27th April 2023 Celebrating National Work Experience Week

This week is National Work Experience Week, highlighting the importance of experiencing the world of work before making career decisions.

At The Talent Foundry we believe that opening up professional networks and enabling students to make meaningful connections with local employers will improve social mobility for those in underserved communities.

Last autumn, a group of Year 12 students from across London took part in a magical work experience programme with Disney+ to build their skills, confidence and network to prepare for a career in the creative industry.

The two-week in-person experience offered masterclasses in content creation, marketing, storytelling, corporate social responsibility, and brand partnerships.

Disney colleagues also offered insights into their career journeys and the choices they had made at 16 years old.

One student said: "I had everything planned out, get my GCSEs, do my A-Levels and go to university. This week has made me think that there are so many more options and that is exciting!"

To celebrate the importance of work experience in a careers programme we asked The Talent Foundry team for their WEX stories.

“I thought I wanted to be a journalist, so I spent time with the internal communications team at British Telecom. I knew this 'journalism' probably wasn't for me, but what stood out from the experience was the team being SO nice and encouraging towards me, really making me feel like I could do or be anyone I wanted to be if I continued to work hard. The experience was invaluable to spend time with professionals in an office setting, seeing how they were all 'normal' people and opening up my eyes to a world of opportunities.” Miranda, Programme Manager

“My work experience was in a charity shop that supported young people with Down Syndrome - they all worked together to price the items and find the best way to sell them. It was a friendly and happy experience.” Sofiya, Programme Co-ordinator

“I was determined I was going to be a vet when I was younger and two weeks’ with my local veterinary surgery made me realise I’m nowhere near tough enough to be a vet! I sat in on a surgery, where I almost passed out and was moved onto less graphic experiences. The highlight was looking after a hoard of Pomeranian puppies.” Robyn, Programme Co-ordinator

“I was a teaching assistant where I received drawings and leaving cards from kids that I had only supported for a brief time. It made me realise how much of a positive impact you can have on children in such a short time.” Lydia, Schools Engagement Officer

“I spent a week in The Ritz Hotel Piccadilly in their HR department, which was a tiny room in the loft. The most amazing building like a rabbit warren and the staff meals were amazing.” Vikki, Finance & HR Officer

"My work experience was at law firm where I shadowed the criminal barrister throughout a trial for the week. I sat in on the defendant’s interviews and meetings with the wider legal team. I had an extra two days work experience granted by my school so I could see the end of the trial. It was a great experience, but it helped me to realise that I didn’t want to go onto study law.” Callum, Programme Co-ordinator

“I started working at 15 as a Sandwich Artist at Subway at 15, which I absolutely loved! I took making every sandwich very seriously and now struggle to get a Subway made by someone else as my standards are very high.” Kate, Programme Manager

“I wanted to work in TV and took the tried and tested intro to production companies as a runner in a PR department. I had two weeks’ of reading and collating all the press coverage of shows. What was great about the experience was that the team took me to every meeting and onto the studio floor to be part of the crew, and back-up audience! It was such an eye-opener to how TV programmes are made and how many people were involved.” Jenni, Acting CEO

As you can see, work experience can help identify what you might not want to do, just as much as helping to confirm your career choices. But as Mary Poppins says, and our team agrees: “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.”