The importance of work experience

Work experience (WEX) is hugely important and can offer so much to students. For one thing, WEX is incredibly valuable for getting insights into any career, allowing students to be exposed to potential industries they wish to explore.

Not only this, but having WEX can make you stand out from the crowd in applications for courses, training and jobs. For instance, if you are considering medicine, accessing a work placement is a key element to your application. Many applicants to university may have the right grades, but not all of them will have work experience. On top of this, a good personal statement will often include reflections from WEX in relation to why one wants to study a course.

The university pathway is increasingly popular, meaning the postgraduate job market is more and more competitive. Having relevant and diverse work experience will set students apart from other candidates, increasing their employability by boosting CVs. Essentially, having WEX positively impacts both academic and job applications.

WEX is also important for boosting students' confidence and skill sets. Going on placement immerses them in a new environment where they are meeting new people and expected to behave appropriately in a workplace setting. This not only pushes them out of their comfort zone but encourages them to develop skills that are transferable to future workplaces and gain a knowledge of working environments.

One thing I say to all students contemplating where to do work experience is that, in a way, it does not matter where you go. Yes, some may have specific career paths they want to pursue which requires particular WEX, but really at this early stage in a students career it is ok not to know what you want to do! One of the most important takeaways from WEX is learning not just what you want to do in the future, but what you don’t want to do.

Ultimately, WEX is incredibly important for trialling industries and job options and giving students clarity about their ambitions.

Top 10 Benefits of Work Experience:

• Boosts applications and employability- academic and career benefits.

• Develops personal skills for university and the wider world.

• Boosts knowledge of workplace environments and behaviours.

• Self development- boosts confidence and self-belief. 

• Lends clarity about future pathways- gives students a better understanding of what they want/don’t want to do.

• WEX could have beneficial links to curriculum and have academic advantages. For example, attending a WEX placement often encourages critical thinking.

• Gain important, transferable skills for future jobs.

• Gives deeper insight into industries of interest.

• Networking- making a good impression counts and having contacts in an industry is valuable.

• WEX could lead to future opportunities with a company/employer if it goes well.