Work Experience

Work Experience at Commonweal takes place in years 10 and 12. There are loads of reasons why work experience is really useful:

• It brings the working world to life.
• Relates your studies to the world of work.
• Helps you learn new skills.
• Take a ‘test run’ of the career you might be interested in.
• Improves your employability (make sure you include it on your applications for work and education).
• Helps with the transition from education to employment.

Although you will be doing some work experience during your time at Commonweal, you might also want to consider setting up your own work experience or job shadowing opportunities during school holidays, particularly if you want to find out more about the type of career you are interested in. It is also a great way for you to find out more about an employer, and for an employer to find out more about you. Don’t forget that if you set up your own work experience placement outside of school, that you mention this on any job or education applications. It shows an employer that you can take your own initiative, are organised and can demonstrate passion for that career pathway. Employers do sometimes recruit work experience students and they often use work experience placements as a way of identifying their future employees.

Universities like to know that you are passionate about the subject you are applying for and talking about work experience on your personal statements helps you to link your career plans with your chosen subject.

Now you know why work experience is important, you need to:

• Find the right work experience.
• Prepare for your placement.
• Make the most of the placement.

Below are a number of documents to help you with finding your ideal work placement, but please do contact the Careers Adviser (jfalaki@commonweal.co.uk), or your Head of House, or your Form Tutor if you need any help.

Guide to Finding a Work Experience Placement

Guide to Writing Letters for Work Experience

Sample Letter

List of employers offering Work Experience Placements – This list is not exhaustive and there are other local employers who would be interested in offering students work experience placements.

Unifrog Guide to Work Experience