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Types of work experience

Internships or Summer Placements / Vacation Placements

These are offered mostly to students in their penultimate year by firms who need large numbers of graduates, eg law, accountancy, banking and management consultancy. Most last between 2-12 weeks. Many law firms offer placements at Christmas, Easter and the summer, and some banks offer short Easter placements to first and second year students. They aim to give you an insight into the company and the work involved, and you are usually expected to work on a specific project. Companies are increasingly using internships to find future graduate recruits, so if you are successful you may be offered a graduate job at the end of a placement. Some smaller organisations in more varied areas offer them too, but they will not be advertised in just one place. Searching the web is one step forward. Also it is often possible to “make your own” internship, particularly in sectors where they are not advertised or if you are in an earlier year.

  • Internships in the US work slightly differently. For more information on these opportunities, please visit Internships in the US.

Project Placements

Some organisations offer an opportunity to gain work experience whilst carrying out a specific project in the UK or abroad. Here are a few examples:

  • Bright Business Partnership are an organisation which provides paid summer placements to 2nd and 3rd year students. They have two main programmes:
    • Step - which is nationwide and places students in small businesses in a variety of roles - marketing, PR, etc
    • Environmental Placement Programme- this places students in Scottish businesses where they have a professional supervisor and covers areas such as waste minimisation, energy efficiency and product development. Community Recycling Networking for Scotland offer placements in 3rd sector Social Enterprises
  • IAESTE - International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience
  • The Saltire Foundation Undergraduate Internship Programme offers penultimate year students from Scottish universities the chance to experience working life in some of the world’s top companies.
  • TalentScotland - promotes paid work experience in businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

Work Shadowing

These are usually unpaid opportunities which you set up yourself, allowing you to spend a short period of time (from one day to two weeks) observing a member of staff and/or undertaking basic duties in an organisation. It is a way to gain better understanding of job, sector or potential employer. Some large employers, mainly in finance and law, advertise structured taster days for 1st and 2nd year students, and graduates - check the websites of employers of interest to you.

Opportunities after graduation

A number of organisations advertise work experience specifically for recent graduates:

Volunteering

Volunteering can give you an advantage in a competitive job market. It's worth remembering that volunteering is sometimes the only way of gaining work experience in career areas where paid opportunities are limited, eg advertising, media or PR. It's worth have a read of Voluntary Sector and Overseas Development.

The University of St Andrews has many local and university organisations which offer voluntary opportunities:

  • Alternative Format Suite (AFS) - with a volunteer base drawn from the University and local community, the AFS works with text; turning it into electronic, braille, and audio formats. Email Paresh on pr19@st-andrews.ac.uk for more information.
  • SupNet the Student Support Network, are always looking for enthusiastic, dedicated, and positive students to join SupNet. For more information email supnet@st-andrews.ac.uk or telephone Student Services on 01334 46 2720.
  • The Students' Association involves student volunteers across its organisation, including the highly successful Charities Campaign.
  • SVS (St Andrews Voluntary Service) - is an independent, student run organisation, that places students in local voluntary projects.
  • Transition University of St Andrews a group of students and staff at the University who work together on environmental projects. Wide variety of volunteering opportunities available.
  • Saints Sport volunteering

Other local organisations:

  • Volunteering Fife Volunteering Fife is the local Volunteer Centre.
  • CVS Fife The Fife-wide Council for Voluntary Service
  • Lift Off Volunteering opportunities with secondary schools across Fife and Tayside.

Unpaid Work Experience

If you are considering undertaking unpaid work experience in the UK it is important to be aware of National Minimum Wage (NMW) legislation so that you are not exploited. The Business Link and DirectGov websites gives information about the NMW and the circumstances in which people need not be paid.

Work Experience Abroad or Gap Year Activities

Just about any form of work experience is also available worldwide. The careers centre has a range of directories listing vacancies in the USA and around the world. Also visit the Prospects Website Special Interest Series: Gap Year

Industrial Placement

An industrial placement is a period of work built into your degree course, usually between your first two years and final year at university. At St Andrews, students studying Chemistry can opt to spend a year in industry, and there are also opportunities for students studying other disciplines to work abroad as part of the Erasmus programme.

Casual or Part-time Jobs

Work experience in a pub, shop or other type of “student” job is recognised by graduate employers as valuable, so long as you can demonstrate in your applications and interviews the transferable skills, insights and achievements you have gained. For information about part-time job vacancies in the St Andrews area register to become a member of the Job Shop.

Entrepreneurial Organisations

If you are considering starting your own business at some stage, undertaking work experience in an entrepreneurial organisation is a great way to find out what it takes and contribute to building a business. Check out Enternships for opportunities.