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Primer on Work Experience


When it comes to this important activity, there are plenty of misconceptions. The words ‘work experience’ and ‘internship’ are used interchangeably, but it is important to remember that high school students generally secure unpaid placements through informal arrangements. Some people describe this activity as job shadowing; however, Ivy Options advises students to be active contributors rather than passive observers whenever possible. Here's a primer and tips on work experience.


Work experiences are among the best ways for students to test their interests and build their profiles. Universities want to see how students have explored their potential courses or majors to determine what they might like to pursue in the future. The  University of Cambridge recommends work experience as an ideal super-curricular activity, while many American universities indicate that it’s considered when evaluating applicants for admission. You can find out how important it is to the US universities on your list by googling the university’s name followed by “Common Data Set.” Just go to section C7 where it shows whether work experience is Very Important, Not Considered, or somewhere in between.


This activity is so important that many universities are building their reputations by prioritizing work experience for their undergraduates. In the UK, many courses offer a placement or ‘sandwich’ year in the third year of the degree. In the US and Canada, co-op programs are making universities like Northeastern, Purdue, Georgia Tech, Drexel, Waterloo, and the University of Toronto very popular with students. Co-ops can be completed for college credit or for pay, and usually last three to six months. Many lead to full-time job offers, but if nothing else, they guarantee a stronger resume post-graduation. For both college students and high-schoolers, work experience shows that you are professional, skilled, and eager to contribute.


How to Secure a Work Experience

Most high school students arrange these placements informally through their network of family and friends; others have secured internships through contacts provided by their high schools. Either way, students should be prepared to provide a professional resume and cover letter. Since some organizations have policies prohibiting students from entering their offices, experiences can be virtual  – with several calls or meetings between the student and manager to follow up on any assigned work. There are also internship programs offered by companies such as Ladder and InvestIn, and, on rare occasions, an internship program for college students might consider an impressive high schooler. The best place to begin your search is in an industry you want to test out for your future; for example, students interested in marketing might approach contacts at brand agencies or in corporate marketing departments, while aspiring psychologists could contact hospitals, clinics, or mental health charities.


How to Structure a Work Experience

When setting up the experience, the student and the manager should discuss expectations through an initial conversation by phone, Zoom, or in person. They should discuss what the student hopes to learn, observe, or contribute. In terms of timing, students should aim for at least a full week: some students complete a Monday to Friday workweek, while others work once a week over several weeks or months. Internships typically occur during school holidays such as summer, winter break, spring break, or half-term. Whether the internship is in person or virtual, supervisors should meet with students at least three times throughout the week, ensuring they are engaged and making progress. 


Best Projects and Roles for Work Experience 

Student experiences range from completing a meaningful project to helping with tasks that lighten the load for others. A good work experience gives a student actual or representative tasks that provide insight into the industry, ideally avoiding menial work with little learning value. Like all employees, students benefit from constructive feedback in which supervisors highlight strengths and areas for improvement. Ivy Options’ students have helped with activities such as research, data entry, event management, coding, presentations, social media, focus groups, and customer service. It is critically important for students to be professional, prompt, engaged, and receptive to feedback. 


Letters of Recommendation

If you perform well, you can definitely ask your manager to write a short reference for your university applications. This letter should highlight your personal qualities and what you contributed, rather than simply confirm the internship took place. Universities won’t ask to see certificates of completion; however, many US universities will accept and value a strong internship recommendation letter. Most European, Canadian, and UK universities won’t accept these letters, but you still might want one for your records. 


Next Steps

So get your resume ready and start making a list of which industries and roles you’d like to experience. You can also prepare a list of contacts to begin networking. Your Ivy Options counselor can help you put together a polished resume and sharpen your networking skills through strategies such as informational interviews. 


Students will gain valuable insights from professional experience, especially if they actively participate, ask questions, and reflect on whether they can see themselves doing a similar job in the future. Often, students learn what they don’t want to do, moving on to another work experience to sample other fields and roles. Whether you love the job or hate it, work experience is a smart move. Get started now, and you may just begin to see your future! 


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