Are you looking for work experience, a placement or internship, to gain relevant practical work skills, either as part of your course or during the vacation?

All relevant employment experience is highly regarded by employers.

Top Tips

Go to the section on Employability to be prepared with a positive relevant CV and covering letter.

You must expect to encounter graduate/student placement application forms and possibly graduate aptitude testing, if you are applying to major employers and graduate recruiters

Be proactive. Many opportunities are either never advertised or perhaps not where you are checking. You should consider contacting employers on the possibility that a vacancy may occur in the near future, or that a post is created for you because you present yourself so successfully.

Resources

At Bournemouth & Poole College:

Contact the HE Employer Engagement Officer Jeff Chartrand for help with CVs, letters, interview advice and finding employers. E-mail: he@thecollege.co.uk to make an appointment or call-in to Room 128A Lansdowne campus.

Use your tutors to identify employer contacts, perhaps building on past student success.

Useful External Online Links:

• http://mycareerhub.bournemouth.ac.uk/
  Bournemouth University Graduate Employment Service - BU students only for part-time, placement or graduate job, campus events, ask a question, book an appointment

• www.prospects.ac.uk/work_experience.htm
  Graduate Prospects - national careers site for HE students studying in the UK:
  Drop down sub-heading 'Careers advice' for 'Job hunting'
  Drop down sub-heading 'Jobs and work experience' for 'Working abroad'

• www.work-experience.org/
  NCWE National Council for Work Experience - promoting, supporting and developing work experience for students

• http://targetjobs.co.uk/
  GTI Media publication for graduate jobs and career advice- go to sub-heading 'Work experience'

• www.bright-futures.org.uk/
  Bright Futures - national student organisation working with employers

• http://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/
  Next Step government careers site helping adults - go to 'Getting a job'