Choosing the best option for you Work experience
There are many types of work experience to choose from. If you went to school in the UK, you might associate work experience with a one- or two-week placement when you were 14 or 15 years old. Your work experience options are so much more than that, and you can do it at any age.
Your needs and your work experience options
Different types of work experience might be more appropriate for you depending on your needs and circumstances. For example, internships are great for starting your career, whilst freelancing can be a useful next step in a new field.
Here we summarise the best work experience options for your situation and needs. See which options suit you then learn more about them further down the page.
- Deep insight into a new field: internships and work shadowing (for a specific role).
- Retain my current job: secondments, work shadowing (at your current employer), volunteering, virtual work experience, insight events.
- Earn a salary: secondments, entry level jobs, freelancing.
- Short or flexible experience: insight events, virtual work experience, volunteering.
- Network and make contacts: internships, work shadowing, insight events
If you're already in work
If you’re already in full-time work, or have other commitments, it might be difficult to take on an internship. For short internships, you may be able to use annual leave. However, it may be more helpful to consider other options, such as volunteering, insight events, or virtual work experience.
Secondments and work shadowing can often be done with your current employer. You may also be able to persuade your employer to take you on under other work experience types too. See the ‘Approaching organisations speculatively’ section of the Finding and applying for opportunities page.
Your income
Changing career often requires a salary decrease. Most work experience options are either unpaid or low-paid. Think seriously about how this will affect your Financial wellbeing.
Work experience could be a step towards higher paying jobs in the future, but that’s a risk you’ll need to consider for yourself. Our Before making a career change and Career Decision making pages can help you decide.
Types of work experience
Internships
An internship is a fixed-term work experience placement. They often last between a few weeks and a few months. Internships can be full- or part-time, paid or unpaid. Some internships can be done remotely.
Internships are often aimed at students and recent graduates. Their purpose is to provide practical work experience in a specific industry. This helps you build relevant skills, and improve your employability and career prospects. Sometimes an intern can receive a job offer at the end of their internship if they have performed well.
Secondments
Secondments are temporary paid work in a new role. The employee returns to their original position once the secondment is complete.
Placements
Work placements are a period of work experience that is embedded into your studies. They give you the chance to apply your skills in a work setting.
Insight programmes and open days
Employers host insight events to give you an understanding of what working for them is like. They often involve presentations, networking, and meeting employees who can answer your questions. They could also involve games, group tasks, work shadowing, and tours.
Insight events range from short online sessions and open days to week-long programmes.
Work shadowing
Work shadowing is when you spend time observing someone at their job to learn more about what they do. Instead of doing the work, you are there to observe and ask questions about it. This can help you learn about different roles, make connections, and explore potential career paths.
See Work shadowing information for OU students.
Virtual work experience
Virtual, or remote or online work experience is a way for you to gain work experience from home. This can give you the flexibly to fit work experience around your other commitments. Virtual work experiences can start from just a few hours.
Entry level jobs
Entry-level jobs, such as temporary or junior and assistant roles, will establish you in a new field or organisation. This is a longer-term option that will guarantee a salary, though you will need to leave any current role.
Freelancing
Freelance, portfolio, or project-based work allows you to choose what, when, and for who you work. You will need prior experience with this kind of work, and some familiarity with the projects you take on. This is a good option for honing skills you have already started to develop.
Volunteering
Volunteering is unpaid work, often for charities or the benefit of others. Volunteering can be an easy, often flexible way to develop skills and experience
Work experience options for international students
If you are an international student, visit our Working in the UK page for work experience options.
