Getting Work Experience

Getting Work Experience

Paid or unpaid, work experience is valuable!

According to a recent gradireland survey, over 85% of companies offer work experience or internships.

What types of work experience are out there?

• Work Shadowing:  Unpaid.  Short term.  Observe a professional at work.
• Placement:  Paid.  1-6 months.  Organised work experience doing a specific job for the company. May be part of your studies.
• Internship: Paid / Unpaid.  Formal work experience in an area related to your degree or to a career you wish to pursue.
• Stage: French term for work experience, often used in EU.

Making the most of work experience 

• Set objectives with your manager and find out exactly what they expect from you. Ask if you need help!
• Show an interest in the company, be enthusiastic and hardworking – more opportunities may crop up.
• Improve your interpersonal skills – talk to other employees and find out what their job entails and how they got them.  Offer to help if they need it.
• Record everything that you do.  You then have a ’selection of evidence’ of the skills you have acquired or expanded.

How to find work experience:

We'll advertise all paid jobs in Careers Connect - log in using your student login to search / browse opportunities. Summer placements can be more formal and advertised either on the company’s website or through the Careers Connect. Tip - update your profile to get weekly updates on opportunities!

Keep an eye on academic unit noticeboards as some companies contact them directly.

Look for voluntary opportunities with charities at home or abroad.  This will help to develop the attributes and skills that employers seek. Join ALIVE programme while studying.

More tips for students at careers information for students sharepoint (you must be logged into your NUIG Office365 account).