The Experience - Case studies of work experience by University of Leicester students

Student Learning Centre

The

Experience

Case studies of work experience by University of Leicester students
www.le.ac.uk/ssds

2 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER · STUDENT LEARNING CENTRE

Contents

PAGE 3 PAGE 10
Introduction The Entrepreneurial
Experience
Graham Smith, LLB (Hons)

PAGE 4 PAGE 12
The Eight Week Placement The Graduate Experience,
Experience Part One
Clare Farrow, BA (Hons) English Lukwesa Burak, MSc Geographical
Information Systems

PAGE 6 PAGE 14
The Summer Placement The Graduate Experience,
Experience Part Two
Sara Rafice, PhD Chemistry Caroline Pickering, BA (Hons) European
Studies with French

PAGE 8 PAGE 16
The Voluntary Experience For more information about
Vincent Ade, LLB (Hons) Work Experience

“ At Allen & Overy we like to see candidates who have been
proactive in getting a range of work experience, legal and
non-legal. Through discussing projects or tasks completed
“ Our Summer Vacation Scheme is an excellent
opportunity for students at Leicester to gain hands on
during a period of work experience, candidates can
demonstrate a range of key transferable skills including
experience on a project from day one. It will enable
time management, team work, and dealing with
them to develop transferable skills during their
challenging situations. During our vacation placements and
internship that can be used when returning to university
open days, students gain a real insight into the realities of
after the summer. Further to this, it will enable them to
working for a City practice and the skills required as a
gain a permanent offer on our graduate training
solicitor, both of which we think are incredibly important in
scheme after completing their internship.
”
FRANZISKA NIEMANN,
their decision to pursue a legal career.
”
Recruitment Officer, CAROLINE LINDNER,
Accenture Graduate Recruitment Officer, Allen & Overy LLP

THE EXPERIENCE 3

Introduction

Work experience! Why bother? You teamwork, communication and more. students, past and present, who all
may have asked yourself this question Increasingly, graduate employers are took part in some form of work
during your time at university. However asking for more than just a good experience; everything from summer
the answer is simple. Work experience degree, especially as competition for work placements to voluntary work.
is an integral part of your time at jobs increase. Suitable work experience The benefits that these students gained
university and will significantly improve is still the best way to distinguish from work experience have enhanced
your career prospects and professional yourself from the crowds of their career prospects tremendously.
development after you graduate. students/graduates competing for the
We hope that these positive case studies
same job. Don’t believe us? Then take a
Ask any graduate employer about work inspire you to start applying for suitable
look at the quotes in this booklet by
experience, and they will stress how work experience in the first instance!
several well-known graduate employers.
important it is for developing those all-
important competencies such as This booklet gives you an insight into Best wishes
problem solving, analytical skills, the positive experiences of six Leicester Student Learning Centre

“ Work experience comes in all forms; internships, placements, part time
work, volunteering and running a student society. What matters most and
“ Logica really values students
who have gained work
what makes any work experience of value is not purely the 'quality' of the experience prior to starting with
experience but the reflection on the skills developed. Most employers don't us, as we find they are able to
care how you got the skills but that you have them. adapt to our working
So value everything you have done and enhance its value by reflecting on environment and start delivering
the skills you learned and then practice verbalising the skills gained from value to our business much
the experiences you have had.
” SIMON REICHWALD,
more quickly after they join.
”
GARY ARGENT,
Managing Director, UK Recruitment Operations Manager,
Graduate Success Logica


Name: Clare Farrow · Degree: BA (Hons) English
Employer: Success Matrix

The Eight Week Placement Experience
hree years ago, my CV credentials were far from Upon commencing my English degree at

T impressive. I remember trawling through the careers
the University of Leicester, I decided that
a new ambitious person would evolve. It
guides at school, the glossy covers consisting of a good was whilst seeking advice from the
Careers Service this time last year that I
looking student standing vacantly at the crossroads of life. came across a brilliant opportunity.
When I look back, I recall the phrase that was constantly Never heard of Shell Step? Neither had I
repeated inside those magazines: “Work Experience”. until I had approached the Careers
Service. The Shell Step scheme is a
national programme that provides
penultimate year undergraduates with
the chance to gain valuable paid work
experience for a period of eight weeks

THE EXPERIENCE 5

over the summer vacation. The scheme is not about testing organisational and I.T. skills have improved and have assisted
your filing or photo-copying skills; your involvement in the me in the last year of my degree in a variety of ways.
company is to deliver genuine business projects. It is an ideal
The most rewarding aspect of my work experience however,
platform to test your personal and academic skills in the
was seeing the effect I had on the company itself. The length
business world and the company gains from the fresh insight
of the placement allowed me to fully settle into my role and
and talents of an undergraduate. witness my marketing strategies really take off and generate
Through a successful online application and interview, I was interest and revenue for the company. Working for Success
placed with a company called Success Matrix, a business Matrix has also enabled me to network with professional
support organisation specialising in student placements and people in the business world and to build a reputation for
graduate recruitment services. Success Matrix is also Shell myself. I know my colleagues at Success Matrix will strive to
Step’s main student provider, co-ordinating projects across find me a job when I graduate.
Central England. I was interested in applying for a job that I hope I have made clear the benefits of doing work
involved PR and marketing, as these are potential career experience. The fact is, in today’s competitive graduate
avenues for me. Therefore my responsibilities at Success market, work experience is almost essential if you hope to
Matrix were ideal as the company utilised my skills as a enter your desired professional field after university. Work
project co-ordinator. experience has certainly sculptured my skills and my persona; I
Over the course of the eight weeks, my main task was to hope it does the same for you too.
market their newly launched product ‘graduatefusion’, a To apply for the Shell Step scheme, visit the website at
component for their graduate recruitment service. I also had
www.step.org.uk.
responsibilities to run the events management for Shell Step.

I soon realised after my first week, that my placement would
provide a high level of accountability. My colleagues treated
me as a professional member of their organisation and were “ I soon realised after my first week, that my
placement would provide a high level of
interested in what I could contribute to their company. I had
my own desk, my own phone, my own email account; accountability. My colleagues treated me as a
everything was set up to make me feel like a valid member of
the working environment. professional member of their organisation and

With some research in my spare time at home, I quickly were interested in what I could contribute to
learned the history of the business and the competitive nature
of the graduate recruitment world. This made me aware that
their company.
”
my competence in marketing skills would be essential.

I enjoyed the freedom and independence I was given to run
with my ideas and my colleagues regularly instilled confidence
in me to meet this challenge.

My main reason for taking part in the Shell Step scheme was
to test the skills I had learnt during my time at university. Until
you gain some valuable work experience you cannot be certain
what you are capable of and what your strengths and
weaknesses are. I also wanted something on my CV that
would show I could conduct myself well in a professional role
within an organisation. Shell Step enables you to do that.

So what skills have I developed since working for Success
Matrix? The placement has certainly increased my confidence
in the business environment. My business acumen,


Name: Sara Rafice · Degree: PhD Chemistry
Employer: IAESTE

The Summer Placement Experience
am currently studying a PhD in Chemistry at the University The organisation was founded at

I of Leicester. Prior to my PhD, I came across an
Imperial College, University of
London, and was originally made up
from 10 European countries. The
organisation called the International Association for the
organisation has since grown to
Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE), include more than 80 countries world-
who offer international summer work placements. IAESTE wide and annually exchanges
approximately 6,000 students.
has been running since 1948 and aims to provide students
The organisation offers students paid
in higher education with technical experience relevant to technical work experience abroad for
skill enhancement. All students receive
their studies. Additionally, it provides a source of cultural
full support and guidance through the
enrichment for students. IAESTE support network and support

THE EXPERIENCE 7

with practical arrangements (e.g. work permits/ visa, The experience of working in a foreign country, learning the
accommodation and travel). language and using it on a daily basis during both work and
socialising was awesome. In addition to this, IAESTE encouraged
I had four months during the summer before starting my PhD
cultural experiences. At the weekends, we went on trips to
and I decided I wanted to travel. IAESTE provided me with the
major cities in Poland including Warsaw, Kraków and Gda.
opportunity to travel whilst gaining valuable technical work
experience. I completed the application form in December and I highly recommend summer work experience placements,
the following February I received a list of approximately 120 especially in an international context. The experience was very
placements around the world that I could apply for. I chose an useful for my academic studies and my research skills. My
eight week research project studying treatments for current work as a PhD student actually builds upon the
tuberculosis in Lódz, the second largest city in Poland. research skills I developed during my time in Poland.

This work experience opportunity was life-changing. I I also developed a wider range of transferable skills and
arrived in Poland to be greeted by two Polish IAESTE competencies whilst on my work placement. These included
advisers and then introduced to the people I would be living time management, IT skills, networking and most importantly,
with, who were from around the world. We had a few days interpersonal skills. The international aspect also added cultural
together to familiarise ourselves with the area and to get to enrichment to the work placement. Learning about so many
different cultures and making friends from around the world is
know each other.
certainly a life-changing experience and one that I will cherish.
I made four close friends with people from Greece, Croatia,
America and Austria; however only the American knew some
Slavic. So I took it upon myself to learn basic Polish taught by
one of the Polish advisers. By the end of the trip my
“ I highly recommend summer work experience
placements, especially in an international
confidence in communicating in Polish had increased to the
point where I am able to talk to native Polish people about
context. The experience was very useful for my
day-to-day topics such as the weather etc.

My typical weekdays involved working at the Medical Biology
academic studies and my research skills.
”
Centre, University of Lódz. I worked from 09:00-16:00 with a
one hour lunch break. The research laboratory work focussed
on the molecular study of non-pathogenic mycobacteria using
specialised techniques that I studied in my degree.

Additionally, I was able to socialise with other students in the
evenings, typically heading into the town and learning more
about different cultures.


Name: Vincent Ade · Degree: LLB (Hons)
Employer: Age Concern Leicester

The Voluntary Experience
am presently in my second year of my Law degree Through ‘Contact Student Volunteers’ at

I at the University of Leicester. I have a passion for
the University, I was able to engage in
rewarding voluntary work. I work with
helping a cause I believe in and being able to see it Age Concern Leicester, which involves
me helping out at the Day Care Centre
through. I am also enthusiastic about giving in the city. This is a facility for elderly
something back to the community. These values and people to come together to socialize and
utilise various facilities on site. The Day
personal interests led me to consider volunteering
Care Centre employs professional care
whilst at university. workers to care for users and volunteers
like me to help support this provision.

A typical day involves getting up early in
order to arrive at the centre in good

THE EXPERIENCE 9

time. On arrival, I join one of the drivers and together we I would urge fellow students at the University of Leicester to
collect service users from their respective care/nursing homes consider some form of work experience, whether it be
and take them to the Day Care Centre. At the Centre, I help voluntary work, a summer placement or any other useful
out in a range of activities. I help serve hot drinks and meals extra-curricular activity.
and, most importantly, I socialise with the service users. I often
If, like me, you have a passion for helping others, then I
do this by playing board games with them and conversing
suggest you do your research and find a project or cause you
with them on all manner of subjects. believe in. I also suggest speaking to the staff at Contact
Typically, the day’s activities will finish at approximately 3pm; Student Volunteers as they are able to signpost you to relevant
however, my day does not end there. I have the task of projects and organisations.
making sure all service users are returned home safely and in Oh, don’t doubt yourself or think that you don’t have enough
a timely manner. Therefore the driver and I make a return trip time to commit to volunteering. There is never a convenient
to all the respective homes; so my working day finishes time to start volunteering so just get on with it as soon as you
around 5pm. can. Everything else sorts itself out.
During my time at Age Concern Leicester, I have observed
(especially from the professional care workers at the
Centre) just how important it is to have strong
interpersonal skills.
“ My confidence in interacting with a wider variety
of people has been enhanced. I feel more
Whilst my intentions were solely to give something back to confident being able to relate to various people
the community and help others, I have benefited immensely
and being more adept at networking and
from this experience, particularly through the acquisition of
improved skills. Through regular contact and communication socialising. I feel these skills will be crucial after I
with different people in a different age bracket from mine and
graduate as they are skills/competencies that have
from a different background to my own, I have enhanced my
interpersonal skills significantly. application in a wide variety of careers
”
I have even managed to assess how to communicate to
different audiences, gauging subtle nuances and speaking
without the use of colloquialisms that would be
incomprehensible for service users. I have learnt the importance
of listening, something that we probably take for granted, but
is a competence that is often overlooked or neglected.

My confidence in interacting with a wider variety of people has
been enhanced. I feel more confident being able to relate to
various people and being more adept at networking and
socialising. I feel these skills will be crucial after I graduate as
they are skills/competencies that have application in a wide
variety of careers. My improved team working skills have been
a surprising and positive revelation from this experience. This is
another quality that will put me in good stead after I graduate.

I believe the balance of academic studies and voluntary work
has enriched my time at university and is definitely my
preferred lifestyle while I am an undergraduate.

I have no doubt that the skills I have acquired during my
voluntary work, will be invaluable to me when I pursue a
career to become a solicitor. To become a solicitor, it is
important that one is an effective communicator and a
confident well-rounded individual.

This experience has helped me achieve the right blend of skills
and competencies, as a solicitor’s role involves getting
messages across coherently and dealing with clients’ needs
and checking that they are satisfied. I acknowledge that a
solicitor needs good organisational and time management
skills and I am confident that through this voluntary work
experience, I can demonstrate my acquisition of these skills.


Name: Graham Smith · Degree: LLB (Hons)
Enterprise: GIS Innovations

The Entrepreneurial Experience
n the first year of my Law degree at the University Fortunately, later that summer, I

I of Leicester, I had my sights firmly set on becoming
rediscovered my passion for football. While
my peers were seeking stable jobs in
a barrister. With my second year came the new enormous organisations, I spent my final
year researching the market for football
career aspiration of entering the City solicitor coaching. Before I graduated, I had secured
profession. A work placement and training contract my first football coaching clients.

interview in a City law firm helped me realise that I Additionally, before I even started coaching
those clients, I won the sales and marketing
wanted to explore other opportunities, before
contract for the massive Magaluf student
considering a career in law. party experience, ‘Spring Break UK’. One
key to starting your own business is to
make yourself profitable as early as possible.

THE EXPERIENCE 11

For someone innovating services, that meant selling every skill I realised that this was a test of my skills to direct sales and
had. I am now the Managing Director and sole owner of my marketing for ‘Spring Break UK’.
company, GIS Innovations and its main brand, ‘Smiley Soccer’.
The starting point for most wannabe entrepreneurs is to find out
My roles range from administrative officer, cynical board what business activity they want to run and clearly that requires
director, fun football coach, stressed events organiser to hard- research. Wannabe entrepreneurs should look at their current
nosed lawyer. Please note, this list is not exhaustive! skills and research the markets accordingly. Whether you have a
business idea or not, there are two fantastic organisations that
To keep costs to a minimum, entrepreneurs have to be jacks-of- can help you; Business Link and Flying Start.
all-trades and have useful networks. Fortunately for me, I
graduated with a strong aptitude in law and I have developed The transition from undergraduate studies to employment
excellent contacts in business and football through networking. for an entrepreneur is possibly easier than commencing
postgraduate study or becoming an employee. Apart from
To up-skill yourself, you could take advantage of free the obvious concern about income, which was nothing new
workshops from Business Link and Inland Revenue & Customs for an under-funded student, the entrepreneur’s workload
like I did. But the best way to gain relevant useful transferable is whatever the entrepreneur makes it. As long as you are
skills is to get some relevant work experience. Theory is great, able to create a lifestyle for yourself that is financially
but practical experience hones your ability to apply the theory. shrewd and you can handle the pressure of earning your
My customer service skills (gained from my tour guiding work crust, then you can get on the starting grid in the
at Buckingham Palace), my coaching skills (gained from my entrepreneur race to riches.
voluntary work) and my administrative skills (gained from my
job as a medical receptionist) have been instrumental to my The beauty of setting up your own organisation is that you make
success in running my own business. the rules. You decide how to dress, you decide when to work,
and you decide how silly to be. Best of all for me, I have
Thankfully, I managed to secure five weeks of legal work liberated my creativity.
placements for the end of my second year at university. That same
summer, I gained four weeks of football coaching experience. To find out more about Business Link and Flying Start, visit their
Towards the end of my third year I realised that I was going to respective websites, www.businesslink.gov.uk and
become an entrepreneur and decided to apply to become at Sub- www.flyingstart-ncge.com.
warden at the University. This meant that I had minimal bills to
worry about and got cheap accommodation in a good location.
A subsequent benefit of being around the University was that,
“ To up-skill yourself, you could take advantage of
free workshops from Business Link and Inland
once people found out that I was setting up a business in football
coaching, I was immediately drafted in to cover coaching for the Revenue & Customs like I did. But the best way to
University of Leicester Women’s Football Team. Additionally, a
gain relevant useful transferable skills is to get
contact at my London football team offered me some full-time
promotions work in August around Central London, and I later some relevant work experience.
”


Name: Lukwesa Burak · Degree: MSc Geographical Information Systems
Employer: Sky News

The Graduate Experience, Part One
work at Sky News as a News Presenter. Although I I need to arrive at work at least three

I work on a variety of the news slots, my primary role
hours before going on air. A trip to the
make-up room is quickly followed by a
is as the World News Anchor. There's no such thing as sit-down with my producers. We discuss
the news programme, stories, interviews
a typical day, but the shape of my working 'day' and general structure of the show. A lot
(which is usually at night) is as follows: of fact-checking and research is also
needed on my part before I sit down
and familiarise myself with the scripts I'll
be reading off the auto-cue. This
preparation is vital.

For example, it is so very easy to miss a
difficult pronunciation, which could be

THE EXPERIENCE 13

rather embarrassing. Then it is over to the studio, in the hands broadcasting world. Contact with media students allowed
of your colleagues in the gallery, and you are off... me to put myself forward to work as a Presenter on some
of their TV projects.
10, 9, 8...adrenalin pumping...3,2,1,cue...
I made use of all available training opportunities and learnt all
Once on air, the real ‘stress’ starts. You have numerous people
I could from the highly skilled people I worked with. I always
talking in your ear, the news wires (feeds from various news
ask for mentors where possible. I also worked voluntarily for a
agencies) to keep an eye on in case there is breaking news, all
cable channel called MATV as the Sports and News Presenter,
whilst reading from the auto-cue. Should your autocue
which was valuable experience.
disappear before your eyes (which it does all too often) you
still have to keep going. I even did work experience that was not directly relevant to
my career including a stint as a part-time carer for a
My role requires strong communication skills, simply because
rheumatoid arthritis sufferer. Whilst studying abroad in
the job is all about communication and interaction with
Switzerland at the University of Neuchatel, I worked as an
other people, whether they are journalists, studio guests,
English teacher at a language school and as an assistant in a
eye-witnesses, VIPs, and most importantly, the viewers. An
local supermarket. There was also the Newsletter which I
ability to stay calm under pressure, when all around are not,
edited during my stay.
is also essential.
For any Leicester student wanting to excel in their chosen
To get into broadcasting, you often have to start at the
career, whether it be broadcasting, financial services, law
bottom. I started as a Broadcast Assistant with the Met Office
etc, I would strongly suggest you work hard, take every
at the BBC Weather Centre in London. The competition for
opportunity that comes your way and get plenty of work
this role was incredibly high. From there I moved into the
experience, paid or unpaid. But have fun along the way.
regions as a Weather Presenter. I then progressed into the
Persistence and hard work really does pay off, especially in
news reading role and became the Lunchtime News Anchor at
broadcasting!
BBC East Midlands Today. From there I took up my current role
at Sky News.

My Masters degree at the University of Leicester was
instrumental to my career, but the work experience I gained
along the way was the major catalyst. Upon leaving
“ I made use of all available training opportunities
and learnt all I could from the highly skilled
University, I privately funded myself on numerous courses to
people I worked with. I always ask for mentors
gain some of the required competencies of the
where possible.
”


Name: Caroline Pickering · Degree: BA (Hons) European Studies with French
Employer: House of Commons, Westminster, for MP Jeremy Wright

The Graduate Experience, Part Two
am currently a senior researcher for a Conservative One day I can be researching a

I Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons.
planning application for a mobile
phone mast in the constituency,
My office is situated in the Palace of Westminster, another day I might be preparing
newsletters or meeting lobby groups
adjacent to the Commons Chamber, so it is no trying to influence the legislation that
exaggeration to say that I am at the centre of the action. my MP is working on.

My job is incredibly varied and although it is a cliché, no Another of my tasks is to make sure that
my MP is in the media, both locally and
two days are the same.
where possible nationally, so that his
constituents know what he is doing and
that he is representing them to the best
of his ability.

THE EXPERIENCE 15

On a daily basis, I have to address a multitude of constituents’
letters on a variety of subjects such as animal rights
campaigns, increased funding for cardiac rehabilitation services
“ When I graduated, my love of European politics
took me to Brussels. I spent one week in a youth
in local hospitals, climate change and the release of political
hostel in the centre of Brussels, churning out job
prisoners in various parts of the world.
applications and distributing CVs wherever I
The role requires a prodigious amount of time management
skills and the ability to work under intense pressure as tight went. People were immensely helpful and
deadlines are common. It is important to be able to multi-
impressed that I had been proactive to search
task, because there are always competing priorities. It is also
important to have diplomacy and strong interpersonal skills for the job I wanted. Within two weeks, I had
as I am often at the forefront of the MP’s office; hence, I
four interviews and within six weeks I started
have to communicate with members of the public and
address their concerns. Skills such as these have been
developed from my experience working abroad during my
work in Brussels.
”
academic studies.
Conservative Party in London. I worked at Campaign
My degree at the University of Leicester certainly helped me Headquarters for one year, in the run up to the General
establish a career in public policy. During my studies, I spent Election. I co-ordinated their conferences and worked on the
some time abroad teaching English to French students whilst General Election campaign. It was through this, that I obtained
following my own academic studies and improving my my current position.
language skills. If I had the opportunity again, in addition to
I never underestimate the experiences that I have gained
the above, I would have applied to do a summer internship
and the privileged position I find myself in. Gaining work
placement in a Member of European Parliament’s (MEP) office
experience during academic studies and being pro-active
in Brussels or Strasbourg.
are vitally important for a career in public policy and
When I graduated, my love of European politics took me to politics. For graduates wishing to work in Westminster, I
Brussels. I spent one week in a youth hostel in the centre of would recommend that they look at http://www.w4mp.org/
Brussels, churning out job applications and distributing CVs which lists work placements and jobs that are available
wherever I went. People were immensely helpful and with MPs, think tanks and political parties. For graduates
impressed that I had been proactive to search for the job I wanting to work in the European institutions, I would
wanted. Within two weeks, I had four interviews and within recommend www.europa.eu.int where you will find
six weeks I started work in Brussels. information about traineeships.
For the first three years, I worked as a lobbyist for local However, never underestimate the personal touch. Pick up
government. Following the European elections, I was recruited the phone and make an appointment to see your MP
as a parliamentary assistant to a British Conservative MEP in or MEP. Alternatively, join your political party locally.
the European Parliament. I made a lot of contacts and after It is an indication of your commitment and an
several years in Brussels, I was asked to work for the ideal way to meet like-minded people.

For more information about Work Experience

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