It’s the start of a new academic year and many of you will be embarking on university life; learning to live independently for the first time, studying for a degree, working part-time, all the while thinking about what the hell you’re going to do at the other end.
I went to uni knowing what I wanted to do at the other end, but I still needed work experience for two reasons:
1. to be 100% sure it was a career I would like (because everything sounds great until you’re actually doing it for yourself)
2. to give myself a head start over other graduates applying for the same positions.
Work Experience
First things first…
In the same way employers don’t fall over themselves for you after graduation to offer the most amazing jobs without you so much having to even whisper “here’s my CV”, the same applies for work experience. You need to go out and seek it yourself.
During my three years at university I managed to secure myself three lots of work experience; I had a week with a PR agency, one day two consecutive years in a row working with the PR team behind the Bath Half Marathon, and a week at a marketing company that I ended up going back to one day a week for a couple of months afterwards.
How to get work experience
Think about what you might want to do after graduation
If you haven’t already, research local businesses in your area. For example, I wanted to explore PR and marketing and so I Googled local companies and got their contact details.
Some companies even promote that they offer work experience/internships on their website and how to apply so look out for this as well.
Drop them an email
Introduce yourself, explain what you are studying, and what you are thinking you would like to do after university. Then ask them if they would be willing to have you on board for a couple of days to a week to find out more about the industry.
However, do not take take take. Any company that offers work experience to undergraduates need praising and it’s not all about you going in and taking their valuable time and not offering anything back in return. Make the tea, be helpful, and be willing to give tasks a go as you never know, they may want you back.
Treat it like a job
Turn up on time, dress appropriately and work hard. Work experience is typically not paid but if you’re lucky the company might cover travel expenses. Internships are different and if you’re working somewhere full-time for a period of a few weeks to a few months, you 100% should get paid. Either way, it’s a job and you need to treat it like one.
Why work experience is important
- Shows initiative
- Strengthens your application(s) for roles in that industry
- Demonstrates your ability at forming (professional) relationships
- Shows you took full advantage of your time at university.
As it happened, when I graduated it still took me a long time to land my break in marketing regardless of doing my damnedest at having an incredible CV, but that goes to show how competitive the job market is and how you shouldn’t take being a graduate for granted.
Enjoy university, study hard, have fun, but do utilise those long summers, breaks and reading weeks for exploring potential future careers. Good luck!
Until next time x
