How do you get work experience?

‘Over a third of recruiters repeated their warnings from previous years – that graduates who have had no previous work experience at all are unlikely to be successful during the selection process and have little or no chance of receiving a job offer for their organisations’ graduate programmes.’

  High Fliers Research Ltd, The Graduate Market in 2017

So how do you get work experience?

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be through a placement or a summer internship with a company. In fact, any experience matters, where you are learning new skills, communicating with different people beyond your peer group and exposing yourself to new environments to help you develop wider perspectives, cultural awareness and to identify your strengths and vulnerabilities.

Gaining a variety of experiences helps you to identify what you enjoy, builds strengths and behaviours, values and confidence; ultimately developing a stronger sense of self.  And having this self-awareness helps you to work out how you work at your best. With this knowledge, it may make career planning a lot easier, helping you to focus.

The video below shines a spotlight on the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. It offers three examples of how students have gained valuable experience and that vital enterprising mind-set. 

The first clip shows experience gained through a course by ‘doing’. The second illustrates a University internship, and the third example shows what can be achieved through collaboration: ‘Women in Technology Conference’. Co-created by Women in Science and Engineering Society and Computer Science Society.

Careers Network is holding work experience week on 29^th – 2^nd Feb 2018 for University of Birmingham students, and there's even more going on before and after this date! Visit the the Careers Network events page and see what’s on, as well as the other programmes you can join to gain experience. You could start your own business through B StartUP; join Enactus with other students to make a social difference in Birmingham... The Guild also offer a huge range of sessions, and list student societies and volunteering groups to join. 

Explore your options to make a start on learning how you can get work experience, through the Careers Network website. 
 'Insights into specific careers' events will also give you an idea of what employers are seeking.

Alison Sharp
Careers Network