Where to start

Types of work experience include:

• Committee member of a student society
• Course rep/student ambassadors
• Insight programmes
• International work experience
• Internships
• Part-time work
• Placements
• Setting up your own project/business
• Summer/holiday jobs
• Virtual work experience
• Volunteering
• Work shadowing/observation

Each type has its own benefits which you may need to consider, and different opportunities may be available to different groups of students, depending on factors such as their year of study. Whichever type of work experience is best for you they will all provide you with skill development, networking opportunities and personal development.

• Find out more about the types of work experience

It can be challenging to decide on a future career.  The benefit of work experience is the building of transferable skills for any industry or sector, whilst also getting an idea of what interests you.

As jobs change doing any form of work experience helps you demonstrate to employers that you are motivated and adaptable to trying new things.

A good place to start is researching job profiles to get an idea of what's out there and what appeals to you.  Using the Prospects job profiles web page will help you identify the type of work experience which might be most valuable, matching your interests.

Next, you could use My Attributes to self audit your current skill set.  This will help you decide what you want to get out of your work experience, making it more purposeful.  My Attributes will help you identify your strengths and developmental areas.

If you are still unsure of direction use the careers quizes on either the Bright Network website, or the Prospects website. 

It is really important to review any work experience opportunities you consider in terms of your value base, interests and motivations.

These are basically your core beliefs, the things that make you ‘tick’.  If you end up selecting a position which conflicts with your beliefs you may find yourself in disagreement with the working practices and functions of the organisation. Watch out because it can be really uncomfortable and anxiety provoking when you are engaging with an organisation whose ethics are fundamentally against your own.

Learn more about your values using the following resource:

• 84 types of values in the workplace (and how to choose)

As with your values, interests and motivations, it can be difficult to work in a position or an organisation which does not reflect your own personality preferences.  For example:

• If you like working and interacting with people do not select a work experience position where you are working in isolation for long periods of time – it could make the day go very slowly!
• If you are an innovative and self starting individual make sure any position you consider gives you the flexibility to come up with new ideas and to work independently.
• If you like to check things over with others and learn best when you have a clear line of support, make sure the post includes a supportive line management, supervision or mentoring element.

For an idea of how employers assess your personality, and to practice these tests go to Graduates First web page.

To better understand your personality, you could try the sites below.

• VIA strengths survey
• Buzz quiz personality type

Last but not least you need to consider the practicalities of any work experience opportunity you are thinking about. Is it actually feasible? For example:

• How will you travel to work? Is this transport affordable and safe?
• Will your working hours interfere with your study commitments? Will you be working late and long hours during term time?  The university recommends a maximum of 20 hours per week in term time.
• How much income do you need to earn in order to supplement other sources? Can you afford to do volunteering?

Some funding is available to help certain eligible students to attend work experience they could not otherwise afford via the Gateway to Work Experience Bursary.

Now that you have thought about what you want, it's time to start looking for work experience opportunities.

• Types of work experience