There are various issues you may need to consider when undertaking a period of work experience:

Time Management

It may seem difficult to fit in all your studies, work experience and other commitments as well.

The Careers Service has a study guide on 'Organising your Time' that may be of help to you in planning your work schedule. You may also want to make an appointment with an adviser to talk more about how to plan and organise your time.

Financial Management

You may or may not receive money from your work experience depending on the work you undertake. For example, voluntary work is unpaid.

Managing your money is important if you want to prevent anxiety and stress interfering with your academic study, work and social life, and your search for a career.

The Welfare Service provides information and advice on money issues for students. Information on financial help is available on their website.

Stress Management

You may find yourself feeling stressed at the thought of all your work and study commitments.

The Counselling Service has information on their website about managing stress. You may also want to make an appointment with a counsellor.

Transferring your work experience skills and achievements into words

You need to be able to succinctly and successfully transfer your work experience achievements onto paper applications and also your CV.

Book an appointment for feedback on your CV and application forms. Staff can help you recognise and record the skills you have gained through your work experience.

The organisation/employer

Before committing yourself to a period of work experience in the UK or abroad, you should research the organisation/employer you are interested in. You need to be clear and comfortable with what they are offering and with what you need/want from the work experience.

For work placements you may be able to negotiate - some employers will want to agree on a written job description; others will wish to negotiate at a verbal level. For volunteering you should ensure you have a role description, just as you would have for any other form of paid work.

If you have any concerns speak to a careers adviser.

Health, safety and insurance in the workplace

You need to ensure that you are covered by the employer's insurance for the period of your work experience. Some will already have an arrangement with their insurers; others will need to inform their insurers.

Gain an overall impression of the workplace by discreet observation and by visiting Reception. This is an area where vital information is often displayed, e.g. Certificate of Employer Insurance, Health and Safety Executive poster, Investors in People Award (the latter may give an indication of the employer's commitment to the continuing support and development of employees).

Ask for a tour of the workplace. Look for the notices/certificates noted above. Are Health and Safety signs clearly visible? Are gangways and exits clear of obstructions? Are fire extinguishers available? Are there particular workplace hazards?

Working with vulnerable clients

Organisations that work with vulnerable clients, such as children and some elderly people, will ask you to complete a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check before your work experience. This may take some time to come through so make sure you take this into consideration when planning your work experience.

What to do if your work experience is not quite what you expected

Be patient. The organisation may feel a need to build their confidence in you by observing how you handle a variety of tasks before they let you work on something more demanding. Some organisations will test an employee's perseverance before they devote substantial time and effort to training.

If you are still unsure that the situation will change, speak to your immediate supervisor. Be assertive but not aggressive.

If you need further help then please contact us and a careers adviser will try to help you.

Issues around taking time out

Taking time out during or after a degree is becoming an increasingly popular option. It is important to remember that planning your time out can be as important as preparing for further training or employment. So you will need to think carefully about why you want to take time out and how you can make the most of it.

What do employers think about taking time out?

How employers view your time out will often depend on how you present your experiences on paper and at interview. You need to be able to demonstrate that your time out has been spent constructively and that you have either developed existing skills and personal qualities or gained new skills and experiences that will be relevant in the workplace.

You need to be clear, therefore, when planning your time out what your motivations are and what you hope to achieve. Employers will not be impressed if they feel you have taken time out simply because you could not decide what you wanted to do!

Examples:

Scenario: History graduate went abroad for 6 months and financed their travel with temporary jobs.

What gained: organisational and planning skills, adaptability, ability to work independently, experience of different cultures - useful skills when applying for jobs on their return.

Scenario: English graduate worked for a year getting experience in journalism before doing a postgraduate course.

What gained: Relevant skills and experience directly related to the career they want to follow.

Planning your time out

Start your planning early to make sure you have time to consider all the options. Use all the appropriate resources available to you. (We have various information resources and reference books on taking time out, for example, 'A year off...A year on?', 'Taking a year out', 'Taking a gap year'.)

Work out how much money you will need and how this will be allocated. Be thorough about travel plans and consider the availability of work, accommodation, visa and medical requirements. Consider how your time out will be viewed by future employers. Are you taking time out to:

• develop your personal qualities and skills;
• gain experience before embarking on a specific career;
• gain experience of different cultures and enhance your adaptability?

If appropriate, think about and plan what you will do when you return. Many employers begin to recruit graduates in the autumn. Try to plan your return so that you take advantage of this rather than returning in the spring or summer when there may be fewer opportunities on offer.

Discuss your ideas with a careers adviser or with someone who has already taken time out.

>>Further resources for work experience