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This document involves the basic and complex steps required to take and consider when doing work experience or going through the process of receiving employment.
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Unit 27 – Work Experience in Business Ms PowellKinga Jaronczyk
Student Number - 7087 Centre Number - 12629
Unit 27 - Work Experience in Business
Learning Aim A (P1 & P2 & M1 & D1 ) - Investigate
opportunities for work-related learning
Learning Aim B (P3 & P4 & M2 & D2) - Carry out work
experience in an appropriate and safe manner
Page 1 | 43
,Unit 27 – Work Experience in Business Ms Powell
Kinga Jaronczyk
Student Number - 7087 Centre Number - 12629
P1 - Describe 3 realistic opportunities for work experience in business and
how each can prepare you for the workplace
Work Experience Opportunities
Placements & Internships
Summer Internships -
Estimated time of work would be 8 to 12 weeks. Some are even advertised to last up to 12 months
(these are sometimes referred to as sandwich placements, placement is an assessed part of the
degree). Some courses (GCU), could undertake sandwich placements.
Advantages -
Students can gain a better understanding of how what they are learning in school can help them
with their future. Internships help students master professional soft skills such as communication,
punctuality and time management.
Disadvantages -
It won't pay much. Most companies hire interns on the cheap. You may get the grunt work. Some
employers or managers take advantage of interns and give them mindless work that doesn't build
new skills. The hours can vary, meaning that the individual must be flexible with their timetable to be
punctual every time.
Part-time Jobs
These are a great way to gain work experience and earn some money in the process. It is advised
that part-time jobs should be kept to a maximum of 15 hours a week to create a good balanced and
organized work/life/study. The city has lots of bars and shops that often recruit for part-time roles.
Advantages -
Gives you extra time to pursue something else. These beginning part-time jobs lead to a gateway of
opportunities after many skills are developed and improved over a period. Less stress is also caused,
there is also more flexibility in the individuals' timetable. You also develop better time-management
skills.
Disadvantages -
Usually do not receive benefits such as health insurance, sick leave, holiday pay or vacations. When
they are not working, they earn no income, which may prove detrimental during sudden illnesses or
if they need to take a break.
Full-time Jobs -
Employment in which a person works a minimum number of hours defined as such by their
employer. This work often comes with benefits that are not typically offered to part-time, temporary,
or flexible workers, such as annual leave, sick leave, and health insurance.
Advantages -
Employees typically have a steady income and work about 40 hours per week. Employers often
provide health benefits, paid sick leave and retirement plans for their full-time workers. More
government benefits are available for full-time employees as well.
Disadvantages -
You'll have specific payroll paperwork that is legally required. You will always have salaries to pay,
even if your business is having a quiet period. Individuals generally expect benefits such as holiday,
sick and maternity pay.
Vacation Work
This type of work is undertaken during university vacation time, could be during Easter break or even
Page 2 | 43
,Unit 27 – Work Experience in Business Ms Powell
Kinga Jaronczyk
Student Number - 7087 Centre Number - 12629
the summer holidays. This work would help in developing employability skills. The work may not be
relevant to your chosen career path/choice, despite that, skills and experience you would gain could
be transferable. Example: summer camps (UK/Abroad); hospitality; retail.
Volunteering
Charity and voluntary sectors offer great work experience, volunteering will help allow us to gain
experience, learn new skills/ improve on existing skills, meet new people, and build a network of
contacts.
Advantages -
Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health. Volunteering helps
counteract the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety. The social contact aspect of helping and working
with others can have a profound effect on your overall psychological well-being.
Disadvantages -
Time Consuming - a negative aspect of volunteering is the opportunity cost of time, where instead of
volunteering you could have spent your time having fun with friends and family or studying harder to
pass a certain exam.
Gap year
Some people take a gap year before university, others may also take a gap year after finishing
university. The traditional gap year may bring many opportunities to the person, such as travelling
that can help the individual to be involved in voluntary work or projects. This may help improve and
develop a range of skills, interpersonal skills, communication skills, team-building skills.
Advantages -
Gap year experiences such as traveling, working, or volunteering abroad require more independence,
self-sufficiency, and motivation than the average classroom setting. Students complete gap years
with stronger personal and professional skills and more confidence about the direction of their
future.
Disadvantages -
It can be very expensive. If you're planning to travel during your gap year, depending on your
destination and the duration of your trip, the likelihood is that costs will quickly mount up. Without
the proper planning and organization, a gap year abroad has the potential to make a huge financial
toll on you.
Work shadowing
Many smaller companies are often open to taking students for a week of work shadowing to get an
insight into a role or a company. 2-3 shadowing experiences may leave good impressions on future
employers.
Advantages -
It allows you to get an insight into the working life of the profession. It allows you to get an insight
into the employer and organizational culture. It gives you a different perspective on your work by
learning from others' experiences. It expands your network and helps you make professional
contacts. Disadvantages -
Some interruption to the host's work; some need to adjust the roles according to the tasks; may take
longer than observation and have less opportunity for interaction than hands-on. This type of
shadowing provides short periods of focused activity, rather than passive ongoing observation.
Page 3 | 43
, Unit 27 – Work Experience in Business Ms Powell
Kinga Jaronczyk
Student Number - 7087 Centre Number - 12629
International
Recently, recruiters have increasingly started searching for graduates who are ready for global
workplaces and an international career. Individuals with a second language or have experience
working abroad are differentiated from other individuals. Placements are offered by big corporate
companies.
Advantages -
Experiencing different cultures and building cultural awareness; enhancing your CV. Improve
communication skills or language skills; building confidence and self-reliance; developing
independence and personality; gaining new qualifications and improving professional skills.
Disadvantages -
A lot of money is required; International business does not stick with a person for long; The feeling of
loneliness and no stability; Different cultures; Learning new languages in a short span; Not able to
enjoy the traditional holidays at homeland; Living conditions may not be great.
Page 4 | 43
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