Work experience and personal statements
Hi guys, I'm writing my personal statement for an English Language and Linguistics degree but I'm stuck on how to link my work experience to the course. I've had two jobs as a waitress and I completed some work experience at a publishing company (which links more to literature than language) but I hope to become a speech therapist. Any help would be massively appreciated 
Original post by ehj5
hm, maybe you could say that as a waitress you had to listen to customers and since everyone is different, it helped you be better and communicating or listening?
that's a good point! thank you
You don't need to talk about skills in an academic degree like that. Why not apply for an undergrad SALT course?
Original post by Interrobang
You don't need to talk about skills in an academic degree like that. Why not apply for an undergrad SALT course?
oh really? i'm just going with the advice I've been given by my college- and I decided that English is the route for me as it's more versatile job-wise than SALT and less science based
Original post by agrctt
oh really? i'm just going with the advice I've been given by my college- and I decided that English is the route for me as it's more versatile job-wise than SALT and less science based
Yes really - work experience is only needed for vocational courses
If you want to be a SALT you would either need to do the undergrad 3 year course or a 2 year masters
Discuss the skills learned whilst you were a waitress. For example teamwork, communication skills, people awareness etc. Also listening skills are important as well.
Original post by agrctt
Hi guys, I'm writing my personal statement for an English Language and Linguistics degree but I'm stuck on how to link my work experience to the course. I've had two jobs as a waitress and I completed some work experience at a publishing company (which links more to literature than language) but I hope to become a speech therapist. Any help would be massively appreciated
Hi, it's great that you have have work experience that you can talk about in your personal statement, and even better if you can link it to the courses that you are applying for. Universities do like applicants to talk about their experiences as this is a great way to demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge for your chosen subject area. It also demonstrates your suitability for the course.
My advice would be to take some time to think about the skills required for the courses that you are applying for. Have a look at the course information on the universities' websites and try to pick out skills that you feel that would be essential for these courses, for example, are you required to deliver a presentation that would require good communication skills, or will you be completing any group projects that require team work skills. Once you have examples of skills required for the courses, consider your work experience and whether you developed and demonstrated these skills within your job role or time spent at the publishing company.
Studying at university also requires specific skills, for example, working to deadlines, being organised, the ability to use your own initiative, can you talk about how your work experience has developed your skills in these areas.
I hope this helps, but if you have any other questions, please feel to send us a direct message
Thanks, Carrie
Original post by University of South Wales
Hi, it's great that you have have work experience that you can talk about in your personal statement, and even better if you can link it to the courses that you are applying for. Universities do like applicants to talk about their experiences as this is a great way to demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge for your chosen subject area. It also demonstrates your suitability for the course.
My advice would be to take some time to think about the skills required for the courses that you are applying for. Have a look at the course information on the universities' websites and try to pick out skills that you feel that would be essential for these courses, for example, are you required to deliver a presentation that would require good communication skills, or will you be completing any group projects that require team work skills. Once you have examples of skills required for the courses, consider your work experience and whether you developed and demonstrated these skills within your job role or time spent at the publishing company.
Studying at university also requires specific skills, for example, working to deadlines, being organised, the ability to use your own initiative, can you talk about how your work experience has developed your skills in these areas.
I hope this helps, but if you have any other questions, please feel to send us a direct message
Thanks, Carrie
My advice would be to take some time to think about the skills required for the courses that you are applying for. Have a look at the course information on the universities' websites and try to pick out skills that you feel that would be essential for these courses, for example, are you required to deliver a presentation that would require good communication skills, or will you be completing any group projects that require team work skills. Once you have examples of skills required for the courses, consider your work experience and whether you developed and demonstrated these skills within your job role or time spent at the publishing company.
Studying at university also requires specific skills, for example, working to deadlines, being organised, the ability to use your own initiative, can you talk about how your work experience has developed your skills in these areas.
I hope this helps, but if you have any other questions, please feel to send us a direct message
Thanks, Carrie
thank you Carrie! this has helped so much, i really value your advice
Original post by agrctt
thank you Carrie! this has helped so much, i really value your advice
That's no problem at all
Good luck with your application, and if you have any other questions just let me know This is a example only. You could describe how working to prepare food in the kitchen helped you to improve on your teamwork skills etc. Also explain how your communication skills were honed and developed as a result of your working there. Other very important skills to consider are spelling, writing and reading skills.
Do not forget about numeracy skills either. Consider time keeping skills. Not to mention money management and skills in doing paperwork. Include skills in food preparation and handling. Another thing to demonstrate is a strong work oriented mindset here. That is important. So is a positive attitude.
And you could provide up to date information to show you have those skills. Give examples and reasons. Best of luck. Provide two or two sound references.
Do not forget about numeracy skills either. Consider time keeping skills. Not to mention money management and skills in doing paperwork. Include skills in food preparation and handling. Another thing to demonstrate is a strong work oriented mindset here. That is important. So is a positive attitude.
And you could provide up to date information to show you have those skills. Give examples and reasons. Best of luck. Provide two or two sound references.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- work experience
- Personal statement and work experience
- flexible combined honours personal statement
- Law degree
- Architecture work experience
- Personal Statements?
- Examples of Personal Statement
- no work experience for nursing application
- Do I need an introduction and what do I start with?
- Can you only have 1 PS for all 5 UCAS choices?
- Law personal statement
- Building experience in graphic design
- personal statement
- personal statement help
- Personal Statement Guidance Hub 2024 Entry
- Chemistry work experience for physics
- Law
- Work experience/volunteering for a degree/career in healthcare
- I need help writing my English personal statement!
- Computer Science Personal Statement
Latest
Trending
Last reply 6 days ago
Are awards in Intermediate challenges (achieved in Y11) worth mentioning on PS?Last reply 1 month ago
What do I need to write in my personal statement that Russel groups unis look for?Last reply 2 months ago
What tips would you share to help someone write a personal statement?Last reply 4 months ago
URGENT:Used a plagiarism checker & am freaking out because it might have stored my PSLast reply 4 months ago
Help, my personal statement gets flagged as AI-writtenTrending
Last reply 6 days ago
Are awards in Intermediate challenges (achieved in Y11) worth mentioning on PS?Last reply 1 month ago
What do I need to write in my personal statement that Russel groups unis look for?Last reply 2 months ago
What tips would you share to help someone write a personal statement?Last reply 4 months ago
URGENT:Used a plagiarism checker & am freaking out because it might have stored my PSLast reply 4 months ago
Help, my personal statement gets flagged as AI-written
