Bringing in a work experience student turned out to be a really positive experience for us all. We approached it with optimism, hoping that our company would gain a fresh perspective, identify some promising new talent, and perhaps even discover a future star employee. And we weren't disappointed!
However, it wasn't as straightforward as we initially thought, and I was genuinely surprised by the pace the student worked at and so the level of support we needed to give the student to make sure it was a challenging and worthwhile experience for them. But here's the wonderful part – their dedication and enthusiasm was a real source of inspiration, and taking on a work experience student is something I'd really recommend for smaller organisations.
What did they learn?
What did our student gain from the experience? Mainly, an idea of what the working week looks like and the variety of roles necessary to run a business. Experience of cyber risks, marketing and copy were also a bonus, and I hope the variety helped the student understand the breadth of opportunity available to them should they choose a career in cyber.
What did we learn?
1. Social Media Savviness.
Teenagers are often more familiar with technology and social media platforms. Having a work experience student can help your company stay updated on the latest tools and trends, especially in digital marketing.
2. Mentoring and Leadership Opportunities.
Employing a work experience student provides opportunities for experienced employees to take on mentoring roles. This can be rewarding for both parties, as mentors share knowledge and skills while the student gains valuable insights from experienced professionals.
3. Communication.
Working with a younger individual can encourage employees to adapt their communication styles to be more inclusive and accommodating of diverse perspectives.
4. Training Development.
Having a work experience student may highlight gaps in your company’s training and development programs, allowing you to assess its capacity to support and nurture talent effectively.
5. Company Reputation.
Companies that actively participate in work experience programs and invest in the growth of young talent tend to build a positive reputation within the community and among potential job seekers.
What’s next?
We are now looking for a technical apprentice, interested in working the cyber security – if you think you would be interested in working with us, please reach out. Contact – Reconfort