10 ways to get the most out of your Work Experience

Maybe you don't see the point of photocopying and making tea, but focus on the 'experience', rather than the 'work'.

1. Be polite and efficient if asked to do 'menial tasks', such as making tea. Making it clear that you are more than capable of managing a drinks order for a busy office means you're more likely to be given some responsibility later on.  
2. Talk to whoever you can.  You might be bored, but just getting involved and asking questions will show your interest and maturity .
3. Offer to do seemingly 'pointless' things like photocopying and filing.  If you come across as keen and willing to help out, you've got more of a chance of getting involved in something exciting.
4. Keep an open mind.  If you resign to the idea that you're wasting your time, you probably are.  Just being in a real-life working environment can really boost your confidence.  Maybe you'll overhear an employee talking about something that sparks your interest and leads to your future career/degree?
5. Try to think of it as 'life experience', rather than 'work experience'. Especially if you're in an industry you have no interest in, just use your placement as an opportunity to enhance your people skills, for example.
6. Keep your CV/ Personal Statement in mind.  Work experience is often done for the purpose of improving your chances of getting a job or an offer from university, but it's pointless if all you have to say is 'I did work experience at X company and saw how professionals work together, etc etc'.  Make sure you remember any skills you learnt, even if it's just the correct protocol for telephone calls, or how to take effective notes in a meeting.
7. If you hear something that interests you, or that you have an opinion about, get involved in the conversation.  Obviously, know your place and don't interrupt where inappropriate, but asking questions during casual work-place chat shouldn't be a problem.  
8. Make the most of any available contacts.  You never know when having the email address of someone in the company might come in handy.
9. Talk to customers or clients.  If you're on placement in a shop, don't forget about the people coming in and out.  Lots will be happy to chat to friendly young people and you might meet some interesting individuals.
10. Try to find out about as many different job roles as possible.  You've probably never heard of half the positions and something may stand out to you as a possible future career option.

Hopefully some of this advice will be helpful to you!  I'm writing from experience (literally), as I have been on work experience at a sports shop for about a month now and have seen my confidence grow massively, even though I began by just hoovering the shop floor.  Just listening to the owner interacting with customers who ring up or come through the door has taught me a lot about customer service, which is something I can now include on my CV. 

Here's a link to a useful article if you want to find out more ways to make your work experience really worth it: 
https://www.ementoring.suttontrust.com/knowledge-bank/career-pathways/work-experience-and-internships/five-ways-to-get-more-out-of-your-work-experience

Finally, this post wouldn't be complete without a picture of a funny animal.

  (http://amazing-creature.blogspot.co.uk/)