Find opportunities to experience work​

It’s completely normal to wonder whether the career you’re considering is actually right for you. Work experience can be the perfect way to test-drive your future before committing to years of study or training. Whether you’re curious about a specific job, want to build your CV, or simply gain confidence in a workplace setting, work experience offers invaluable real-world insight.

Let’s break down what work experience is, how it works, and how to make the most of this opportunity.

What is work experience?

Work experience is a learning opportunity (not an earning one) where you shadow employees and get a feel for day-to-day working life in a particular job or industry. Sometimes called work shadowing or workplace learning, it’s your chance to see whether a career path truly suits you – you might confirm it’s perfect, rule it out completely, or discover an alternative that excites you even more.

How does it work?

Most work experience placements run for about a week, following a typical employee through their normal work routine. This might include:

• Observing day-to-day tasks and asking questions about the role
• Performing simple tasks under supervision when appropriate
• Meeting different team members and learning about various career paths
• Gaining insight into workplace culture and professional expectations

Key things to remember: You can undertake multiple work experience placements to explore different options. Many schools run formal programmes, but you can also arrange independent placements during school holidays. If in-person opportunities are limited, virtual work experience programmes are increasingly available across many industries. The goal is always learning and exploration – helping you make informed decisions about your future rather than guessing based on what you’ve heard or seen online.