Making the right decision from square one

To many the nature and viewpoint of how we understand internships and work placements is ever changing to compensate with the needs and developments of the labour market.

Changes in social and labour demographics means that unlike in the past whereas you would go to school, then high school, then college, university and then employment, you now have to work more along the way to get the ball rolling.

Times are changing and as such, we have to move with the times. To pick up the pieces and take the opportunity to make the most of our skills and learn from our peers before settling into the career of our choosing.

In the past once you had finished your education you would begin the life long cycle of steady employment. For most of people you would maintain the same work placement from dawn till dust, clocking in the hours and counting down the days till the next holiday destination of your choosing.

It is never more so apparent with times on the change, that for most of us, we need a bit of an initial push to get through the proverbial door of employment, to land the job of our choice.

Unfortunately, unlike our continental European counter parts, work experience and in particular internships are more common practice. For many European students it is part of their course requirements to go out into the world of work and gain that much need work experience before joining the commercial world of work.

Back in the UK, you can make it through your entire educational life cycle with only having a week or two of work experience. (Most of which primarily consisting of job shadowing or menial tasks.)

From personal experience I have known many people in my time who at the age of 24, have not lifted a finger in their life for any kind of employment. (whether part time or full time)

During my past studies you would discover after graduation, that about a quarter of the students in the year would take a year out to travel, see the world and meet people. Another quarter of the students would be thinking about staying on for further studies, as they had not made their mind up as to what they wanted to go into. (Indecisiveness and the university lifestyle of work hard / party hard is for many hard to let up and so several students carry on to become perpetual life long students.)

Another quarter of students who are fortunate enough to use a bit of forth thought and thinking, would go and secure a job after their studies. Whilst the last quarter of students would unfortunately finish their studies with only their degree certificates and a few good, fond memories to their name and a burning whole where their wallet used to be. Now stuck, looking for employment in chaotic times with nothing but a certificate to back up their potential skills and qualifications these graduates scour the streets in search of employment far and wide.

This is where internships come into play

- For those students who are still studying, it is my up most recommendation that you at least make sure that by the time your finish your course of study that you have at least some practical work to help bolster the old CV.

- For students who are actively looking for internship placements or who are currently taking part in an internship, my recommendation is that you make the most of it. (As this is a learning experience and an opportunity to gain insightful knowledge in the world of work, it is important to seize the day.)

- For those students who have finished their studies and are now looking for a placement, I wish you all the best in your endeavours, to stick at it and make a choice that it not only right for you, but one that provides the service and experience that you are after.

The only draw back to this ever increasing growing number of graduate talent is that it reduces the unique value of your degree. As there are record numbers of university students in the UK, and with more graduating in the coming year, this dilutes your degree. Therefore, to compensate this situation the majority of graduates will need some practical work experience to get them moving forward.

While this trend is for some not an overall welcoming proposition to take part in, for those students who have drive, determination and the initiative to plan ahead, anticipate and carefully look on into the horizons there is the glimmer of reward across the endless plane of employment today.