Work exp at Westminster

[IdontknowwhyIcare]

Ds 15, has applied to do his work exp at Westminster. He was very excited this morning to get an offer
Whilst I do whole heartedly support his independent attempts it does cause me a few problems, none insurmountable, however....we live abroad and will need to change flights (no prob easy done), we will need to stay in London (no prob already on it via mumsnet suggestion in UK travel), will need to sort transport from Leeds (no prob waiting for some MN help) but what does he wear? Will I need to buy a suit for him? Also although he flies internationally by himself he has only ever been to London once, years ago and doesnt get the chance to travel independently here so I am a bit worried about him getting around. Yes of course I know kids of 11 travel daily but this would be a huge first and maybe too much on his first day, aibu to think I could go with him and leave him by himself when we exit the tube station? Also does anybody have any idea if it the work exp will consist of more than envelope stuffing? tia.

[alfabetty]

Where is the work experience? In Parliament/civil service? If so, definitely wear a suit and tie. And in the civil service, the work experience is usually excellent, the interns get taken to all the good stuff.

If he's sitting with an MP, he's likely to get roped in to constituency admin, but he has to make the most of it by reading the things he's putting in to envelopes! Even photocopying gives a useful insight into what a company or organisation does, why it does it etc. And at 15, experiencing office life is an eye-opener.

There are police everywhere at Westminster, so he's very unlikely to get lost after coming out of the tube.

[IdontknowwhyIcare]

Morning! He will be with a sitting MP. lol at me thinking he would get lost, doh of course there are loads of police. Good idea about making sure he reads the info and yep I agree photcopying is a good start to any business life. I am very excited for him (and me! shopping, museums yay extra hols for me).

[WhiteRose26]

Re the suit, could you ask whoever has arranged the work experience what the dress code is?

[ajandjjmum]

DD did a week of work experience at Canary Wharf last year - she was 16. We're in the Midlands, so it meant her staying in a hotel by herself, getting herself sorted every morning etc. I was concerned as all I seem to hear is 'Mum, where's my.....?', but she learned so much, and loved every minute of it.

I'm sure your son will have a ball!

[IdontknowwhyIcare]

Gosh well done to your DD ajandjjmum. 16 and on her own. Ds would probably be very excited but its not happening! A suit it is then.

[ajandjjmum]

I was there for the first morning, to see her tripping off in her suit and heels, carrying a Starbucks - really sweet!

She learned a lot from it - and as I say, she was not the most mature, capable 16 year old by far.

[Strawbezza]

Both my sons did work experience at Westminster, my eldest with a sitting MP and my youngest with the parliamentary educational office. Both loved it - they were 15/16 at the time and stayed with family in London (we live in the midlands), travelling into parliament by bus.

They just wore smart trousers, shirt/tie and jacket/coat because neither owned a suit. That was fine.

[bobbybobby]

work experience is proving a nightmare to get started! Feel that i am letting my son and the whol education system down. I have left it too late to get organised - which is really bad because I am a teacher and should have got my head round this much eearlier. My son, aged 14 has work experience in June - two weeks - he wants to be a doctor and is also interested in sport. Obvious solution would be sports clininc or somethine similar. Because of his age we are draing a blank. all my friends and family are onto the case - hmmm - only problem being that my family are in Scotland and friends are being given the retort that he is too young to work in medical placement. Any great ideas? My panic is that confirmation of work placement was two weeks ago.... here's a deal - if some one can come up with a viable suggstion then I will give all my teaching experitse to anser problems! I teach in the primary secor and one of my roles of resposibility is overseeing and suporting with secondry schol choices and secondary school transfers. Any mistakes in this are down to quic typing rather than spelling mistakes! Please give all suggestions!

[IssyPeach]

bobby - DS (15) is at a veterinary surgery - fine at his age - watching operations, attending consultations etc. Just not explosed to x rays and gas. A thought? Hard to get but worth some phone calls.

GP practice somewhere? Hospital? Try to HR department. A friend's DD did work exp at a doctor's - worth phoning around.

You're not letting anyone down - you're busy, that's all.

BBC have work experience placements in UK - all countries - for year 14 years plus.

jobs.bbc.co.uk/fe/tpl_bbc03.asp?newms=se

Good luck.

[MADABOUTTHEBOY2000]

i had this awkward time helping my ds with work exp too he wants to do a history degree so we were frantically writting , going in to see poople ect ect he has finally go a weeks at a museum im so plaeased for him but a work placement in history was nion impossible to pull off , i have to do the same a year to the day for my daughter vets ect as they work with drugs medical will prob be tha same wont allow them to do work exp unless you happen to personally have a gp as a friend im sending my daughter to our vet ext year as we are friends with his vetenary nurse so it helps if you have some personal contacts the BBC is very good as you can leave areas in uk they can work that are more local to you you dont have to go to the bbc television center in london, sports what about a local gym or the local football team where ever you live ie physio ? gp surgery might but will only be on reception ive just had an epiphany what about your nearest university? i just also looked up and it suggests work exp in any caring setting for becoming a doctor eg: home for disabled or elderly? HTH