How to get experience of the workplace

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We get a regular stream of emails from young people asking w4mp if we have any work experience or can offer a place in an MP’s office, but it’s not something we can help with. We have a guide for staff who might want to host someone  but we thought it would be useful to explore the options that are available. We asked Izzy Hewlett, who will start university in September 2026, for her perspective.

For many young people looking to enter the job market, it can feel daunting. One of the main challenges is that it can be hard to break into industries where companies frequently require previous experience. This can create a frustrating cycle because if all companies require experience, how are you supposed to get an opportunity in the first place? 

Luckily, there are several options that do not come purely from traditional internships. Volunteering, online experiences and part time jobs are useful ways to develop skills and demonstrate abilities.

 Online courses and virtual experience 

The internet provides an opportunity to develop new skills at home, especially for those who might not have access to traditional opportunities. A wide range of organisations offer free or paid courses that can cover a lot of subjects, such as marketing, technology and data analytics.

For example, Google offers training in areas like digital marketing and business. Once you have finished one of these types of courses, some will provide you with a certificate on completion. This can be a useful addition to a CV if you have limited other experience, as it shows a willingness to learn and develop skills independently. Another example of an online platform is We Job Box, a platform designed to help connect students with employers through virtual work experience, helping people gain access to new opportunities. If you do complete a course, it could be useful to put what you did into practice, for example if you completed a code and technology course, you could create your own coding project to reinforce what you learned.

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School, college, university

If you’re in school college or university then they may have career teams and career fairs that can be useful in learning about different or new career paths. Speaking to a careers advisor could help identify placements or other opportunities you may not have previously been aware of. It can also help with connecting to potential employers by speaking to them directly and understanding what companies are looking for when they’re hiring.

Joining student societies can provide another way of gaining different types of experience. Taking on responsibilities such as organising events shows leadership and organisation skills. Social media management of the society demonstrates digital communications abilities, all of which allow for the development of transferable skills that can be added to a CV.

Part time jobs 

Retail and hospitality are often some of the first experiences young people have of the work place. While these jobs might not be directly related to the career path you eventually want to pursue, they can be very helpful in furthering the development of transferable skills. 

For example, working with customers can build communication skills while working with colleagues helps to develop teamwork and many other skills, all of which provide examples of how you have achieved outcomes and what you’ve learned. Even though they might have been developed in a different industry to the one you want to break into, potential employers are still interested in skills you have such as handling responsibilities.

Volunteering 

Volunteering can be very helpful if you are struggling to find paid work and want to gain in person experiences. Charities and community groups often rely on volunteers providing a range of opportunities to develop skills.

For those interested in politics, there are often opportunities to volunteer with a local party and work with local councillors or your local MP. This could involve helping with campaigns, supporting councillors and attending events. These opportunities can provide valuable insight into how local politics operates. 

Guides on how to work for an MPs can be found here Organising Work Experience in an MP’s Office – w4mp and Being an Intern / Doing Work Experience – w4mp

And more… 

If you are unable to utilise any of these potential opportunities, there is always the option to create your own experiences by finding a way to demonstrate interest and ability in the career field you are interested in. For example someone wanting to pursue journalism could start writing a blog, someone interested in media could create their own photography or film projects. These could all help build a portfolio where you can demonstrate your work.

And finally, it’s important to make sure that when you have experience, when applying for jobs your CV is created to industry standards. Advice on this can be found here How to write a CV | National Careers Service 

Izzy Hewlett. August 2026.