Now that you’re in Year 11, you will (hopefully) be starting to think about what you want to do in the future.
Work experience can help you do this by giving you a taste of what different jobs and careers are like.
Work experience takes you into the world of work and shows you the reality of jobs that interest you. It can help by showing you jobs that appeal to you and jobs that don’t. Learning about the reality of jobs can help guide you along your career pathway.
We’ve pulled together 10 different ideas to kickstart your work experience journey.
What is Work Experience?
Work experience usually involves spending about one or two weeks in a work environment that interests you. You will observe how the workplace operates and be given tasks to do. You will learn more about different work roles and find out if they interest you. Work experience is usually unpaid, but you will benefit from the experience and it can help you stand out when applying for paid work in the future.
Organising work experience
Most schools have a work experience service. Your school should have career advisors (or access to one) who have relationships with local businesses and can advise you on how to apply.
You can also arrange your work experience by having a CV prepared and contacting a company that interests you. You can research local businesses online and talk to people you know, family and friends, to find out where they work and if their company offers work experience.
Benefits of Work Experience
Work experience can help you to:
- Improve skills.
- Build confidence.
- Develop communication skills.
- Become more independent.
- See how companies operate.
- Build your CV.
Work experience can be the first step in exploring a career path that interest you.
Here are 10 Work Experience ideas for Year 11s:
1. Boots
Boots is a very well-known brand with stores all over the UK. It is a health and beauty retailer with additional pharmacy services.
Boots has a virtual work experience programme in partnership with Speakers for Schools. It runs over three months and takes a few hours each month. You will learn more about Boots and hear from experts about their work.
For in-person work experience, it is best to contact your local store.
2. British Red Cross
This charity is the largest humanitarian organisation in the world and has helped millions of people in the UK and worldwide get help when crisis strikes. For example, they help victims of trafficking and support people impacted by war.
Red Cross have a one-week work experience programme for students aged 15 to 18. You can learn about marketing, human resources and finance. They also have some virtual work experience opportunities.
3. Restaurant Kitchen
If you are interested in being a chef, you can find work experience opportunities that last up to two weeks. They usually take place during the summer term and summer holidays. It is advisable to contact employers well in advance.
Aspiring chefs are likely to work as kitchen porters during their work experience. Duties include washing up, cleaning appliances, washing work surfaces, and sometimes basic food preparation. You will gain insight into how chefs work and kitchens are run.
Chefs can also train through apprenticeship programmes. There are programmes for those without experience and higher-level apprenticeships for those with some practical experience.
4. Airports
If you apply to your nearest airport for work experience, you can learn about the different careers available.
For example, Bristol Airport offers a week’s work experience for Years 8-13 students. During the work experience, You will learn what it is like to work in diverse roles, including finance, HR, hospitality and more. You will learn about Bristol Airport and gain insight into the jobs you could do.
5. County Council
Your local council may offer work experience. You can usually find information on your local council website.
For example, Cardiff Council runs a work experience programme for young people aged 14 and over. You learn more about Cardiff and how the council and its services work. You meet experienced employees who can give you career guidance and complete tasks and activities. The programme lasts between four and ten days.
A lot of councils around the country offer similar work experience programmes.
6. Virtual Work Experience
Springpod works with employers and universities to offer free online work experience courses that usually last about ten hours. Some can be taken immediately, while others must be booked in advance. There are work experience courses for most careers, including art and design, computing, architecture, healthcare, engineering, and finance. These courses are interactive and informative and include hearing from industry experts.
7. The Army
You can find out more about being in the army by attending a free four-day residential work experience. Places are for 14-18 year olds and applications must be made through schools.
Serving soldiers help to run the programme, which develops confidence, resilience, teamwork and leadership. You can experience a bit of army life and learn about career opportunities. You also have a logbook to complete where you describe what you’ve done and reflect on the experience.
8. Estate Agents
Your school can advise you on work experience, but you can also approach estate agents directly. Work experience can involve working in an office and using a computer. You will observe staff at work and discuss the job with experienced professionals.
Larger estate agents often offer work experience for students. Carter Jonas starts accepting work experience applications in September each year for the following summer. Their placements are one or two weeks long.
Estate agents qualify for the job by taking apprenticeships and professional courses.
9. Art Galleries and Museums
One way to look for work experience is to approach local art galleries and museums. Students with work experience could be asked to greet visitors, answer the phone, and help staff with a range of tasks.
Some larger galleries and museums offer week-long work experience for young people. The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum has four art, design and performance museums offering work experience weeks. Students can learn about the museum’s collections and career opportunities at the V&A.
10. Supermarkets
If you want to work in retail, you might consider working at a supermarket. For example Asda has a dedicated work experience scheme – it is for students aged 14-16 and runs for one or two weeks in one of their supermarkets. You will work with some of the staff and be given tasks to do. This is an opportunity to learn how the retail industry operates.
Applicants can complete an application form and personality questionnaire on the website.
Making the most of work experience
Make sure you add your work experience to your CV. Write a bit about what you did and what you learned.
It is useful to reflect on your work experience. You can write about it and answer these questions:
- What did you enjoy most about your work experience?
- What did you enjoy least?
- What did you learn?
- Did you improve any skills?
- Would you like to work in this field? Why/why not?
- What would you like to do next to find out more about careers?
Good luck, we hope you enjoy your work experience!
