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Information, Advice and sources of support for young people in Suffolk

Work Experience

Is this career right for me?

Work experience or work-related learning, at any age can help you find out if a career is right for you.

Work experience is not usually paid, but you might get help with any expenses or travel costs.

You can gain experience by:

  • volunteering
  • a part- time job
  • helping friends or family with a business,
  • entering enterprise competitions
  • skills challenges (like DofE or NCS)
  • internship

Getting some work experience offers you the chance to:
- Improve your skills
- Boost your chances of getting a job
- Look great on your CV
- Show you have the right attitude
- Give you experience of working with others and completing various tasks
- Provide you with some contacts which could help you get a part time job or an apprenticeship

“How do I find work experience?”

Your school or college may require work experience either as a part of your course, or offer it as an optional extra.
They can help you search and apply for vacancies too.

Find a placement of your own:

  • Try asking friends or neighbours.
  • Contact local employers.
  • Follow companies on social media and look out for any work experience opportunities.

For extra tips and advice visit work experience advice on National Careers Website.

“Where can I do Virtual work experience or get Work Inspiration?”

Virtual work experience is a growing area.  It is also referred to as online, remote or e-experience. It can give you the opportunity to complete work experience from home or it can give you a taster of what it might be like to work in that company or career.

For more information on virtual work opportunities:

  • Ask your school or college’s career department.

Look at these sites for current opportunities:

Workfinder, Springpod, Speakers for Schools or BarclaysLifeSkills

“Should I do an Internship?”

An internship is a fixed period of work experience with an organisation which offers experience of a particular industry in a working environment.

Internships:

  • are a popular choice for students and undergraduates to get experience of the field they are studying.
  • can last from a few weeks in the summer holidays, up to a year as part of a higher education course or graduate internship.

Internships should be paid but this will depend on whether or not you are classed as a ‘worker’.

For information on the difference between paid and unpaid internships and advice on your rights, read this guidance from Gov.Uk: Making internships work, an intern’s guide.

Are you a young person with additional needs? 

Have you thought about a 'Supported Internship'? It is a specific scheme for young people with additional needs, outlined in our SEND 16+ Transitions Guide. 

Visit our page 'I have additional needs'.
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Page updated on March 27th, 2023 at 05:12pm