Year 10 Work Experience 

Year 10 recently completed their week-long work experience last week, and returned to school with changed attitudes.  From selling solar panels to early years child care, the range of experience was vast.

 

One of the students, working at an environmental shop in Gloucestershire, even got to christen a new paint colour, coining the name ‘Blue Mist’ because of it’s subtle hues.    “The people were really friendly, and I enjoyed being part of the team,” He said.  Many of our students made similar comments, “They treated me as an equal,” said a student who worked at the Ramada Plaza, “the hardest bit was the housekeeping.  I only did it for a morning, but making beds that quickly and that well was really tiring!  I have a lot of respect for those who do it for a job”. 

 

Students also found out from their fellow workmates what qualifications and experience was needed to do the jobs they aspired to.  This was an important part of the week, as everyone arrives at career choices in different ways, but most have to gain certain qualifications or experience to get that dream job.  “Finding out what would give me an advantage when applying for early child care was really helpful,” said one girl, “I realised I needed to study but also that I could get experience by volunteering for organisations and charities.  I didn’t know that before”.

 

A student who worked in a solicitor’s office for the week was even allowed to draft completion documents for people buying houses.  “They sat next to me and showed me what to do,” She says, “but it was good to do something for the business, not just photocopying.”  And the best bit?  “Learning about a work environment in general.  It’s really different to school, but I think I would like it.”

 

Of course, there were some disappointments.  One student working at a motor centre would have liked to test-drive the cars, “But I wasn’t allowed.  I did learn how to change a tyre though!”  This student liked it so much he wanted to stay longer, and is enquiring about a holiday job.

 

There was a moment of thought before answering my last question, but wise words often follow a pause;

 

“My advice to anyone about to do work experience would be this; be prepared to work hard, because the staff you will be working with do.  They won’t expect anything less!”