Types of work experience for students

Work experience is a great way for young people to experience a work environment and find out what it is like to work in a specific industry. Depending on your level of education there are several different types of work experience available. Here are some of the most common types of work experience that are available for students.

Work experience week

Almost every school in the UK offers pupils the opportunity to undertake work experience for a week. This gives pupils the chance to experience the world of work by visiting a company for a short period of time. You’ll likely participate in a range of activities such as observing staff, visiting different departments, learning new skills and carrying out some workplace tasks.

Pupils are usually responsible for finding their own placements and travelling there each day. You can learn more about finding work experience here.

Internships

Internships are structured work experience programmes usually offered by large organisations (many of which also provide graduate schemes) and typically last 2-3 months over the summer. Whilst undertaking an internship you will be undertaking work that will help you build transferable skills that will help you prepare for full-time work.

Internships are paid so you will receive a salary (unpaid internships are frowned upon nowadays). Plus, an internship may eventually lead to a graduate job when you leave university.

Industrial placement

Some university courses offer students the opportunity to take a year out to work (sometimes called a ‘sandwich degree’. During the year out you will work for an organisation gaining practical experience and developing skills.

You can read more about industrial placements here.

Campus brand ambassador

A campus brand ambassador represents an employer brand on a university campus. The role involves several responsibilities including promoting the brand to students, organising and attending employer events on campus, promoting job opportunities and scheduling interviews or assessment centres for students.

You may get the opportunity to become a campus brand ambassador after undertaking an internship with the organisation. Otherwise, there are lots of organisations who offer campus brand ambassador roles to students including J.P Morgan, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Amazon and Red Bull.

Work shadowing

Shadowing involves observing a professional whilst they are at work. This will let you see what the day-to-day responsibilities of this person’s job and ask questions. Work shadowing is usually just for a day or two and it’s unlikely you’ll be paid. Unlike work experience where you will be given some tasks to complete, work shadowing is more of an opportunity to observe and gain insight.

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