Work experience for A level physics student

Im looking for experience that will be relevant to a university physics course. Im currently in year 12 and i'd like some work experience to give me a greater insight into physics, whether it be research or a placement with a company. Im finding it very difficult to find places that will take people my age on. Can anyone recommend places that they have had placements with, or if they know of any places that take college students on? Im based in north-west England, but I dont mind travelling if its regarding work experience.

Much appreciated :smile:

Reply 1

Maya

You could try shadowing a medical physicist in a large hospital, thats what i did. You could also email universities and large companies such as BAE Systems and see if they could help you.

Reply 2

r0manticide17

Could I have more information about how you applied to the hospital and what kind of things you said in a letter/email/phonecall?

Reply 3

Talya

If you want to come down south for a holiday the NPL www.npl.co.uk do work experience placements in the summer. I applied for one in January but no one has bothered contacting me about it yet and no one replied to an email I sent them... Hmph.

Reply 4

Maya

r0manticide17

Could I have more information about how you applied to the hospital and what kind of things you said in a letter/email/phonecall?

First find a hospital near you with a medical physics department (I googled it for you and found this: http://www.christie.nhs.uk/profinfo/departments/nwmp/default.htm). Then i found an address to write to and sent a letter saying i wanted to do a few days work experience during a school holiday, and i also included my personal statement and a reference from my physics teacher.
I don't think doing work experience is necessary you get into a university, but it is a good idea as it certainly gives you something to talk about if you have any interviews, and may get you a lower/unconditional offer.

Reply 5

~Bex~

Maybe try a local engineering company?

Reply 6

r0manticide17

Maya, thanks. I found that christie one too. i think its preston based isnt it?

Reply 7

Bennus

I'm halfway through my Year In Industry placement now, with a company that produces particle measuring instruments, called Malvern Instruments.

I'm from West Yorkshire, asked YINI for a physics related placement, and that I don't mind living away from home, so now I'm down in the west midlands.
I didn't really want to work with a commerical company, but I realised I'm unlikely to get a lab placement for a fresh a-level student.

The rest of my friends down here, on the YINI course, are working at QinetiQ, they take on about 15 placements each year I think. Some of them are doing physics at uni, the rest engineering.

The YINI scheme definately helps with getting to know people in the same situation as you (we have 'workshop' things for the business course YINI puts us through every month which are really fun, besides the essays, natch). But if you can get a placement by yourself I would go for it, as long as you're an outgoing person it'd probably present you with a lot more freedom. I can't finish my placement till end of July because I have to 'sign off' or something with my YINI tutor. :rolleyes: