Why work experience matters

Author: Andrew Stainton – Employability Adviser (Graduates), Careers Service, University of Sheffield Date: September 2019 For many students, getting work experience is not a choice but a necessity to pay the bills and just survive. But beyond the vital cash that work experience brings, there are some other really sound reasons why it makes sense to work whilst you study. Most students get the idea that internships and placements are highly prized and look great on a graduate CV, which they do, but are not so convinced of the benefits of less formal work experience. The key with more generic work experience is to take it seriously and use it as a way to develop new skills. A while ago I observed a graduate assessment centre for a Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 employer. On the day, graduates were asked to deliver a five-minute presentation on an achievement they were proud of. Whilst many spoke about gap year projects and individual achievements like running marathons, the standout candidate enthused about his Saturday job at Greggs the baker. When he said he was going to talk about Greggs, straight after someone had enthused about their time volunteering in East Africa, I think there were a few smirks - but it was great. He totally understood what the employer was looking for and used this unglamorous position to showcase his ambition, commitment, leadership, commercial awareness, team work, empathy and love of a good sausage roll (sense of humour). Not only had this guy taken an opportunity that he could easily had resented and taken for granted but he used his positive attitude to learn and develop from the role and just as importantly he had the sense to make the connection between that job and his future career - even though they are worlds apart. In the time he worked at Greggs he had being given supervisory responsibility, organised fundraising events, trained new colleagues, completed a summer placement shadowing directors at Head Office and built friendships with people he would otherwise never encounter. So he took it seriously, took advantage of the opportunities it gave and he was able to show others how it was relevant. Below are five reasons why it might pay, in ways other than cash, to gain work experience whilst at university: 1. Confidence building – Working in a busy, customer facing role can really help build confidence and assertiveness. It might seem like a daunting prospect but most employers offer training and after a few shifts, it’ll feel like second nature. If the idea of dealing with the public and being asked to do several things at once is a bit scary - then you need to do it. 2. Self-Awareness – Increasingly graduate employers are using strength-based interviews to select the right people. To do well with these you need to have a good insight to what you enjoy and what energises you. Experiences outside of university can really help with this, even if it clarifies the type of work you do not want to do. 3. Skills Development – Like most things in life, you tend to get out what you put in with student jobs. If you show commitment, interest and ability there are opportunities to gain new skills and competencies from areas such as management training to learning new IT systems and tools. 4. Graduate Opportunities – It is not unusual for employers to see potential in a student employee and offer them a graduate role, if it is an industry that interests the student. In the careers service we have seen examples of this in a wide range of sectors including events, policy research, teaching, marketing and tech. If you can secure a summer internship or placement year then this is even more likely. 5. Inspiration – We know not all part-time jobs are such positive experiences and whether it is working in a call centre, supermarket or high school, if it gives you the inspiration to make sure that when you graduate you never have to do that type of work again then it’ll still have been worth the effort. If you want to get some work during your time at Sheffield and do not know where to start then have a look at the information here. 5 Tips for Getting Work Experience Finding work experience whilst you study is easy for some but for others it can be a frustrating process. Below are a few tips to help in your search: 1. Think like the employer – What do they need / want from students? This applies to any job application but especially with part time work; think what the employer most values - flexibility, reliability, customer service, teamwork, communication etc. 2. Be proactive – Apply early! With part time work, it is not always the best candidate but the quickest to apply who gets the offer. 3. Get help with your application – It is important to ensure your application is accurate and relevant; first impressions really do count! The Careers Service is just as happy to help students with part time job applications as with graduate schemes. 4. See the bigger picture – Any experience can help. Do not assume that working in retail or hospitality has no value, any job can be used to build transferable skills and help you progress to the career you ultimately want. 5. Use a variety of sources – to search for vacancies including the Student Jobshop, Career Connect, online websites, recruitment agencies and direct approaches to potential employers are all avenues to explore.