Work Experience Special 2008 by Real World

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2008

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WORK EXPERIENCE MAKE YOUR CV STAND OUT

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© 2007 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

VAR ETY Nationwide Opportunities Spring and Autumn 2008 Assurance Tax Advisory Actuarial Strategy

No ifs. No buts. If you want variety, you should be talking to PricewaterhouseCoopers. As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, we offer unrivalled opportunities for undergraduates to gain valuable commercial experience. For example, we offer an eight week summer internship; or six to twelve-month business placement opportunities for those doing a four year degree course. Our ‘Insight’ course offers a bite-size introduction to the world of business, and PwC Recruit has the combined benefit of helping you develop some practical skills and work towards achieving a graduate job offer. In all, with so much on offer, you’ve got some choices to make. After all, we’re the one firm for all talented individuals.

www.pwc.com/uk/careers/ Text: PwC to 85792 We value diversity in our people.

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NEXT YEAR,

SUMMER STARTS ON

JANUARY 13TH.

That’s official. It may be cold and wet, but January 13th is the hottest date of 2008. That’s when applications are due for our summer internship programme. So hurry. And as the majority of our summer interns receive full-time offers, the outlook’s bright, even if the weather isn’t. This is where you need to be.

Internship application deadline: January 13, 2008

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Start as you mean to go on.

Ambitiously.

Work placement opportunities in Audit, Tax and Advisory Many people who join KPMG on placements go on to great things afterwards – many of them with us. That’s because we treat you like any other member of the team, giving you the same exposure to clients, projects and challenges as your more experienced colleagues. So at the end of your time with us, you’ll have a pretty good idea of why we’ve been voted one of the top three ‘Best Big Companies To Work For’ for three years running – and we’ll have a pretty good idea of your potential too. Find out more about our placement opportunities by visiting www.kpmg.co.uk/careers Who knows where it might lead?

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EDITOR’S LETTER Imagine the scenario – it’s graduation time and you are applying for jobs. You’ve got sparkling academic results and you have participated in loads of extra-curricular activities. But when it comes to job offers, all you’ve had is a big, fat zero. So what’s holding you back? The answer could be pretty simple: you need to have relevant work experience. If

Editorial Editor Catherine Watson Designer Yang Ou Creative Consultant Jennifer van Schoor Sub Editor Ali Masud

you, ultimately, want to work in finance or in law, that means you will probably need an internship under your belt. We find out what it means to be an intern and how you can make the

Catherine Watson, Editor

Marketing/Distribution Manager Mitul Patel Client Services Manager Marie Tasle Managing Director Darius Norell Real World 22-26 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ Telephone: 020 7735 4900 Editorial – 020 7735 2111 Fax: 020 7840 0443 info@realworldmagazine.com www.realworldmagazine.com for job vacancies, careers advice and case studies. Copyright © 2007 Cherry Publishing. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher. We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs or for material lost or damaged in the post. The views in this publication or on our website are not necessarily those held by the publisher.

Bunac Camp America Citi Deloitte Enterprise Go Wales Careers Fair Gap Activity Projects J P Morgan KPMG Lane Clark & Peacock M&S NCYPE PricewaterhouseCoopers Sainsburys SEO London

Once you’ve done some work experience, how can you sell it on your CV? We speak to careers advisers and recruiters about how to make your CV sparkle. They advise on

Sales Head of Sales Paul Wade Sales Harmesh Sansoa, Terry McNally

Recruiters in this issue

most of your time there.

24 26 9 28 36 34 24 3 4 32 30 32 2 35 24

everything, from layout, to how to phrase your responsibilities and experience. Likewise, when it comes to applying for the work experience in the first place, it is important that you take the time and effort to tailor your applications – matching up your key skills with the company’s criteria. We bring you our top ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’. For those of you considering gaining work experience abroad, we weigh up the pros and cons of deciding to develop your work skills in a new environment. Good luck with securing work experience and internships. For inspiration on where to apply, take a look at our case studies towards the back of the magazine. In the meantime, if you have any comments or queries please do not hesitate to drop us a line at editor@realworldmagazine.com

in this issue... 6 Make the most of being an intern Internships are a popular way for students to get an insight into working life. But what should you do when you actually start one?

16 Get your passport raeady! Overseas opportunities can be a great way to boost your résumé – we look at the arguments for and against work experience abroad

10 Brainfood Think you’ve got loads of time before you need to start thinking about work experience? Think again

Case Studies

11 Real World online For even more advice about work experience, take a look at our re-launched website 12 Sell your experience Once you have completed an internship or other work experience, how should you sell it on your CV? We reveal some key pointers 14 Sending out the right message We reveal why you should make the same effort when applying for work experience as you would for an actual job

18 Make your experience count We speak to 17 students and graduates about their experiences of internships, voluntary work, and work placements 19 All abroad We interview a selection of graduates and students about their experiences overseas 23 On home turf You don’t have to hop on a plane to get some great work experience under your belt 31 Be enterprising We speak to a graduate entrepreneur about his work experience, and discover how taking a gap year can help you to gain important life skills 33 Breaking into journalism It’s a popular (yet highly competitive) industry, so how do you get work experience there?

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WORK EXPERIENCE IS A GREAT WAY OF BOOSTING YOUR CV, BUT WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING WHEN YOU START AN INTERNSHIP? REAL WORLD INVESTIGATES

MAKE THE MOST OF BEING AN INTERN Photograph: iStockphoto

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GET EXPERIENCED | overview

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GET EXPERIENCED | OVERVIEW

nternships provide a glimpse into the professional world as they offer invaluable work experience and an insight into a specific industry. They enable students to undertake the responsibilities of work in a given field by completing tasks, attending

meetings and working full time. Despite the hard work required, competition for internship places gets fiercer every year, which reflects how beneficial students believe the experience is. For those lucky enough to be placed on an internship it is a unique opportunity to discover the realities of an industry. Anjli Mehta, a finalist at Warwick University, agrees saying: “The most important benefit of my internship, in the debt capital markets department at Citi last year, is that it gave me the opportunity to try out the job that I would be doing if I decided that I wanted to be an investment banker after graduation”.

“

Work hard: the rewards you get out of your internship will reflect the amount of effort and hard work you put in. Remember your internship is a means to an end, the end being a potential job!

”

Completing an internship, therefore, enables students to make informed decisions about their future. Olli Mustonen, also from Warwick University, says: “My internship with Rothschild gave me confidence about my career choice by showing me that I could work in the City.” Rebecca Aitken, who works in the graduate recruitment office of law firm Linklaters, says: “There are three important reasons for doing an internship. Firstly, to be able to see the firm and become better informed about the industry; secondly, to have the experience of going through a rigorous recruitment process, which can only help in the future when applying for graduate jobs; and thirdly, having such an experience on your CV differentiates you above your competition to the employer.” As this is an opportunity for students to showcase their talent to the corporate world, it is no surprise then, that those who are successful are increasingly offered permanent jobs after graduation. Consequently, it is vital that students going on placements know how to make the most of their internship. How to maximise your internship experience: 1.

ork hard: the rewards you get out of your internship will W reflect the amount of effort and hard work you put in. Remember your internship is a means to an end, the end being a potential job! Expect to be busy: all internships, and realistically most jobs, require some menial tasks to be done so expect to be photocopying, faxing and filing, and don’t be deluded with expectations of grandeur. Attitude: whatever you are doing, it is important that you remain upbeat, enthusiastic and show a genuine interest in the company. This will make others feel comfortable working with you. Use initiative: if you think a task needs to be done but no one has been assigned it then do it yourself, your employer will be impressed that you can think on your feet. If you don’t understand, then ask: the last thing you want to do is to perform a task wrong because you were too scared to ask for clarification. Anjli Mehta reports: “It is important to realise that you are likely to go into an internship with little or no technical knowledge and everyone around you will know that, so don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions.” Participate in extracurricular activities: if the company offers

you the chance to attend a field trip, lunch with the executives, or tickets to an event, it would be beneficial to participate as an opportunity to get to know your fellow interns and speak with executives more informally. 7. Volunteer for extra assignments: Anjli Mehta, reflecting on her experience, says: “The most important piece of advice I could give is to be proactive. If you have finished a project make sure you ask for more work.” The more enthusiasm you show for the work the more responsibility you will get. 8. Network: this is a perfect opportunity to make contacts within your field and, as Olli Mustonen points out, to “meet likeminded people”. Try to meet as many people as possible, not only your immediate supervisor and fellow work colleagues but also people from other departments and those with different roles. Speaking with individuals about their roles will give you an insight into what your skills are most suitable for. 9. Stay in touch: once your internship ends, keep in touch with your co-workers through emails or telephone calls, so that you can get company updates and keep your name fresh in the minds of employers when hiring decisions are made. 10. Keep a record: you should note down all the tasks you have been asked to perform. This will be very useful when writing about your internship on your CV.

Charlotte Hart, also from the graduate recruitment team at Linklaters, reports that the best advice she can give to interns is to “be yourself and make the most of the opportunity.” She adds: “This is a unique chance to ‘try before you buy’ and can help you decide what in the industry you enjoy specifically so you apply for the right roles. On the rare occasion when a student decides that this is not the industry for them, they have had an experience that teaches them what they don’t want to do in the future, which is equally as valuable.” Using these tips will help demonstrate to your employer that you are a dedicated hard worker with an interest in the business. For some this may mean an offer for a graduate job whilst for others it may provide a gateway to other opportunities in different departments, sectors or companies. n

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T: 210 mm S: 190 mm

Just going with a name.

Going where you’ll make a name for yourself.

S: 272 mm

something more? Last year one of our colleagues helped broker a deal that helped an African country reduce its debt portfolio through payment restructuring — only six months after graduation. Call us when you’re ready to make your mark. - Investment Banking - Corporate Banking - Capital Markets - Sales & Trading - Global Transaction Services - Technology - Human Resources - Operations apply online at careers.citigroup.com

© 2007 Citigroup Inc. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Citi and Arc Design and Let’s Get It Done are service marks of Citigroup Inc. Citigroup Inc. is an equal opportunities employer.

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GTI Careers Service Guide

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T: 297 mm

What do you want to accomplish? An impressive title, or

STAYING OUT FOR THE SUMMER I

n order to get the maximum CV boost from what seems like endless weeks

spot of volunteering or fundraising work will not only earn you some money while

away from university, you need to do

you holiday, but will provide you with

your research now. Whether you’re thinking about a holiday on a budget, volunteering or a work experience

the best opportunities for new experiences and meeting new people. One organisation, with centres across

placement, there are deadlines to think about and limited places too.

Britain, is the British Youth Council (BYC), that relies on young volunteers to get

You don’t have to go abroad to gain new skills, Iwan Griffiths, careers adviser at De Montfort University, suggests using the

involved in matters which affect them. You don’t even need to take the time to join, as a member of the National Union

time to plug a skills gap. He says, “This might mean brushing up your IT skills, picking up new languages or learning

of Students you are automatically a member of the BYC. Jo Field, head of policy and public affairs, says:

to drive.

“Anyone wanting to become a regional volunteer can get in touch with their local group and pick up a campaign. It only takes up a couple of hours each week

“First check the skills needed for the career areas that interest you, then seek out any courses that are available using websites such as Learn Direct, or by contacting your university careers service”. If you fancy more of a DIY holiday on a budget, why not consider a working break in the UK. Keep costs to a minimum by staying in a hostel. Combining a seasonal job on the south coast with a

and might involve emailing MPs and asking for their support on a particular campaign issue. Volunteers only need to have an interest in making a difference.” Work experience placements are in high demand come the summer, especially in popular fields like media. If you’re up against hundreds of other hopeful students it’s better to beat the rush and write that letter now. Iwan says “Many large graduate employers run advertised summer vacation programmes but others don’t advertise. You need to approach them direct with a CV and cover letter.” Many companies operate on a first come, first served basis. So getting your application in early will mean you’re at the top of the pile. The internet is ideal for inspiration, check the Real World website for further information and advice.  Report by Sarah Ross

HIGH SOCIETY Remember that sport you always wanted to play, or that new skill you thought about learning but never got round to? Universities have all sorts of weird and wacky societies on offer, so why not sign up now and try a whole new experience? Firstly, there’s poi. If you’ve always wanted to try twirling fire but were too afraid to, then, if your university has one, the poi society might be a good place to start. Poi will not only improve your co-ordination, but also boost your self-confidence – after all it takes guts to spin flames around your own head. Want something just as adrenalin pumping, but not as dangerous, why not try octopush – the sport of underwater hockey – that has become really popular among students. It involves using a small stick to push a puck around the bottom of a pool. Jamie Parsons, president of Durham University’s Underwater Hockey Society, explains: There’s nothing else quite like it. It gives you a chance to push yourself and find out what you’re capable of. Jamie believes it also says a lot of positive things about those who play. He adds: “I have never met a boring underwater hockey player. It means that you’re outgoing, active and willing to dive into things head first, sometimes literally!” If you don’t fancy anything too active, then joining a debating society will teach you a whole new set of skills and there are quite a few perks as well. Stephen O’Dea, general secretary of Bristol University’s Debating Union, says: “The Debating Union hosts and attends a large number of debating competitions. We provide debating training and also hold many social events from simply popping down the road for a coffee after training, to a nice dinner, often free, paid for by sponsorship and subsidized pub crawls.” Being part of a debating society increases your confidence and will look great on CVs for any job too. So, take a risk and try something new – you might find yourself a great new hobby, as well as learn some valuable skills for life.  Report by Sarah Ross

Photograph: iStockphoto

The summer may seem a long way off and although it may be tempting to just sit back and chill out, now is actually the ideal time to start planning your summer holidays

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HOW DO YOU GET A GREAT GRADUATE JOB?

Winner! Congratulations to Jennifer Cowling, a law graduate from Queen Mary and Westfield College. She bagged herself an iPod Video earlier this year. For details of more great giveaways like these, check out the competitions page on: www.realworldmagazine.com

It’s not as difficult as you might think! All you need to do is follow our five simple steps and your job search will become a whole lot easier. Real World tells you what to do STEP 1: LOG ON AND REGISTER All you need to do is visit www.

On that page you will find jobs that match your search criteria, as well as

realworldmagazine.com and register your details. It only takes a few minutes, but it could be the first step to landing a

case studies from those who have graduated from the same university as you, or with the same degree.

fantastic job. Once you’ve registered with Real World you will get access to exclusive STEP4: REGULARLY UPDATED BLOGS content, as well as details of great Want to know how other students are competitions and book giveaways. STEP 2: JOB ALERTS DIRECT TO YOU After you have registered, you will regularly receive tailored job alerts and informative newsletters straight to your inbox. Whatever career path you are interested in, we will make sure you are the first to receive details of relevant jobs. In addition, every fortnight we will send you a round-up of the latest graduate news and careers advice. STEP3: PERSONALISED UNIVERSITY PAGE When you register with us you will have access to a page with tailored information based around your university.

Have you seen our digital edition? As well as all the features in the print edition, you’ll also get access to our superb CV clinic. The digital edition is fully searchable so you can find previous features at the touch of a button. All you need to do to access it is to register at: www.realworldmagazine.com

getting on with their job search, or get the inside track on the latest recruitment developments? Then keep an eye on our blogs which are updated on a regular basis. STEP 5: COULD YOU BE THE NEXT GRADUATE OF THE YEAR? Check out the Facebook application we have created to enter our annual Real World awards. Students will be invited to enter a category such as entrepreneur of the year; volunteer of the year; contribution to university, or most improved club or society. The prize fund will be awarded to a project rather than an individual. 

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So, you’re putting together your CV – how can you transfer what you’ve gained from work experience onto your résumé? Amelia Angus finds out

our CV is what is going to convince

to a specific business, some information may be more relevant

employers that you have the skills and knowledge to be a useful addition to their team. You are going to need to

to one than another. Once you have chosen your focus points break them down further. You cannot simply consider what you did but what this tells an employer. They are looking for

prove that, in your previous work, you were actively involved in projects, you learned and implemented

you to demonstrate a number of things, all in one sentence. Firstly, you must show that you have the skills, experience and knowledge in their field that are relevant to the job

relevant skills and you bought something new to the company. “This is your selling document,” explains Tim Forster, senior manager in the recruitment team for PricewaterhouseCoopers. “You must show what differentiates you from any other student,” Tim says. Therefore, after completing any work placement and reflecting on your experience, what should you do? Update your CV, of course! First of all, break down all your achievements and decide on a few points you want to emphasise. “Two, three or four, depending on how closely the job is relevant to the job you’re applying for. But at least two,” advises Peter Lord, careers information centre coordinator at Sheffield University. Space is valuable on your CV, so only discuss experiences you feel are entirely relevant. It might be useful to jot down all the achievements on your placement. When tailoring your CV

description. Give a specific example of what you achieved, the skill that this required and an understanding of the impact this had on the company. Finally, if you can, show innovation in that you took your responsibilities one step further. The way you write your CV and the phrases you use can really effect the impression it has on the reader. Always write in a positive tone but avoid boasting. “Don’t over exaggerate and make claims you can’t support in an interview,” warns Peter. Make sure you check your spelling, grammar and punctuation, recommends Jo Hendry, graduate resources officer for Corus. And most of all: “Don’t use text phrases – this is an obvious don’t,” advises Jo. The tone of your writing is also important. “Use positive words like ‘achieved’, ‘increased’ and ‘succeeded’,” suggests Peter. When writing about your experience, try to consider what the employer wants to see.

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sell your EXPERIENCE | overview

Photograph: iStockphoto

sell your exper ience “We’re looking for examples of leadership, commercial skills,

job you are applying for. CVs should be no more than two

team-working abilities and areas of responsibility,” says Tim Forster of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Try to avoid passive words such as ‘responsible for’, as this

pages, but any less looks like you haven’t got enough to talk about. Concentrate particularly on the two most recent work placements or jobs you have undertaken, unless you have

can sound like the beginning of a list of duties and, unless related to the job for which you are applying, the employer won’t be interested. If you want to show that you were in a

done more relevant work before. If this is the case, then it may be useful to split your work section into two sections: relevant work experience and other work experience.

position of responsibility, then explain this with an active word that describes what you were doing. For example, instead of using the phrase ‘responsible for managing bar staff’, emphasise the managing role by saying ‘managed a group of 20 people in a busy bar environment’. How you layout your CV is an entirely personal choice and although there is no right or wrong way to do it, the important thing is to make the information accessible to the reader. “It needs to be neat, tidy and easily readable,” says Rajai Tanda, graduate resources qualifier for the Highways Agency. “Stick to conventional fonts,” advises Peter Lord, “and never mix fonts.” One good presentation style is to list the jobs in chronological order, show the start and finish date, your title if you had one and the company you worked for. The space you allocate to talking about work depends on the amount of experience you have and its relevance to the

If you can, alter your CV to directly target each different employer you send it to. This personal touch shows you are deeply interested in the company you are applying for, rather then desperately sending out hundreds of identical CVs in hope for a job. Target it towards the company but be careful, warns Jo Hendry: “There’s nothing worse then seeing something copied and pasted from another company!” Your work experience is a very important part of your CV and you should take care wording it correctly. Your understanding of a career and holding the necessary skills to work in that particular industry are your most valuable assets – but these are of no use if you cannot demonstrate this to future employers through your CV. Therefore, as soon as you finish a placement, it is advisable to note down your achievements, what skills you have learned, and edit your CV to reflect the new assessment of your abilities. n

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sending out the Applying for work experience requires the same amount of time and effort as an application for a job. Sarah Ross offers some all-important tips on what (and what not) to do when you apply

Do’s > Get your application in early. A limited number of placements are available and the summer only lasts so long, so it’s vital you are at the top of the pile before the spring-term rush. > Do your research before you apply. Sarah Longwell, careers adviser at Keele University, says: “Recruiters will want to know precisely why you are applying for this experience, why you are interested in this organisation and what you have to offer. Make sure that you know the answers to these questions and express them clearly”. Perhaps you can even include something interesting you have found out about the company that has inspired you. > Let them know when you’re available. It’s no good assuming that everyone knows when your summer holidays start or how long they last. It’s essential to include the dates of when you’re available to work However, don’t go overboard and limit it down to just a few weeks. > Tell them what you would like to gain from it. Tell them what you would like to learn, or improve on what you know, and put what you have learnt into practice. > Remember to follow up your letter with a phone call or email if you haven’t heard back. It may be that they simply haven’t got round to replying to you yet. A follow-up call will show that you are keen. > Tailor your CV to different companies. Lynne Jones, careers adviser at Bournemouth University, says: “You need to target your application towards the particular job you are applying for. It’s no good having a generic CV to send out to everyone, you need to go through it with a fine-tooth comb and match up your skills to the criteria.” > Apply in the right format. Sarah says “If employers provide an online application form then use it, don’t just send in your CV because you’ve already written it. Equally, if you are making a

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APPLICATION | overview

he right message speculative enquiry, make sure you send a CV and formal covering letter rather than dropping them a text-style email.” > Present information in reverse chronology. Sarah Longwell believes this is an important point to take on board. She says: “What is most relevant to an employer at this stage – your GCSEs or your degree? You are applying for experience as either an undergraduate or postgraduate, so reflect this in the order of your content and don’t go back beyond GCSEs. Be consistent with this for all other information.”

Dont’s > Forget to check your spelling and grammar because little mistakes can mean your application is instantly dismissed. Make sure you get someone else to read through your application before you send it off, whether it’s a careers adviser or a friend; they are more likely to spot any mistakes. > Start your letter by introducing yourself (there’s plenty of time to do this in the second or third paragraph). Instead, start your letter in a different way by using information that is attention grabbing or interesting. Sarah also believes your covering

Photograph: iStockphoto

letter is important: “The covering letter is your introduction to the CV and needs to encourage the recruiter to find out more about you. In essence, it needs to articulate why this role, why this employer and why you. Unless you can make this crystal clear, your CV may not even be glanced at”. > Write an essay. Nobody wants to trawl through pages of information to find out simple facts, especially when they’re busy. If you insist on including a lot of waffle you’ll just find that your application is ignored. Sarah agrees: “You’re not writing an essay. A CV should be no more than two sides of an A4 sheet with plenty of white space. It needs to be quickly accessible and logical. Be selective, use precise language and avoid repetition.” Also, don’t forget to include all of your contact details at the top so they are easy to locate. > Think of it just as work experience. Jobs in competitive industries are hard to come by; this is an ideal opportunity to make yourself known and make a lasting impression on a potential employer. Many organisations keep previous work experience students in mind for future jobs, so think of it as a real job application. > Give up if you don’t succeed the first time you apply. Don’t take it personally, it’s not necessarily because they don’t like you, chances are they’ve had an abundance of letters from all sorts of students. It may be because your letter came in later than others, or maybe you didn’t spend enough time working through your application. Try re-writing your application letter; you may be surprised what a difference it makes. n

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get your passport ready!

Work experience overseas can be an invaluable experience. But would your time be better spent on a placement in the UK? Amelia Angus weighs up the pros and cons

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OVERSEAS OPPORTUNITIES | overview

he decision to completely

placement may not be for you. If you

uproot yourself for a work placement abroad can be a

are looking to work on developing general, transferable, skills then

challenging, and life-changing,

volunteering might be the best option.

experience. Many students look forward to the independence

Also sometimes, volunteering in a job that you are interested in can be

and freedom it will give them;

mutually beneficial. Paul reveals how

others want to develop work skills in an exciting new environment. Some simply want an impressive talking

medical placements in India would, not only be a whole new experience, but also be a way in which you would

point on their CV and a subject to discuss in interviews.

be “helping another community”.

Whatever your motive, when planning work experience you must always consider what will be most beneficial for

Finally, before you decide on your placement, take a minute to think about if the experience is right for you

you. For example, in terms of your career, it might be

personally. Working abroad is an experience for life, and,

more useful to pick up business skills and commercial

with opportunities to travel after your placement, can be

awareness in a three-month internship in the UK than spend four weeks shovelling elephant dung in Tanzania.

a memory you will treasure forever. It will do wonders for your confidence and feeling of independence as well. “It

Illustration: iStockphoto

There is no right or wrong answer about what is a more

can be pretty challenging,” says Kevin. “It really shows

valuable experience, or what employers are looking for. When deciding whether to work abroad, all you can do

you that you can handle life!” However, travelling alone can also be an intimidating

is weigh up the advantages and disadvantages and

experience. With no place for preconceived

decide where your priorities lie. When planning your work experience, the first thing to

expectations, you have to consider if you are capable of making the most of the situation. If you are suffering from

do is to sit down and work out exactly what you want to get out of it. “Try and work out what you want from the experience before you start,” suggests Jo Cox, work

feelings of homesickness and isolation then you are not going to be focused on the task at hand. In a UK placement you can meet your employer before you start

placement officer at the University of Bristol. If you have clearly-set goals that you want to achieve and skills that need developing, then you can decide on what type of

and have the comfort and convenience of living at home in a familiar environment. Working abroad will challenge your adaptability and give you huge independence,

work experience you want to undertake. Developing generic personal skills can be carried out

which is fantastic – but only if it is within your boundaries. To work abroad must therefore be a personal decision,

nearer to home, but if you have an unusual example where you have proved these talents, then it can catch an employer’s eye. “You’re gaining the same basic skills

based on your aims, finances and self-analysis. The decision will ultimately depend on where your priorities lie, with the financial cost, an assessment of where the

but with an additional dimension of overseas experience and a different outlook,” says Paul White, marketing manager of Travellers Worldwide. Understanding how to get along with a variety of different people is an important part of teamwork, and if you can prove that you have interacted with, and worked alongside people from a different culture, then you are already ahead of your peers. “It gives you a broader understanding of people from cultures and backgrounds that are different to yours”, says Kevin Dynan, director of Global Volunteer Projects. Strong communication is another valuable skill applicable to any career, and while many foreign work placements don’t expect any foreign language skills – although some may offer courses – breaking language barriers can help illustrate your conversational talents and do wonders for your confidence. Once you have decided upon the intentions of your experience it will be easy to see which type of work you want to do. For example, if earning money is one of the goals of your work placement then you will not be considering volunteering. If you have decided to look for very job-specific experience, the opportunities just might not be available abroad. In which case, a foreign work

greatest benefit lies or with desire for an incredible life experience on top of your work placement. n

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MAKE YOUR NCE E I R E P EX T N U CO

ITH WORK W V C R U O Y BOOST UATES ABOUT D O T A R W G O D H N W A WANT TO KNOWE SPEAK TO 17 STUDENTSLUNTARY WORK, AND EXPERIENCE? NCES OF INTERNSHIPS, VO THEY GOT THE POSITIONS THEIR EXPERIE ENTS. THEY TELL US HOW M WORK PLACE EY GAINED FROM THEM AND WHAT TH 18 RW WWW.REALWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

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What was your motivation in applying? Someone came to my school promoting gap years. I had always wanted to travel and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I wanted a cultural experience, as well as a chance to learn a language. Living in a third-world country makes it much more of an experience. You are constantly tested by difficult situations. What did the application process involve? We had to fill in an application form with a personal statement, saying why we wanted to go and what our motivation was. Then there was an interview with two people, for a general chat, talking about hobbies, and why you think you would be good at teaching or caring for children. What did you do? Mainly teaching, and I did the odd bit of caring. I taught at a primary school in a rural village and also a secondary school. In the late afternoons I taught mature students. I worked in the primary school in the mornings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I was left to teach my own class and make lesson plans. I had an hour break for lunch, then taught the late afternoon class. On the other days, I taught at the secondary school and would be assisting instead of teaching. How did you sell the experience on your CV? You learn how to adapt as soon as you get off the plane. You learn how to speak to certain age groups, and to change your teaching for age groups. I also gained cultural awareness and it builds confidence. Did you enjoy it? It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. It helped me concentrate at university and lead me to change my degree.

r & Portrait of

ve Magazine Co

cca Kistler

son by Rebe

Natalie Dickin

TEACHING ABROAD

What did you learn? It’s such a cliché to say that you’ve grown as a person, but you do. Although there is a language barrier, it’s not much of a barrier once you’re there. I became more independent and it changed the way I think about other people. Best part? My favourite time was working in the primary school; there was never a dull moment. I also enjoyed spending time with my host family; they taught me some Ecuadorian recipes.

Age: 23

Worst part? The travelling on buses! Also, occasionally you’ll miss home, which can be hard.

Natalie (pictured) is in the final year of a Spanish and creative writing degree at Roehampton University. In 2003, she applied to go to Ecuador through GAP Activity Projects. GAP arranged the accommodation as well as a work placement. She was placed in a city four hours from the capital Quito.

What advice to readers do you have? Just do it! It’s the best thing you could possibly do. It teaches you to be independent and it opens your eyes. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. It’s an ideal thing to do after university.

Natalie Dickinson

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VOLUNTEERING ABROAD Sam Porteous Age: 20 Sam is currently studying environmental management at Leeds University. During a gap year, two years ago, he travelled to Mexico with Global Vision International, (GVI) the ethical volunteering organisation. He is interested in scuba diving and wanted to scuba dive with a purpose, as well as do some volunteering work. He was about three hours south of Cancun, in Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve managed by an NGO. What was your motivation? I wanted to do something that was to be of benefit, as well as doing something I really enjoyed. I am interested in the environment and it seemed like a really good opportunity. What did the application process involve? There was an online application form followed by a telephone interview. I was not kept in the dark; I was given lots of information. The support leading up to it was brilliant with emails from staff with last-minute advice. What did you do? The primary thing we did was a coral survey. We had to learn 52 coral species off by

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WE WERE LIVING IN BASIC CONDITIONS SLUMMING IT - BUT IT SHOWED ME THAT I TAKE A LOT OF STUFF FOR GRANTED had done quite a lot. There was no particular application form to fill in.

What did you learn? Coral! In 10 weeks I learnt a lot about myself. It was the first time I had been properly away from home and responsible for my actions. We were living in basic conditions – slumming it – but it showed me that I take a lot of stuff for granted. You don’t need materialistic things.

What did you do? Normally, we would start in the morning on the mountain skiing, trying to improve our techniques. Then, we would do some instructions; within the group we would take turns and teach different parts of lessons. We had three exams to do and each one was about three to four days long.

Best part? The place we were in and the people we were with. All the people were brilliant, both the staff, as well as all other members of the expedition. And the diving was great. Worst part? Leaving. And certain aspects of communal living became a challenge, people not pulling their weight for example, was frustrating. And learning the coral was quite difficult! Advice to readers? Definitely take up an opportunity like this. It shows you a part of the world you would not see otherwise. It's a chance to give something back and have an amazing experience.

SPORTING QUALIFICATION Rachel Adcock Age: 20 Rachel is in her second year of a biomedical sciences degree at Newcastle University. Rachel took her gap year with SnowSkool from January to March before starting university. The qualifications she achieved on the course led to a job with the British Ski Racing Academy in Australia, for the Australian winter season. She has used her qualifications to coach the university ski race teams on the local dry ski slopes. heart in Latin – before we went. We were staying in a marine park in Mexico, diving twice a day and surveying the coral. How did you sell the experience on your CV? I gained tremendous team-working skills, working in an international group of all different ages. It was real team-working. Did you enjoy it? Definitely. The highlight of my gap year were those 10 weeks in Mexico. I came back on the biggest high. Everyone there was on the same

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wavelength as me and we are still in contact. I am looking to do something like it again.

How did you sell the experience on your CV? I have been working with the university ski race teams and I am hoping to get work at the dry ski slope next year. I have gained leadership skills and the ability to work with other people. Did you enjoy it? It was absolutely fantastic! My brother is going to do it next year because I have spoken about it so much. What did you learn? A lot of it was learning to work as part of a team. It improved my confidence and made coming into freshers’ week a lot easier. Best part? I made some really good friends that I’ve kept in contact with. Everyone is out there to do the same thing and really enjoy themselves. Worst part? Some days the weather was really bad. It could be minus 40, but we’d still be out on the mountain. Advice to readers? Go for it. You come out with a qualification you can use and you get the chance to travel.

What was your motivation in applying? I had been skiing for quite a long time but I wanted to do something different and get a qualification. I wanted to learn how to instruct, and it made sense to go out and get the qualifications at same time. What did the application process involve? Quite simply, I rang up the guy who ran it and asked him what it was all about. The skiing group was split into two sides: those who had done some skiing and those who

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What did you do? I had two days off a week, and worked cut-shifts of four hours in the morning and five at night. When you first got in, you had to sort out bills of people leaving; try and translate the menus daily (which could be tricky!); sort out letters and answer all the calls. The evenings were more of a mixture. You would be welcoming clients, explaining how to get to rooms and advising on things to do in the areas. There was no feeling you were being used for your English; they were keen to integrate you as a French person and didn’t want you to feel foreign.

LEARNING A LANGUAGE John Perry Age: 23 John graduated with a degree in philosophy, politics and economics from York University. In 2007 he enrolled at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) where he is studying for a masters in international studies and diplomacy. Through Twin Work & Volunteer Abroad he then secured a summer placement in Balaruc-les-bains near Sète a coastal town, in rural South of France. At the start of the placement he undertook a week’s language course in Montpellier, which was followed by 13 weeks working as a receptionist in a hotel. What was your motivation in applying? My main motivation was that I really wanted to learn another foreign language. I came out of university and wanted to do a diplomacy masters. French was something I’d always liked at school. I also chose French because it is spoken pretty much everywhere and because it is the language of diplomacy. Oh, and I really love French food! With Twin Work & Volunteer Abroad there is heavy emphasis on training you as a professional. Although I have no ambitions to be a receptionist it was nice working in a foreign environment where what’s expected of you is expected of everyone else. What did the application process involve? I had to submit a long application form: why I wanted to do the placement, my educational background and I had to write in the target language my motivation for doing the programme. At the interview stage, I had an English interview with Twin Work & Volunteer Abroad to see who is properly interested. There were then French tests, which check that, when you come over, you can manage. The programme is financed by the EU as part of the Leonardo scheme. The entire amount spent on you is about 5000 Euros (£3,500). You are effectively paid and you don’t have to worry about flights or any of that hassle.

How did you sell the experience on your CV? With my chosen masters to have another language is so important. Looking at the people who I will be studying with – not a single person doesn’t have some experience of working abroad. I will be looking for a job with an international aspect and it will be great, not only to say I am fluent in French, but also that I have vocational experience. Working at the hotel meant my language had to be polite, and I gained a more courteous way of speaking. I didn’t really expect that, and it’s definitely something to put on my CV.

TEACHING ABROAD Ian Seaborne Age: 23 Ian undertook an engineering and design development degree at Harper Adams University College. He is taking part in the ‘Teaching English in China’ programme, run by The China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) in Beijing. Ian is currently a spoken English teacher in a secondary school, teaching 15-16 year old students, and will be in China for a year. What was your motivation? A real variety of reasons: I really wanted to experience the culture of China. It was an excellent opportunity to live and work here, and experience Chinese culture not just by visiting as a tourist. I have travelled quite a few continents, and China was a place I hadn’t visited; I wanted to tick another box as it were. Also I didn’t want to go straight into a

Did you enjoy it? One hundred per cent. The social aspect was probably the big selling point for me. There were lots of French stagiaires [students on placements] in the hotel and they were keen to go out. What did you learn? Learning the language is probably secondary – the main thing is that you are happy and at ease with the culture. Best part? It was probably seeing the Tour de France. Also my colleagues were great. Plus, there was a big Latvian group staying at the hotel and on the summer solstice they invited the hotel staff out and we had an awesome night! Worst part? When I came back to England part-way through the placement. I realised what I was missing about home. It was hard to have a juncture during the placement. What advice to readers do you have? Don’t think that you’re not good enough for it. The whole idea is that you are not good enough but you go there and get better. So apply and go for it! Twin Work & Volunteer Abroad is offering new Leonardo and other international work and volunteer programmes in 2008. See www.workandvolunteer.com for more details.

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full-time job after university, or at least not one I would be in for the next 10 years or so. I wanted a structured gap year, rather than purely travelling. What did the application process involve? I applied directly to the CEAIE. I had seen the programme advertised on a careers circular that uni had sent. I applied for more information from Professor Thomas [he is the UK recruitment specialist for CEAIE] and he got back to me with a detailed contract. I then sent him my CV and covering letter, explaining why I was fit for the position; the whole process took around two months.

LEARNING THE LANGUAGE IS PROBABLY SECONDARY – THE MAIN THING IS THAT YOU ARE HAPPY AND AT EASE WITH THE CULTURE

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BY DOING A PLACEMENT, YOU COME AWAY A BETTER PERSON; IT MAKES YOU LEARN A LOT ABOUT YOURSELF What did you do? Initially, I was purely an English teacher. But I have since taught government officials and staff at a head office of a mobile phone provider.

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How did you sell the experience on your CV? I have sold it as successfully completing a challenge. It has been more of a structured gap year; I've had direction in what I'm doing. Did you enjoy it? I enjoy it 90 per cent of the time. Occasionally, it is incredibly difficult, either the job itself or adapting to a different culture and mentality. Mostly, I’ve enjoyed it. What did you learn? Before, I never saw myself as a teacher, but now I’ve realised how rewarding it can be. I can also get by in Mandarin. Best part? During February I was given a month off as part of Chinese New Year and travelled round China. The most rewarding part has been the array of cultures in China. Worst part? I haven’t been able to return home – there is no Christmas holiday in China. A downside is not seeing my family and its new members. Advice to readers? Sit down and seriously think about what your reasons are for coming to China. Can you spend a large amount of time away from western comforts? You'll miss certain luxuries.

PROJECTS ABROAD Hannah Lane Age: 21 Hannah is in her final year of a communication studies degree at Sheffield Hallam University. She took a gap year between A-levels and starting university. Through Projects Abroad she went to Ghana for three months. Most of her time was spent working in an orphanage. For the rest of the time she was working in a school: teaching, dancing, singing and generally keeping the children entertained. What was your motivation in applying? I was accepted for a course at another university that I didn’t want to do, so I decided to go volunteering. When I was 16 I had been to Zambia to work with Aids victims, so I knew a lot about the culture of Africa and decided I wanted to go back. Projects Abroad’s website was appealing and the company offered a diverse range of things to do.

Worst part? At no point did I think I want to go home. But knowing what I know now I would have gone for longer. I can’t think of anything negative to say about the experience.

What did the application process involve? It was very straightforward: it could be done on the internet, or through filling out an application form. Initially, they want to know who you are, what you are interested in and where you would like to go. It was almost a tailor-made package: you could choose dates for flights that suit you.

What advice to readers do you have? By doing a placement, you come away a better person; it makes you learn a lot about yourself. I think it is important to learn about other cultures. I would say, 100 per cent, go for it and live like the locals. But take malaria tablets and get vaccinations before you go!

What did you do? I would wake at about 6am, then walk up the road to get public transport into the city with locals to the orphanage. My first role was to wash the three and four years olds and then take them into pre-school. While they were at pre-school I fed all the babies, changed and washed them. I then brought the children back from school and fed them lunch. The children were wonderful and so keen to communicate with us, even though they couldn’t talk. In the afternoon we would take the children to the beach or the pool, and buy them some bottled water or bananas. At the end of the day I would be exhausted and but I would still often go out for a few drinks.

OVERSEAS SPORTS PROGRAMME

How did you sell the experience on your CV? It was an immense cultural experience. I was with children who had absolutely nothing but who were extremely content. Working with the children was incredible. In particular, when I had to help the children pass exams. It gave me a great sense of achievement and hopefully it will benefit them in some way in the future. After all, the better educated you are in Africa the better jobs you will get. Did you enjoy it? It was amazing. I don’t have the funds to go back yet, but I keep telling my friends I will take them and stay on the beaches. If you plan your time you can go travelling. What did you learn? Everyday was a new experience. I also realised how kind people are. You can forget there is a lot of goodness in people. Best part? Working with children was incredible, but I have also made some amazing mates. Two and a half years on, we are still fantastically good friends.

Dan Woods Age: 26 Dan graduated in philosophy and economics from University College London. He initially went to Ghana on a GAP SPORTS programme to do football coaching. However, while he was out there, he also got involved in teaching English at the football academy where he was based. He taught a variety of subjects including English, science and maths. What was your motivation in applying? Charitable – a lot of people go for a purely personal experience, but I wanted to contribute my skills. Also, going out to Ghana post-university meant I was more mature and academically stronger. I wanted to help people less advantaged than myself. What did the application process involve? I submitted an application form. There was no ruthless cross-examination, instead you were asked about your background and your personal motivation. What did you do? I did a combination of football coaching and teaching. I did two or three hours teaching at a local school or at the academy. Then I coached another local team in the evening. My days were packed, but you don’t have to do that – it was my choice. I worked four days a week and I spent my spare time hanging around with local kids at the academy and playing more football! How did you sell the experience on your CV? In advance of going, I mentioned it on my CV. I had a job lined up with Accenture when I returned from Ghana where I

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Worst part? The programme is definitely not for a lot of people. You have to be a certain type of individual with a basic level of communication skills and confidence.

worked for several years. After moving from Acenture I have been referencing my experience and current involvement too. I am heavily involved in the charitable arm of GAP SPORTS and it plays a key figure in my CV. I took six months out of my time from Accenture to do some pro bono work for them, to help develop their IT systems. Did you enjoy it? Absolutely. It was the first time I got to live with a different community and different culture. You have to go out to Africa and see it first hand. People are incredibly bright and positive in Ghana. What did you learn? It was a combination of things. There was a real cultural exchange, finding out a lot more about Africa as well as developing interpersonal skills, especially with kids. It also confirmed my interest in helping out communities and it cemented my idea of how I was going to contribute long term. Best part? The community – GAP SPORTS puts a heavy emphasis on working with other volunteers, as well as getting involved with the wider community. On the programme volunteers can contribute as much as they want and I liked that flexibility. Worst part? The worst part is the deprivation – it’s a shock compared to what you would see on the average English street. I attended three funerals in one evening; seeing people die young is the hardest thing to accept.

What was your motivation in applying? To get some practical experience of the real world. I wasn’t put off by the prospect of going door to door to sell: I was up for a challenge. I am a competitive guy and was involved in sport at university. I liked the idea of competing against other students in the UK and US, but I mainly wanted to see how I got on with my own business. What did the application process involve? For me it was slightly different because I was in the middle of exams, but normally it is about a 10-14 day process. For me the initial point of contact was a survey I did. I then went to a presentation which outlined the programme. The selection process involved three informal meetings, although one was a bit more formal, with interview questions. For more information visit www.southwestern.com.

Age: 23

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IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ALONG THESE LINES,YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO TAKE A FEW KNOCK-BACKS

SUMMER PROGRAMME

Did you enjoy it? Very much. It is quite tough, especially the first three weeks where you are on a steep learning curve. But once you start making sales you feel like you are doing a good job and get an amazing sense of accomplishment.

Adrian graduated in 2006 with a degree in economics from Nottingham University. During his finals he was recruited by Southwestern to join their sales and marketing programme. On it, students run their own business, which involves direct door-to-door sales.

Rós Ní Dhubháin

How did you sell the experience on your CV? I haven’t yet, but I will be doing in the near future. The over-riding factor is the selfconfidence you gain in making presentations

and public speaking. A lot of the time at university they don't really encourage you to make presentations. My self-confidence is 1,000 times higher than it was at university.

Age: 22

LAW FIRM VACATION SCHEME

What did you do? I was managing the finances of my own business. I was involved with a whole variety of things, but mostly direct sales. I had to give sales presentations to families. It was pretty demanding and I had to overcome and face rejection. It was tough, but character-building. It is not an easy scheme: over 10-12 weeks in the summer you could be working 70 or 80 hour weeks, working six days out of seven.

What advice to readers do you have? Before you go, read up on the standard medical requirements and get as much information about the country as you can. When you get there be prepared to get involved with the group and try to stay social.

Adrian Dennis

What advice to readers do you have? If you are going to do something along these lines, such as fundraising or door-to-door sales you have to be prepared to take a few knock-backs and be resilient. With Southwestern you also have the opportunity to earn a decent amount of money.

What did you learn? The ability to read people. You also need the ability to read a situation. Best part? The philosophy, principles and the people of the company are great. I've also learnt to maintain a good attitude.

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Rós gained a 2.1 in law from Cambridge and she is now a trainee solicitor at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. She took part in a twoweek vacation scheme during the summer of 2004. She was given the chance to choose a department and sit in it for two weeks. During her time in the IP/IT department she was given a lot of work to research – notably, the team was working on a patent litigation, representing a well-known electricals firm. What was your motivation? I did a law degree at university, but at the time I wasn’t wholly sure where I wanted to work. I am from Northern Ireland and my only exposure to solicitors had been with very small country firms, not broad-based international practices like you get in the City. I wanted to know what life would be like in a commercial law firm. People had spoken

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WORK EXPERIENCE | CASE STUDIES

about a team spirit with 2,000 people in one office – I wanted to know what that was like. What did the application process involve? In 2004 it was a written application process. You were given a blank form and had to write about yourself. Since I applied it has become an online application but the format is still the same: you write what you choose to say about yourself. During the interview they were very interested in me as a person; I knew that there was a strong focus on whether or not I was a suitable team player. What did you do? In addition to the patent litigation research, I did some market research – we had to decide whether to go ahead with a case, as the particular client was concerned about fees and didn’t want to rack up costs. Partly based on the work I did with a trainee, it was decided that we should not go ahead with the case. How did you sell the experience on your CV? After I had completed my vacation scheme, I didn’t have to go through the normal training contract application route; they wanted to know how I had got on. I wrote a letter to graduate recruitment in which I talked mostly about my brief experience at the firm. I did another vacation scheme at a smaller firm, but it was only when I came to Freshfields that I realised how much more I enjoyed it here. Comparing the schemes allowed me to make a more informed decision on where I wanted to apply for my training contract. Did you enjoy it? I had a brilliant time. It was great to be part of a big international firm. They organised a conference call with an international office and we were given a case study to work on. Since I started my training contract there hasn’t been a day when I haven’t been in contact with another international office. What did you learn? The most important thing which I learnt was finding out what it would be like as a trainee. Doing a vacation scheme gives you the opportunity to see what’s really going on inside the City. Best part? Easily the people – it was nice for us to meet other students and Freshfields lawyers on the vacation scheme.º Worst part? Getting used to early starts – especially after socialising until the early hours! Advice to readers? Apply for as many vacation placements as you can; there’s a lot of competition. If you can, do more than one, ideally with different sizes and types of practice. But don’t pack your second year holiday full of vacation schemes.

which can be given to temporary or new members of staff, so they can easily see what their responsibilities and their main roles are.

SUMMER PLACEMENT Ashley Moorman Age: 20 Ashley is in his final year of a finance, accounting and management degree from the University of Nottingham. He was contacted by Graddtobusiness, which helps East Midlands employers find students and graduates for work placement opportunities and vacancies. They found him a placement at a security company in Nottingham. The company wanted someone to look through the accounts from previous years and analyse them. What was your motivation in applying? I really wanted some work experience. I had applied for a few internships at big firms but I was not successful, so I applied for other work

How did you sell the experience on your CV? I detailed my knowledge of databases, both of using and creating them. I also highlighted my knowledge of spreadsheets. In fact, I have changed a few figures from the company spreadsheet I created, and I have put it into a portfolio to take along to interview. Did you enjoy it? It has been useful and I have really learnt a lot. I have learnt how an office environment seems to work. I also saw the difference between sales people and engineers and how they work together. What did you learn? I learnt how to communicate in different areas of the business. I attended a number of different meetings and learnt about the logistics of being in a meeting. I was working by myself a lot, which required a lot of initiative. Best part? The fact that I have actually made a difference and the company actually changed because of what I suggested. For example, they are now in the process of emailing their invoices rather than posting them, which will mean a lower carbon footprint amongst other things.

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I HAVE LEARNT HOW AN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT WORKS. I SAW HOW SALES PEOPLE AND ENGINEERS WORK TOGETHER experience. Eventually I hope to go into investment banking. What did the application process involve? It was quite simple: I sent off my CV with a couple of other details, such as available hours and the areas I was interested in. They came back to me a week later with a placement I might be interested. I had an interview and got the job. What did you do? I started working through all the accounts from the previous 20 years. They were all muddled up, so I organised them and put them into an Excel spreadsheet. I created a number of graphs for the directors to find out the areas where they were doing best; alarms, CCTV and so on. As a consequence they implemented a new strategy and it’s already paying off. I was also talking about my course and the company was interested in my studies of organisational behaviour. I spent time with each employer to analyse what they did. I processed all the data into flow diagrams,

”

Worst part? The horrendous traffic and working on the other side of town! Starting work at 8.30 in morning was also difficult to adjust to as a student, but nothing else really. What advice to readers do you have? It is definitely worth doing a placement like mine. It is a lot more useful than working in a shop. Do something that makes you stand out and that employers can ask you about it.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME Ravi Madlani Age: 22 Ravi gained a First in computing from Imperial College and graduated in 2006. He is currently a sales analyst at Barclays Capital. Ravi undertook two internships at Barclays Capital. One in his first year, in the technology

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WORK EXPERIENCE | CASE STUDIES

“

department; and he was then fortunate enough to obtain a placement on the 2005 internship programme, this time learning about the sales aspects of investment banking. After 10 weeks in that department he secured a job starting in 2006.

THE FIRST THING I DID WAS MAKE MY TEAM AWARE THAT I WANTED TO BE GIVEN AS MUCH RELEVANT WORK AS POSSIBLE

What was your motivation? There were two motivations for applying: firstly, it is the best way to gain an insight into the real workings of a bank, and secondly, it was an opportunity to learn about all aspects of banking. One of the main aspects that motivated me to apply to BarCap was the exposure it gives interns to senior people in the bank.

gave me a chance to contribute substantially to the team. It gives you a much better understanding of what job the entails.

What did the application process involve? It has changed a bit in the two years since I applied. Back then it was a two-day process. It started off with various tests and if you did well enough in those you stayed for a second day. The day comprised activities and an interview. Now, I believe there is a telephone interview first, followed by an assessment centre. The assessment centre commences with a dinner with some of the banking staff. It means that you have more time to interact. What did you do? For the sales internship programme the first week was spent doing various training, such as interpersonal skills, such as presenting. Then you slowly move into the deep end learning about various financial concepts. After the first week you are given a desk, and the first thing I did was make my team aware that I wanted to be given as much relevant work as possible. My end game was to get a job offer – and you don’t get that by just making coffee. On top of the work, there were social events where I met other interns. How did you sell the experience on your CV? It’s a difficult question because, since the internship, I haven’t had to create a CV as such. I suppose, spending 10 weeks with one team, as opposed to being on little projects,

”

Did you enjoy it? Thoroughly – it was a great experience and I’ve stayed in touch with a lot of people as result. I would recommend readers to apply. What did you learn? It’s hard to pinpoint one thing, but I think I learnt how to manage different situations. In sales you are in contact with the client constantly, so you need to understand how to manage relationships in a way that a client will enjoy working with you. Best part? The social events and the chance for interns to meet Bob Diamond – it’s not often that someone aged 20 can spend 15 minutes with the chief executive of a bank. [Mr Diamond is now the bank’s president.] Worst part? Getting used to the early mornings for the first week – I had to travel an hour and half into work. Apart from that I really enjoyed the experience. Advice to readers? Apply early. Also research prospective employers in depth and read the financial news.

FUNDRAISING INTERNSHIP Alex Eastham Age: 23 Alex studied business studies at Sheffield University. Her internship was in corporate fundraising based in the community fundraising office for Cancer Research in Manchester. She is currently employed as a direct marketing assistant at Barnardo’s. What was your motivation in applying? I was keen to get into the charity sector but had no direct volunteering experience. The internship at Cancer Research UK was able to offer a discreet project with lots of exposure to the sector so it was a really good way of starting my career. What did the application process involve? My online application focused around case study questions relating to my career, life and school experience. I then had an interview going into further detail.

What did you do? The aim of my project was to increase corporate fundraising in the North West region. This involved going into local companies and explaining how they could help us to fund raise and creating promotional materials at work initiatives. How did you sell the experience on your CV? I treated the volunteering placement like any other work experience, so it was the first thing employers saw when they looked at my CV. It showed great commitment to the charity sector as well as showing I could manage my own project within one of the UK's top charities. Did you enjoy it? I really enjoyed the internship. There were lots of different things to do every day. I had a great mentor and training opportunities too. What did you learn? I gained lots of exposure to the charity sector which was really important in applying for my current role. It was also great way of seeing what the different roles in the sector are like, which has led me to my career in marketing. Best part? Meeting such an amazing group of people in the charity and learning so much from them. Worst part? Having to take up a second job when funds got a bit too low! What advice to readers do you have? I think volunteering is a really good way of finding out more about job roles as well as gaining lots of new skills.

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WORK EXPERIENCE | CASE STUDIES

STEP PROGRAMME Jenny Runnacles Age: 20 Jenny is in her third year of a geography degree at the University of Bristol. She took part in the Shell Step Programme where she worked with a company called Ming Foods, which produces Chinese pancakes for M&S, and Morrisons. The manufacturing process created a lot of waste with the scrap at the edge of the pancake. Her job was to come up with a food product from the waste that would be profitable. What was your motivation? Geography doesn’t lend itself very well to any particular professions. I wanted to get some business experience and commercial awareness that all companies seem to want. I had never considered the food sector before. I really wanted to try something new.

and companies always ask if you can use PowerPoint. Some also ask for your best example of working in business, so I sell it that way. Did you enjoy it? It was a really great experience with really great people. It gives you the confidence to apply for jobs you wouldn’t have considered before.

INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT Dean Kilbryde

What did you learn? Being able to talk people, even if they’re much more experienced. It also taught me time management which is very important and about using my initiative. The time management in particular helped with my dissertation. Best part? Getting to visit people at M&S and seeing how things worked in the factory. The competitions were really good too – and meeting James Max from The Apprentice was quite cool!

Age: 24 Dean graduated with a degree in business studies with marketing from Salford University. He is currently employed as a general store manager for Toys “R” Us. As part of his degree he completed a sandwich year placement in industry with Toys “R” Us, working as a department manager, dealing with everything from personnel issues to sales management. What was your motivation in applying? It was something exciting and it seemed a bit different. I had previously worked for Arcadia part time for four years, so retail stood out as being a fun place to work.

What did the application process involve? There is an online application process for Shell Step interns. Once you have registered there is access to a forum, which lists jobs as they come available. I waited a long time for the right programme to appear. Eventually, Ming Foods came up and it was the only one that really interested me. What did you do? They give you a lot of responsibility from day one. Every day I would look at my timetable and see what I had to do. For example, I would go to the British Library to do some research, or arrange meetings with directors or packaging people. How did you sell the experience on your CV? I have been applying for marketing research positions and I have been demonstrating the things I was doing during the project. For example, I had to do a lot of presentations

Worst part? For the first two weeks I felt really lost. There is no-one there to help you and I realised I didn’t know anything about the food sector. But after you get going, it’s fine; you’ve just got to keep working hard. Advice to readers? Definitely consider doing the Shell Step programme. It offers you a really broad range of opportunities and you really get responsibility for your own job. Many people don’t consider working for small firms, but, by working for a small company you get to see the whole organisation, and possibly work on other projects too. Plus, it helps with your CV.

“

What did the application process involve? There was a full day's assessment which consisted of group exercises in the morning (there were 10 people on the assessment day) then, in the afternoon we had one-to-one interviews. What did you do? I worked with an assistant store manager to run the sales floor, managing a team of employees. The shifts were varied and included working from 6am to 6pm over the Christmas period. How did you sell the experience on your CV? I didn’t have to really as I effectively had a continuation of my job. I was offered an extension to my year’s placement, so I worked part time for them during the final

FOR THE FIRST TWO WEEKS I FELT REALLY LOST. THERE IS NO ONE THERE TO HELP YOU, BUT AFTER YOU GET GOING, IT'S FINE

”

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WORK EXPERIENCE | CASE STUDIES

year of my degree. Then, once I had completed my degree, I was offered a full-time position, subject to training, so I never actually left. Toys “R” Us put a lot of time and effort into training during the placement year, which really pays off as a lot of placement students stay with the company after graduating.

Worst part? Some of the more mundane jobs such as online filing. But fortunately I only had a few things to file each day. What advice to readers do you have? Make sure you are really prepared for interviews. Do practice tests and expect interviews to be very thorough; companies will want to see what you know about business. Also, when you are on the internships have a positive attitude – that way people will want to give you more work.

Did you enjoy it? Yes definitely, especially the environment and people I was working with. It was fast-paced and fun and it was really enjoyable. What did you learn? Lots of management skills. I was dealing with a group of staff and it was my first role as a manager within the retail sector. Best part? The involvement and responsibility of the role. Some of my university colleagues spent their placement years sitting in the corner of an office sending out letters. I was responsible for a multi-million pound section of a multi-million pound store. It set me up for my final year at university and my confidence improved a lot. Worst part? It was very difficult coming out of university where I had been doing 20 hours a week to working, at peak times, 70 hours. It was a big culture shock and it was challenging, but I got a lot from it. What advice to readers do you have? From my personal experience, the big thing I would say is to find something that you are passionate about. Do a role during your placement year that you’ll love doing in the future. Some people on my course found jobs they thought would be easy, but I got a lot from my placement and was doing something I was interested in doing.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP Danielle Age: 20 Danielle is in her final year of a biochemistry degree at University College London. During 2007 she completed a summer internship programme with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). She was working in tax, within the Human Resource Services (HRS) department. During her time on the programme she undertook a number of activities which included attending the departure briefings for those who were going on international assignments from different companies. She also had to answer queries from assignees and support the rest of the team. What was your motivation in applying? PwC is one of the biggest financial services firms in the country and I was keen to find

“

FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, THE BIG THING I WOULD SAY IS TO FIND SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT out more about who they were and what they did. In 2006, I did a two-day insight course at PwC that I found really interesting, which in turn, prompted me to apply for the internship programme. What did the application process involve? There was an online application form followed by some online tests. I had a first interview followed by an assessment centre which included a verbal reasoning test, a group exercise and an interview with a partner. What did you do? I mainly answered queries that assignees sent into us. I wrote drafts of replies which senior people then reviewed. I worked on a number of spreadsheets. For example, I compiled a spreadsheet of which assignees had completed their tax returns and which ones were outstanding. How will you sell the experience on your CV? It was good for developing my communication and numerical skills. It was great to get the experience of working in an office and having that exposure.

”

ENTREPRENEUR James Eder Age: 24 James studied business commerce at the University of Birmingham. He is now a director of studentbeans.com: an online directory for student discounts covering Southampton to Aberdeen – and everyone in between. Before university he took a gap year, which included: working in a retail store in San Francisco, he did a ski season, and then worked in telesales for Gala Bingo. What was your motivation? I wanted to get more experience. I got to the end of school not wanting to go straight to university. I wanted to do something I was passionate about – and that included skiing. I also wanted to go travelling after having saved some money so I would get a balance

Did you enjoy it? Yes, I enjoyed my time there. In particular, the training was really good – it was definitely a highlight. Everyone who was on an internship attended the training at a conference centre which we all found very useful. What did you learn? Work is harder than university! That said, the early starts were not too bad and I actually have to get up earlier for university. Best part? Going to face-to-face meetings and interacting with clients.

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WORK EXPERIENCE | CASE STUDIES

“

DON'T RUSH INTO WORK STRAIGHT AWAY: YOU'RE GOING TO BE WORKING FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE of working and enjoying myself. Having a gap year really prepares you for getting out there and meeting people. What did the application process involve? I got the work experience in the US through a placement scheme which I had to pay for. They asked what areas I was interested in and I said marketing. I applied for the ski season in the summer before I went. What did you do? In San Francisco, I did a variety of different things, including acting as a bodyguard for £100,000-worth of jewellery! As for Gala Bingo, I would recommend telesales to everyone. Getting told “No” 1,000 times a week is really useful in building up a thick skin. How did you sell the experience on your CV? I got a lot of customer service experience. During the ski season, customers had to complete satisfaction questionnaires and I constantly came out on top. I was promoted to general assistant in another resort. Did you enjoy it? I loved it – it was the best experience and opportunity. People often regret not taking a

”

Best part? All the experiences were so good and so different. But the best bit was probably the travelling. I really enjoyed all of it. Worst part? I ended up not seeing some friends for a long time, but I stayed in touch with the really important people. I truly look at it as one of the best years of my life. Advice to readers? Do something you really want to do; research it. Do some work experience, but also travel. Don’t rush into work straight away: you’re going to be working for the rest of your life.

JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE Robert Colville Age 23 Robert completed a journalism degree at University College Falmouth. During his time at university he undertook numerous journalism placements, including helping with the editorial at The Big Issue. What was your motivation in applying? The fact that The Big Issue is a well-known and respected publication was a key motivator. Having previously had a stint on the Guardian Unlimited website, I was also keen to see how working for a weekly magazine would differ – and if this was the route I would ultimately angle for after graduation. What did the application process involve? A cover letter and a CV to the news editor stating why I wanted to gain some work experience, my availability and what I had already achieved in the field.

gap year, but I don’t know anyone who regrets taking a gap year. What did you learn? I learnt how to be independent, the importance of knowing what you want to do, and the importance of customer service. The year before I went, I had a really set idea of what I wanted to do, and I ended up managing to do so much. Travelling really opened up my mind as to what was out there.

What did you do? From the very start I was granted with much autonomy in researching for, and writing up, stories for publication to tight deadlines. My week was spent writing two news features; on the Crisis Changing Lives Champions Awards, as well as researching and writing why Liverpool City Council had introduced a traffic-light food-labelling scheme for the city’s takeaways. All of my work was published too and this was a real bonus! How did you sell the experience on your CV? I simply listed it in chronological order (as my most recent spell of relevant work experience). If given the opportunity to expand a little bit on application forms, I

detail what I was required to do, what I managed to get published, and specific skills the stint of work experience developed (such as interviewing skills). As I have found at job interviews, one is often given the chance to describe their work experience in greater depth. Did you enjoy it? Absolutely. What did you learn? Apart from practising my skills in researching for and writing stories to tightly defined deadlines, the fact that I had to conduct six interviews with ex-homeless individuals for one story, homed in on my interviewing skills and greatly improved them. From initially being nervous on the telephone, the demands of the assignment improved my telephone demeanour and made me become more inquiring, asking the all important 'why' to everything my interviewees said. Best part? It was empowering and rewarding, and the fact that I got published twice was a distinct bonus. The fact that all cups of tea and coffee were made for me and that I didn’t do one bit of photocopying really does dispel the myth about interns and work experience. Worst part? I found the prospect of having to jump into the deep end from the start a little daunting, initially. But in retrospect, this has given me a taste of life in a publishing environment. What advice to readers do you have? Work experience is seemingly what employers look for from potential candidates. It speaks volumes about them, so get as much of it as you can and this will hold you in good stead. As with graduate jobs, work experience is almost as competitive, so be tenacious and keep applying. 

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For an inside view of life at Shell, just come on board. Shell internships are a win-win opportunity: you develop your skills and discover what we offer as an employer, while we get the chance to see if you’ve got what it takes to be part of Shell. We offer internships for penultimate year students throughout the year, as well as year long industrial placements for non-final year students. For eight weeks or more, you’ll experience live projects, face real business challenges and get valuable feedback.

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