Is it important to work whilst studying?

Who remembers that 2 weeks of work experience whilst at school? This is probably for most people the first time of experiencing a workplace. After that, when was the first time you went into a paid job and how do you think this affected your chances of long-term employment after leaving education?

In an article on Recruiter.co.uk, it really interested me to read that in a report published by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), in Europe, only the UK saw a fall in the number of young people combining work with learning in the years leading to recession. The countries with high numbers of young people who work while studying have lower levels of youth unemployment as a result.

Having now worked in the recruitment industry for 18 years, I thought back to my own experience from the age of 16-21. My first part-time role was a Saturday job in a Card & Gift shop at the age of 16 but probably more importantly, I feel that I owe my career to the part-time job I had whilst at University. It was actually the Recruitment Business that I carried out temporary hospitality work for who offered me my first full-time job after I graduated. Would I be where I am today, without that opportunity??

Over the years, I have interviewed and met with lots of school leavers, college leavers and graduates and those that have had part-time jobs whilst studying stand out that bit more from those that have not had work related experiences. Simply, they are more EMPLOYABLE...but why?

Here are my 5 reasons why I think combining work whilst studying will help to make it easier in finding long-term future employment;

Independence:  The first step to becoming an adult will come from a part-time job and having a wage. However small the pay, it provides that first bit of independence. Not only that but having to get to and from work, maybe relying on public transport to arrive on time can prove that you are able to be responsible.

Communication:  Being able to listen and speak easily with people of all ages will help you throughout life and the earlier you feel comfortable doing so, the better. A part-time job will enable conversations with adults for the first time that aren’t family or teachers. Good communication skills will open up lots of career routes.

Confidence:  Displaying confidence will get you through any interview as it shows that you believe in yourself and ability. How do you gain confidence? Practice makes perfect. As you become more independent and develop good communication skills, you will naturally become more confident.

Opportunity:  By being in a workplace and meeting people, you will start to develop a network. This network can help to open doors for you in the future. Like I mentioned above, if I hadn’t been carrying out temporary work I wouldn’t have had that opportunity to become a Recruitment Consultant.

References:  A reference from a Teacher or Tutor is great but they are more character based. A reference from an employer will carry more weight and credibility. If a company is looking to make a long-term hiring decision they will want to make sure that the new recruit will adapt quickly and be reliable and the best person to back this up is a previous employer.

Youth unemployment rates are still high and I believe that 2 weeks work experience is not enough to prepare for employment after leaving education. Academic grades should not be dismissed but to ensure that you are well equipped with employability skills, think about gaining part-time work and/or seasonal work during the holidays to enable an easier transition into employment. If you are thinking of going to University, consider a degree that has a year in industry that will help with forging a great career in your chosen field.

 

Original source from http://www.recruiter.co.uk/news/2014/06/small-jobs-can-make-a-big-difference-says-ukces/

 

Young people in the UK need more help getting the vital experience to find work, or risk falling behind their international counterparts, a report published by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) today says.

The report says that in Europe, only the UK saw a fall in the number of young people combining work with learning in the years leading to recession. However, countries with high numbers of young people who work while studying have lower levels of youth unemployment as a result.In Australia just under half (44%) of 15-19-year-olds in education are on apprenticeships or have part-time jobs. Just 12% of Australia’s 20-24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

By contrast, in the UK just 22% of young people aged 15 to 19 are earning and learning, and nearly one in five (19%) 20-24-year-olds are categorised as NEET.