Thinking About Work Experience?

Work experience gives you time at a workplace to learn about an occupation or industry. You may observe others or complete tasks. It is an opportunity to develop skills and networks and to decide what you would like to do.

Types of work experience
Benefits of work experience
Ways to find work experience or a work placement
Resources

Types of work experience

Work experience may be paid or unpaid. It may be for a few days, a few weeks or a year. It may be observation, work shadowing, volunteer work, a structured work placement, a cadetship or an internship.

Most secondary school students do work experience or structured work placements as part of their study. College students and university students often do work placements or internships. Unemployed people, career-changers, people returning to the workforce and immigrants may also do work experience.

Benefits of work experience

Work experience can provide:

• insights into what a job involves
• structured, supervised, hands-on experience
• useful work skills that are recognised in the workplace
• confidence in your ability to learn and become competent at new tasks
• work/life skills, such as communicating effectively, or working in teams
• a chance to demonstrate how you can contribute in a work environment
• an understanding of the world of work 
• an opportunity to demonstrate commitment and reliability
• a new referee to add to your resume
• an employment opportunity

Ways to find work experience or a work placement

Find industries or occupations to explore that match your strengths and interests.

Students may get help from their school, college or university.

Finding work experience is similar to finding a job. You will find useful advice on the "myfuture" government website, Get A Job - Adults  and Get A Job - Young People.

Try some of the following:

• find companies in the yellow pages
• research company websites online
• ask friends or relatives
• volunteer work

Resources

If you are at, school, TAFE or university, check your training provider's website. Many of these provide work experience information.

Tip!

Use a diary or log to keep a record of your experiences, and to list the skills that you practise or learn. Ask lots of questions.

Check work experience insurance requirements for your state or territory. Find out if you need to organise your own insurance cover.