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The Experience - Case studies of work experience by University of Leicester students

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Page 1: The Experience - Case studies of work experience by University of Leicester students

www.le.ac.uk/ssds

Student Learning Centre

The

ExperienceExperience

Case studies of work experience by University of Leicester students

Page 2: The Experience - Case studies of work experience by University of Leicester students

2 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER · STUDENT LEARNING CENTRE

“Our Summer Vacation Scheme is an excellent

opportunity for students at Leicester to gain hands on

experience on a project from day one. It will enable

them to develop transferable skills during their

internship that can be used when returning to university

after the summer. Further to this, it will enable them to

gain a permanent offer on our graduate training

scheme after completing their internship. ”FRANZISKA NIEMANN,

Recruitment Officer,Accenture

“At Allen & Overy we like to see candidates who have been

proactive in getting a range of work experience, legal and

non-legal. Through discussing projects or tasks completed

during a period of work experience, candidates can

demonstrate a range of key transferable skills including

time management, team work, and dealing with

challenging situations. During our vacation placements and

open days, students gain a real insight into the realities of

working for a City practice and the skills required as a

solicitor, both of which we think are incredibly important in

their decision to pursue a legal career. ”CAROLINE LINDNER,

Graduate Recruitment Officer, Allen & Overy LLP

Contents

Introduction

The Eight Week PlacementExperienceClare Farrow, BA (Hons) English

The Summer PlacementExperienceSara Rafice, PhD Chemistry

The Voluntary ExperienceVincent Ade, LLB (Hons)

The EntrepreneurialExperienceGraham Smith, LLB (Hons)

The Graduate Experience,Part OneLukwesa Burak, MSc GeographicalInformation Systems

The Graduate Experience,Part TwoCaroline Pickering, BA (Hons) EuropeanStudies with French

For more information aboutWork Experience

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Page 3: The Experience - Case studies of work experience by University of Leicester students

THE EXPERIENCE 3

Introduction

“ Logica really values students

who have gained work

experience prior to starting with

us, as we find they are able to

adapt to our working

environment and start delivering

value to our business much

more quickly after they join.”GARY ARGENT,

UK Recruitment Operations Manager,Logica

“Work experience comes in all forms; internships, placements, part time

work, volunteering and running a student society. What matters most and

what makes any work experience of value is not purely the 'quality' of the

experience but the reflection on the skills developed. Most employers don't

care how you got the skills but that you have them.

So value everything you have done and enhance its value by reflecting on

the skills you learned and then practice verbalising the skills gained from

the experiences you have had. ”SIMON REICHWALD,

Managing Director,Graduate Success

Work experience! Why bother? Youmay have asked yourself this questionduring your time at university. Howeverthe answer is simple. Work experienceis an integral part of your time atuniversity and will significantly improveyour career prospects and professionaldevelopment after you graduate.

Ask any graduate employer about workexperience, and they will stress howimportant it is for developing those all-important competencies such asproblem solving, analytical skills,

teamwork, communication and more.Increasingly, graduate employers areasking for more than just a gooddegree, especially as competition forjobs increase. Suitable work experienceis still the best way to distinguishyourself from the crowds ofstudents/graduates competing for thesame job. Don’t believe us? Then take alook at the quotes in this booklet byseveral well-known graduate employers.

This booklet gives you an insight intothe positive experiences of six Leicester

students, past and present, who alltook part in some form of workexperience; everything from summerwork placements to voluntary work.The benefits that these students gainedfrom work experience have enhancedtheir career prospects tremendously.

We hope that these positive case studiesinspire you to start applying for suitablework experience in the first instance!

Best wishesStudent Learning Centre

Page 4: The Experience - Case studies of work experience by University of Leicester students

Upon commencing my English degree atthe University of Leicester, I decided thata new ambitious person would evolve. Itwas whilst seeking advice from theCareers Service this time last year that Icame across a brilliant opportunity.

Never heard of Shell Step? Neither had Iuntil I had approached the CareersService. The Shell Step scheme is anational programme that providespenultimate year undergraduates withthe chance to gain valuable paid workexperience for a period of eight weeks

4 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER · STUDENT LEARNING CENTRE

The Eight Week Placement Experience

Three years ago, my CV credentials were far from

impressive. I remember trawling through the careers

guides at school, the glossy covers consisting of a good

looking student standing vacantly at the crossroads of life.

When I look back, I recall the phrase that was constantly

repeated inside those magazines: “Work Experience”.

Name: Clare Farrow · Degree: BA (Hons) English Employer: Success Matrix

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over the summer vacation. The scheme is not about testingyour filing or photo-copying skills; your involvement in thecompany is to deliver genuine business projects. It is an idealplatform to test your personal and academic skills in thebusiness world and the company gains from the fresh insightand talents of an undergraduate.

Through a successful online application and interview, I wasplaced with a company called Success Matrix, a businesssupport organisation specialising in student placements andgraduate recruitment services. Success Matrix is also ShellStep’s main student provider, co-ordinating projects acrossCentral England. I was interested in applying for a job thatinvolved PR and marketing, as these are potential careeravenues for me. Therefore my responsibilities at SuccessMatrix were ideal as the company utilised my skills as aproject co-ordinator.

Over the course of the eight weeks, my main task was tomarket their newly launched product ‘graduatefusion’, acomponent for their graduate recruitment service. I also hadresponsibilities to run the events management for Shell Step.

I soon realised after my first week, that my placement wouldprovide a high level of accountability. My colleagues treatedme as a professional member of their organisation and wereinterested in what I could contribute to their company. I hadmy own desk, my own phone, my own email account;everything was set up to make me feel like a valid member ofthe working environment.

With some research in my spare time at home, I quicklylearned the history of the business and the competitive natureof the graduate recruitment world. This made me aware thatmy competence in marketing skills would be essential.

I enjoyed the freedom and independence I was given to runwith my ideas and my colleagues regularly instilled confidencein me to meet this challenge.

My main reason for taking part in the Shell Step scheme wasto test the skills I had learnt during my time at university. Untilyou gain some valuable work experience you cannot be certainwhat you are capable of and what your strengths andweaknesses are. I also wanted something on my CV thatwould show I could conduct myself well in a professional rolewithin an organisation. Shell Step enables you to do that.

So what skills have I developed since working for SuccessMatrix? The placement has certainly increased my confidencein the business environment. My business acumen,

organisational and I.T. skills have improved and have assistedme in the last year of my degree in a variety of ways.

The most rewarding aspect of my work experience however,was seeing the effect I had on the company itself. The lengthof the placement allowed me to fully settle into my role andwitness my marketing strategies really take off and generateinterest and revenue for the company. Working for SuccessMatrix has also enabled me to network with professionalpeople in the business world and to build a reputation formyself. I know my colleagues at Success Matrix will strive tofind me a job when I graduate.

I hope I have made clear the benefits of doing workexperience. The fact is, in today’s competitive graduatemarket, work experience is almost essential if you hope toenter your desired professional field after university. Workexperience has certainly sculptured my skills and my persona; Ihope it does the same for you too.

To apply for the Shell Step scheme, visit the website atwww.step.org.uk.

THE EXPERIENCE 5

“ I soon realised after my first week, that my

placement would provide a high level of

accountability. My colleagues treated me as a

professional member of their organisation and

were interested in what I could contribute to

their company. ”

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The organisation was founded atImperial College, University ofLondon, and was originally made upfrom 10 European countries. Theorganisation has since grown toinclude more than 80 countries world-wide and annually exchangesapproximately 6,000 students.

The organisation offers students paidtechnical work experience abroad forskill enhancement. All students receivefull support and guidance through theIAESTE support network and support

6 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER · STUDENT LEARNING CENTRE

The Summer Placement Experience

Iam currently studying a PhD in Chemistry at the University

of Leicester. Prior to my PhD, I came across an

organisation called the International Association for the

Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE),

who offer international summer work placements. IAESTE

has been running since 1948 and aims to provide students

in higher education with technical experience relevant to

their studies. Additionally, it provides a source of cultural

enrichment for students.

Name: Sara Rafice · Degree: PhD ChemistryEmployer: IAESTE

Page 7: The Experience - Case studies of work experience by University of Leicester students

with practical arrangements (e.g. work permits/ visa,accommodation and travel).

I had four months during the summer before starting my PhDand I decided I wanted to travel. IAESTE provided me with theopportunity to travel whilst gaining valuable technical workexperience. I completed the application form in December andthe following February I received a list of approximately 120placements around the world that I could apply for. I chose aneight week research project studying treatments fortuberculosis in Lódz, the second largest city in Poland.

This work experience opportunity was life-changing. Iarrived in Poland to be greeted by two Polish IAESTEadvisers and then introduced to the people I would be livingwith, who were from around the world. We had a few daystogether to familiarise ourselves with the area and to get toknow each other.

I made four close friends with people from Greece, Croatia,America and Austria; however only the American knew someSlavic. So I took it upon myself to learn basic Polish taught byone of the Polish advisers. By the end of the trip myconfidence in communicating in Polish had increased to thepoint where I am able to talk to native Polish people aboutday-to-day topics such as the weather etc.

My typical weekdays involved working at the Medical BiologyCentre, University of Lódz. I worked from 09:00-16:00 with aone hour lunch break. The research laboratory work focussedon the molecular study of non-pathogenic mycobacteria usingspecialised techniques that I studied in my degree.

Additionally, I was able to socialise with other students in theevenings, typically heading into the town and learning moreabout different cultures.

The experience of working in a foreign country, learning thelanguage and using it on a daily basis during both work andsocialising was awesome. In addition to this, IAESTE encouragedcultural experiences. At the weekends, we went on trips tomajor cities in Poland including Warsaw, Kraków and Gda.

I highly recommend summer work experience placements,especially in an international context. The experience was veryuseful for my academic studies and my research skills. Mycurrent work as a PhD student actually builds upon theresearch skills I developed during my time in Poland.

I also developed a wider range of transferable skills andcompetencies whilst on my work placement. These includedtime management, IT skills, networking and most importantly,interpersonal skills. The international aspect also added culturalenrichment to the work placement. Learning about so manydifferent cultures and making friends from around the world iscertainly a life-changing experience and one that I will cherish.

THE EXPERIENCE 7

“I highly recommend summer work experience

placements, especially in an international

context. The experience was very useful for my

academic studies and my research skills. ”

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Through ‘Contact Student Volunteers’ atthe University, I was able to engage inrewarding voluntary work. I work withAge Concern Leicester, which involvesme helping out at the Day Care Centrein the city. This is a facility for elderlypeople to come together to socialize andutilise various facilities on site. The DayCare Centre employs professional careworkers to care for users and volunteerslike me to help support this provision.

A typical day involves getting up early inorder to arrive at the centre in good

8 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER · STUDENT LEARNING CENTRE

The Voluntary Experience

Iam presently in my second year of my Law degree

at the University of Leicester. I have a passion for

helping a cause I believe in and being able to see it

through. I am also enthusiastic about giving

something back to the community. These values and

personal interests led me to consider volunteering

whilst at university.

Name: Vincent Ade · Degree: LLB (Hons)Employer: Age Concern Leicester

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time. On arrival, I join one of the drivers and together wecollect service users from their respective care/nursing homesand take them to the Day Care Centre. At the Centre, I helpout in a range of activities. I help serve hot drinks and mealsand, most importantly, I socialise with the service users. I oftendo this by playing board games with them and conversingwith them on all manner of subjects.

Typically, the day’s activities will finish at approximately 3pm;however, my day does not end there. I have the task ofmaking sure all service users are returned home safely and ina timely manner. Therefore the driver and I make a return tripto all the respective homes; so my working day finishesaround 5pm.

During my time at Age Concern Leicester, I have observed(especially from the professional care workers at theCentre) just how important it is to have stronginterpersonal skills.

Whilst my intentions were solely to give something back tothe community and help others, I have benefited immenselyfrom this experience, particularly through the acquisition ofimproved skills. Through regular contact and communicationwith different people in a different age bracket from mine andfrom a different background to my own, I have enhanced myinterpersonal skills significantly.

I have even managed to assess how to communicate todifferent audiences, gauging subtle nuances and speakingwithout the use of colloquialisms that would beincomprehensible for service users. I have learnt the importanceof listening, something that we probably take for granted, butis a competence that is often overlooked or neglected.

My confidence in interacting with a wider variety of people hasbeen enhanced. I feel more confident being able to relate tovarious people and being more adept at networking andsocialising. I feel these skills will be crucial after I graduate asthey are skills/competencies that have application in a widevariety of careers. My improved team working skills have beena surprising and positive revelation from this experience. This isanother quality that will put me in good stead after I graduate.

I believe the balance of academic studies and voluntary workhas enriched my time at university and is definitely mypreferred lifestyle while I am an undergraduate.

I have no doubt that the skills I have acquired during myvoluntary work, will be invaluable to me when I pursue acareer to become a solicitor. To become a solicitor, it isimportant that one is an effective communicator and aconfident well-rounded individual.

This experience has helped me achieve the right blend of skillsand competencies, as a solicitor’s role involves gettingmessages across coherently and dealing with clients’ needsand checking that they are satisfied. I acknowledge that asolicitor needs good organisational and time managementskills and I am confident that through this voluntary workexperience, I can demonstrate my acquisition of these skills.

I would urge fellow students at the University of Leicester toconsider some form of work experience, whether it bevoluntary work, a summer placement or any other usefulextra-curricular activity.

If, like me, you have a passion for helping others, then Isuggest you do your research and find a project or cause youbelieve in. I also suggest speaking to the staff at ContactStudent Volunteers as they are able to signpost you to relevantprojects and organisations.

Oh, don’t doubt yourself or think that you don’t have enoughtime to commit to volunteering. There is never a convenienttime to start volunteering so just get on with it as soon as youcan. Everything else sorts itself out.

THE EXPERIENCE 9

“My confidence in interacting with a wider variety

of people has been enhanced. I feel more

confident being able to relate to various people

and being more adept at networking and

socialising. I feel these skills will be crucial after I

graduate as they are skills/competencies that have

application in a wide variety of careers ”

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Fortunately, later that summer, Irediscovered my passion for football. Whilemy peers were seeking stable jobs inenormous organisations, I spent my finalyear researching the market for footballcoaching. Before I graduated, I had securedmy first football coaching clients.

Additionally, before I even started coachingthose clients, I won the sales and marketingcontract for the massive Magaluf studentparty experience, ‘Spring Break UK’. Onekey to starting your own business is tomake yourself profitable as early as possible.

10 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER · STUDENT LEARNING CENTRE

The Entrepreneurial Experience

In the first year of my Law degree at the University

of Leicester, I had my sights firmly set on becoming

a barrister. With my second year came the new

career aspiration of entering the City solicitor

profession. A work placement and training contract

interview in a City law firm helped me realise that I

wanted to explore other opportunities, before

considering a career in law.

Name: Graham Smith · Degree: LLB (Hons)Enterprise: GIS Innovations

Page 11: The Experience - Case studies of work experience by University of Leicester students

THE EXPERIENCE 11

For someone innovating services, that meant selling every skill Ihad. I am now the Managing Director and sole owner of mycompany, GIS Innovations and its main brand, ‘Smiley Soccer’.

My roles range from administrative officer, cynical boarddirector, fun football coach, stressed events organiser to hard-nosed lawyer. Please note, this list is not exhaustive!

To keep costs to a minimum, entrepreneurs have to be jacks-of-all-trades and have useful networks. Fortunately for me, Igraduated with a strong aptitude in law and I have developedexcellent contacts in business and football through networking.

To up-skill yourself, you could take advantage of freeworkshops from Business Link and Inland Revenue & Customslike I did. But the best way to gain relevant useful transferableskills is to get some relevant work experience. Theory is great,but practical experience hones your ability to apply the theory.My customer service skills (gained from my tour guiding workat Buckingham Palace), my coaching skills (gained from myvoluntary work) and my administrative skills (gained from myjob as a medical receptionist) have been instrumental to mysuccess in running my own business.

Thankfully, I managed to secure five weeks of legal workplacements for the end of my second year at university. That samesummer, I gained four weeks of football coaching experience.Towards the end of my third year I realised that I was going tobecome an entrepreneur and decided to apply to become at Sub-warden at the University. This meant that I had minimal bills toworry about and got cheap accommodation in a good location.

A subsequent benefit of being around the University was that,once people found out that I was setting up a business in footballcoaching, I was immediately drafted in to cover coaching for theUniversity of Leicester Women’s Football Team. Additionally, acontact at my London football team offered me some full-timepromotions work in August around Central London, and I later

realised that this was a test of my skills to direct sales andmarketing for ‘Spring Break UK’.

The starting point for most wannabe entrepreneurs is to find outwhat business activity they want to run and clearly that requiresresearch. Wannabe entrepreneurs should look at their currentskills and research the markets accordingly. Whether you have abusiness idea or not, there are two fantastic organisations thatcan help you; Business Link and Flying Start.

The transition from undergraduate studies to employmentfor an entrepreneur is possibly easier than commencingpostgraduate study or becoming an employee. Apart fromthe obvious concern about income, which was nothing newfor an under-funded student, the entrepreneur’s workloadis whatever the entrepreneur makes it. As long as you areable to create a lifestyle for yourself that is financiallyshrewd and you can handle the pressure of earning yourcrust, then you can get on the starting grid in theentrepreneur race to riches.

The beauty of setting up your own organisation is that you makethe rules. You decide how to dress, you decide when to work,and you decide how silly to be. Best of all for me, I haveliberated my creativity.

To find out more about Business Link and Flying Start, visit theirrespective websites, www.businesslink.gov.uk andwww.flyingstart-ncge.com.

“ To up-skill yourself, you could take advantage of

free workshops from Business Link and Inland

Revenue & Customs like I did. But the best way to

gain relevant useful transferable skills is to get

some relevant work experience.”

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I need to arrive at work at least threehours before going on air. A trip to themake-up room is quickly followed by asit-down with my producers. We discussthe news programme, stories, interviewsand general structure of the show. A lotof fact-checking and research is alsoneeded on my part before I sit downand familiarise myself with the scripts I'llbe reading off the auto-cue. Thispreparation is vital.

For example, it is so very easy to miss adifficult pronunciation, which could be

12 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER · STUDENT LEARNING CENTRE

The Graduate Experience, Part One

Iwork at Sky News as a News Presenter. Although I

work on a variety of the news slots, my primary role

is as the World News Anchor. There's no such thing as

a typical day, but the shape of my working 'day'

(which is usually at night) is as follows:

Name: Lukwesa Burak · Degree: MSc Geographical Information SystemsEmployer: Sky News

Page 13: The Experience - Case studies of work experience by University of Leicester students

rather embarrassing. Then it is over to the studio, in the handsof your colleagues in the gallery, and you are off...

10, 9, 8...adrenalin pumping...3,2,1,cue...

Once on air, the real ‘stress’ starts. You have numerous peopletalking in your ear, the news wires (feeds from various newsagencies) to keep an eye on in case there is breaking news, allwhilst reading from the auto-cue. Should your autocuedisappear before your eyes (which it does all too often) youstill have to keep going.

My role requires strong communication skills, simply becausethe job is all about communication and interaction withother people, whether they are journalists, studio guests,eye-witnesses, VIPs, and most importantly, the viewers. Anability to stay calm under pressure, when all around are not,is also essential.

To get into broadcasting, you often have to start at thebottom. I started as a Broadcast Assistant with the Met Officeat the BBC Weather Centre in London. The competition forthis role was incredibly high. From there I moved into theregions as a Weather Presenter. I then progressed into thenews reading role and became the Lunchtime News Anchor atBBC East Midlands Today. From there I took up my current roleat Sky News.

My Masters degree at the University of Leicester wasinstrumental to my career, but the work experience I gainedalong the way was the major catalyst. Upon leavingUniversity, I privately funded myself on numerous courses togain some of the required competencies of the

broadcasting world. Contact with media students allowedme to put myself forward to work as a Presenter on someof their TV projects.

I made use of all available training opportunities and learnt allI could from the highly skilled people I worked with. I alwaysask for mentors where possible. I also worked voluntarily for acable channel called MATV as the Sports and News Presenter,which was valuable experience.

I even did work experience that was not directly relevant tomy career including a stint as a part-time carer for arheumatoid arthritis sufferer. Whilst studying abroad inSwitzerland at the University of Neuchatel, I worked as anEnglish teacher at a language school and as an assistant in alocal supermarket. There was also the Newsletter which Iedited during my stay.

For any Leicester student wanting to excel in their chosencareer, whether it be broadcasting, financial services, lawetc, I would strongly suggest you work hard, take everyopportunity that comes your way and get plenty of workexperience, paid or unpaid. But have fun along the way.Persistence and hard work really does pay off, especially inbroadcasting!

THE EXPERIENCE 13

“ I made use of all available training opportunities

and learnt all I could from the highly skilled

people I worked with. I always ask for mentors

where possible. ”

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One day I can be researching aplanning application for a mobilephone mast in the constituency,another day I might be preparingnewsletters or meeting lobby groupstrying to influence the legislation thatmy MP is working on.

Another of my tasks is to make sure thatmy MP is in the media, both locally andwhere possible nationally, so that hisconstituents know what he is doing andthat he is representing them to the bestof his ability.

14 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER · STUDENT LEARNING CENTRE

The Graduate Experience, Part Two

Iam currently a senior researcher for a Conservative

Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons.

My office is situated in the Palace of Westminster,

adjacent to the Commons Chamber, so it is no

exaggeration to say that I am at the centre of the action.

My job is incredibly varied and although it is a cliché, no

two days are the same.

Name: Caroline Pickering · Degree: BA (Hons) European Studies with FrenchEmployer: House of Commons, Westminster, for MP Jeremy Wright

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On a daily basis, I have to address a multitude of constituents’letters on a variety of subjects such as animal rightscampaigns, increased funding for cardiac rehabilitation servicesin local hospitals, climate change and the release of politicalprisoners in various parts of the world.

The role requires a prodigious amount of time managementskills and the ability to work under intense pressure as tightdeadlines are common. It is important to be able to multi-task, because there are always competing priorities. It is alsoimportant to have diplomacy and strong interpersonal skillsas I am often at the forefront of the MP’s office; hence, Ihave to communicate with members of the public andaddress their concerns. Skills such as these have beendeveloped from my experience working abroad during myacademic studies.

My degree at the University of Leicester certainly helped meestablish a career in public policy. During my studies, I spentsome time abroad teaching English to French students whilstfollowing my own academic studies and improving mylanguage skills. If I had the opportunity again, in addition tothe above, I would have applied to do a summer internshipplacement in a Member of European Parliament’s (MEP) officein Brussels or Strasbourg.

When I graduated, my love of European politics took me toBrussels. I spent one week in a youth hostel in the centre ofBrussels, churning out job applications and distributing CVswherever I went. People were immensely helpful andimpressed that I had been proactive to search for the job Iwanted. Within two weeks, I had four interviews and withinsix weeks I started work in Brussels.

For the first three years, I worked as a lobbyist for localgovernment. Following the European elections, I was recruitedas a parliamentary assistant to a British Conservative MEP inthe European Parliament. I made a lot of contacts and afterseveral years in Brussels, I was asked to work for the

Conservative Party in London. I worked at CampaignHeadquarters for one year, in the run up to the GeneralElection. I co-ordinated their conferences and worked on theGeneral Election campaign. It was through this, that I obtainedmy current position.

I never underestimate the experiences that I have gainedand the privileged position I find myself in. Gaining workexperience during academic studies and being pro-activeare vitally important for a career in public policy andpolitics. For graduates wishing to work in Westminster, Iwould recommend that they look at http://www.w4mp.org/which lists work placements and jobs that are availablewith MPs, think tanks and political parties. For graduateswanting to work in the European institutions, I wouldrecommend www.europa.eu.int where you will findinformation about traineeships.

However, never underestimate the personal touch. Pick upthe phone and make an appointment to see your MPor MEP. Alternatively, join your political party locally.It is an indication of your commitment and anideal way to meet like-minded people.

THE EXPERIENCE 15

“When I graduated, my love of European politics

took me to Brussels. I spent one week in a youth

hostel in the centre of Brussels, churning out job

applications and distributing CVs wherever I

went. People were immensely helpful and

impressed that I had been proactive to search

for the job I wanted. Within two weeks, I had

four interviews and within six weeks I started

work in Brussels. ”

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Student Learning CentreStudent Development ZoneDavid Wilson LibraryUniversity of LeicesterUniversity RoadLeicester LE1 7RHUKTel: +44(0)116 252 5090Email: [email protected]: www.le.ac.uk/slc

www.le.ac.uk/careers

© University of Leicester 06/2008Leicester LE1 7RHUK

www.le.ac.uk

For more information about Work Experience

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