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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

Work experience - when they won't go anywhere

18 replies

MrsSnape · 16/12/2008 21:01

What happens when the year 11s do work experience but your child refuses to go anywhere?

She's painfully shy, has NO experience away from her mum, has never even been to a shop on her own. Can't talk to anyone, has no skills, no hobbies, no interests...

She's said she won't work in a shop or with the public at all. What on earth will she do?

OP posts:

Grammaticus · 16/12/2008 21:03

Work with animals?

Original poster

MrsSnape · 16/12/2008 21:05

She won't do that 'incase they bite'

OP posts:

Grammaticus · 16/12/2008 21:07

Actuarial work?

BodenGroupie · 16/12/2008 22:06

Poor girl, this would have been me at that age if work experience had existed then. What does she do in her spare time - read, tv, cinema, shop? What subjects is she good at?

Original poster

MrsSnape · 16/12/2008 22:31

No she literally doesn't do anything. When she's not at school she doesn't leave the house

OP posts:

MumHadEnoughTinsel · 16/12/2008 22:45

She sounds ideal for computer programming .

Sorry, I know that wasn't helpful, now seriously. What about maybe something in a nursery with young children?

ForeverOptimistic · 16/12/2008 22:47

What is she planning to do after her GCSE's?

deckthegirlandboywithholly · 16/12/2008 22:49

How about something out-doorsy? Gardening with a landscape gardener or someone like that.

Grasping at straws here!

missblythe · 16/12/2008 22:50

Could she do it in the office at school?

They must be at school aware that she's so very shy, so should be understanding. At least it would be in an environment that she knows.

Poor lamb.

ruddynorah · 16/12/2008 22:52

could she work with one of her parents or relatives?

jollyoldstnickschick · 16/12/2008 22:54

My ds who is/was quite shy went to the local interest centre and thoroughly enjoyed it-the curator even asked me to go the interview with ds and that seemed to help.

sallyhollyberry · 16/12/2008 22:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

blithedance · 16/12/2008 22:58

My DH has just had our very shy, quiet, godson for work experience. He has a small technical business, kept the lad busy with some computer stuff and took him on a couple of visits/meetings. He still got the experience of a working week, but with someone he knew so not too threatening. The council had to come and check the location for health and safety, that was all.

random · 17/12/2008 08:10

Cant she do work experience at her school?..my ds did his in the music department

piscesmoon · 17/12/2008 08:18

My DSs had it worked out by the school-they filled in a form and took what they were given-won't it work like that? They were allowed to find their own. Off the top of my head I would suggest gardening.

XmasLollipopViolet · 17/12/2008 10:40

Well, when I did mine, if you couldn't/wouldn't find somewhere, the school did. I worked with the media department of a local college, helping students and staff, and also trying my hand at filmmaking (I went on to do this at another college and now do media production at uni). The school should find her a suitable placement.

Tortington · 17/12/2008 10:43

for those that haven't found a placement - as my children have to find their own different subject...... the school arranges for them to work in the school office.
this seems the most sensible idea for someone so socially inept.

cory · 19/12/2008 21:11

I was going to suggest either office or library work. I had a w e young girl years ago at the uni department library (funnily enough, she later went on to become a real librarian).

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