School Work Experience: Finding A Placement

At some point during your time at secondary school usually S3 or S4 in Scotland or Year 11 in England you will take part in work experience. This is usually a week-long placement but sometimes it could be longer.

Work experience is an opportunity for you to spend a week or possibly longer in an organisation experiencing the world of work. You may be given some tasks to carry out or given the opportunity to shadow members of staff to learn about their day-to-day responsibilities.

If you are reading this and beginning to worry about the prospect of spending a week in the world of work please don’t. Participating in work experience is exactly that and experience. A chance to experience working in an industry that you may be interested in seeking a career in, a chance to see what life is like working in an environment other than school and the chance to learn something new.

First and foremost you will need to find a work experience placement which most schools expect you to take the lead on. Your placement I delay should relate to the clear path you wish to undertake. Even if you’re not 100% sure it may be worthwhile seeking experience in the industry that you would like to work in. Work experience may even help you decide upon a career path.

If you genuinely have no idea what career you are interested in you may wish to think about the sort of subjects you enjoy and are good at. This may help you come up with some ideas. It may be the case that if you cannot find your own placement your school may assign you one. 

Talk to family and friends

You may already know of a company that could offer you work experience perhaps through family and friends, local companies or through partnerships with your school. If this is the case you can ask them if this is something they are prepared to offer you.

Some organisations will only offer work experience to people they know such as family members of current employees. Talk to your family and friends to see if they know of any opportunities.

Ask your school for help

Check with your school as they may have a list of organisations you could contact. Schools will usually have (or be able to get hold of) a list of organisations that are approved to offer work experience. 

Talk to your school careers advisor as they may also have some recommendations. 

Research companies

If you have an industry or type of organisation in mind you could search online to find one that may be able to offer you a work experience placement. Have a look at the careers page on their website or contact them directly.

Remember it is likely that your school or local authority will need to approve an organisation before you will be permitted to attend work experience there. This is to ensure that it is safe for you to carry out working experience there. 

Once you have a placement confirmed the next step is to prepare for your placement.

Follow us on Twitter @BeInTheKnow_UK