Barclays Capital. These are both accredited by the National Council for Work Experience for the quality of the opportunities they provide, reflecting the working environment and the support they offer towards developing skills and knowledge. Public sector organisations offering placements include organisations like the BBC and the Civil Service. Whichever route you choose to get some experience under your belt, the key thing to consider is how you can make the most of it.

Susie advises that you think carefully about what you can offer. This will help you secure an opportunity and it will also get you noticed. ‘The experience depends a lot on the person – what they bring to the role and how they develop it for themselves. Enthusiasm and willingness are the key criteria,’ she adds.

‘Show flexibility and responsibility and be approachable at all times. Be prepared to take on any tasks asked of you with positivity and do them to the best of your ability. By showing you’re able to turn your hand to anything you will make a good impression. Being presentable and well-mannered is also a must, as well as ensuring you hit your deadlines.’

A two-way road

It is worth noting that, without meeting some pretty stringent requirements, a private company should not be asking you to work for free. Under the minimum wage legislation this is no longer permissible. Strictly speaking, unpaid work is only allowable for a charity like Oxfam or if the placement is part of your degree course. Private companies now have to take a much more responsible approach to providing placements.

Ultimately, however you get it and whether you’re paid or not, work experience can teach you important skills and give you vital knowledge that will set you apart from your contemporaries. If you’re lucky, it can also open doors to your future career.

More features on work experience:

• The time of your life Your second year signals work experience.
• A good PR move Kate Lowe talks about her PR placement.
• Out of the shadows Work shadowing can get you places.
• Experience starts here Your first job is getting experience.

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