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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Y10 Work Experience

18 replies

Stompylongnose · 17/10/2015 19:54

DS1's school told the kids to write to businesses or ask adults that they know for a job which I thought was not very appropriate advice. I haven't got any local contacts plus ds1 is an academic all rounder who has no idea about future careers (which I thought was normal).

After practicing interviews for the last couple of evenings, today ds1 went to the local shopping centre armed with his CV and sorted out a work placement plus 2 summer holiday placements. (he had some knock backs too)

I have looked on FB and other people seem to be working at more specialised places like school, law firm and dental practice.

What sort of places are your y10s working at? Was I harsh making ds1 go into the shop and ask the manager for work directly?

OP posts:

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noblegiraffe · 18/10/2015 09:26

Why is it not appropriate to write to businesses? A lot of kids work with their parents/relatives because that's a good way to get into a reasonable placement. A lot of students get some sort of office-work. Some get work in schools or nurseries. Shop work is the bottom of the work-experience ladder.

Scarydinosaurs · 18/10/2015 09:27

He must have some ideas about future careers? Any dreams?

Lonecatwithkitten · 18/10/2015 09:51

Shop is experience is not bad you learn customer service skills, stock rotation and it can help students to see if they like dealing with the public or not.
I work in an industry that is very popular for work experience I will not offer a placement via parents it gas to be the child who writes to me, so your approach is not a bad one. In year 11 he may have a better idea what he wants to do and then write for work experience to business in that sector.

Haggisfish · 18/10/2015 09:56

It depends. If dc has a good idea about possible future career, it's a good opportunity to gain relevant experience. If they are if sure, it can help them narrow options down and generally give them experience of working life and potentially a summer job. It is becomjng less normal for dc not to have a clue about future careers tbh. I recommend your ds start to think about it, if only areas he def does not want to work in!

Haggisfish · 18/10/2015 09:57

If they are not so sure, that should be.

Ragwort · 18/10/2015 09:57

I agree with Lonecat, retail experience is incredibly valuable - you learn so many different skills and anything involving dealing with the public has to be good experience. .

Lots of work experience at a law firm or dental practice for example will realistically involve only observation skills - and filing - rather than 'hands on' experience. Thank goodness.

noblegiraffe · 18/10/2015 10:00

Retail work is where a lot of students end up getting part time jobs in sixth form/university anyway, so an official work experience slot is a good chance to get into a place where they won't be able to pick up casual work later.

LooseAtTheSeams · 18/10/2015 10:39

OP, I'm really impressed with your DS. He got himself the placement, it will be good experience and they may offer him holiday work in future or a Saturday job. He even learned to deal with a couple of rejections. He's already learned more about the world of work than I did on my first placement, which was arranged for me by school!

schokolade · 18/10/2015 11:19

Well I think he's done incredibly well. And got valuable placements because he got off his bum and sorted them himself.

He knows how to write a CV, how to speak to people about work, etc. Fantastic.

And some summer stuff too. He'll likely get a more realistic experience of a week at work too, than if he'd gone to uncle bobs dentistry practice. Good on him.

bruffin · 18/10/2015 11:44

DS emailed the photographic shop round the corner and asked if he could do WE and was offered it by return. He had a great week and came home with some great photograph of himself as well.

DD knew someone at a SEN school that she wanted to go to who advised her who to write to, which she did and was offered an apprenticeship as well, but she decided not to take it as she wants to finish her A levels. They had finished yr 10 WE by then and moved it to yr 12.
Most teens i know have jobs in retail or catering, but ds has been a lifeguard since he was 16 and managed to get a job at uni through that as well.
DD gets work doing respite care and now gets paid at the SEN club she has helped at out since she was 12

WildStallions · 18/10/2015 11:49

DS has just sorted out his work experience and is so excited.

It is working with someone we do t know who does the job he wants to do.

I guess knowing what you want to do helps.

BackforGood · 18/10/2015 17:37

Another one here who isn't sure why it's not appropriate

At this stage, any work experience is good - it's all about working with other people, getting yourself there and back, and on time. Using some initiative, etc. as much as the career path. I know dc who have done all sorts, which has nothing to do with careers they later went in to.

Kez100 · 18/10/2015 17:58

Well done him! He will get so much out of doing it this way. An ordinary job will teach him valuable skills working with people and even the public, depending on where he is going.

My DC s had friends who were even given holiday work after picking up an "ordinary" work experience placement.

RhodaBull · 18/10/2015 18:12

Agree that work experience is helpful in teaching a teenager how to turn up somewhere appropriately dressed on time, how to interact with unfamiliar adults, and maybe members of the public, how to take direction and conduct oneself in a pleasant manner. It's not about getting a whizzy placement that ties in nicely with one's future career.

Dn worked for newspaper editor (her aunt) and shadowed high court judge (godfather). At one university interview the comment on this was, "You are well connected." Bit of schadenfreude, I know, but sil was bragging about her dd's work experience compared with ds's, and in the end the ordinary job impresses more than the parentally-arranged stuff.

Socialaddict · 27/10/2015 14:06

Well done to your DS OP for getting these placements.

My DD is also in Y10 and I was wondering is this WE mandatory for all and when should it take place?

The school has not informed us about this yet?
Many thanks

bruffin · 27/10/2015 14:26

Socialaddict
DC school stopped yr 10 WE and moved it to Y12 "shadowing" so not all schools now do yr10 WE

Socialaddict · 28/10/2015 07:02

Thank you bruffin. It seems that might be the case in my DD's school.

ragged · 29/10/2015 17:44

hahahhahaha.
Our school specified 2 days the kids could do WE (last 2 days in July in term time). It was entirely up to kid/parents to arrange it. May as well ask in shops.

DD might want experience in a law firm but we have no contacts, argh.

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