Early Careers Survey 2021: work experience during a crisis

Taking those first tentative steps into a career can be daunting. What to expect, how to behave and whether the job will be enjoyable are typical reservations, all of which can be mitigated by undertaking some form of work experience. The fallout from [Coronavirus Disease 2019] COVID-19 and the impact of social distancing and lockdown have decimated the availability of work experience opportunities and consequently young people's ability to be work ready. However, young people have been creative and resilient in their approach to finding work, demonstrating that valuable experiences that smooth the transition into working life aren't just about undertaking formal internships in person.

Over this last year there have been many inspiring stories of young people helping out in local community groups, starting blogs or YouTube channels and volunteering online. These experiences can all help to develop the necessary skills and attributes to make the right career choices, impress a potential employer and get off to a flying start in the workplace. This is the first in a series of reports by Prospects that will provide valuable insight to the student voice and early careers. This issue focuses on how work experience has been undertaken during the last 12 months of the crisis.

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