Help with reference

I've never had a job but i need 2 references for my lab placement next year, one of them is my tutor the other one has to be an employer but idk what to do since ive never worked. Help

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by gattino

I've never had a job but i need 2 references for my lab placement next year, one of them is my tutor the other one has to be an employer but idk what to do since ive never worked. Help

Does whoever is asking for the references know that you've not worked before?

If they do, then ask them what they'd like you to do about the required reference from an employer. They'll likely tell you it's not necessary in your case, or will request a personal reference instead.

If they don't know you've never worked before, then tell them and then proceed as above. :wink:

Reply 2

University of Suffolk student

Official Rep

Hi gattino,

Sorry to hear you are facing difficulties with collecting references, I can relate to how stressful that can be.
Although I am not knowledgeable about references for placements/course specific placements, however in my experience employers are accepting alternative references in case you don't have a referee in the required capacity. It might be worth asking whether they'd accept a reference from another tutor in place of an employment reference, like that you would have two references only from tutors each of them.

By the way this placement arranged by your course/in contact with your Uni? Because in that case it might well be that they wouldn't take this as a matter of life or death, especially if they have had students in your situation on placement for them. Also, I would expect references from tutors on a specific course that is most probably related to the placement is more relevant for them than just a reference from an employer in any industry, because chances are you wouldn't already be working in your course's field as a student even if you have had employment. Again, it's definitely worth it to ask around at your Uni in the matter.

In case they are insistent on a work reference, and it doesn't have to be specific to the field of the placement, you could try checking out if your university offers work opportunities such as micro-placements, micro-internships or simply work as Student Ambassadors (that's what I'm doing at the moment as well), because these work opportunities do offer references provided you work a certain number of hours for them, at least this is the case at my university, but I reckon it's definitely worth it to ask around. Additionally about the micro-placements/micro-internships, they might be offering subject-specific opportunities, at least they do at my uni.

I hope you'll manage to resolve this issue soon and put your mind at ease. Hopefully it turns out there are ways around it, I'd be surprised if there weren't.

Keep us updated on how you're getting on if you feel like it and please don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions, and I'll try to answer it to the best of my knowledge!

I wish you all the best,

Viki
Student Ambassador
3rd year BSc Psychology and Sociology Student
University of Suffolk

Reply 3

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

Original post

by gattino

I've never had a job but i need 2 references for my lab placement next year, one of them is my tutor the other one has to be an employer but idk what to do since ive never worked. Help

Speak to the place, and let them know that as you have never worked before, you cant get the second reference from an employer. But you could get the second reference from elsewhere. And check with them that its ok.
You could get a second reference from a leader or someone from any club/society you have been a part of, or someone from where you have volunteered (if you have volunteered anywhere) etc.