Partner Article

The missing link: Connecting students to business through work experience

My name is Lois; I am a 17-year-old sixth form student from Newcastle currently studying A-levels and looking to further study journalism. This week I have taken part in work experience at Bdaily in order to increase my knowledge and confidence in the field.

However, in the process of obtaining this placement I realised that many companies are reluctant to offer their services. After facing rejections from what felt like 101 different companies, it is apparent to me that work experience is not always well favoured amongst businesses.

Essentially, work experience is the introduction of an inexperienced person to a work environment through a structured course or trial within a business. It teaches students basic skills for specific occupations along with working conditions, communications and requirements.

So why is there an expressive need to tread with such caution around work experience? Possibly as it is likely to be viewed as more hassle than it’s worth: pre-planning tasks for the week, wasting resources and productivity within the workplace as well as countless amounts of paperwork and arrangements, only to come out of this all gaining nothing, well at first glance.

Pessimistic approaches like this seem to be prevalent when it comes to work experience, however I believe it can hold many opportunities for a business, beginning firstly with free publicity through word of mouth of the students, thereby increasing the company’s exposure. Linked to this, the company also has the opportunity to express good face to the local community, heightening their public image.

Another benefit to a business is development in recruitment channels: links with schools and students can attract them to the business for future job placements, which can in turn reduce overall recruitment costs. Young students are also a source of fresh and alternative ideas, which are valuable in terms of market research to further enhance a company.

As well as this, surprisingly enough, we students are capable of being productive in tasks other than eating our body weight and watching the whole contents of Netflix in a week. Free labour around the workplace should be welcomed and not discouraged in my belief, even if to help in completion of small tasks.

With the amount of students applying for university rising by 4% last year, work experience is more essential than ever for any student who wishes to set themselves apart from the crowd. Over this week I feel that my knowledge on journalism has been enriched and I have fully appreciated working here.

In our economy today, the young generation need access to as much resource as possible in order to ensure a successful future. I believe that businesses will not only aid themselves through offering work experience, but also the future of our economy. Bdaily have encouraged and motivated me to chase my desired career path and this is why I would strongly endorse other businesses getting involved in providing this opportunity.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lois Wandless .