Work experience

It is usually around June when pupils are encouraged to engage in work experience, whether it be at a local café or school. The possibilities are endless, as long as you have the confidence and manners to convince the company to take you on.

I completed two weeks of work experience whilst at school, one being at a local care home and the other being at the marketing agency Katapult ltd. Participating in work experience not only helped develop my social skills, but additionally provided me with a sense of what to expect in a work place. These placements also helped me gain knowledge in to my GCSE subject choices: health and social care and media studies, concluding in success with my GCSE results in these subject areas.

The Lodge Care home

This was my first weeks placement, and I found myself unsure of what to expect and what my role would be in this working environment. I soon fitted in and the staff made me feel welcome and comfortable, furthermore I made many friendships during this placement with both staff and service users. My role was the 'activities manager' leaving me in charge of organising events within the home such as bingo games, exercise classes and pampering the service users. During my placement at the care home I was offered the opportunity to participate in the creation of a wells dressing, helping the local community. I found this a fun, unitising task which allowed me to talk to residents as they joined in with the arty activity. It was a brilliant placement and helped me gain understanding of how a company is ran and how to work successfully as a team.

Katapult marketing agency

Katapult is based in Derby; I had to be away from home during my placement with the company so I was very nervous. The company is so vibrant, modern and lively as well as consisting of a chilled out atmosphere. Everyone is so friendly and their is a huge sense of teamwork and friendship between the employees. Each member of the team made me feel comfortable and I felt able to be myself and relax in the environment. During my placement with the company they were creating an advert for the University of Derby, and I luckily got to follow the process. I carried out work in the companies office, and additionally went a long to various meetings. I witnessed the recording of a voice over and the 'putting together' of an advert- It is unbelievable the amount of patience required when putting an advert together. The company then requested for me to write a post for their blog, this allowed me to gain the experience of being a blogger. Here is a link to my blog post(http://katapult-studios.web13.hubspot.com/blog/bid/198211/Fancy-a-Brew-My-Work-Experience-Week-by-Jess-Christie).

Overall, I would completely recommend for people to take part in work experience. Although the first day may seem scary and daunting, it is worth it. From work experience I have gained: social skills, understanding of how a company is ran, how to handle money, how to speak to customers, how to work as a team, how to remain organised,  time management, how to use my initiative and my own abilities. Since my work experience I have had two jobs and felt prepared for employment, as well as possessing knowledge on what to expect in the working environment.