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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. Browse by sector and by job profile letter A-Z.

Then search live jobs to check out what employers are seeking from applicants. You can find roles on Careers Connect and through other online jobsboards such as HigherIn, Bright Network, and Indeed. This will give you an indication of the skills, competencies and experience they are seeking.  

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 easier to communicate what you’re seeking to an employer. This is either for speculative applications or for opportunities that are advertised. My Attributes will help you identify your strengths and developmental areas.

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

Values 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.

When values match an organisation's values, you're likely to be more motivated and happier, contributing to stronger performance and  wellbeing. Knowing your values can help to decide what company to apply for. 

Learn more about your values using the following resource:

• 84 types of values in the workplace (and how to choose)
• Card sort exercise from the Good Project - a list of values can be found through various online sources

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.

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

• Buzz quiz personality type
• VIA strengths survey

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

Knowing your strengths help you to understand where you perform at your best.

Identify your strengths to find out where you perform at your best. Many recruiters assess your strengths to find out if you're a good fit for the company and role. You can enhance your strengths through work experience. Access Skills Discovery (formerly Strength Profile) to learn about your strengths and potential strengths in just 15 minutes.

To aid your planning, use these timelines to guide you, in readiness for making applications.

• Your work experience timeline
• Your graduate scheme timeline

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?

The University’s Student Development Scholarships are available to all students to help fund worthwhile and original travel projects intended to further a student’s personal or academic development.

For further funding information, please visit Undergraduate scholarships and funding database and the Postgraduate scholarships and funding database. 

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

• Types of work experience