Work experience ideas

[Goldenmother]

Hi my son is 16 years old currently studying A level Business study's and Graphics, he now need to start organising his work experience placement and I'm looking for suggestions on where he could go or what he could do that are connected to the subjects he is studying any help would be great as his pretty much been left to get on with it

A small business or a graphic design studio.

What might he like to do longer term? Architect, graphic design, marketing department of local company?

Your local town centre accountancy practices are usually good for a week or two of work experience. Even in run down towns, there are usually a few firms. Would be good for the business side of things as regards the book-keeping and tax returns.

If you're in a prosperous area, you could drive around the business parks to see what firms are there and then google them to see what they do? You may find some decently sized graphic designers or advertising agencies.

Try to avoid the small "one man bands" - you'd usually be wasting your time applying as the owner/managers don't have time to show students what to do. You need a firm that has some staff so that the "burden" of looking after a work placement student can be shared out.

his pretty much been left to get on with it

Isn't that rather the point of work experience?

@MarySidney not really even when I was at school there was a career advisor to help and guide you with any questions you have etc

Thanks for the suggestions it's hard as these are the subject he enjoys but when I ask him about what he like to do after sixth he not sure he doesn't know what career he wants to go into so it makes it all that bit harder but does anyone really know what they want to do career wise

Is it not about trying something which may be of interest rather than following a definite career path. Who is the largest employer locally?

Local authority.

At 16, it’s not really preparation for a specific future career, more about gaining experience of a work place atmosphere and starting to appreciate the expectations of behaviour/attitude/body language/ timekeeping.

Make it something aspirational. I’ve got more experience of Y10 children doing work experience but I’d make it aspirational. I think it really made a difference whether someone went to a snazzy office vs shop floor in Boots.

I also agree that it isn’t prep for a specific career. In addition to what KingscoteStaff mentioned, it’s also about exploring different careers to see if one inspires him to pursue further.

My dd has only done her year ten work experience but our strategy was for her to apply to places that had some sort of idea what they would do with them. So she applied to all sorts of different places from museums to solicitors offices and tailored her application to suit the placement. She did it herself as it looks completely obvious if you do the letter and CV.

She ended up in an amazing graphic design company.

We had access to a sort of database for placements in our county. Although thinking about it she also looked in the neighbouring county so maybe they all have them.

Thank you for all your advise and suggestions

An accountancy firm
A law firm locally
An architects
Company secretaries office of a large organisation like NHS trust or local authority

Anywhere in a local authority. My friends always make space for their own DS! Ask the HR dept. There should be a link to an organisation with possible providers because they should be risk assessed.

Look at housing associations, engineering companies, the bigger employers and any design companies. Good luck.

Maybe something retail marketing related? Depends where you live really, are you in or near a big city?

@justdoityourself yes we live in London so we should have a good amount of options thank you