Whether you are
in school or still busy with your full-time studies, work experience is a term
that might cross your path at some stage. Many schools, colleges and
universities encourage students to commit to work experience… but what is all
the fuss about? It might be cutting into your holidays or keeping you from
going on a trip with friends, but the truth is that work experience can be
exactly what you need to give yourself a head start. This week, we look at 5
reasons why you should sign up for work experience:
Reason #1 - Getting direction
Not too sure
what industry you would like to work in? Work experience can give you the
opportunity to sample different occupations and different industries. By
committing to different kinds of work experience opportunities, you can sample
the different working environments, assessing which one you enjoy most and
which environments unlocks most of your potential!
Reason #2 – Get in touch with the real world
So you’ve
already decided which industry you want to work in and perhaps even what job
you would like to have… but are you ready for the daily demands? Every job has
its challenges, and work experience allows you to get a feel for the
environment you will be working in. Whether you have to stand all day, work in
an open plan office or whether you have to do all or most of that dreaded
administration, there are a host of hidden daily activities that might not be include
in your college or university curriculum. Take time to do a couple of days’
work to experience and get a feel for the day-to-day activities to make sure
you know exactly what you are in for!
Reason #3 –Identify your key strengths
By working at a
company, in your chosen field, you will quickly learn where you core strengths
are. Perhaps you are really good with people, or your creative eye can help you
add a little more value to your temporary job-description. By identifying you
key strengths, you can focus on these to ensure that you position yourself so
that you can perform to the best of your abilities!
Reason #4 – Getting a foot in the door
More often than
not, who you know is almost as important and what you know. If you can prove to
a company that you have the potential, they might keep you in mind when they
look to hire juniors at the company. Get to know and understand your industry –
it is as important as studying for that degree or diploma!
Reason #5 –You’ve got the power!
When an employer
takes a look at your CV, they often look beyond your education and qualifications.
Extramural activities, community service and work experience are small things
you can list on your CV that will have a great effect. Work experience proves
that you took initiative, that you are willing to put in the hours and that you
have a better understanding of the working-environment. Make sure that the work
experience is related to the industry that you are applying to!
These are just a
couple of reasons we think you should pick up the phone or send that email to
make contact with a company in your chosen industry. Tell us about your work
experience? Comment below and let us hear your story.Whether you are
in school or still busy with your full-time studies, work experience is a term
that might cross your path at some stage. Many schools, colleges and
universities encourage students to commit to work experience… but what is all
the fuss about? It might be cutting into your holidays or keeping you from
going on a trip with friends, but the truth is that work experience can be
exactly what you need to give yourself a head start. This week, we look at 5
reasons why you should sign up for work experience:
Reason #1 - Getting direction
Not too sure
what industry you would like to work in? Work experience can give you the
opportunity to sample different occupations and different industries. By
committing to different kinds of work experience opportunities, you can sample
the different working environments, assessing which one you enjoy most and
which environments unlocks most of your potential!
Reason #2 – Get in touch with the real world
So you’ve
already decided which industry you want to work in and perhaps even what job
you would like to have… but are you ready for the daily demands? Every job has
its challenges, and work experience allows you to get a feel for the
environment you will be working in. Whether you have to stand all day, work in
an open plan office or whether you have to do all or most of that dreaded
administration, there are a host of hidden daily activities that might not be include
in your college or university curriculum. Take time to do a couple of days’
work to experience and get a feel for the day-to-day activities to make sure
you know exactly what you are in for!
Reason #3 –Identify your key strengths
By working at a
company, in your chosen field, you will quickly learn where you core strengths
are. Perhaps you are really good with people, or your creative eye can help you
add a little more value to your temporary job-description. By identifying you
key strengths, you can focus on these to ensure that you position yourself so
that you can perform to the best of your abilities!
Reason #4 – Getting a foot in the door
More often than
not, who you know is almost as important and what you know. If you can prove to
a company that you have the potential, they might keep you in mind when they
look to hire juniors at the company. Get to know and understand your industry –
it is as important as studying for that degree or diploma!
Reason #5 –You’ve got the power!
When an employer
takes a look at your CV, they often look beyond your education and qualifications.
Extramural activities, community service and work experience are small things
you can list on your CV that will have a great effect. Work experience proves
that you took initiative, that you are willing to put in the hours and that you
have a better understanding of the working-environment. Make sure that the work
experience is related to the industry that you are applying to!
These are just a
couple of reasons we think you should pick up the phone or send that email to
make contact with a company in your chosen industry. Tell us about your work
experience? Comment below and let us hear your story.