Work experience defined

Work experience is generally unpaid work that you perform to see if you like a particular job, and to develop some skills and experience to make you more appealing to potential employers when you start looking for a job.  Completing work experience while you're still at high school is also a great way for you to decide what type of career you would or wouldn't eventually like. It also provides an opportunity to make some great contacts in the health industry!

Why do it?

• You can get an insight into what it's like to work and what's expected of you in the workplace.
• You get to find out if you really like a job before committing to it.
• You get on-the-job experience and skills.
• You get 'a foot in the door' with an employer you want work with.
• You find out more about yourself - whether you like working with people or alone, whether you like hands on work, whether you like helping people etc. 

How to get a placement

• Ask your family and friends if they know any health professionals that you can speak to.
• Talk with your careers counsellor and teachers about what you're interested in and see if they can help, or know someone in the workforce that you can talk to. 
• Directly contact employers (find out which Health services operate in your area)
• Search the web for work experience opportunities. 
• Volunteer with a community or charity organisation in your local neighbourhood to find out if you like helping and working with people. 

Want to know more?

Students or School Work Experience Coordinators should contact their local health site for further information. See Contacts for details.