Exploring work experience and how to gain it

Unlocking Diverse Work Experience Opportunities for All Students

"Work experience comes in many shapes and sizes, which means there’s something to suit everyone at whatever your stage or circumstances."

Lisa Shaw - Work Experience and Mentoring Lead | Careers Network Team

 Many people think of an internship, particularly over summer in your penultimate year, as being the main method of gaining valuable work experience but, contrary to this, employers value any experience you can get such as part-time jobs, volunteering, being part of a society, employer projects and more!

Yes, an internship or placement in the field you’re looking to get into is great, but it’s so competitive to get these and so you need to be creative in how you can gain the skills employers are looking for elsewhere.

Some of the top soft skills employers are looking for in graduates include, critical thinking & problem solving; emotional intelligence & interpersonal skills; adaptability and flexibility. These skills can be developed and utilised across all the experiences listed above.

If you can’t find the opportunity then don’t be afraid to contact employers directly when seeking out work experience, for advice on how to do this visit Speculative application preparation

We have a dedicated Work Experience & Student Opportunity team in Careers Network who are dedicated to supporting you to navigate the world of work experience from useful guides to events and 1:1 appointments.

Just some of the things on offer to gain experience via the University:

The Birmingham Project for 1^st year students

Impact Challenge for penultimate and final years students from widening participation backgrounds including Birmingham Scholars

U21 & PwC Innovation Challenge post graduate students

Go Global Summer - University of Birmingham

Gateway To Work Experience Bursary for Birmingham Scholars and students from an IMDQ1 postcode