Work Experience Special Edition 2009

»MINI-GAP BREAKS » APPLICATION DOS AND DON’TS

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CAREER ADVICE + 100s OF JOBS + GRAD INTERVIEWS + CAREERS FAIRS + RECRUITER TIPS +

»CASE STUDIES » OVERSEAS OPPORTUNITIES

2009 PAGE 15

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jo Get a great graduate

WORK EXPERIENCE Get inside the real world of work

»VOLUNTEERING » INTERNSHIPS

D SCOVER INS1GHT Opportunities 2009

Assurance Tax Advisory Actuarial Consulting Requirements: 280 - 340 UCAS tariff or equivalent depending on entry route

It’s good to explore. Particularly when it comes to your career. That’s why we’ve developed a number of Work Experience programmes to give undergraduates like you a better feel for who we are and what we do. Our INS1GHT Days and week-long INS1GHT Academy will give you a useful introduction to the world of business. We can also open up the wider world to you. As well as six to ten-week summer internships, we have an International Internship which will see you spending time in one of our UK offices before heading off for a placement overseas. And our six and eleven-month sandwich placements can also be arranged to include an international element. Whatever INS1GHT path is right for you, visit our website to find out why we’re the one firm for all inquisitive individuals.

pwc.com/uk/careers/ Text: PwC to 85792 (Texts charged at your standard network rate.)

We value diversity in our people.

© 2008 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

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Editor’s letter

Editorial Editor Dee Pilgrim Designer Yang Ou Senior Reporter Catherine Watson Online Brett Singer

Dee Pilgrim, Editor

Advertising Sales Paul Wade Harmesh Sansoa Terry McNally Mitul Patel Marketing/Distribution Manager Poonam Sharma Client Services Manager Marie Tasle Managing Director Darius Norell Real World 22-26 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ Telephone: 020 7735 4900 Editorial – 020 7735 2111 Fax: 020 7840 0443 info@realworldmagazine.com www.realworldmagazine.com for job vacancies, careers advice and case studies. Copyright © 2008 Cherry Publishing.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher. We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs or for material lost or damaged in the post. The views in this publication or on our website are not necessarily those held by the publisher.

Recruiters in this issue Brave New Talent BUNAC Ernst & Young Enterprise Goodrich Grades Fair HSBC KPMG NCYPE PricewaterhouseCoopers Ratemyplacement SCOPE SEO London

I actually worked during my gap year: firstly, in the stock warehouse for a well-known High Street retailer; secondly, collating files for a hovercraft manufacturer in my home county of Hampshire. Although neither job could be said to relate directly to my chosen profession of journalism, what they did do was instill in me good work ethics – I was always in work on time, completed my tasks satisfactorily, and learned an awful lot about interpersonal relationships, and also the office hierarchy.

This was in the days when work experience often amounted to little more than making the tea and filing. But now graduates and employers alike are realising getting some form of proper work experience is invaluable. If the educational environment is the only one you really know -- where most of your decisions are made for you – how are you going to learn to think on your feet, and be independent and decisive? That’s where work experience comes in, and there are now more opportunities than ever to do something really worthwhile while learning important life lessons.

Even if you don’t actually do an internship a gap year break (or the increasingly popular mini-gap), a spell of volunteering, or just immersing yourself in a different culture, will teach you skills that are going to help you when you start your career.

In this issue we explore everything from teaching abroad, to learning on the job; from running your own projects, to ‘trying out’ future potential employers. Whatever you decide to do will have an impact on your eventual career, and so it is important to use your time wisely and learn from it. However, it is just as important to enjoy the experience and have some fun. We’ve tried to fit as much as possible into this issue of Real World, but if there is a topic you think we have missed, then please do email me and let me know at dee@realworldmagazine.com.

06 Getting Experienced Why doing some work experience could help

placements or internships in Britain? Read our introduction and case studies to find out

land you that dream job.

08 Reaping The Benefits Find out the positives work experience can bring to both graduates and the companies that offer it.

24 Mind The Mini-Gap. Apparently, a short break can be just as useful as a whole gap year. Discover if a mini-break is just right for you.

26 Overseas Opportunities

03 28 22 09 04 34 35 36 28 02 31 34 09

10 The Sign Of Approval Endorsements from leading employers for internships and placements.

The world really is your oyster when it comes to choosing a volunteering, working, or gap

12 Application Dos And Don’ts Real World gives you the dos and don’ts when it comes to filling out your work experience application.

29 Case Studies Find out what work experience graduates have been doing abroad.

14 Work Experience In The UK So just what could you get up to doing

year destination

33 Resources All the contacts you need to choose the best work experience for you.

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GE TTIN EXP G ERI ENC ED

WORK EXPERIENCE | INTRODUCTION

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IT’S A DILEMMA FOR GRADUATES ON THE LOOK OUT FOR THEIR FIRST JOB: APPLICATION FORMS MAY ASK FOR RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE, WHILE THE FACT THEY HAVE BEEN OCCUPIED IN FULL-TIME EDUCATION MEANS THEY USUALLY DON’T HAVE ANY. THIS IS WHY MORE AND MORE GRADUATES AND STUDENTS ARE FINDING WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS INVALUABLE.

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ot only can they learn real, practical life skills within the work environment, where they can gain a better understanding of the work ethic, making them more employable, but it can also give them an insight into what they really want to do as a career.

In fact, prospective employers and education professionals agree that it’s actually a win/win situation, because the positive advantages of placements are also felt within the companies that run such schemes. They get another pair of hands to help with the workload, and they can then also vet prospective future employees. In fact, according to the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), one in five people who do placements now return to their original placement company to begin their careers.

While the internet is now the top source of information for

a job through a work experience placement. Heather Collier is the Director of the National Council For Work Experience and lists a whole host of benefits both students and graduates can gain from doing a work experience placement. ‘It helps to build their confidence,’ she says, ‘and gives them a sense of what it’s like in the real world. It is an opportunity to network and put theory into practice - often students achieve higher grades when they return to university. It gives them a chance to learn employability skills such as team working, problem solving, communication skills, use of initiative, and taking responsibility. It can also be used as a taster session to see if this career is really for them. It will also give them something to talk about at subsequent interviews.’

In the past, work experience could be something of a let down as students were asked to make the tea or do the filing, but nowadays companies want to give graduates real responsibility and opportunity on their placements. ‘All work placement programmes should be designed to involve students in real projects, which provide a good demonstration of what it would be like to work within the industry and in that role. If a student is

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graduate jobs, with 24 per cent of respondents citing it as their preferred method of searching, around a fifth of graduates secure

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WORK EXPERIENCE | INTRODUCTION

keen, they can network with permanent staff, possibly rotate jobs and try a few departments or sections during the placement or receive extra training,’ says Collier. ‘Companies who fail to recognise the importance of a high quality work placement scheme not only let down their work placement students, they also miss the perfect opportunity to attract graduate employees earlier than their competitors, as well as benefiting from fresh, innovative ideas which could really help their business.’

If you are considering undertaking a work experience placement then you should expect to learn how to apply theory to real world business tasks, and to understand the languages of various businesses. You should also be willing to practice your soft skills, particularly communication, time management, professionalism, innovation, project management, and teamwork. You should show a willingness to learn, as this always impresses potential hirers, and it is the students who show the most enthusiasm who tend to shine while on placement – and who go on to get those all important jobs.

Summing up, Collier says: ‘the difference between those who have been on placement during their degree and those who haven’t is immeasurable for prospective employers.

European students currently have much more work experience embedded in their curriculum and for this reason employers are now starting to look beyond home graduates to fill some of their vacancies.’

Find out more at the National Council for Work Experience site: www.work-experience.org Read our case studies to see just how much other people have benefited from work experience placements. 

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YOU SHOULD SHOW A WILLINGNESS TO LEARN, AS THIS ALWAYS IMPRESSES POTENTIAL HIRERS. THE STUDENTS WHO SHOW THE MOST ENTHUSIASM TEND TO SHINE WHILE ON PLACEMENT.

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WORK EXPERIENCE: THE BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS

WORK EXPERIENCE: THE BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYERS

• Improved self-confidence • Gaining accredited experience • Seeing if a particular work area is for them • Extra cash (if paid work) • Improved communication skills • Becoming more ‘business aware’ • Starting a network of business contacts • Improved employability skills

• Fresh ideas • An extra pair of hands • Being able to assess a potential employee • A chance to tap into a student’s knowledge • Getting lower priority projects completed • Potential holiday cover • Possible association with a university and academic support

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MANAGEMENT TRAINING SCHEME Will most industry-leading companies really make the most of your talents? You’ve spent all those years at uni, so the last thing you want is to end up as an expert in photocopying and making coffee. Better make sure that’s not your fate by joining the 1000 plus graduates who enter the Enterprise Management Training Scheme each year. We’re an international car rental company with over 440 locations across the UK, Ireland and Germany and a multi-billion pound turnover. And we’ll teach you how to run your own business in as little as two years. You’ll learn about everything from sales, marketing and customer service to operations and finance, so you can make crucial business decisions and reap the rewards. You could be promoted twice in one year. And earn in two years what could take you five elsewhere. We’re here to make the most of your potential, not let it wither and die. To apply, go to www.enterprisealive.co.uk/rwweoct08 or call 0870 850 1232.

YES, I’D LIKE TO WORK FOR A COMPANY WHERE THE DAILY GRIND CRUSHES MY ENTHUSIASM INTO THE CARPET.

We are an equal opportunities employer

NO, I’D RATHER RUN MY OWN BUSINESS WITHIN 2 YEARS AND WAKE UP EVERY DAY TO A NEW SET OF CHALLENGES.

Ethnic minorities in investment banking Interested in a summer internship at a top investment bank?

Then why not apply through SEO London?

Towards the goal of diversifying the finance industry, SEO London offers training, mentoring and 10 week paid internships at leading investment banks in the City of London. Based on this support, more than 80% of eligible SEO interns have received full time job offers from sponsor banks following their internships. 191 students interned through SEO in 2008 and more than 200 front office (IBD/Capital Markets/Asset Management) and technology internships will be available for Summer 2009.

The programme is open to penultimate year undergraduates (or final year students going on to complete a Master’s degree) from ethnic minority groups currently under-represented in the City, specifically from Black or Asian backgrounds.

The sponsor banks for 2009 include • Bank of America • Barclays Capital

• Citi • Credit Suisse

• Deutsche Bank • Goldman Sachs

• HSBC IB • JPMorgan

• Lehman Brothers • Merrill Lynch

• Morgan Stanley • UBS

“SEO offered me the opportunity to enter a challenging and demanding industry, supporting and encouraging me to attain my highest potential. The exposure that I got throughout the summer was unparalleled and the friendships made were unforgettable.

It welcomed me into a close knit family of which I am truly proud to belong to.” Ling-Chih Chang, SEO Intern

SEO IB_RealW.ad half.indd 1

To learn more about the opportunities available and to make an online application please visit www.seo-london.org The deadline for applications is December 15th 2008 but students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Alternatively you can contact Carmen Wan, Programme Coordinator: Email carmen.wan@seo-london.org Tel 0845 450 7830

‘one internship, infinite opportunities’

19/8/08 1:33:53 pm

THE SIGN OF APPROVAL At Real World we know all about the real value of getting quality work experience, and it is not just graduates who benefit: the companies who offer placements are just as convinced of its worth. But don’t just take our word for it, here’s what some of the bestknown brands around say about offering work experience placements, and what it has done for them.

Virgin Atlantic ‘At Virgin Engineering we are committed to developing students, allowing them invaluable experience of the excitement and pressures of business, and giving them the chance to apply themselves to real-life projects that will have a positive impact on the company. It is very rewarding, as an employer, to be part of this process.’ Simon Mason, Design & Standards Manager, Virgin Atlantic Airways

IBM ‘As all of the students work on real projects, the Extreme Blue Programme provides lasting benefits to both the company and the individual. The placement student brings with them fresh ideas and new perspectives that enable the company to drive forward and start up new projects using work experience projects as a platform. In terms of the student themselves, a placement at IBM allows them to showcase what they can do and to demonstrate their innovative ideas, with the opportunity for attaining future employment on our graduate scheme’ Matthew Whitbourne, Extreme Blue UK Manager, IBM UK

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Controlled Therapeutics ‘Our work experience scheme offers students the chance to make a real contribution to Controlled Therapeutics and become fully integrated into our business. Students come away with the confidence to enter the graduate job market in the knowledge that they have valuable practical experience on their CV. It is very rewarding, as an employer, to give students this opportunity, particularly when these students return to us, after completing their studies, to work full-time’ Dr Janet A Halliday, Director of Research and Development, Controlled Therapeutics (Scotland) Ltd.

Heinz ‘Work experience benefits the company by creating and utilising a pool of highly talented, flexible individuals, with the added benefit of improving relationships and profile on campus before our competitors. It also enables the students themselves to apply their academic studies in a commercial environment, thereby increasing not only their overall knowledge and skills but also their employability post-graduation.’ Rebecca Fielding, Talent Manager, H J Heinz Company Ltd.

BBC ‘We take work experience seriously at BBC News because we believe we have a responsibility to offer good quality placements to young people. We benefit because they bring us fresh ideas and insights and because it’s a good way of spotting new talent. Students benefit because our placements allow them to sample life in a busy newsroom and decide whether it’s the sort of career they’d enjoy. They can also make lots of useful contacts.’ Paul Deal, Senior Broadcast Journalist, BBC News

work experience | COMPANY ENDOSEMENT

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Blue Rocket ‘Our long-term graduate work experience programme, on which we have at least one student at any one time, provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience around their studies as well as financial support whilst studying for their degree.

We know how difficult it can be for a lot of students to gain useful work experience when they are studying because most companies don’t pay, instead we offer a decent wage and flexible working hours around their course timetable, and in return our students bring fresh and creative ideas to the company which enables it to maintain a culture of creativity and innovation. We also offer separate week-long programmes to many more students on an ongoing basis. We all feel really proud of our work experience programmes because from the feedback we get from students we know how useful it is to them.’ Kim Stoddart, serial ethical businesswoman and founder of ethical media relations company, Blue Rocket

Allen & Overy ‘Each year Allen & Overy recruits 120 vacation placement students across Winter, Spring and Summer, and we look to recruit a high proportion each year to become Trainee Solicitors. The advantage of a vacation placement for the firm is that we get to know the students very well and observe their capabilities through the work they do, and projects we set. However, the most valuable reason for doing a vacation placement is the opportunity to experience first hand what a career in Law entails so that students can make an informed decision about whether it really is for them. Caroline Lindner, Graduate Recruitment Officer, Allen & Overy LLP

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work experience benefits the company by creating and utilising a pool of highly talented, flexible individuals, with the added benefit of improving our relationships and profile on campus before our competitors.

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Sky News ‘The work experience programme benefits both the student and Sky News. Whilst the student benefits from first-hand experience in a top-class broadcasting environment, the company also benefits from the student’s energy, enthusiasm and fresh ideas, producing a real win-win situation for all involved.’ Rob Kirk, Editorial Development Manager, Sky News

AppSwing Apex Hotels ‘The programme allows both the student and the company’s current employees to learn from each other and share knowledge. This gives both the opportunity to develop their hospitality skills by working along side each other, communicating with each other and observing each other. Students benefit from hands-on experience of the hospitality industry, an experience which allows them to put some of their theoretical knowledge into practice. The company benefits as the students make a real contribution to the areas within which they are working.’ Jacqui Blackwood, Human Resources Manager, Apex Hotels

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Photography: © iStockphoto.com

‘Much of AppSwing’s approach to the work experience programme is driven by my own experience during placements as a student.

Therefore, I am aware of what makes a work experience programme beneficial to a student, as well as to the company itself. The work experience programme gives all students who work at AppSwing an opportunity to experience a real working environment. They are treated like a full-time employee and therefore are able to contribute as such. In terms of the company, work experience placements allow AppSwing to carry out projects or small pieces of work that they would not otherwise have had the capacity to undertake.’ Neil Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, AppSwing Ltd.

APPLICATION DOS WORK EXPERIENCE CAN MAKE YOU STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD WHEN APPLYING FOR JOBS, BUT HOW DO YOU GET AHEAD WHEN GOING FOR PLACEMENTS? REAL WORLD HAS SOME TIPS ON HOW TO GET NOTICED:

ALWAYS Apply e arly. Pla ces get some re filled qu search ickly so early in do to apply the yea ahead o r and be f the sp ready way you ring term r applic rush. Th ation w pile and at ill be on you can the top concen of the trate on your ex ams.

Be avail able. Su mmer h institutio o liday da n to inst tes vary itution so them kn from make su ow exa re you le ctly whe give as t n you are many d free. Try ate opti Remem to ons as y ber, you ou can. will be m placem ore like ent if yo ly to ge u are fre ta months e for a c rather th ouple o an for a f couple of week s.

the careers section of the Do as you are told. Go to find out how they employer’s website and nce candidates should erie exp k wor recommend application form, fill it in ne apply. If there’s an onli c r CV. If there is a specifi you ding sen just rather than number, ne pho e, nam the of contact, make a note you can target the right and email address so that lication accordingly. app r you person and track is sure the layout of your CV Structure your CV. Make tion rma info lay Disp dly. professional and user frien er most recent first. Your high chronologically, with the r than your loye emp the to t van education is more rele any be logical, and don’t go school sports teams so Es. further back than GCS

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for places is fierce, so Get informed. Competition on the companies up d clue are make sure you y want to know why you you are applying to. The e clear that you have don it e mak so are applying, ng ethi som ude incl your research, and try to tion about why you are interesting in your applica h company. eac in specifically interested ’t hear back after your Be persistent. If you don a w it up with an email or postal application, follo you are that r clea it e mak will phone call. This ate the application keen, and may acceler process. g for work experience Take some time. Applyin s. filling in job application as can take just as long r you r tailo to rself time Make sure you leave you to different companies CV and covering letter . within your target industry

List your achievements. According to research by www.iprofile.org/Career-Advice, jobseekers (and that includes those looking for work experience) tend to focus on listing general responsibilities rather than their own personal achievements on their resumés.

According to iprofile’s Karl Gregory: ‘Most people think a quirky CV style or generic responsibilities are what employers are looking for, but the research shows the specific achievements of individuals are what make the difference. We work with some of the biggest recruiters in the UK and they tell us that candidates regularly undersell their achievements.’ If you’ve joined a university club or society, do voluntary work, or have had experiences that show you can take responsibility and lead others, or operate as part of an effective team, then include them on your CV – they could be what sets you apart from other candidates.

WORK EXPERIENCE | DO’S & DONT’S

S & DON’TS NEVER Do blanket applications.

You shouldn’t apply for work experience just anywhe re to get CV points.

Employers can tell if you are really interested in thei r company and you are unli kely to be successful if you fail to demonstrate any genuine motivation. You are also more likely to find your experience enjoyab le and useful if you do you r research and apply for something you are truly interested in.

Make avoidable mistake s. There is no excuse for spelling and grammar mis takes in CVs and coverin g letters. Make use of com puter software and do a spelling and grammar che ck before sending anything. If in doubt, you can always reach for a good, old-fashioned dict ionary, or ask a friend to read over your application before you send it.

Write an essay. This is not an academic assignment, and no employer has the time or the inclination to sift through pages of information just to find what is relevant to the application process. A good CV should be no longer than two A4 sides and type should be well spaced out to allow easy access. Make sure your contact details are at the top of the page.

Be scared to say what you want. Employers want to know what you expect to get out of your time on a work experience placement. You can be honest about what you hope to learn as well as what you think you have to offer, and this will make the experience more rewarding for you and your employer.

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PLACES GET FILLED QUICKLY SO DO SOME RESEARCH EARLY IN THE YEAR AND BE READY TO APPLY AHEAD OF THE SPRING TERM RUSH.

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IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED… • Don’t take it personally. So many people apply for these places every year that it’s impossible for employers to take on everyone they would like.

Follow th e crowd.

Try and b your app e interest lication le ing in tter by st attention arting off grabbing with informatio just intro n rather ducing yo than urself with age and your nam university e, . Employe hundred rs will read s of these applicatio do some ns so try thing a b and it differen applicatio t to make n stand o your ut.

• Re-write your covering letter. It may be that your style wasn’t quite what they were looking for. Re-working your application can make a huge difference.

• Try, try again. Don’t be put off by negative experiences. Chances are if you keep trying you will eventually find something and, in the mean time, making applications is great practice for when you come to apply for jobs.

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overseas opportunities | case studies

the home front Work experience in the UK Getting some real hands-on experience of work with a UKbased company can be the first step to getting a permanent position. Read on to find out what you should be looking for from work experience here in Britain.

Although taking a gap year, or doing an internship or work experience, abroad may sound glamorous and very appealing, there are plenty of reasons for looking for a placement closer to home.

Apparently, thirty per cent of graduates who do internships with firms here in the UK then go on to get a permanent job with that firm. However, this is not the only reason for seeking experience here; other factors you should consider include any payment you will receive (the average placement pays £14,000); the costs you save by not having to travel large distances; and if you are doing your placement between your second and third year at university, some companies will then sponsor you when you return to your studies.

Although any form of work experience looks good on your CV, if you can do a placement or internship for longer than a week or fortnight (over the summer break

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for instance, or for a whole year) it can have real benefits. Short placements usually consist of an ‘overview’ of what work is really like, with students assisting or shadowing existing employees and completing more rudimentary tasks. With longer placements you get a chance to do specific projects or tasks where you may have sole ownership. Such high levels of responsibility can really hone work-specific skills such as time management, problem solving and, if the task involves a lot of collaboration with colleagues, also team working. Many students discover the work-related skills they have learned while on their placement help with their studies when they return to university – in a way they ‘link up’ the practical with the academic, making the theory more understandable.

For students, not only are placements a great way to earn while you learn, they can also be a practical way of seeing whether a particular work sector or company is really for you, so if you want to impress a prospective future employer, be sure to show off your motivation, management skills, and enthusiasm!n

Helen Rogers Age: 23 Degree and university: (BA) Hons Marketing Management at Newcastle Business School, part of Northumbria University.

Work experience: I worked for HJ Heinz as a Marketing Assistant in the Infant Feeding Department Reasons for doing work experience I thought it would make me more employable. There are so many students that are eager for jobs when they graduate, so I wanted to make sure I had the experience behind me to stand out above the rest. I chose to work with HJ

Heinz because they are a well-known brand, and through my research I knew they treat their staff with huge respect. Once I was there they provided me with loads of support and advice which I was very grateful for.

Tasks carried out during work experience I launched the new Heinz Chocolate Biscotti into the baby food market within six months by managing my own budget, and deciding on the design of the product, which was a big responsibility. Walking into a supermarket and seeing a product on the shelves because of your hard work is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences. I also ran the online communications during my placement.

Impact on career progression I was offered a graduate job at HJ Heinz shortly after completing my placement which was fantastic news. My experience clearly stood out on my CV, which was one of the reasons why I took the work placement.

What were the highlights of what you did and were there any downsides? Being in London was definitely a highlight because it was very different to where I’m from in Durham. Being in the middle of everything was brilliant because there’s always something happening in London, and I am pleased to have experienced that.

The money was definitely a factor because everything is so expensive in London. Also, as I was effectively working in full-time employment, I could no longer live like a student. I initially found it really hard getting up at nine o’clock every morning after getting up whenever I wanted to during university, but this is something that I’m going to have to get used to.

What did you gain from the experience personally? The contacts I made have been really helpful in my final year at university, and the experience from my placement at HJ Heinz has been character building. I am definitely a lot more focused, dedicated, and clearly more knowledgeable.

internship/placement | case studies

Fortuna Burke Degree and university: Law LLB, Commercial Law LLM, University College London Placement: BBC Radio Newsroom.

BBC Radio Newsroom received the Highly Commended Award in the ‘Best Work Experience as Nominated by a Student’ Category at the 2007/08 National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) Awards

Claire Lindsay

Age: 21 University and degree: Newcastle Business School – Part of Northumbria University BA (Hons) Corporate Management Title – Global Communication and Planning Manager Work Experience: George at Asda Why did you decide to do work experience? It was part of an innovative degree offered at Newcastle Business School, the only one of its kind in the North of England, with a unique two year internship that provides the opportunity of applying university based learning to a real business environment.

Can you explain what you did on your work experience? I worked in George for two years on placement, spending one year in Retail Operations, and my second year for Global George. In the first year I gained understanding and experience of all aspects of Retail Operations, but in particular how the Central Business communicates to stores. During this time I devised Store Activity Planner, which allowed the business to see at a glance what activity was due to land or be implemented by stores across a 52 week period, thus enabling the business to re-align activity into quieter periods.

I joined Global in summer of 2006 and was able to apply learning from retail to create Global Activity Planner which enabled the business to monitor activity across seven global Markets. I’ve also taken over the management of Global Critical Path management, where I am responsible for agreeing and aligning all critical development milestones for all our markets. This has resulted in me travelling to visit Wal-Mart businesses in Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Brazil and USA. My role involved liaising with the design,

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building relationships and my business knowledge were both great experiences.

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buying and branding teams worldwide, to map out critical paths for each of the global markets.

Has your work experience been relevant to your future employment? Since joining in July 2005, I have had a great time in both my roles in George as Trading Operations Assistant and Global Communications and Planning Manager. I spent the first two years completing a work placement at George, whilst studying full time for my university degree.

I have learnt so much from my two roles and have met a lot of fantastic people, I have built up a lot of great working relationships and had great mentors at a senior level helping me to develop and grow. By working in these roles I have also had the opportunity to gain a broad understanding of the business operations in the UK and globally.

What did you like best about what you did and were there any downsides?

Building relationships and having the opportunity to build up my business knowledge in different areas of the UK and International Business were both great. Also, I learned to develop key business skills, had great support from senior individuals in the business, and did a lot of travelling.

What did you actually do on placement?

During the week-long placement with the Radio Newsroom, I completed many tasks, following the process of news from writing through to it being aired. I learned how to write news stories, using simple communication in a way that would get a particular message across to the listener very quickly. I was then coached by the newsreaders, Harriet Cass and Annie McKie on how to read the news. A particular highlight of the week was hearing my own news stories read out on Radio 4. I also watched the Jeremy Vine show on Radio 2 go out live, and met the Radio 4 newsreader Brian Perkins.

What do you think you learned while on placement? The experience enabled me to work in a highly pressured environment, to very tight deadlines. This has impacted on my studies, making me more organised and aware of what can be achieved in a short time. While my degree in law did not directly lead in to this line of work, the work experience drove my enthusiasm and particularly highlighted an interest in

production. Following on from my work experience, I am currently in the process of applying for an 18-month production trainee scheme at the BBC. Would you recommend work experience to other undergraduates? I would recommend work experience placements to anyone who wants to try out a particular area of work, in order to gauge interest. I found my work experience gave me insight into what a journalist really does; something which I am now hoping to build on in my career.

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Director of the company as well as the staff has improved my understanding of business, and helped me contribute to the company’s success, something I am very proud of.

It was not easy at the beginning as I had a lot to learn, and I was only 19 at the time I started my placement, and being given such responsibility was challenging and made me question my own abilities.

Areti Antonakopoulou Age: 20 Degree and university: University of Warwick, BSc Management Work Experience: Abracadabra UK Ltd. What did you do on your work experience? I did three months during the summer of 2007 at Abracadabra UK Ltd. The company wholesales gifts to the retail industry, and also has a wholesale and retail website. I was responsible for maintaining and improving the websites, as well as for the IT systems of the company. I was also part of the company’s marketing team, which included preparing PR material for the company and promotional material for its products, as well as representing the company at trade shows, and doing some design work on potential products. I did my placement during the summer after my second year and before my final year. I subsequently worked for the company during my final year as well.

How did you find out about this particular placement? I initially applied for a marketing internship as I wanted to get real life business experience. I learned about Graduate Advantage through my University’s Careers Service and applied. After a couple of weeks I received an invitation to attend an interview at the company.

Would you recommend work placements to other students? Definitely. Although my degree has allowed me to gain some knowledge in business, it is not until you experience a business environment that you can know what actually works in practice and what doesn’t. It also shows future employers you have enthusiasm and passion for the specific area you want to work in.

What did you like the most about what you did and were there any downsides? Having worked in a SME, I was able to get involved in almost every aspect of the company’s day-to-day activities. I gained experience as to how theory can be different from practice, and working closely with the Managing

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What skills do you think you learned while there? I was able to experience firsthand how organisations and wholesalers/retailers interact and work together. I was also able to improve my design and website development skills and execute marketing and PR tasks that I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. I was also able to meet some incredible and inspiring people, and work with some of the most charismatic and helpful people I have ever met. All employees of the company helped me adjust and were very supportive every step of the way. They made me feel trusted, and confident in my abilities.

What advice would you give graduates wishing to do work experience? Do work experience in an area you are really interested in, and don’t be afraid to say that you don’t know something or to make a mistake. If you are passionate enough, what you don’t know, you can learn. And if you don’t make any mistakes, you won’t have learned anything from the work experience.

Making mistakes means that you learn something and you improve, and that’s what work experience is about too. Don’t forget to have fun. Work experience is about that, too!

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i was able to meet some incredible and inspiring people, and work with some of the most charismatic and helpful people.

Richard Treeves

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Age: 22 University: University of Hertfordshire Degree: BEng (Hons) Sandwich Degree in Aerospace Engineering Work Experience: Virgin Atlantic Engineering – Undergraduate Engineer. Virgin Atlantic Engineering won the ‘Over 250 Employees – long term placements 4-12 Months’ Category at the 2007/08 National Council for Work Experience Awards.

Why did you decide to do work experience?

The Aerospace Engineering course, at the University of Hertfordshire, offers the option to take a year in industry, which the university highly recommends. Top graduate positions are notoriously competitive so doing an industrial placement can really give you the edge. I want to work in the airline business, and by undertaking an industrial placement at Virgin Atlantic I feel I have greatly increased my chances of being employed on graduating.

Why do this particular placement? I was attracted by the overall structure of the programme, which offers experience in at least four areas of the business, giving me the opportunity to gain a wide range of skills.

There is also training offered throughout the 12 months and the chance to gain hands on experience working on aircraft that would prove invaluable for my final year studies back at university.

What did you do on your placement? I spent time in five different areas of the business - Cabin Product Development, Maintenance Planning, Risk and Insurance, Flight Operations, and Propulsion. I completed various projects within these areas, including a project within Flight Operations for Flight Technical Services, which I based my final year project at university on. The project was about fuel burn performance and I had to present a large report of my findings to the company.

What do you believe you got out of the placement? There were many aspects I enjoyed, but perhaps the most prominent of these was actually spending time working on the aircraft, and getting work actioned for engineers to carry out on the aircraft.

Carrying out major projects that can make a real difference to the department and the airline as a whole was a very rewarding experience. It has also helped with my final year studies, in terms of being able to gain working knowledge of the theory, which will inevitably improve my chances of employment. I’ve already found that my placement has proved beneficial, as I’ve been offered more than one graduate scheme, which I believe is largely because my Industrial Placement differentiated me from other potential candidates. The placement emphasised my desire to work in the industry to employers, and has confirmed this is where I want to begin my career.

work experience | case studies

What do you need to succeed at work placements? It is important to go in to a work experience placement willing to learn, to ask questions, and to be enthusiastic. Students must be inquisitive, because you will often need to ask questions in order to understand things. I found that members of staff were only too happy to help and answer these questions. Students should also be willing to work with, and meet lots of different people. I worked in five different areas of the business, which meant getting to know five different departments at three different offices. It is essential to build relationships quickly in order to get work completed and show off what you are capable of.

What advice would you give to other people about work experience? If doing work experience as part of a sandwich degree you need to be well organised and prepared.

Start searching and applying for placements as early on in the second year as possible.

Alex Hall Age: 22 Degree and university: Marketing BA (Hons), University of Portsmouth Work Experience: Marketing Executive in the Entertainment and Devices Division of Microsoft UK. Why did you decide to do work experience?

I had always felt it necessary to try and sample working life in a position similar to one which I would like upon graduation. I thought this would help me find out if it was truly for me, or if I needed to cast my net wider or in different places. Additionally, and regardless of whether it was for me or not, I thought the entire experience would be a huge learning curve, both personally and professionally.

Why did you choose this particular placement? It was more a case of Microsoft choosing me rather than the other way around! The opportunity to work for Microsoft at an intern level is simply something you can’t refuse, particularly when you’ve been witness to the environment and facilities where you spend the majority of your working

week. One of the obvious benefits is to be able to speak about working for Microsoft with potential employers upon graduation, and given the weight of Microsoft in the professional community, this is something that should not be taken lightly.

As for my specific placement role, the Entertainment and Devices Division is responsible for some of the most consumer facing business within Microsoft.

As a result I worked with the Xbox 360 console marketing teams for much of my time at Microsoft, and that fact wasn’t lost on me when I applied for the role!

Tasks carried out during work experience: There are far too many to mention, though some highlights would be working on the Halo 3 launch during which I contributed to the launch of one the most successful games of all time. Having responsibilities including marketing in-store, working directly with our retail partners to launch titles and products, and taking on several different roles during my time, have been hugely enjoyable. I also worked on other game launches, the launch of the Xbox 360 Elite console, and most recently on the music festival and event sponsorship side of our brand marketing.

To have the opportunity to really affect the consumer’s decision when they are purchasing, and to try and understand the consumer mindset, is fascinating to me. As a result it certainly contributed to my interest and enjoyment of my year here.

How has your work experience impacted on your career progression? This is an aspect which cannot be underestimated when working for Microsoft.

I have no doubt that being able to state on your CV that you have worked for Microsoft is no mean feat, and is something that can only be viewed as a major asset for future career applications. Working in any major organisation means you will come into contact with many people, who in years to come may be making recruitment decisions themselves, so there’s always an incentive to impress!

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i was convinced at one point that i didn’t want to do work experience, but now i wouldn’t change a thing about the last year.

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What qualities do you need to make a success of work experience? Being able to put the work in that’s required. At university there are many ways to pass a test, and many scores you can get for submitting coursework.

In a workplace if something doesn’t get done then there’s no room for manoeuvre, and to prevent that from happening sometimes more hours are required than is otherwise the norm.

However, when the task at hand is a success, the hours seem worthwhile.

Have you any advice for people wanting to do work experience? I couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s remarkable looking back at my time before working at Microsoft, and realising how little I knew about working life and the dynamics that go with it. I was convinced at one point that I didn’t want to do work experience, but now I would say that I wouldn’t change a thing about the last year.

Kathleen Edwards Age: 22 Degree and university: BA (Hons) Business Studies, Newcastle Business School, part of Northumbria University Work Experience: One year placement at Goldman Sachs in London, one of the world’s leading investment banks, as part of my degree programme.

Reasons for doing work experience. I had

What were the highlights of your work experience and were there any downsides?

Highlights would be working on the Halo 3 launch and also going to Ibiza to help launch Rockband and Xbox sponsorship of the Ibiza Rocks Hotel.

I would say getting used to the working hours on a full time basis would certainly be one of the downsides! However working for Microsoft, it’s hard to find anything to complain about.

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What do you think you gained personally? I would say the overall experience would be the largest personal gain, being able to say you have added value to a team for a year, and becoming a part of that team, improves your knowledge of the working environment no end.

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I would recommend getting as much experience as possible as it places you in the best situation for gaining the job of your dreams.

Susanne Gray

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followed the company for a while and knew of its fantastic reputation, so it was an ideal opportunity to seek out as I am required to do a year long placement for my degree.

Securing the placement itself was an intense process which involved an initial interview followed by several 45 minute interviews completed in quick succession, but I did my best and it has paid off.

Reasons for choosing placement. I was determined to succeed in getting this placement because I wanted to work for Goldman Sachs. Work experience consisted of doing something different every day.

The combined aspects of classroom-based learning and working in industry are a good launching point for a career in any business sector, so I hope to go far.

What did you like most about your work experience and were there any downsides?

I liked the experience of living in London, away from North Shields where I currently have my own flat. I am also being paid a salary of £33,000 which helped with my living costs while in London.

What did you gain from the experience personally? The invaluable hands-on experience has benefited me in so many ways. I learned a lot and developed my existing skills and knowledge, so when I return to university for my final year, I can finish my degree with extra experience in comparison to those who have no work experience.

Qualities needed for work experience.

Definitely determination and the ability to work hard, and also wanting to work hard too. Thanks to the broad range of modules I have studied throughout my degree and my work experience I can take this knowledge and apply it across the business spectrum, so I know I have the qualities needed as a starting point.

Do you have any advice for people wanting to do work experience? I would recommend getting as much experience as possible as it places you in the best situation for gaining the job of your dreams in the future.

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Age: 25 Degree and University: Paisley University, BSc Honours in Medicinal Chemistry Placement: Controlled Therapeutics.

Controlled Therapeutics won the ‘Best Work Experience Provider 10-250 Employees’ Category at the 2007/08 National Council for Work Experience Awards.

Why did you decide to do work experience? I completed a ten week placement at Controlled Therapeutics as part of my HND in Analytical Chemistry.

I had previously worked as a pharmacy technician at my local pharmacy.

Controlled Therapeutics develop, manufacture and licence pharmaceutical products and they offered me a chance to build on my pre-existing knowledge.

What did you actually do? During the placement I completed project work to fit the needs of the company. In particular, I carried out an optimisation study, and excipient compatibility study that in turn led to a stable formulation for a product that will be put on the market. After I graduated I was offered a full-time position at Controlled Therapeutics and I now work for the company as an Analytical Scientist. I feel that my work experience helped me get this position, as the company was able to see my commitment, enthusiasm, and abilities before offering me a job. However, I also feel the placement would have helped obtain a job within another company, had I not stayed at Controlled Therapeutics, because it demonstrated my commitment to the sector.

What did you most enjoy about the placement and were there any downsides? A particular highlight of the work experience for me was being given my own project to work on, and the responsibilities and trust that came as a

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you need to be enthusiastic -- it is important to make an effort to fit in and be pro-active during your placement.

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part of the project. I found that I was treated as part of the team, rather than a temporary employee. Experiencing the real working life of the company meant that I knew what to expect when accepting a full-time job there.The work experience programme was a thoroughly positive experience for me and I did not find any downsides.

What do you think you gained from your placement? The nature of project work meant that I was largely left to my own devices, allowing me to develop confidence in my abilities, and gain real experience of the working environment.

What qualities do you feel you need to make a successs of placements?

From my experience, I feel that to get the most out of work experience, you need to be enthusiastic – it is important to make an effort to fit in. It is also important to show initiative and be pro-active during your placement because not only will this impress employers but it may also expose you to greater responsibility.

What would you say to other graduates thinking about doing work experience?

I would advise anyone who is offered a work experience placement to accept it, as it can open doors to a future career.

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career, I will be an extra year ahead in terms of ability, knowledge and understanding as a result of this industrial placement.

Adjusting to the difference between university and working life was challenging, both at the beginning of my placement and when I returned to university. However, I found the experience very rewarding and would definitely recommend it to other students.

What do you need to make a success out of work experience? I found that self motivation, time management, communication skills, and a desire to succeed are essential. A placement should not be seen as a gap year; you need to be prepared to work hard, and the company expects you to do this, as with all members of staff.

Steve Oliver Age: 23 University: University of Hertfordshire Degree: BEng (Hons) Sandwich Degree in Aerospace Systems Engineering Work Experience: Virgin Atlantic Engineering – Undergraduate Engineer. Virgin Atlantic Engineering won the ‘Over 250 Employees – long term placements 4-12 Months’ Category at the 2007/08 National Council for Work Experience Awards.

Why did you decide to do work experience? I felt that an industrial placement can carry a lot of weight on a CV, perhaps even more so than a Masters in Engineering. It was important for me to gain real work-place experience so I had an idea of what to expect after my studies. I instinctively knew that Virgin Atlantic’s placement would be right for me. I had decided to do a placement fairly late on in my second year, but everything with Virgin seemed to ‘fall into place’ really well.

What advice would you give other graduates contemplating work experience? I wondered what benefits I would gain from it, but now I feel it was the most productive year of my university studies, and would recommend it to anyone who finds themselves with the opportunity to take up a work experience placement. A placement year provides the opportunity to see all of your previous studies in action, and all studies following can be applied to the real situations encountered in industry, equipping you with a much wider scope and better understanding of the subject areas than people who have not completed a placement.

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What did you actually do? I did my placement in the summer between my first and second years and found out about the Graduate Advantage placement scheme (which provides paid work placements and employability training for students and graduates based within the West Midlands) after I had emailed the Warwick careers service asking for details of summer placements. I was in charge of marketing which involved collating the existing client base and then trying to expand it.

What did you like and dislike about what you did? I enjoyed working in a small family-owned business and being part of a close team instead of a number in a massive corporation. It was a fantastic way to be introduced into the working world gently, and gave me a clearer idea of what I wanted to do on graduation. Apart from early mornings there was not a downside to the experience, it was highly beneficial.

What did you actually do? During my time at Virgin I worked within four departments – Acquisitions, Reliability, Cabin Development, and Avionic Development. I worked as an office based engineer who was technically involved in the entire Virgin Atlantic fleet, as part of teams that looked after lease contacts, aircraft component reliability and fleet maintenance optimisation, and upper class cabin design and development, as well as looking after all avionic equipment on board the aircraft.

What do you think you gained from your work placement? I found my entire placement enjoyable, but I particularly benefited from seeing the realisation of my work progressing from conception to inclusion on the aircraft.

Virgin’s placement allows students to see and work in a wide range of places within the engineering department, which means you are constantly learning. For instance, I gained a lot of general industry knowledge that I will be able to build on during my career. I believe that for the first few years of my

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a placement year provides the opportunity to see all of your previous studies put into action, and all studies following can be applied to the real situations encountered in industry.

What skills did you employ to make a success of what you did? The most important skills were time management and prioritising the most important tasks. At work, in order to complete all tasks to a high standard, one must be motivated and organised.

Hannah Taylor Age: 20 Degree and university: History and Sociology at the University of Warwick.

Placement: Bradon Engineering in Coventry in the summer of 2007.

What advice would you give to other students doing work experience? The best piece of advice I could give to a graduate would be to just go for it. In a day and age where more people than ever have a degree and will be applying for the same jobs as you, you have to stand out from the crowd, and having experience is the perfect way to do this. Experience is highly valuable and cannot be learnt from a book.

This has offered me a valuable experience and I would like to thank Graduate Advantage and encourage other students to join the programme so they continue to be funded. I would definitely recommend a placement to students as I have found employers to be very impressed by this.

work placement | case studies

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these learning experiences can be included on my cv, and help towards making me a really strong candidate when i start job hunting during my final year.

Nadine Jones

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Age: 22 Degree And University: Business with Law, Kingston University Work Experience: I have been working with the Corporate Finance Team at Grant Thornton UK LLP since June 2007. The Corporate Finance Team advises companies on how to grow as entities using strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, restructuring, or raising capital. I am studying business with law, therefore learning more about corporate finance and the intricacies of how companies interact with the market has really helped cement my understanding of what I have been studying.

Why did you decide to do work experience? My degree at Kingston University offers students the opportunity to spend their third year of the course on placement working within a company.

This is great because as useful as learning theory is, there really is no substitute for learning what the real world is like, and how to implement the theory.

Why did you choose this placement? I wanted to go somewhere where I would receive good training and have the opportunity to learn about the financial services industry. Accounting and finance are the fundamentals of business, and you can go anywhere in the corporate world if you have a good understanding of them – especially as a new recruit out of university. I applied to Grant Thornton and was really pleased when I found out I had been accepted.

What have you been doing during your work experience? I am required to carry out research, which includes researching a specific company that would be good to acquire in preparation for a potential

buyers list, which I collate as part of the process of selling a client’s business, and preparing research reports on particular markets or industries (gathering data, analysing and summarising it), to ensure the team is fully informed of past events or developments that could affect our clients. I have also been involved in technical tasks such as company valuations, and in preparing presentations to be given to both potential clients and potential investors.

What impact has this had on your career progression? I have received training since joining the firm, which has included spending a few days with the national research team in London, where I learnt about the various research databases available, and how to use them effectively. I have also attended the Introduction to Corporate Finance course at Grant Thornton’s training centre in Bradenham. These learning experiences can be included on my CV, and help towards making me a really strong candidate when I start job hunting during my final year.

What have been the highlights of your work experience and were there any downsides? The experience at Grant Thornton has been fantastic. There is a very supportive environment here and everyone has been very approachable and friendly. I have enjoyed being involved with social activities, such as a trip to Edinburgh with the corporate finance teams from London and Milton Keynes, and I have also enjoyed the wine tasting evenings we have held at the office for our intermediaries. A highlight for me was being asked by my visiting university tutor to present to potential placement students at the university on

my experience. My team was really supportive, and one member of the team helped me create an impressive presentation. I was able to take the afternoon off to attend university and present to the students.

It’s been almost a year but I have to admit I still haven’t got used to getting up early in the morning!

What have you gained personally? It’s been a great experience. I’ve met loads of people through work and I have even been involved in voluntary community work sponsored by Grant Thornton. I also play on the women’s football team and have been rock climbing with my team!

Since joining last June I have been gaining a valuable insight into potential career opportunities within Grant Thornton, and I am looking forward to this, concluding with a one month secondment into the audit department in July.

What qualities do you need to make a success of work experience? You need to be willing to take on anything that is asked of you. You need to be patient, but also enthusiastic and ready to learn.

Finding and securing a placement can be a long process, but you should not let this put you off as it is definitely worth the hard work! My team has been supportive of my development, and I would suggest to other placement students that it is important to get involved and not to be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Advice for people wanting to do work experience. I would definitely recommend a placement – knowing how to operate in a professional environment, and working for a good company, makes your CV so much stronger.

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work experience | case studies

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you need a friendly approach to everyone around you as you never know what they’ll be able to offer you.

Rachel Pigott

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Age: 23 Degree and university: Politics, Philosophy and Economics, York Work Experience: 6 week Summer Internship with Ernst & Young (EY) in 2006.

Why did you decide to do work experience?

I applied for internships in my second year to gain insight into potential careers. My degree did not lead directly to any specific career so I wanted to get an idea of the options available to me. It was also an opportunity to learn, pick up new skills and meet like-minded people, and I needed funds for a month travelling around Mexico later that summer!

Why did you decide on this placement? Ernst & Young offered a distinctive internship scheme, which was only six weeks long. In the end I enjoyed it so much, I extended my placement by one week! I had an immediate support network through a counselling manager and a buddy and there were weekly social events which gave me the chance to get to know others on the scheme.

What did you actually do? I worked with a variety of clients, including a leading airline and a dot.com. There were odd occasions when I was photocopying, but I was mostly given the same work as a first year graduate joining the firm.

What impact has this had on your career progression? I was offered a graduate job

with Ernst & Young, which meant I went into my final year not having to worry about time-consuming application forms and nerve-wracking interviews. I was able to defer my start date by nine months which enabled me to participate in other work experience and go travelling before I started work. I knew exactly what to expect on day one; I recognised faces around the office; and, as many of my fellow interns had also joined the firm, I had friends in other departments.

Finally, it helped me realise the value of an accountancy qualification.

What were the highlights? Ernst & Young put a lot of effort into the scheme. The induction week was great. I lived in halls of residence near the induction centre for the first week, learned a great deal about the firm, and also had fun both during and outside working hours. Being offered a place on the graduate scheme at the end of the internship was great!

What personal qualities do you need to bring to work experience? Enthusiasm, willingness to learn, ability and desire to work closely with others.

Have you any advice for people wanting to do work experience? Don’t cut corners at the application stage. Do lots of practice tests before doing the real ones, and ensure your interview answers are well thought out.

Prepare well for interviews and explain why you want to work for that firm in particular.

Emma Fletcher Age: 23 Degree and university: BA (Hons) English, University of Wales, and University of Birmingham for a PGCE. Worked with PGL, the UK’s leading provider of residential holidays for children. Emma is now a PGL Senior Group Leader.

What did you do on your gap year?

I graduated from Aberystwyth in 2005 and returned to work at PGL, where I had worked during the summer of 2004. My role involved looking after and entertaining children at the outdoor activity centre. I then returned home and worked at Boots over the Christmas period, where I had also worked previously.

At the start of January I went to New Zealand for four months. The trip had been organised via World Challenge and meant I had some support while I was travelling. I had applied to work at The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand, which is based in the centre of the North Island. While I was there I helped out with the gear hire for visitors, carried out general maintenance tasks, and was able to go out with the instructors and their group of students on their week of activities. During the time we were there they opened another centre on Great Barrier Island and I was involved with some of the opening ceremonies. I was the support driver for the teenagers aged 16-18

that completed the journey. I was also lucky enough to be able to meet Sir Edmund Hillary and Helen Clark the prime minister.

After I finished work at the centre I travelled around New Zealand for a few weeks. I was able to do a parachute jump, a bungee jump, go in a helicopter, and on a jet boat. I had a fantastic time and was able to experience many things that I had never done before. On one of our trips we were also invited to stay with a Maori family, which was a unique experience in itself. After I returned from New Zealand I went back to PGL and continued to work there until the start of September.

What was your motivation in taking a gap year? I wanted to have a break from study before going in to a full-time job. I did not have a year out before going to university as I didn’t feel ready to do it, but after I graduated I wanted to see some of the world.

How did you fund your gap year? I worked at Boots, which provided me with a bit of money, and I was also fortunate enough to have some help from my parents.

To what extent has your gap year helped your career? It gave me further insight into what it was like to work with children, and I have subsequently returned to university to do a PGCE. I also gained more confidence in my own abilities.

What skills do you need to make a success of a gap year? Flexibility – you need to take things as they come. Be ready to try all different things. You need a friendly approach to everyone around you as you never know what they will be able to offer you!

What would be your best piece of advice for students considering doing a gap year? Do it!

Once you get into a job it becomes a lot more difficult to take a career break. www.pgl.co.uk/gapyear n

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mind the mini-gap

WORK EXPERIENCE | GAP YEAR

IF YOU WOULD RATHER BE DOING SOMETHING PHYSICALLY DEMANDING AND EXHILARATING DURING YOUR GAP YEAR THEN YOU ARE NOT ALONE, AS ADVENTURE MINI-BREAKS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR. MAX TOOKEY, SENIOR PSYCHOLOGY LECTURER AT GREENWICH UNIVERSITY, SPECIALISING IN THE STUDY OF CAREER AND LIFESTYLE, EXPLAINS WHY MINI-BREAKS CAN OFFER SIMILAR PROSPECTS TO THE MAINSTREAM GAP YEAR.

Photography: © iStockphoto.com

T

raditionally people have sought out work experience on gap years, but you can still gain a similar skill set from a mini-gap. You’ll be travelling for a shorter period of time, usually a maximum of three months, but you’ll be exploring destinations with the experts or independent tour operators – who act like a rough guide to the destination.

These companies can enhance your ability to get off the beaten track, as their knowledge of the countries you will be visiting may stem into tens of years. Aside from that, they may well incorporate work experience into the actual trip. Hey

used these skills in an unfamiliar environment. While there are undoubtedly team and leadership opportunities to be gained throughout university, being able to adapt these talents in a setting which is somewhat more removed from the norm, will undoubtedly highlight your unbound initiative, and separate you from a growing number of graduates, all looking to land a place on the same scheme.

Since you have a shorter period of time in which to grasp this knowledge it is vital to diarise your trip in detail, especially in terms of what you felt you learned from the experience. This

presto – a well balanced tour that does exactly what a gap year aims to do and all the planning is taken care of for you.

will put you one step ahead of the career game on your return home, as you can strategically plan how the events of your

You don’t have to spend 12 months on a gap year to shine at job interviews. What’s important to employers hoping to fill their graduate schemes is the ability to relate work experience to the real life workings of business. As a graduate, it’s also important to remember that you are still starting from the bottom up, and no one is expected to be an expert at this point of the game.

Many students want to go on trips that include some involvement with charities. As a mini-gapper you can find out how these non-profit organisations work, and on some occasions even participate in the day-to-day running of the charity. Companies such as Acacia Adventure Holidays now offer overland itineraries, some of which incorporate visits to charitable projects. Its Softpower project in Uganda (an optional activity on its 28-day Game Parks & Gorillas overland trip) is one example. Graduates get to grips with the workings of the charity on the ground, and work as a team to uplift and build community schools. Teamwork itself is a highly valuable commodity for graduates, especially if they can show how they

mini-gap would fit with those likely questions at that all important interview. Answers should be short, sharp and to the point, but it’s best to have all the details in place so you don’t miss any opportune sound bites.

Choosing a mini-gap as opposed to an entire year out might also be an economically sound option in the current climate.

Showing an employer that you have taken budget into account, rather than simply opting for the more expensive option, also shows you’ve got a head for hard facts and figures. These are sound practical skills for the business environment, which will no doubt make a further impact on the interviewer.

Finally, choose a trip that best suits your skill requirements and get involved – don’t be shy and pitch in – this will strengthen your social skills, and members of the group will be encouraged by you and feel at ease. Be prepared to challenge yourself and try activities you wouldn’t normally consider, you may find there is a whole new person under those preconceptions. Finally, enjoy the experience as a true learning environment needs to be relaxed and free from stress. 

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OVERSEAS OPPORTUNITIES

THESE DAYS THE WORLD REALLY IS YOUR OYSTER IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A GAP YEAR ABROAD. NOW YOU CAN VOLUNTEER TO WORK AT AN ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN THAILAND, TEACH ENGLISH TO SOUTH AMERICAN CHILDREN, OR TRAIN TO BE A NEWSPAPER REPORTER IN INDIA. WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO DO THE KEY IS TO EMBRACE THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE, KEEP A DIARY, AND MAKE SURE YOU ADD IT TO YOUR CV.

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OVERSEAS OPPORTUNITIES | OVERVIEW

D

Photography: © iStockphoto.com

oing a gap year has always been seen as an opportunity to gain some real life experiences before starting your career, and these days the choices of what you can do and where to go are truly mind-boggling. Today’s graduates are no longer content to sit in an office taking messages and answering the phones while on their year out, they would rather be doing something they consider really worthwhile instead. That’s why so many choose projects abroad where they can actually give something back to the country they are visiting, while having the experience of a lifetime.

According to Year Out Group, the association of leading UK-registered year out organisations, volunteering has now become the number one option with the most popular projects being teaching, general care, conservation projects, and community projects.

But how can you tell if the scheme you sign up to is really going to help the people, or the environment, of the country you visit? The answer, says Richard Oliver, chief executive of the Year Out Group, is to go with a reputable company and to really do your research. ‘There are organisations out there that don’t meet the standards we expect,’ he says, ‘but it is not difficult to find them out with careful research and by asking the right questions.’

GAP YEAR IN NUMBERS Each year, 200,000 young British people go on a gap year adventure, spending an average of £4,800 (Source: Mintel) In 2005, the global gap year travel market was worth £5 billion. This is set to grow to £20 billion by 2010 (Source: Mintel) TOP 5 GAP YEAR DESTINATIONS 1/ India 2/ Peru 3/ Tanzania 4/ China 5/ South Africa (Source: Year Out Group) TOP 5 TRAVEL GADGETS Head torch – 46.2 per cent Digital camera – 23.3 per cent MP3 palayer – 22.9 per cent Solar charger – 4.3 per cent GPS – 2.4 per cent TOP 5 BITS OF TRAVEL KIT Swiss army knife – 28.7 per cent Wet wipes – 26.5 per cent Mosquito spray – 24.7 per cent Gaffer tape – 10.4 per cent Travel pillow – 4.9 per cent TOP 5 MUSIC ARTISTS TO TRAVEL WITH Jack Johnson – 6.4 per cent Red Hot Chili Peppers – 4.3 per cent U2 – 4.2 per cent Coldplay – 3.5 per cent Bob Marley – 3 per cent (Source: Raleigh International)

THINGS TO ASK INCLUDE: • Who benefits from the programme?

they can manage their lives apart. Our

• What is the ethos of the organisation?

expeditions aim to discover the spirit of adventure that is in all young people.’

• Does the organisation offer health and safety assistance?

If you are considering taking a year out to broaden your horizons abroad

• What will I pay for?

• Is there any pre-departure training?

• Will there be someone in the country to contact?

• Will I be debriefed when I get back home?

then it pays to plan well in advance.

Make sure you travel with a reputable company and that people know where your itinerary is taking you. Check out the resources section later in this issue for all the best gap year websites around, and remember : travel safely and have the time of your life. 

Raleigh International has been offering safe, structured projects in off-thebeaten-track destinations since 1984.

Stacey Adams, Raleigh’s Chief Executive, says: ‘We take young people to places so remote that their mobile phones don’t work – it helps build their independence and prepares families for the next stage of life when the children will leave the nest. It gives both sides (parents and their offspring) the confidence to know that

Katrina Dunbar Age: 20 Degree and university: English Language and Spanish, Newcastle University Work Experience: Last summer I chose to do three months voluntary work in children’s homes in North-Eastern Argentina. I travelled with the organisation i-to-i, who specialise in voluntary and teaching work overseas.

Reasons for doing work experience I took a gap year between college and university and wanted to do something worthwhile, as well as travel to somewhere I’d never been before.

I’d worked with children before so voluntary work with underprivileged kids seemed just the thing for me!

Tasks carried out during work experience As volunteers our job generally was to occupy the children so the staff members at the home could get on with other duties such as cleaning, cooking, and maintenance. We would combine classroom-style teaching with creative activities, games, and sport. At meal-times we would also help out alongside the permanent staff.

Impact on career progression Working in a place where there are few tourists meant I picked up Spanish very quickly, which has opened up many new routes for my future career. The experience has also enabled me to work as a TEFL (Teacher of English as a Foreign Language) teacher, a career I’d never previously thought of. Working with children and with minimal resources has taught me to be innovative and flexible.

Highlights Highlights would include watching the children learn and have fun, as well as being forced to think on my feet when things didn’t go to plan!

Downsides Getting ill away from home is never fun, and I managed to get flu whilst out there. However, I now know that I can cope by myself if it happens again.

Personal Gains Living in another culture taught me so much about other people. I had a great time, learnt a lot of life skills, and made some fantastic friends with both volunteers and locals.

Qualities needed for work experience Energy and ingenuity are necessary for working with children, as well as patience.

Some days they just have no interest in the activities you’ve got planned!

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summer camp usa NCYPE.pdf

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overseas opportunities | case studies

‘

I loved the independence and the thrill of doing something completely alone. I was proud of myself for overcoming the fears i had about travelling alone.

’

experience! I was taken into hospital and I was very scared. Thankfully I was insured by BUNAC and AIG (American Insurance Group) so I knew I was in good hands and wouldn’t be left with the $3,000 medical bill.

Laura Marie O’Malley Age: 23 Degree and university: Hospitality Management, Glasgow Caledonian University Current Job Title: Management trainee ( Food and Beverage Department) GAP Year: Work America and BUNAC in North America What was your motivation for applying for this scheme? I have always been keen to travel, to experience new cultures, and meet new people. I also considered the benefits such an experience would have on my CV, and the possibility I would be one step ahead of other graduates when it came to employability.

What did you do during your time abroad?

The first year I worked in a country club for private members. I was a server, which mainly consisted of waiting tables and entertaining guests. I was asked to return the following year and was offered a supervisory role.

How did you fund this? Work America is certainly the most financially sound option if you are interested in living and working in North America. The first year I worked part-time in a bar and saved hard, but it was worth every hour worked! The second summer, I had been working for BUNAC as a Student Marketing Coordinator and instead of taking a wage, I earned credits which helped fund my second trip to the states.

What did you enjoy the most and were there any downsides? I loved the independence and the thrill of doing something completely alone. I was proud of myself for overcoming all the fears I had concerning travelling on my own and I loved meeting all the new and exciting people along the way.

I contracted E-Coli while I was over in America and that was not a pleasant

What skills did you gain? Apart from the confidence and defined sense of self which comes with travelling, I have also reached and achieved many personal goals. I have become a more patient, calmer person. I am more open-minded and understand many more cultures. I am more assertive, particularly when it comes to my career, and I think all of these skills have prepared me for leaving university and starting out in the real world!

well-deserved reputation for taking promising children out of the state orphanage system, which has a questionable record with regards to troubled children. Most of these children have awful, traumatic pasts and so Kitezh tries to give them what most children take for granted: a stable, loving home. Children live and go to school at two compounds. The largest, Kitezh, is situated 140 miles south of Moscow, deep in the countryside of the Kaluga region. The second area is called Orion and can be found less than 40 miles south from Moscow, which is spitting distance

by Russian standards. I spent most of my time in the latter.

What was your motivation in taking a gap year? Taking a year out is a brilliant opportunity. If it is planned well and you do something interesting, it can really broaden your horizons and leave you a better person as a result. It was a brilliant opportunity to start learning a new language and to experience a place that was completely alien to me. I should emphasise that before my decision to go I spoke no Russian whatsoever.

Russia was always a bit of a blind spot in my world knowledge and, culturally at least, what I knew about it could have been fitted onto an exceptionally small Post-it note. The Russia I discovered at Kitezh may not be anything like the Russia that lies beyond the trees that lined Orion, but I will never think of that beautiful country in the same way again. Every day

Do you think your time abroad will have a positive affect on your career prospects?

Definitely. I have been to numerous interviews and job fairs while looking for my dream job, and everyone I spoke to was very interested in my time abroad. They view this experience as proof that you are a confident, flexible candidate who can adapt to any situation.

Do you have any advice for other graduates?

Go and work abroad! I would also advise readers to do it by themselves. Although it can be a little daunting in the beginning, it allows you to break out of your comfort zone and make new friendships. I can’t recommend it enough.

Ben Duncan Age: 20 Degree and university: History/Politics, University of York.

Volunteered at a foster community in the Russian Federation with Ecologia What did you do? In the Summer of 2007 I worked as a volunteer at a foster community known as Kitezh. I was, first and foremost, an English teacher but did all manner of other jobs besides, ranging from chopping wood to cooking, planting trees and cleaning ponds, from building houses to organising games for the children. This brilliant organisation has a

challenged my perceptions of what Russians are really like and that has definitely changed me as a person.

How did you fund your gap year? I worked for a few months in the winter as an assistant photographer for a firm that took school photographs. Despite being absolutely useless at my job, I somehow managed to keep it, which was good as it was very lucrative work. I then started a job as a waiter at the Noodlebar, an upbeat, exciting restaurant staffed almost entirely by students and an experience that was almost as good as the travelling itself. In all honesty, the

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overseas opportunities | case studies

‘

taking a year out is a brilliant opportunity. It can really broaden your horizons and leave you a better person as a result.

David Knight

’

funding of my travels was an experience only a fraction less interesting and enlightening than the travels themselves.

What did you most enjoy about your gap year? Every experience I had in Russia was completely new to me: the wildlife, the lifestyle, the people, the food.... everything.

Even the sky was different! However, the highlight of my trip was not the scenery but what I got involved in. I had tea and cakes with ardent Stalinists after the 9th May Victory Day parade. I travelled around by sleeper train over a weekend to the ancient rural regions east of Moscow, which was a great experience. Also, the vast wealth of knowledge I left Russia with was a huge benefit. Give your average Orion volunteer some bricks, mortar and wood and he’ll build you a roof and then teach you some irregular verbs. A gap year should and will push you and you will be infinitely better for it.

Any downsides? None really. If I had a regret, it would be that I was not as good a teacher as I thought I could be. It really was a stressful job, even with their small class sizes and though I did improve eventually, I always thought I could do better.

What skills do you think you need to have a successful gap year? Only one, in my view, is truly necessary: arrive in the country with an open mind and be prepared to get stuck in with whatever you choose to do. Nothing will annoy a host more than turning your nose up at something just because your palate isn’t adventurous enough.

What’s your best piece of advice for students considering this? Your gap year will be infinitely less exciting if you don’t arrive with a broad outlook. What is the point of going to these places, seeing these people and having these experiences, if you don’t have the desire to try anything and everything that is presented to you? We choose to save up and travel around the world to experience something completely different and out of the ordinary from our everyday existence.

What is important is that we go for every opportunity that is available to us and try to experience the new and the unexpected. The sky really is the limit. www.ecologia.org.uk

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Age: 22 Studied music at Royal Holloway, University of London Work experience at Camp America When I applied for the Camp America programme I was in my second year of uni and wanted to do something a bit different while still earning some money over my summer. A friend of mine had been involved with Camp America the summer before and told me how much she loved it. It really sounded appealing to me, so I checked it out on the website and began the application process. I figured I’d gain some life experience, add to my CV, make some new friends, do what I love all summer, and spend three months in America.

Whilst I was at camp I was what the Americans call a “Camp Counselor”. It’s what they call the supervisors and activity leaders. The role of a camp counsellor is to be a mum, dad, brother, sister, best friend, teacher, and mentor to the kids you are responsible for. You spend 24 hours a day with the kids so it is pretty intense, but it’s incredible fun and you really do get something out of it. Most of the time there’ll be between five and 12 kids in your cabin and an age group of anywhere between six and 17.

When you’re not in the cabin you get the chance to teach something that you are good at. For example, at my camp I worked in what was called “The Rockshop”, which is basically the music department. I was teaching drums, singing and guitar. This was perfect for me, as I want to be a professional drummer! The possibilities of what you can teach are endless and it really does depend on what you are good at! You could teach sports, from tennis to soccer, and American football to baseball…even Disc Golf! Water sports are available, too, along with arts and crafts, drama, go-carting, rock climbing, hiking, cycling, computing and academic studies, yoga, and swimming. You’re guaranteed to get involved with something you’ve never done before!

Camp America is not expensive if you look at everything you get from it: You pay an initial £360, which covers the application process and agency fees, but you also get your flights and medical insurance. There is an optional fee for baggage insurance (which I would recommend that you take) and then on top of this you need to pay for a visa, CRB check and medical form. Over all it comes to a cost of about £500. But you get a three-month holiday and you’d usually pay that much for a week. Camp America provides a 24/7 helpline to help with problems and they provide support with all aspects of the application process. Besides that you get paid by the camp you work at when you come to the end of your nine weeks of work, then you have until the 31st October to travel before your visa runs out!

It’s also an incredible feeling knowing that you’ve made a difference in someone’s life and that’s the reason I’m going back for my third year at camp this summer. I love enabling kids to enjoy and make the most of their time away from home.

The only downside to camp is that it is really hard work and it is very intense a lot of the time. You don’t get much time off -- generally one day a week -- but you tend to overlook this because it’s such an awesome experience.

Being able to put on my CV that I’ve taught drums in America for nine months is cool because it shows that I have an experience that not a lot of other people can claim to have had, which I feel will give me a better chance of becoming a professional drummer, and if it wasn’t for Camp America I wouldn’t be able to say that.

My advice is don’t look at Camp America as a job for the summer, look at it as an incredible opportunity to not only experience, but also become a part of a different culture. You’ll make friends for life, you’ll make a difference to people and you’ll come back to England a totally different person!

Good luck!! n

WORK EXPERIENCE | FUTURE TREND

Future Trends A

s more and more employers begin to realise the benefits they can gain from running structured work experience programmes and internships, so new work experience initiatives are being launched. A recent development has been ‘train while gaining’ schemes – where you train while being employed (or garner work experience) from a company. One such is being offered by Lancaster University Management School. This BSc (Hons) Accounting, Auditing & Finance four year sandwich degree has been developed in partnership with Ernst & Young and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS). Features include up to 18 months spent on salaried placement with Ernst & Young, being fasttracked to qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (up to 18 months earlier than usual), and a first year bursary to cover university costs. Emma Judge, Senior Manager of Graduate Recruitment at Ernst & Young says: ‘The structure of the course means that students get top quality work experience and complete over half of their professional examinations ahead of their student peers, while our undergraduate group provides a unique resource for Ernst & Young.

Their 18 months work experience means that they are already well established in the firm and have good relationships with their clients and our people.’

Vicky Howlett Age: 20 Degree and university: Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) BSc Accounting, Auditing & Finance (EY Degree) What do you actually do? As part of the EY Degree I will be gaining 18 months work experience as an Associate in Ernst & Young’s Audit and Assurance services.

During my first three months work

placement in London I experienced working in a number of audit teams to help analyse the accuracy of clients’ accounting records.

Through learning and performing audit procedures I was also able to gain an understanding of business operations for a variety of clients in different industries.

Why did you decide to go into the Financial sector? I have always taken an interest in Business, Finance and Economics and therefore researched into careers in the financial sector. I also wanted a career that would allow me to progress and to specialise in the areas I find interesting.

How did you find out about this course? I received a letter about the EY Degree from Ernst & Young based on the information I had provided UCAS on the subjects I was interested in. I then contacted Lancaster University to find out more about the course and university open days.

Would you undertake more training to further your career? After completing the degree at LUMS I intend to pursue a Chartered Accountant qualification. During my placement, I also realised the importance of the day-to-day learning involved with the

work, as it helps to gain an overall understanding of the clients’ business.

What do you like most about what you do and are there any downsides? Throughout my placement I really enjoyed the variety of work I performed and the new experiences and challenges I had to face on a daily basis. I was able to meet and work with many interesting people and learn about a range of businesses, which definitely helped to keep the work interesting and enjoyable.

Due to the structure of the course it is important that you learn to manage your time effectively, especially for the work placements and the completion of university work. I found this really important, as it helps you learn to achieve a good work/life balance.

What skills do you need to succeed in this sector? Being enthusiastic and hard-working means you are able to gain as much from the experience as possible, especially as there are always plenty of activities to get involved in both at LUMS and Ernst & Young.

Good team working and communication skills are also important in audit, as they allow you to take a really active role in your audit teams. n

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work experience | resources

work placement resources www.gogapyear.com Foreign Office advice specifically for gappers. www.gapyear.com Specific advice for female travellers, including tips on forums. www.dh.gov.uk/travellers Department of Health Advice for Travellers – you can also apply for an EHIC (previously E111). www.carolinesrainbowfoundation.org Charity established to raise awareness of safety issues amongst backpackers and gappers; set up in memory of Caroline Stuttle, who was murdered in Australia during her gap year. www.objectivegapyear.com Safety courses run by ex-SAS trainers. www.safetrek.co.uk Dangers are not confined to crime or illness; many gappers fall victim to road safety accidents while travelling. Safetrek aims to keep you safe. www.step.org.uk Shell STEP offers a wide range of summer work experience placement opportunities. www.internjobs.com Offers internships of varying lengths to students. www.business-bridge.org.uk Work

www.placenet.org.uk PlaceNet is a registered UK charity that actively promotes the benefits of work experience. www.westfocus.org.uk CUT-IT, (Companies & University Talent Industry Training) launched in January 06, offers eight week paid placements for undergraduates, and graduates in firms in the WestFocus-area (i.e. West London area) undertaking short-term projects outside the summer period. www.gowales.co.uk Graduate Opportunities Wales - the most popular provider of work experience placements in Wales. www.ratemyplacement.co.uk Provides students with reviews and ratings of placement employers. www.nases.org.uk A list of contact details for all universities that have a student ‘Job Shop.’ www.hotrecruit.com A temporary jobs site dedicated to students.

experience for students at Liverpool universities or people returning to

www.aspectinternships.co.uk Aspect Internships UK and Ireland offers unpaid

Merseyside for the summer. www.yearoutgroup.org Offering

professional work experience placements in a range of UK-based companies.

opportunities to people taking a gap year. www.graduateadvantage.co.uk Provides

www.efwe.org CRAC’s European framework for work experience project.

paid work placements and employability training for students and graduates based

www.raleighinternational.org or call 020 7183 1270. Raleigh runs four- to ten-week

within the West Midlands. Placements can be between four weeks and 12 months, and encompass a wide variety of projects across business and industry.

expeditions to India, Borneo, Costa Rica and Nicaragua for anyone – whether they are aged 17 or 75 – considering taking a gap year or a career break.

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Are you looking for graduate work experience?

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Get a great graduate job

Fast Stream

Summer Placement Scheme, 2009

The Cabinet Office is recruiting for the 2009 Fast Stream Summer Placement Scheme, a work placement for undergraduates and graduates who are disabled, which introduces the interesting challenges of the UK Civil Service.

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It’s amazing what you can uncover given the right motivation.

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Discover HSBC. Discover yourself.

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We are an equal opportunities employer and seek to employ a workforce which reflects the diverse community at large.

Issued by HSBC Bank plc

© 2008 KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a Swiss cooperative.

The Sunday Times Best Big Company to Work For 2008

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