Work experience Special Edition 2010 by Real World

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2010 PAGE 15

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Contents On the cover

Upfront 04 Working For Experience As the job market gets more competitive, it pays to have as much experience as possible. We explore what is on offer. 06 Top Tips How to get the most out of your placement. z 07 AJ Odudu Work experience has helped AJ get a job at the BBC.

REAL WORLD FEATURES 10 An Eye On Internships Could an internship put you on track to securing your first permanent work position? z 12 C ase Studies Find out what other graduates got up to on their work placements. 18 V For Victory Why volunteering is gaining in popularity. z 18 C harity Begins Away From Home The rise of the voluntour 22 Voluntary Case Studies 23 Voluntary Contracts What to watch out for. z 24 The World’s Your Oyster Why time spent working or travelling

Every Experience Counts

ith jobs in short supply and the student population growing you may be wondering if you’ll ever get that fantastic job you’ve worked so hard for. But there are signs that the worst of the recession is now over and companies are recruiting again. Not only that, there are plenty of things you can do to ensure when you do apply for jobs your CV stands out from the crowd. Graduate recruiters, university careers officers and even the government are all agreed that one of the best ways to distinguish yourself from other graduates is to have some real work experience. It doesn’t matter what you actually do, the fact you have applied yourself, been disciplined enough to get the job done, and shown a willingness to learn will stand you in good stead. In this issue of Real World Work Experience we take a look at two areas of work experience that are on the up in the downturn. The first is internships. Many people believe firms have been exploiting the economic crisis by offering unpaid internships -basically getting graduates to do proper work for free. However, if you can afford to do a short internship with no remuneration the experience you gain can often outweigh the fact you are not getting paid. Another trend is for graduates to volunteer to work for a charitable institution as a way of gaining experience. Not only can this enhance your employability skills, but it can also fulfil the need to make a real difference. Whatever type of work experience you undertake remember to make the most of it. Treat it like a proper job; make sure you are punctual, properly dressed for the role and enthusiastic. You never know, if the firm takes a shine to you, your placement could be the first step to securing a permanent position. Good luck!

Dee Pilgrim, Editor dee@realworldmagazine.com

abroad can really boost your key skills z 26 D iving For Pearls Learning to scuba dive in the Red Sea. 28 O verseas Case Studies 32 Resources

also out this autumn >> Everything you need to know to get that perfect job in our issues: City & Finance, Law, Engineering & Technology, and Diversity.

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Editorial: Editor Dee Pilgrim • Senior Reporter Catherine Watson • Designer Yang Ou • Design Intern Gary Nelson • Advertising: Sales Paul Wade, Harmesh Sansoa, Allanah Bradley • Online Brett Singer • Marketing/Distribution Manager Zoe Bowthorpe • Client Services Manager Louise Ashcroft •Managing Director Darius Norell • Real World is a publication of Cherry Publishing: 22-26 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ • Tel: 020 7735 4900, Editorial – 020 7735 2111 Fax: 020 7840 0443 • E-mail: info@realworldmagazine.com • Website: www.realworldmagazine.com Copyright © 2009 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.

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WORKing FOR EXPERIENCE In this competitive job market, work experience is increasingly giving graduates a leg up.

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top ten tips | experience

‘Top ten tips’ for making the most of your work placement Remember the old adage 'what you

put into it, you get out of it' ? It's up to you to shape your development and maximise opportunities during your work placement. Felicity Robinson, Placement Development Advisor at Bournemouth University tells you how.

_ This is the opportunity for you to develop a portfolio of transferable skills. Set yourself objectives on a regular basis in order to improve your performance and widen your skills set. Take advantage of courses and online training if they are available.

_ Keep a diary or wiki outlining the work/projects you are tasked with. Ensure this is not just descriptive, but adopt a critical approach and analyse what you did well and what not so well. Use this knowledge to improve your performance and also in your objective setting.

_ Identify where your strengths lie and use them to contribute to the workplace and make an

_ Never get into a comfort zone. If you feel under-utilised then be proactive and ask for more work and suggest areas where you might be able to make a contribution and add value to the company.

impression. Be proactive and do not be afraid to put forward suggestions; you

are a fresh pair of eyes and your ideas can be extremely valuable.

Speaking about problems as they arise is always better than letting them fester.

_ Avoid a piecemeal, 9-5 mentality,

and consider the wider picture of the environment you are operating in. Think about the purpose of the tasks or projects you are involved in. Ask ‘good’ questions and consider the ‘daisy chain’ effect of your work.

_ Arrange regular feedback sessions with your line manger to

assess your progress and discuss any problems you may be facing.

_ Use the work placement as an

opportunity to see how theory relates to practice and how people manage and relate to others. You learn by seeing as well as doing and one day you will be a manager. Reflect on what works and what doesn’t.

_ Use the placement year as an opportunity to find out about other people’s job roles and to build good contacts for when you are looking for a graduate position. Be aware that placements are often used as ‘the long interview’ and if you perform well your placement may open the door to a future job in the company.

_ Ensure that you update your CV towards the end of

the placement. Ask relevant staff in the company if they would mind giving feedback on it. You could also deliver a presentation to your team before leaving the company, outlining what you have learnt and gained, and thanking the team for their support. That way you leave your placement with an impact statement. n

_ Involve yourself in all aspects of working life including social, sporting, and charity activities. These provide another opportunity to network and demonstrate you are a well-rounded person.

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AJ Odudu: working for the bbc star presenters

work experience | BBC

Onatejiro Odudu (AJ), 21 years-old, Keele University, English and Politics

‘I

Photography: © iStockphoto

’ve always done work experience; every summer I have worked for the BBC writing articles and doing reporting jobs, then this opportunity came up to be a BLAST creative intern on BBC Switch in London in 2008. It was meant to be a four week placement but they extended it over the whole summer. Since then they just kept calling me asking me to come back and do a screen test which I then did, so I’ve basically got this job through my internship. I just got on really well with my boss and the crew and they just put my name out there. 'I’ve always wanted to be a presenter, but anyone who wants to be a presenter

secondary school I scoured the BBC website, found the job section, and found work experiece there. They have a really good website, it’s easy to navigate and you can apply for more than one job at a time.

done work that matters. 'For the time being I’d like to stay with the BBC because it has been so good to me and it has a lot of new teen shows. I’m hoping to finish uni and go straight

‘

Once you've got one piece of work experience it is so much easier to get the next one -- it's the fact you've done work that matters.

’

back to Switch. I want to do other

can tell you there is no straightforward way of getting into this; people get their

projects as well and my ultimate goal is to have my own show and I'd like it to be

jobs through different routes, it tends to be more about who you know or about it

live -- anything to do with fashion or music. I'd also like a permanent co-

being the right time and the right place. In my case it was the combination of the

presenter because it is so much fun presenting with another person.

two that helped me. Even though I’m back at uni I’ve been working on little projects for the BBC. I’ve just done something for Slink TV which is another Switch show. This is going to be a new show and we’ve been working on the format which is a teenage fun, comedy, prank show. We have features like 'poke a pal' where students have to send in videos of themselves singing in the car or dancing things like that – really getting the youth involved. I’m only 21 and so I’m concentrating on the teen end because I can relate to them and can come up with ideas and other input, and I’m really enjoying that. 'I found out about work experience for the BBC all by myself. When I was at

'I think the reason I’ve been successful is because I’m always just myself in screentests. I laugh a lot and I just talk and talk and I’m a bit raw because I’ve had no training, so I’m like a fresh canvas for the producers of the shows to work on. 'Work experience is number one – always go back if they ask you and always stay in contact with the people you work with because they will get you your next job if you make a really good impression. They are also good at letting you know about other opportunities.' n

'I found a placement to work at BBC Radio Lancashire (AJ comes from Blackburn in Lancs) and that’s where I started and I’ve just progressed from there, going on to co-present the six-part BBC 2 series The Almost Perfect Guide To Life with Radio 1’s Reggie Yates. Once you’ve got one bit of work experience it is so much easier to get the next one, it really doesn’t matter if you’ve worked there for free or not it’s the fact you’ve

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Real World Awards 2009 Winners In association with

st Web Tom

Back in September some of the UK’s most inspiring and hard-working students gathered together for the fifth annual Real World Awards. This year’s entrants were incredibly impressive. Read on to find out who bagged the top prizes…

Kyle Clarke

Charles Hogg

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real world awards 2009 | overview

hile autumn is traditionally described as the ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’, for enterprising students it is also awards season! In September, Real World was proud to co-host its annual awards ceremony with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The glittering ceremony celebrated the most enterprising students from universities across the country. Since the competition’s inception in 2004, Real World has awarded prizes to inspirational students whose achievements have ranged from campaigning for prisoners’ rights, to founding a successful entrepreneurs’ society. All of the 2009 entrants were no less impressive. Jointly scooping the much-coveted first prize were Charles Hogg and Tom Webster from Lancaster and Manchester universities respectively. They each took home a well-deserved £2,000 cash prize. In second place was Newcastle University’s Kyle Clarke, who won £1,000. The finalists impressed the judging panel with their diverse range of enterprising achievements. For example, not only was Tom involved in his university’s rugby club, management society, and the trading and investment

society, but also outside university he helped train students at Manchester Grammar School at rugby.

‘

Since their inception, the awards have gone to inspirational students whose achievements have ranged from founding entreprenurial societies, to campaigning for prisoners' rights. The 2009 entrants were no less impressive.

’

Charles stood out from the crowd thanks to his ‘Ambulances to Mongolia’ project. With generous sponsorship from several leading companies, he drove a fully-equipped, ex-NHS ambulance to Mongolia. The project then snowballed and more than 10 emergency vehicles were sent to the region. He also intends to roll out the project in Nepal, as well as work on other charitable projects. Charles says: ‘The [prize] money will be put towards building a new school in a rural community of Nepal around 180 km from

the capital Khatmandu.’ Meanwhile, Kyle has started no less than three new businesses during his time at university, inspired, he says, by an excellent Business Enterprise Module which he took in his second year. The course gave him 'support and practical advice from people who have been through the motions involved with business start-up,' he explains. 'I would urge anyone who gets the opportunity to take the module to grab the chance with both hands.' In addition to the cash prizes, five students were also awarded internships with Enterprise. With the graduate job market more crowded than ever, it has never been more difficult to land an internship, making the internships invaluable opportunities. And, unlike some internships, students hit the ground running with responsibility from Day One at Enterprise. n

ext year’s competition is now open. Enterprise will aga in be awarding paid inter nship s to enterprising university students . In addition to a summer job with Enterprise, prize money of up to £5,000 will be awarded at the awa rds ceremony in 2010. For students thinking about the competition, Cha rles says: ‘Enter – the sky is the limit!’

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AN EYE ON INTERNSHIPS With the prospect of facing the toughest jobs market yet, an internship could benefit not just you but also your employer, and give you a head-start in the career you want. By Gemma Parmar. Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg, believes that tax money should be invested into creating internships for people aged 16 to 24. He feels the recent VAT cut should be reversed and the money used for these internships, stating in an interview broadcast on the BBC: ‘This recession is creating the real risk of a jobless generation, because the people who deserve least to be punished because of the problems of this recession are the young.’ He proclaims that these internships would be an alternative to claiming for jobseekers allowance, and

would provide students with up to £55 per week. They would also guarantee work, training, or education for those who have been out of work for more than three months. Although the media may be painting a grim picture of internships, there are many cases that show an internship could be a great investment for your future career. The organisation Internocracy, is working to make sure internships are a worthwhile and beneficial experience for graduates and aims to “bring the idea of internships

Photography: © iStockphoto

nternships have become something of a hot topic, and not always for the right reasons. Recently coming under close inspection, many feel that graduates and students are being exploited as some employers use the current climate as a reason for not paying interns, or simply using them as an extra pair of hands. There is also the issue that internships can become elitist as only those who can afford to work for free have the advantage, while those who are not are left behind.

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Photography: © iStockphoto

Internships | overview a way to add more to your CV, and gives you a chance to experience more responsibility and value than you would on a work experience placement. Although geographical issues can be a turn-off for internships, many placements offer accommodation and some are even based overseas. Most Times 100 companies have internship programmes that will be a worthwhile experience, no tea-making required. One scheme, run by Enterprise Rent-ACar, has a regular summer internship programme that has been a great success for both the interns and the company. The placements are tailored to give students a taster of the business. Amy Gackowskia managed to secure a placement and was glad for the experience: ‘I think it is important to get as much work experience as possible whilst at university, especially at the moment with it being so competitive for graduate positions.'

to those who might not know what they involve and where to look for them, and works with employers to make sure they are offering a fair and fulfilling experience.” Becky Heath, Director of the organisation, understands that although there are clearly issues with internships, there is still a high demand for placements. ‘Graduates are willing to go the extra mile for their career, and how employers decide to harness this enthusiasm is the difference between a great internship and a two-month stint as the photocopying and tea technician,’ she explains.

Enterprise itself feels it gains a lot from allowing only first and second year students to enter, as Donna Miller, European HR Director of the company, states: ‘By having a placement programme in place, we have access to students early. This opens the door for us to get access to these students, and ensures that we are not missing out on this talent.’ Previous interns who have taken up the summer internships are kept on and work part-time when they return to university, allowing them to earn money while they study, and to also continue the work they are doing. Apparently, 80 per cent of graduate interns are then taken on to the full-time graduate scheme. The summer internships are flexible and most interns will find that after graduating and spending a year with the company, they can start in a permanent position. The interns are given a great foundation and increase their key skills in order to

take on a full-time job. ‘Interns learn about sales, marketing, customer service, business management and operations. And the expectations for performance are at the same level. Therefore, we use exactly the same application process for our intern programme as we do for our management trainee scheme,’ explains Donna Miller.

‘

Graduates who find themselves out of work are valuing internships as the next step in their career, and it is easy to see why. The benefits of an internship outweigh the negatives, as it can also be a way to add more to your CV, and gives you the chance to experience more responsibility than on a work placement.

’

Increasingly employers are looking for applicants with relevant experience, so doing an internship could provide you with valuable lessons and put you in good stead for potential employment. If you are unsure of what it is you want to do, don’t dismiss the advantages of embarking on an internship. Even if you eventually decide the industry you undertake the internship in is not for you, you will have gained strengths and skills that will help you in future employment.

Graduates who find themselves out of work are valuing internships as the next step in their career, and it is easy to see why. The benefits of an internship outweigh the negatives, as it can also be

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internships | case studies really wanted to work for. My initial job role in the company was ‘Assistant Store Manager’. This job role is a very important one to the company, the stores are skeletally staffed, hence why they pay well. There are often only two people working in a store which is why managers are so important to the company. The company gave me a training pack that they would give to a normal Assistant Store Manager which I was to complete in order to be expected to run the store and form part of the management team as soon as possible. The job is demanding but that doesn’t matter when you have a passion for your job, which is definitely the case when working for Aldi. It is a great company to work for with staff who all enjoy their job.

Tom Webster Degree: Management, University of Manchester Internship: one summer on the management trainee programme of Enterprise Rent-A-car Reasons for doing work experience To gain experience in a different working environment to my history, and to understand different working and employment systems. Also the addition of a creditable internship is invaluable on a CV. Reasons for choosing placement Enterprise Rent-A-Car offers an unique chance to work through a progressive management training programme, whilst also dealing with the public on a day-to-day basis. The role entails many different tasks, from core management tasks like HR and Fleet management, to more precise roles like marketing to individual potential client businesses. Tasks carried out during work experience. • Entering in of reservations • Completing rental contracts • Collecting cars/ customers • Marketing with individual businesses • Jellybeaning with existing corporate customers • Chasing up Account receivables • Manage the entire office for a week -- 7 members of staff and 160 cars • Setting performance targets for other members of staff However, the most exciting thing that happened to me while at Enterprise was taking part in a police ‘sting’ operation. Two undercover police officers came in early on a Saturday morning, when only myself and one

other chap were working. They explained they had an issue with one of our customers, so we did a quick search and we found which customer they wanted. I then trained the police to call the customer whilst sounding like an Enterprise employee. When the customer finally arrived the two undercover police, as well as another 25 of their colleagues including armed response and police dogs (who appeared out of nowhere) arrested the customer at gunpoint! Impact on career progression A very good, creditable addition to the CV that will help when starting my businesses next year. Valuable experience that will also help with business start up. Highlights Securing big new corporate clients, having the highest sales record in the branch. Downsides Cleaning cars! Personal Gains Meeting the staff members that I worked with, becoming friends with them, and meeting valuable contacts for my new business.

Did the School/course tutor help you find the placement opportunity? Manchester Metropolitan Univeristy gives all students the same assistance and support. The university has a placement website where every student can find out about job vacancies and apply. This way all students have equal opportunities as far as job applications are concerned. The university placement office also supports students if they choose to make use of this. Ultimately, the university supports students in applying for jobs, however it is the student’s responsibility to apply, attend interviews, and get a job they will enjoy. What skills/strengths did you learn on placement and how has this helped you now? I feel that I have developed my confidence during the placement year which will help during my final year and applying for jobs after university. I also built my confidence in speaking with senior company directors and have increased my professionalism which is vital in business. Delegation and time management has been the most important skill that I have developed on my placement year as this is the main quality that managers need to allow Aldi to operate so efficiently. This will help me during my final year as the workload will be so demanding but I will be able to manage it by using these skills. Report writing was a part of the time spent in office which was an important skill to build on. Presenting findings of research to directors and justifying recommendations was also confidence building.

Emily Hooper Degree: BA (Hons) Retail Marketing Management at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School. Internship: Aldi What did you actually do? I was fortunate enough to gain a placement with Aldi Stores Ltd. When I originally went to the course open day Aldi was mentioned as one of the top placements, (mainly because of the money, but this is not what interested me in the placement) I knew that was the company I

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We are an equal opportunities employer

YES, I WANT MY ONLY ROLE IN BUSINESS MEETINGS TO BE SERVING COFFEE, SO MY MIND BECOMES LOST IN THE MIST OF THE STEAMING DRINKS I POUR. NO, I’D RATHER JOIN ENTERPRISE, SO I CAN BE THE ONE LEADING THE MEETINGS AND RUNNING MY OWN BUSINESS WITHIN TWO YEARS.

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 750 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 more thanks to our performance-based culture. We’re here to make the most of your potential, not let it wither and die. To apply, go to www.enterprisealive.co.uk or call 0870 850 1232

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work experience | step scheme

Step Into The Limelight T

his year, 553 students took part in the Shell Step scheme, which ran between July and September. Then, at a glittering ceremony in October, Charlotte Fayle, a 21-year-old student from Hornchurch, Essex was crowned overall winner in the coveted Shell Step Awards, for developing an energy reduction service which is set to generate a £300,000 turnover for her host business. Charlotte, a biology student from Leeds University, beat off stiff competition from 11 other talented students, setting her on the path to future business success. She wowed the panel of judges with her achievements working at RCE Services UK Ltd, an Electrical Contractors based in Leeds, where she created a

viable energy reduction consultancy service for low energy lighting solutions. On being named the winner, Charlotte said: ‘I’m over the moon to have won this award from Shell! I had no previous business experience before I did the placement and never thought I would have achieved what I did. The opportunity to gain a new understanding of business and develop my communication skills has been invaluable and I feel sure it will help me when I move into the world of work.’ Robert Cardis, Managing Director of RCE Services UK Ltd, added: ‘The Shell Step placement far exceeded our expectations and we’re delighted that Charlotte has been recognised for the

fantastic contribution she has made to the business. She is destined for great things and we wish her all the best in whatever career she pursues.’ James Smith, Chairman of Shell UK, added: ‘Charlotte has clearly made the most of this chance. Her go-ahead style on her project at RCE Services UK Ltd has been good for her and her host business. We wish her the best of luck with her future career.’ Meanwhile, Jonathan Hutchinson, a 22-year-old geography student, also at Leeds, was named runner up. For your chance to step into the limelight and for more information on the Shell Step programme go to www.shellstep.org.uk n

Photography: © Colin Whyman

The Shell Step scheme places around 600 students with small and medium-sized companies every year. The eight-week work placements give the students the chance to generate results which could provide a real boost to their employment prospects and gain relevant and meaningful work experience, while also providing potential financial value to their host companies.

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Paid placements for students and graduates Looking for a chance to put your skills into action? This autumn and winter Shell Step is offering 100s of extra paid placements to graduates of 2008 and 2009. This is a great chance to develop your skills in an exciting and challenging work environment, improve your CV and even open the door to a possible employment offer. Plus, next year we will have 100s more paid opportunities for undergraduates and graduates on the Shell Step programme.

www.studentplacements.org.uk Find out more about the Shell Step programme at

www.shellstep.org.uk

working in partnership with

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internships | case studies

with the help of the Programme Director and the university placements office.

Steph Barker Degree: BA (Hons) Corporate Management, Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University Internship: Graduate internship, EAGA PLC What interested me in the course: I knew I wanted to do something business related since I started my Business GCSE, so when it came to choosing a degree I wanted to do something which would make me stand out to future employers. It can be hard for business and management graduates to get jobs after leaving university as so many people now graduate with similar degrees. Employers therefore often opt for students who have a level of experience. This course allows me to graduate in three years, but I will also gain two years of business experience during this period so I should hopefully stand out from other job applicants when I leave university. Although it is an extremely demanding course I think it demonstrates a level of dedication and commitment. I also liked the idea of graduating with as little debt as possible. My employer pays my tuition fees and I earn a salary so I can manage without getting a maintenance loan. My placement: My employer is eaga plc and is based in Newcastle. I work on a rotation, so every four months I change departments. In each department I am given a project to complete and I need to manage each project myself. This has proved great for my personal development and it also allows me to learn through observing others in the workplace. As I move departments regularly it means I see various areas of the business and gain a level of knowledge and understanding which few students are subject to. I hope that the experience I gain at eaga will help me to decide which area of business I would like to specialise in once I graduate. Finding the placement opportunity: Northumbria University has a placements office and it informs all of the students when appropriate placements opportunities arise. Although I wrote to over 50 companies myself I ended up getting my placement with eaga

Skills and strengths learnt: One of the key strengths you must develop when on placement and studying Corporate Management is time management. You need to get used to the idea of working full-time whilst also completing a full-time degree programme in your own time. This means working hard at night after a long day at work so your drive to achieve the degree at the end of it really is essential. You also learn the practicality behind a lot of the theories you learn at university and you develop an ability to critically analyse these yourself, which is a great skill when writing assignments. What I like most about what I do and the downsides: I really like gaining the experience, meeting new people and seeing what goes on in a real business environment. However, what I like most is definitely the sense of achievement. I know that handling a three year degree, a full time job and a good social life sounds extremely challenging (and it is!) but you feel extremely proud of yourself when you do it! For me, the biggest downside is the impact it has on your social life. The idea of all of your mates being home and enjoying the summer break is a difficult thought to overcome. You have to get used to the idea of spending university holidays in an office, at your desk, like every other weekday throughout your two year placement. Although we all get holiday entitlement we definitely don’t get anywhere near as much as other students do! But I suppose this mindset will help set me up for the rest of my working life.

Ardel Richardson Degree: Accounting and Finance, Bournemouth University Internship: Ardel worked for IBM for a year as an Integration Analyst within IBM’s finance business. When IBM acquired a company, Ardel’s job was to assist in merging the acquired company accounts into IBM.

Reasons for doing the internship: It was optional to do a work placement at Bournemouth University, and I chose to do so for two main reasons: experience and marketability. Experience to help me reconcile the university theory with practical work in real life, and marketability to boost my CV for future potential employers. Reasons for choosing this internship: IBM is a global company that has a wide range of finance areas. It has won, and continues to win, many awards from graduates as a choice place to work. It also promotes green initiatives and takes its corporate responsibilities seriously. With IBM on your CV, you can go anywhere! Tasks carried out during internship: I worked on the balance sheets of different acquired companies, reconciling the different areas within the balance sheet. I worked with other countries to help co-ordinate their part of the acquisition.

‘

I really like gaining the experience, meeting new people and seeing what goes on in a real business environment. However, what I like most is the sense of achievement.

’

Impact on career progression: Having worked for IBM this year, it has really helped me focus more on achieving the best results within my degree and not just being satisfied with mediocrity. It has also helped me gain further insight into what life after university holds for me and what I need to start planning for and thinking about. Highlights and any downsides: The highlights would have to be that I was given the opportunity to travel and work in the Netherlands to visit one of our acquired companies, and taking on the challenge of an active acquisition. Working the occasional weekend and many late nights at month end were the only downsides. It does help, however, that I enjoy what I do and there is a real sense of comradeship with the rest of my department. Personal gains: My communication skills have grown significantly, especially my written skills. Also having to prepare presentations, meet deadlines, and prepare and host meetings means my organisational skills have seen a definite improvement. Qualities needed for internships: Willingness to learn, flexibility, drive to achieve, and passion for the business.

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internships | case studies

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I enjoy a lot of aspects of my job, especially being part of a team. Coming out of education it was always going to be tough getting into the swing of working full-time, but the team has helped me settle in. I believe depending on what you make of it, insurance can be an interesting sector to work in. As everybody needs some form of insurance, the types of clients I will be dealing with will be very interesting. Also, a big advantage of this job is that I can aim to get my qualifications whilst working. It can sometimes be hard balancing the studies with work but as long as you keep on top of both it is fairly easy to do.

John Fair Degree: Accounting and Internet Systems, University of the West of England Job: Trainee Client Manager, AON What do you actually do? I graduated in 2009 and am currently in the middle of doing my NVQ in insurance and am one exam away from getting my Certificate in Insurance. I am doing this through the apprenticeship scheme at Aon which is run in conjunction with the National Skills Academy for Financial Services. However, having a degree was not a pre-requisite of getting this job as it was an A Level graduate scheme. Once I have completed my training and have been signed off as competent, I will be looking after a portfolio of clients of mid to high net worth. I will mainly be organising household insurance for these clients with the odd motor policy too. I spend the majority of my time sorting out renewals and sending these renewals to the clients. I also deal with any requests the clients make. However, as I am not client facing yet I deal with their requests via other client managers. Why did you decide to go into this sector? I along with a lot of people in the insurance industry “fell into” the profession. I had (nearly) finished university and wanted to get on the career ladder. As I had no work experience I thought it was a great opportunity when I found that Aon was offering a trainee programme. Some of my friends who had degrees were struggling to find any work so this was an opportunity that I could not miss. Would you undertake further training to progress your career? Once I have my Certificate in Insurance and am more settled in my job I plan on doing a diploma. I believe having qualifications gives you an edge in the long run. I have never been very keen on exams (despite going to university!) so being able to do on the job training while qualifying for my certificate has been a great opportunity for me.

What skills do you need to succeed at what you do? To be successful in this role you have to be enthusiastic. It is also very important that you have confidence and have ability to deal with people. As I’ve said, another skill is balancing your work load as the studies can pile up if you don’t keep on top of them. What advice would you give other graduates coming into this sector? Take the opportunity! Also, accept any extra training you can as it all helps towards your learning in the sector.

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The list of tasks I was asked to do was endless! Some tasks were less exciting, but they were all part of the process and allowed me to work up to bigger things.

Lauren Knights

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Degree: 2:1 BA in English Language and Linguistics, University of Sheffield Internship: My first work experience placement was in summer 2007, with celebrity PR agency The Outside Organisation in London. After that I did placements with other agencies including Borkowski in London and Brazen PR in Manchester. I also did a three month unpaid internship in Liverpool which was hard work, but I got some great experience!

such as a PR degree or an NCTJ, so having work experience placements on my CV was essential if I wanted to show employers what I could do. Reasons for choosing placement: I contacted companies who had clients that I was interested in and campaigns that I could get excited about! I also tried to get experience in a variety of agencies from commercial to B2B, so I could showcase a wide variety of experience. Tasks carried out during work experience: The list of tasks I was asked to do was endless! Some tasks were less exciting, but they were all part of the process, plus they allowed me to work up to bigger things, such as writing press releases, pitching to the press and organising photo-calls. On one placement, I edited a client’s weekly e-newsletter, which went out to their entire customer base! Impact on career progression: Without my work experience, I never would have got my current position. I was able to show my company that I had a passion for PR and getting things into the press. My work experience gave me the confidence to know I could do the job and I think that came through. I am now responsible for all the PR activity for over 40 gap personnel branches across the country, from Devon to Glasgow. Recruitment is a fantastic industry to work in, it’s fast paced and there’s always something coming up in the press I can contribute to as jobs (or lack of them) and business are at the forefront of the media at the moment. Highlights: Getting this job, definitely! gap personnel have given me a fantastic opportunity; I’m still learning a lot about being a PR Executive, but it’s great to put into practise what I learnt during my placements. Recruitment is a great industry for graduates to get in to, aside for the earning potential, graduates at gap personnel are given the opportunity to learn more about business aspects including business development and mergers and acquisitions. They can also get into the marketing or IT side of things; it’s not all about being on the front line! n

All the experience helped me to get my current job as a PR Executive for one of the UK’s largest network of recruitment agencies, gap personnel (www.gap-personnel.com). Reasons for doing work experience: I wanted to stand out to prospective employers and I knew I had to show my passion for the industry, as well as the relevant skills I had. I didn’t have a formal vocational qualification

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Volunteering | overview

V for y r o t c vi

he level of unemployment among 16 to 24 year-olds may be topping one million, but growing numbers of young people are taking advantage of their time out of employment to make a real difference to their community. Online applications for volunteering opportunities at vinspired.com have recently increased by 200 per cent. The vinspired.com website is the online arm of v, the National Young Volunteers Service. According to their Chief Executive, Terry Ryall, the younger generation may find that volunteering

experience proves extremely useful when they choose to re-approach the world of work . ‘At v, we are encouraging 16 to 25 year-olds to look at new ways of building up their CV, to help them stand out from the crowd. Getting involved with a project you are passionate about will not only benefit your community, but it will also help you build up the skills necessary for entering the job market,’ he says. In some cases, a paid position may be there for the taking if you perform well. Barnardo’s, for example, offer internships to graduates which can often lead to full-time employment.

The variety of opportunities available online is staggering, yet volunteers need not confine themselves to openings listed on a website. If you have a particular interest or skill that isn’t catered for by existing placements, have a think about how you could put it to good use. Is there a group in your community who would benefit from being taught by you? Do you know any charities whose cause you support that might be on the lookout for an extra pair of hands? Could you share your passion, whether it’s for sport, culture or a particular issue, with anyone who would benefit?

Illustration: © iStockphoto

A surge in the numbers of young people involved in the voluntary sector is bringing untold benefits to all concerned, discovers David Lanning.

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Illustration: © iStockphoto

Volunteering | overview

Take 18-year-old Matt Hollis. He approached vcashpoint, a charity offering £1 million worth of £2,500 grants to young people wanting to start a volunteer project. They gave him the money to start running a DJing workshop in Peterborough that helps keep young people away from crime. Matt got other charities on board, such as the Prince’s Trust, and has since won the Pride of Peterborough award 2009 as well as being runner-up in the Young Achievers Award 2008. He has also featured on BBC One, Heart FM, BBC Cambridgeshire, and in the local press. Such impressive success certainly makes you look a whole lot more employable, yet even more modest acts of volunteering will catch the eye of companies. A YouGov survey published earlier this year found that 72 per cent of employers agree or strongly agree that volunteering can have a positive effect on an individual’s career progression. When asked to name some of the skills that can be developed through volunteering, employers most commonly named teamwork, self-confidence, and communication. However, there is still progress to be made in ensuring volunteers receive the plaudits they deserve. As the voluntary sector grows in stature, charities are calling on the business world to recognise the skills that can be gained through volunteering, and to attach more value to the presence of volunteering experience on applicants’ CVs.

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72 per cent of employers strongly agree volunteering can have a positive effect on an individual's career progression.

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This year’s comparative lack of graduate employment schemes and internships is, in many ways, as much of an opportunity as it is a setback. The relative scarcity of vacancies in the private sector has created a growing pool of talented, work-hungry

graduates, a large proportion of whom could be valuably employed in a variety of voluntary projects. For those that can afford the time, volunteering is a win-win situation: the volunteer gains enjoyment, employability and a great sense of achievement; and communities take great benefit from their priceless efforts. Whether or not you’re still searching for a job, get online and find out how you can start changing people’s lives. // www.vinspired.com The website of v, a charity established to increase the quality and quantity of youth volunteering. Contains an

// www.do-it.org A UK directory for volunteers established by the charity YouthNet. // www.volunteering.org.uk The home of Volunteering England, which works to promote voluntary work amongst students and the general population. // www.direct.gov.uk/en/ HomeAndCommunity/ Gettinginvolvedinyourcommunity/ Volunteering/index.htm The official government portal for volunteering opportunities in your area.

grants offered through vcashpoint.

// www.volresource.org.uk A one-stop shop for news and resources relevant to the volunteering world.

// www.idealist.org An interactive site founded by Action Without Borders. Thousands of volunteering placements are available all over the world, as well as jobs and internships with not-for-profit organisations.

As ever, newspapers and websites covering your local community are an excellent source of ideas on how and who to help close to home. Also check out local notice boards, in the supermarket, pub or post office. n

extensive directory of volunteering opportunities as well as information about

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The recession has had a surprising knock-on effect on the traditional gap year. More and more graduates are now opting to take a shorter break where they do voluntary work in order to 'give something back'. Here, Kate Plummer, Product and Sales Co-ordinator for Acacia Adventure Holidays, explains the appeal of the voluntour.

Photography: ÂŠ iStockphoto

Charity begins away from home: the rise of the voluntour

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Photography: © iStockphoto

The rise of the voluntour | overview

ithout a doubt, the current financial downturn has made graduates think more carefully about their travel plans. Our recent increase in bookings points to the fact that graduates see voluntours as a more realistic option to the gap year, especially when it comes to cost. However, there are two sides to the story. While the recession might cause us to become more budget focused, the 'humanising factor' also has a tendency to make people feel more compassionate toward others. Graduates are also likely to feel more empowered when it comes to reaching out to others and doing something worthwhile. Ethics and the idea of social communities being dependent on each other is a major part of university life. Voluntours and one off non-profit visits fit with their psyche. Corporate social responsibility now plays a huge part in businesses the world over. As such, any graduate who can get a grip on the workings of a charitable organisation through a holiday will certainly have more to offer their employer. Rather than just seeing the sights and meeting new cultures, there’s a definite sense of teamwork in our new voluntours and community visits featured in our overland itineraries. Showing how you adapted and problem-solved in an unfamiliar setting will make your CV stand out and any

less well known to you will give you a major confidence boost. Come prepared: our voluntours range from five to 13-days and while time is limited you can learn a whole lot more if you’re ready to ask questions. Doing some research on the location etc. before the holiday takes place and familiarising yourself with what’s going to be expected of you will ensure you get more out of the experience. To say voluntouring ‘broadens horizons’ may sounds clichéd, but experiencing first-hand the lives and opinions of unfamiliar cultures is immeasurable. An understanding of a bigger world will stand graduates in good stead in their working lives, and continues to prove worthwhile in the workplace in areas of management and international relations.

average tour. People skills are invaluable in life so the benefits are also invaluable. This type of environment would also be ideal for anyone looking to take on a Master’s in social work as they will be able to blend the practical experience they gain with the theoretical. It was great to see renewed interest in Tanzania after this year’s celebrity climb, as the country is highly dependent on tourism. While Mount Kilimanjaro was central to the publicity, it’s encouraged people to travel to other areas. We continue to work with the Amani project in Moshi, an initiative which supports orphaned children, many of whom have lost parents, or been abandoned by families who are unable to support them or have HIV. We also split our payment system into a tour price and local payment, the latter used on tour, guaranteeing income into Africa at a grass roots level and helping support local communities, projects, and the host country’s economy. It allows people to see where their money is going on tour and helps our tours aid local communities. There’s peace of mind that each individual knows they are directly benefiting the lives of the people in Tanzania. Kenya is another area benefitting from increased publicity and our recent 'Crazy about Kenya' project has links to various non-profit organisations. Graduates choosing to extend their adventure with a stay in Nairobi can hook with UpToYouToo.com - an ethical initiative which helps to promote musicians from

graduate will have a head start when it comes to the more practical team

We’re already seeing an increase in these shorter trips and they do offer a

the ghetto. There may even be opportunities to help make a record and

interview – a technique that is gaining in popularity when making selections on the

unique alternative to a charitable gap year. In a period of economic

jam with some of the artists. It’s a novel way of getting involved and giving

various schemes. You could even use the experience as a case study – highlighting

uncertainty, students are definitely going to be looking for another route so we feel

something back to Africa, but whatever the experience, we believe any graduate

your strengths and learning experiences. Differentiating yourself on paper rather

it’s a trend that will certainly continue. I think it’s really down to the individual

taking a shorter ethically-based trip will be able to shine when it comes to that all

than handing in the standard CV template will certainly get you noticed. It’s really about putting yourself out there and not playing it safe. Taking on a more challenging role in an area that is

and what they are looking to get out of the trip. Our community based programmes are always popular – highlights of a tour often come from meeting the people of the country. Working with underprivileged kids or helping build schools gives you the prolonged contact with a community that you’d otherwise miss on your

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Corporate social responsibility now plays a huge part in business the world over. Any graduate who can get a grip on the workings of a charitable organisation through a holiday will certainly have more to offer that employer.

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important job interview. n

www.crazyaboutkenya.com

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volunteering | case studies

Flora Stewart

have found an area of employment I genuinely enjoy and find it hugely rewarding working for such a worthy cause. Downsides: As I was only available to work for three weeks I was unable to work on one project from start to finish. The short length of time also meant it was not justified for the NSPCC to train me in all disciplines – my advice is, therefore, to do as long a stint of work experience as you can.

Degree: Religious Studies MA, Edinburgh University Work Experience: NSPCC Special Events Team

Qualities needed for work experience/ Advice for people wanting to do work experience: Enthusiasm is key. Be prepared to carry out any task, no matter how big, small or menial it may appear – it is all good experience. Most importantly, do not be afraid to ask questions or for help – the more you can learn the better, and people are always willing to give you advice. Making mistakes only helps you to learn.

Natalie Nicholles

Reasons for doing voluntary work: After four years of working in the private sector for a multi-national, first on a graduate scheme and then in management, I decided that I wanted to change career. I had always been interested in international development and the charity sector and knew that I needed some concrete overseas experience to gain credibility and to find out if I liked it!

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Enthusiasm is key. Be prepared to carry out any task, no matter how big, small or menial it may appear; it is all good experience. Most importantly, do not be afraid to ask questions.

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Reasons for doing work experience: My degree does not lead directly to any specific career, so I was keen to explore any avenues of interest. I am also aware that experience is invaluable and would strengthen my CV significantly.

Reasons for choosing placement: I had originally wanted to go to French-speaking Africa to use my language skills but this was such a fantastic opportunity that I grabbed it with both hands! I knew of the charity and the work they did and I liked what I read.

Reasons for choosing placement: I wanted to work within a mainstream events organisation for a while, but was particularly drawn to charitable events. Having only witnessed the finished product of such events, I was keen to discover what happens behind the scenes and to be involved in the whole process. I already had volunteering experience from my gap year, and my involvement with SSSK (Students Supporting Street Kids) at university meant that the NSPCC drew on my volunteering experience and my interest in children’s welfare.

Tasks carried out during work experience: The tasks were similar to planning a normal project: research, planning, strategy development, implementation, measurement, and evaluation. I tried to integrate as much as possible by learning the language, adopting the local dress and respecting the culture in order to have a greater impact. My role was operational and advisory at the same time, as I was able to train others and share my ‘professional’ learning whilst really getting involved in rehabilitating the patients.

Impact on career progression: My placement confirmed that the charity sector is one I am definitely interested in, particularly within fundraising and events – I found it rewarding and exciting. Not only is the job satisfaction high, but also it provided me with practical and broad-ranging experience in this sector. It has also given me confidence and provided me with the skills to make me a much stronger candidate when I graduate next year. Highlights: The events. I was able to attend both ChildLine Rockz and the ChildLine Polo Ball. Both of these were great successes and it was truly satisfying seeing everyone’s hard work come to fruition. My personal highlight was undoubtedly being asked to model an Alexander McQueen dress for one of the live auctions (as pictured)! It just goes to show the dynamic and various nature of working in events. Personal Gains: I am much more confident about entering the job market next year. I

Degree: BA Management Studies with French, University of Nottingham Voluntary Experience: Project Management Consultant for an international development medical charity headquartered in Brussels called Damien Foundation. My objective was to plan and implement a project to rehabilitate leprosy patients in three districts in Bangladesh in three months through income-generating activities. My background in business and project management allowed me to be effective and have an important impact -- both in terms of planning a new project and implementing a project. I worked in partnership with and trained a local co-ordinator who would manage the project after I left. I also produced a detailed project plan for the Country Director that has allowed him to better plan future projects taking into account assumptions, aims, objectives, outcomes, and evaluation.

Impact on career progression: My experience in Bangladesh has had the desired impact and opened a lot of doors because it illustrated to potential employers that I was serious about moving into the charity sector. As a result I am working for a think tank that promotes economic, social, and environmental well-being. I know that my experience in Bangladesh was a big plus on my CV for them. Highlights: Being able to apply my skills to something that I really believed in and was passionate about. Meeting some amazing people and learning about another culture, another language, and another part of the world. Gaining life experience. Personal Gains: My experience taught me about humanity and increased my knowledge of another culture and country. By using my favourite skills and being passionate about my work I gained confidence that has allowed me to focus my career path and understand where I can best add value n

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volunteering | know your rights

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This should not be unduly formal or legal in style and should state that it is not intended to create a legally binding employment contract. The Agreement should be worded so that it highlights the charity’s expectations of the volunteer. ‘We hope you will dedicate at least three months of your time’, as opposed to a requirement: ‘You agree to volunteer for a minimum of three months with us’.

It must deal carefully with payment of expenses so they can not be interpreted as income. Receipts for out-of-pocket

Volunteers and Employment Law 3

expenses should always be provided.

Illustration: © iStockphoto

he charitable sector has been hard hit by the recession, and many charities are looking at cost-cutting ideas and there is evidence they are turning increasingly to volunteers. The advantage to the charity is there are more people with time to offer so benefiting the organisation, while the individual can develop transferrable skills through their volunteering. However, there are some things you should look out for. According to Cheyney Goulding LLP, a firm of solicitors with specific expertise in business law and dispute resolution in the charitable sector, the charity must consider carefully how they formalise any agreement with a

volunteer, as although volunteers are not protected by employment law in normal circumstances, they need to ensure that an employment contract is not created unintentionally. Heather Collier, the Director of the National Council For Work Experience (NCWE) says: ‘These are difficult times for everyone, but it’s not a green light for businesses to act unethically. It must be clear that if students and graduates are undertaking unpaid internships, it is on a voluntary basis otherwise they may fall foul of the ‘worker’s test’. There must also be no legal obligation to either provide or carry out the work.’ One solution, beneficial to both parties, is to draw up a Volunteer Agreement.

Other issues to consider include health & safety, training, equal opportunities, and insurance if the volunteer is using their own vehicle in the course of the role.

The lack of a formal agreement could have severe implications both for the charity, leading to the requirement to pay the minimum wage to all its volunteers, and also for the individual, who may find that their entitlement to benefits has been compromised. Whilst charities are the main organisations using volunteers, a number of companies and organisations are also taking advantage of the willingness of individuals to undertake unpaid work experience and these guidelines apply equally to them. n

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THE WORLD'S YOUR OYSTER

David Lanning finds out how gaining work experience overseas can help you develop a host of desirable skills - as well as being the trip of a lifetime.

passage for British students, a gap year adorns the CVs of huge numbers of graduates. That makes it all the more important to make the most of a potentially life changing opportunity. Even before you leave the UK, you can start gaining worthwhile experience. Financing your own travels demonstrates an admirable determination to achieve goals which will impress any employers on your return. Once your funds are raised and your flights paid for, the chances to gain valuable transferable skills continue. One option frequently chosen by

modern languages students, but also available as a gap year, is to work in a

have to pay a company to organise a placement for you. However, these

European company under the Erasmus scheme. Generous grants are available for taking on placements in EU countries in an unlimited range of industries. Allied to your work experience, you will build up CV-enhancing language skills. Begin by deciding which country you want to live in and targeting companies there in sectors that interest you. Alternatively, try contacting firms involved in tourism. As a native English speaker, you may prove very useful to hotels, museums or wineries. Perhaps more commonly, gap year students look further afield for certain volunteering projects. This is nearly always a more expensive option â&#x20AC;&#x201C; your flights will cost more, and you will normally

companies can provide added security, and established projects that will make a genuine difference. To be sure you are getting a fair deal choose one of the experienced organisations supported by the Year Out Group.

www.yearoutgroup.org or the Co-Ordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service..

www.unesco.org/ccivs You will typically be travelling with a group of five to15 other people which will give you a chance to be part of

Photography: ÂŠ iStockphoto

ow a near essential rite of

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Work Experience overseas | overview

a close-knit team and make lifelong friends. Just as important will be the relationships you build and time you spend with local people. Whichever project you choose, always do plenty of research. Make sure you’re comfortable taking part in any of the planned activities, and ask yourself whether you feel you will be making a useful contribution. Teaching English, for example, is not for everyone, and if you’re not qualified you could be achieving little more than wasting the time of children who would otherwise be taught by a local professional. Also, make sure you find out where your money goes. Gap year volunteering is, unfortunately, big business these days, so make sure your trip provider is interested in more than just your credit card number. If you

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Teamwork, communication, adaptability, confidence and problem-solving are key skills students develop on expeditions.

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find the expense of such trips off-putting, you may be interested to hear that the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, in partnership with Raleigh International, are now offering bursaries of £2,000 to recent graduates embarking on ten-week volunteering trips to destinations including Borneo, Costa Rica, India, and Nicaragua. Rachel Collinson at Raleigh explains

how volunteering abroad can boost your employability: ‘They enable you to develop soft skills that will be extremely useful throughout your personal and working life, such as leadership. Whilst on expedition a day leader system operates to enable each member of the team to develop their leadership skills. There will also be times on the adventure phase when your physical strength will be tested. 'Facing challenges while on expedition will help in your personal and work life, as you will look back to an extremely tough day on the adventure phase, and realise your own abilities.’ She also names teamwork,cultural awareness, communication, confidence and adaptability as key skills which students develop on expeditions.

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work experience | diving instruction

Diving For Pearls

cuba diving is one of the most rewarding and exciting occupations that exist, and for some people it can become a serious career path. The professional qualifications stay with you for life, opening up job opportunities all around the world. Now, new company, Dive The Gap, is offering a variety of diving courses, whether you are interested in a life-long scuba diving career, a year out,

reading constant bulletins of turmoil for graduates who could not find employment after three years of university study, I began to see how we could offer a unique opportunity to them. The programmes that we offer range from three week adventurous holidays, to full professional training as a PADI Dive Master or Instructor over a period of up to 15 weeks. The dive centre has a reputation for training some of the finest divers and many of those trained stay in the area and work as professionals. ‘The idea is that this can be something for a jobless graduate to do until the job market picks up again in the UK, while gaining vocational qualifications and extensive work experience in dive operations, management and leadership. Being part of a dive centre crew immediately helps build a person’s character. Thinking on your feet becomes instinct, and will be a huge asset in all walks of life. After all, 70 per cent of our planet is under water and if you can function in that environment the rest is easy.’ Robin attended three graduate career fairs this summer and he says he could immediately see that the newspapers were not exaggerating about the dire shortage of jobs for graduates. ‘We talked to a range of people -- from those desperately searching for a career to

or simply want to attain the knowledge and experience of leadership scuba

those who wished that they had taken a gap year. This helped us mold

diving can bring. Robin Knight is the 20-year-old

programmes to suit these groups of people, and to the development of a full

Managing Director and founder of Dive The Gap. He and his business partner set

graduate section on the website. Immediately after the fairs we added a

up the company in November last year in order to take gap year students to the Red Sea to teach them to dive, or to become qualified dive instructors. ‘Scuba diving was something I had done briefly when I was 13,’ Robin recalls, ‘and I returned to it last year because it gave me an excuse to get out of England and develop myself. I ended up working at a dive centre in Dahab for nine months as a dive instructor before turning it into a business. After seeing a hole in the market, the manager of the dive centre, Paul McBeath, and I began working on Dive The Gap. 'What started as a gap year scuba diving company evolved into a business that had extraordinary potential. After

system whereby people could build a programme to their own requirements.’ Robin is passionate about diving and the benefits it can bring not only as a healthy activity, but also as a career. ‘Scuba Diving allows people to explore and discover an enormous underwater realm, finding something new every time,’ he says. ‘As a professional it is an absolute pleasure introducing others to this undiscovered world. It helps people find and develop themselves, leaving with a true insight into their own lives.'

Learning to scuba dive may sound like a fun thing to do on your gap year, but as one new company is proving, it can be a fulfulling career in itself.

For more information on Dive The Gap, go to: www.divethegap.com

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scuba diving instructor | case study

Jonathon Wheeler

I got into this a few years ago. I wanted to do some travelling around the world. I found that becoming a diving professional was a ideal way of combining my love of diving with travelling and allowing me to earn a living. PADI is the professional association of diving instructors, the world largest and most recognised international scuba diving training agency, and as a PADI instructor I teach scuba diving courses covering all aspects of diving from beginner to professional levels. PADI courses consist of three different modules. There is an academic portion, confined training portion, and open water training dives.

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This can be something a jobless graduate can do until the job market picks up, while gaining vocational qualifications.

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Would you take further study in order to progress your career? I am interested in taking this as a more serious career path. Over the next few years I want to earn the highest recreational scuba diving level of ‘course director’ which would allow me to teach people to become instructors and have a say on the training of the PADI system. I also plan to combine my film and production skills with diving and the underwater world. What do you love about what you do? What I love about my job is that I earn a living doing the things that most people come on holiday for. To me it is a dream job as I live my life doing exactly what I love doing. I love that

when I wake in the morning, there are no buses, bills or hassle, and the majority of clients that I deal with are here on holiday. Introducing people to the underwater world is a life-changing experience, and to be a part of that is truly an honour. The only real downside is that I am away from my family a lot of the time, but I do get to see them when they come on holiday. I recently taught my brother to dive. What skills do you need to succeed at what you do? You have to be a people person with good interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate and motivate others. A bit of empathy is also an asset. I find that working in this kind of environment actually promotes these kind of skills, at least in me. The company I work for has a motto ‘underwater life experience’ and for sure, this is true! The experiences I have had here have prepared me for life. What advice would you give other graduates wanting to do what you have done? Finding a reputable company, with the experience of training and a good track record, are paramount in my opinion. The staff that taught me had a tremendous amount of experience and before long a mentor/protégé relationship developed. Don’t sit and wait for things to happen, get out there and take the plunge, even if this is not a career choice for you. I never considered it a career when I started. Nevertheless the professional qualifications, combined with the experience of a lifetime, have given me a wealth of knowledge, a great deal of confidence, and a belief that there is nothing I cannot do. Someone told me that if you sit and wait for things to happen, life will pass you by. n

Degree: Film/Video Production, International Film School of Wales Job: I am a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer teaching anything from entry level scuba diving to training professionals in the field of recreational scuba diving.

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work experience abroad | case studies

Degree: Biology 1:1 Cardiff University, Marine Biology PhD, Bangor University When did you decide to take a gap year and why? I had wanted to work for Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) almost since beginning my PhD. I wanted to do something that made a direct difference to people and the environment in the real world. Where did you go and why? After my PhD I went to work for CCC on a voluntary basis in the Philippines for six months. Which different options did you consider? I did not just want to go travelling on the usual ‘round the world’ circuit. I wanted to live somewhere, work with local people and understand their culture. I just had to decide where. That decision was made for me when I was given the position in the Philippines. What was the best thing about the year and the worst thing? The best thing about working abroad (aside from the worldclass diving) was working with such a broad spectrum of people. Working with

George Black Degree: BaCC Accountancy & Finance, University of Glasgow Work Experience: Work America Reasons for doing work experience I had saved up a bit of money working part-time whilst I was at uni and had nothing else exciting to do in the summer! From all the programs I researched, the BUNAC Work America program sounded particularly flexible and that was important for me. Reasons for choosing placement I had always fancied visiting New York and the opportunity to live and work there for a few months sounded amazing. I took enough funds to support myself for a few weeks and choose to job-hunt on arrival. I walked the length of Manhattan every day and handed applications into about every shop that would take one. I was lucky enough to be offered a job in French Connection in Soho and I started work a couple of weeks after arriving in NY. The first couple of weeks I lived in a hostel and as soon as I had a job, I started looking for a room in an apartment. Tasks carried out during work experience Most weeks I worked 40 hours, sometimes more. The store I worked in was the U.S flagship, so as you can imagine, there was a lot to do. My shifts could be anything from 7 am to 4pm, or 3pm to midnight. My general day consisted of being on the shop floor advising and helping customers, and working on the tills. If I was in early then I would usually be cleaning, if I was in after hours then I would usually be replenishing stock and

tidying. Shifts were generally nine hours with a one hour break. Impact on career progression I definitely think my experience is a major benefit to my CV Nowadays, so many employers ask for personal experiences and achievements out with university and I feel my experience would be the kind of thing that sets me apart from others and shows my initiative. Highlights Working in New York, and Soho was an experience in itself and could sometimes be very hard work. Working until the early hours in the morning and then starting the next day at 9 was not easy, but always remained enjoyable as I got on with all the staff and there was a great atmosphere. On my days off I got to see the sights of New York. The Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, The Natural History Museum, Central Park, The Bronx Zoo, and especially Times Square at night, are all amazing.

Matt Doggett

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Working with the local people was great fun, humbling and at times a real test of patience with respect to language barriers and adjusting to different time scales.

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the local people was great fun, humbling and a real test of patience with respect to both crossing language barriers and adjusting to different time scales of getting things done! Working with an international team of expedition staff and volunteers was a real test of my people and leadership skills; it was an enormously rewarding experience. The worst thing was probably the bouts of mystery tropical illness that I contracted. How did you fund the gap year? I had saved enough money during my PhD to for my trip. As staff, I only had to pay my airfare, travelling expenses and beer money. CCC provides assistance for those needing help with fundraising. What benefits do you think it has given you in terms of employability? I think it highlighted my interpersonal and project management skills. Working on a community-based conservation project highlighted my ability to multi-task. Prospective employers can see that I am able to apply myself to many different fields with success. It did not take me long to find employment on return to the UK.

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work experience abroad | case studies

Ceit Scott Degree: History BA, Swansea When did you decide to take a gap year and why? Basically as soon as I got into sixth form I started thinking about it because I realised I didn’t want to go straight to uni after school. I made the definite decision after Raleigh came to visit my school and they did a talk about going travelling with them. I didn’t know how I could be productive on my year out and it seemed like a good programme.

Rachel Stevenson Degree: Politics and Spanish, Bristol. What did you do on your work experience? I volunteered in Guatemala for ten weeks as part of my gap year, with a company called Global Vision International. This involved teaching Maths, Science, Spanish and anything else I could think of to indigenous children, whilst staying with a Guatemalan host family. Why did you decide to volunteer? I wanted to do something which would challenge me and put me out of my comfort zone; working with children is something I’d never done before. It was an opportunity to immerse myself in the Spanish language before I went to university, and to learn about a different culture. I found the project by searching for ones in Latin America on the internet, and called several different companies with my questions. What did you most like about what you did and were there any downsides? I liked the satisfaction I felt after a good lesson, when it was clear the children had progressed and enjoyed themselves. I also liked seeing the difference the project made to them and the community we were working in. The children were always full of energy, which could make it difficult to keep them focused!

Where did you go and why? I decided to go to Borneo in Malaysia, mainly because I had never heard of it. Also there was the quite large appeal of the rainforest and on that trip you get the chance to go diving. Borneo kind of just jumped out at me. I spent two and a half months actually travelling, but I enjoyed it so much that as soon as I got home I started working so I could go away again – this time to Thailand. Which different options did you consider? Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Namibia in Africa, but the diving and the rainforest in Borneo swayed it for me. I didn’t really look at other companies because Raleigh’s reputation stood out and I managed to talk to several people who had been travelling with them. What was the best thing about the year and the worst thing? The best thing had to be climbing mount Kinablu - the highest mountain in Southeast Asia at 4000m. I’m not really a physical person so I was so proud of getting to the top. We had to get up at 2am to get to the peak. We watched the sunrise over the clouds while we were sitting on the top. The most challenging thing I found was trekking, but there wasn’t really a worst point. Trekking through the jungle was tough; there are leeches, snakes and bugs!

How did you fund the gap year? I paid for it myself by working in our local hospital doing an admin job for eight and a half months. On top of the money you fundraise for Raleigh you still have to pay for flights, jabs, kit. I did a sponsored 24 mile walk with my dad in pouring rain in October to raise about £800. When I came back I worked 50-60 hrs a week to go to away again to Thailand. This time I went with Realgap for a month. It was completely different to Raleigh. Raleigh is very structured and they make sure you're getting the most out of what you're doing. Realgap was much more of a holiday. On the Raleigh trip - we were helping build a bridge so they could build an eco-tourism industry in the rainforest and give some scientists access to the area.

‘

I built my teamworking skills and spent valuable time in a different environment learning about a different culture.

’

What benefits do you think it has given you in terms of employability? If you’ve done something structured on your gap year, putting it on your CV is attractive to your employer. The Raleigh brand is a great advantage because most employers will know it’s a good scheme. So many people are graduating without something that makes them stand out. I built my teamworking skills and spent valuable time in a different environment learning about a different culture. Interview by Ed Thompson

What skills do you feel you need to make a success of volunteering? Determination to make the most of your experience, and to keep going even when things don’t go as you’d planned. What do you think you got from the experience personally? I never saw myself as someone who loved kids, but leaving them was so hard! I learned if I really put my mind to something I can do it, and became more confident and assertive. There’s no point in doing something you don’t enjoy purely because it will look good on your CV.

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work experience abroad | case studies

immediately) back to Malaysia. Which different options did you consider? I wanted to see as many places as possible, so the only other viable option was a round-theworld air ticket. Flying would have given me the chance to see more places and it would have been cheaper, but the disadvantages made it an easy choice. I think that flying gives you a sterilised experience; you see more places, but get a false impression of the country, as you are a tourist. By using local transport I spent most of my time with local people and actually learnt about the cultures I was interested in. My trip was dictated by including the Trans-Siberian route; I booked my IVS projects either side of it and worked out the rest of my itinerary from there.

Florence Granatt Degree: BA in Music from Oxford University Job: Secondary Music Teacher When did you decide to take a gap year and why? I decided to take a gap year in my last year of university; I had gone to Oxford straight from school and was young for my year, so I felt I needed a break from education after the pressure of finals. I have always travelled, but I never had the time to stay for very long in the countries I visited. Taking a year out gave me the chance to learn about all these different places properly. I did not feel ready for work, as I was unsure what direction I wanted to take career-wise, and felt when I did get a job I would lose the opportunity to take so much time to travel. Where did you go and why? Originally I planned to travel with university friends and made two prerequisites for the trip: I wanted to travel overland as much as possible, and get the Trans-Siberian railway from Russia to Asia. Eventually, as I wanted to save more money to travel for longer, I decided to go alone, although I left England and drove through France and Germany with friends. After they left, I went to Poland, Lithuania and Latvia by train and bus and spent two weeks in Estonia teaching English to children through an International Voluntary Service (IVS) scheme. My sister then came to meet me and we travelled by train and coach to St Petersburg and Moscow. She left and I continued my journey on the Trans-Siberian railway through Russia and into Mongolia. I had another two-week IVS project teaching in an orphanage there, before I went to China. I managed to get a teaching job at a private school in the mid-south, where I stayed over Christmas for about three months, before travelling through Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. My only flight was the one back to England, and a short Air-Asia flight from Indonesia (which I hated and left almost

What was the best thing about the year and the worst thing? I know it sounds clichéd, but the best part of my year was meeting local people. It was easy at the beginning to fall into groups of backpackers, but as I started to use more unusual transport, I developed the confidence to travel alone. Because I was a young, blond, western girl travelling alone, I stood out, especially in Asia and Russia, where it is strange for women to travel alone. People were intrigued and always wanted to talk to me.

‘

I think that flying gives you a sterilised experience; you see more places, but get a false impression of the country, as you are a tourist.

’

Honours year while stuck in the library on a dark, cold February afternoon during my third year. I felt I’d learn and challenge myself more by undertaking an independent travelling adventure abroad. I also thought taking a gap break would boost my career prospects and help me discover what I really wanted to do with my life. I researched my options and eventually enrolled on i-to-i’s online TEFL Diploma course. It cost £195, took just 60 hours to complete, and as well as forcing me to brush up on my grammar skills, it provided me with lesson ideas and advice about all aspects of planning and preparing for the trip; all of which made the idea of working as a teacher and living in a foreign country much less daunting. I received a TEFL Diploma at the end of the course and within weeks I was offered a six-month paid teaching placement in Bangkok. What dio you like most about you did? As a traveller, I relished leaving my comfort zone, gaining insight to a different culture, meeting local people and seeing how they lived, adopting the Thai laid-back attitude to life and marvelling at the country’s fascinating past when visiting historic sites. As an English teacher, I was moved by the enthusiasm of the children I taught; the vast majority of them loved to learn and made me feel welcome from day one with big smiles and lots of hugs. I found the experience of creating fun, stimulating, and interactive lessons, and seeing how well received they were by my students, incredibly rewarding.

Alice McBrearty Degree: Politics and Management, the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen What did you do on your work experience? A six-month paid teaching placement at private language schools in and around Bangkok, Thailand. I taught English to children aged three to 13 in classes of up to 40 for an average of 25 hours per week (excluding preparation time, like lesson planning and training). Why did you decide to do work experience and how did you find your placement? I decided not to return to university for my

Were there any downsides? Teaching energetically for hours in sweltering, humid conditions was often physically demanding. Also, witnessing the scale of poverty across the country’s poorest parts - where there were persistent beggars, malnourished children and dying amputees - was particularly distressing. What do you think are the most important strengths you need to make a success of work experience? You need to be independent, motivated, confident in your abilities and willing to challenge yourself. You also have to be respectful of diversity in people, and be adaptable to a completely new way of life. I learnt more about the real world than I would have staying at university. It gave me greater confidence in my abilities.n

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work experience | resources

resources www.aspectinternships.co.uk Aspect Internships UK and Ireland offers unpaid professional work experience placements in a range of UK-based companies. www.bunac.org Bunac offers work, volunteer and teaching abroad programmes www.business-bridge.org.uk Work experience for students at Liverpool universities or people returning to Merseyside for the summer. www.carolinesrainbowfoundation.org Charity established to raise awareness of safety issues amongst backpackers and gappers. www.cactustefl.com Courses and lots of information and advice on choosing the right teaching course for you. www.dh.gov.uk/travellers Department of Health Advice for Travellers – you can also apply for an EHIC (previously E111). www.direct.gov.uk/en/ HomeAndCommunity/ Gettinginvolvedinyourcommunity/ Volunteering/index.htm The official government portal for volunteering opportunities in your area. www.divethegap.com Can give you invaluable experience and training in the scuba diving field. www.do-it.org A UK directory for volunteers established by the charity YouthNet. www.efwe.org CRAC’s European framework for work experience project.

www.gapyear.com a good overall site including specific tips for female travellers. www.gogapyear.com Foreign Office advice specifically for gappers. www.gowales.co.uk Graduate Opportunities Wales - the most popular provider of work experience placements in Wales. www.graduateadvantage.co.uk Provides paid work placements and employability training for graduates based within the West Midlands. www.gvi.co.uk Volunteer abroad on critical conservation and community projects. www.Hotrecruit.com A temporary jobs site for students. www.i-to-i.com Information on working abroad as well as alternative spring breaks. www.idealist.org An interactive site founded by Action Without Borders. Thousands of volunteering placements are available all over the world. www.internjobs.com Offers internships of varying lengths to students. www.nases.org.uk Contact details for all universities that have a student ‘Job Shop.’ www.objectivegapyear.com Safety courses run by ex-SAS trainers. www.placenet.org.uk PlaceNet is a registered UK charity that

actively promotes the benefits of work experience. www.raleighinternational.org Raleigh runs four- to ten-week expeditions to India, Borneo, Costa Rica and Nicaragua for anyone considering taking a gap year. www.safetrek.co.uk Dangers are not confined to crime or illness; many gappers fall victim to road safety accidents while travelling. www.STEP.org.uk Offers a wide range of summer work experience placement opportunities. www.vinspired.com The website of v, a charity established to increase the quality and quantity of youth volunteering. www.volresource.org.uk A one-stop shop for all resources relevant to the volunteering world. www.volunteering.org.uk The home of Volunteering England. www.westfocus.org.uk CUT-IT, (Companies & University Talent Industry Training) offers eight week paid placements for undergraduates, and graduates in firms in the WestFocus-area (i.e. West London). www.work-experience.org National Council for Work Experience. www.work-placement.co.uk provides students with the opportunity to find out when the exhibitions and to pre-register prior to the event. www.yearoutgroup.org Offering opportunities to people taking a gap year.

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Better futures for young lives with epilepsy The NCYPE is a unique charity dedicated to providing specialist services for young people with epilepsy and related neurological disorders. Our inspiring campus in Lingfield, Surrey, provides the perfect environment for individuals to live, learn and develop to their full potential.

Being part of the life of young people with epilepsy is not easy. It requires a special person with special qualities – are you one of them? NCYPE aims to provide stimulating and rewarding opportunities where you can contribute, develop and perform to your full potential. The work is challenging, but if you wish to develop a career in social care or use this valuable experience to springboard your career in working with children and young people, this is just the opportunity for you. What the staff say: “The atmosphere at NCYPE is amazing, everyone is really helpful.” “The organisation is very committed to staff development and all staff are very supportive of each other.” “Each day provides many worthwhile challenges.”

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Available at your careers service and at www.realworldmagazine.com

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Curiosity can take you to some fascinating places. Like a professional services powerhouse that improves the performance of businesses all over the world. To find out how, and develop skills that will make you more employable, investigate our 1NSIGHT programmes. • 1NSIGHT Day – aimed at everyone from sixth formers to postgraduates. • 1NSIGHT Academy – one week long and designed for first-year undergraduates. • 1NSIGHT Internships – running for six to ten weeks and aimed at penultimate-year undergraduates. • 1NSIGHT International Internship – undergraduates in their penultimate year can spend time in the UK and one of our overseas practices. • 1NSIGHT Business Placements – six- and eleven-month sandwich placements in Tax and Assurance.

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