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Business Work Experience

Hello, I have just finished first year, I study business management. However I am a bit stuck on getting work experience within the business field. If anyone could give me tips, that would be great! Thank you.

Reply 1

University of Leicester

Official Rep

Original post

by nxzki

Hi @nxzki 👋

Well done on completing your first year! It’s completely normal to feel unsure about where to start when it comes to gaining business-related experience. As a Business and Management student currently on placement year, I thought I'd share some insightful tips.

Since starting university, I’ve taken on part-time roles (e.g. within the Students’ Union) that helped refine existing skills and develop new ones. I highly recommend exploring opportunities like micro-internships, volunteering, or becoming a Course/Student Representative. These types of roles can significantly enhance your CV and foster both personal and professional growth. Also, check websites like Unitemps, Indeed, and LinkedIn to stay updated with relevant job openings.

One of the key things I’ve learned is that core business skills – like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and organisation – are all transferable across industries and roles. So, I’d encourage you to apply for a wide range of positions that enable you to work with diverse teams and adapt to new environments. This will not only broaden your experience but also make you a more adaptable and outstanding candidate in the Business and Management field.

I totally get how important it is to gain experience and grow, and having the right mindset plays a huge role in that. Your willingness to seek advice already shows great initiative, and that’s a fantastic starting point.

I hope this helps! If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out 😊

Siya
Business and Management BA

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 2

Bookworm784

Original post

by nxzki

I would suggest contacting your old college/sixth form and see if they have any local businesses signed up to offer work experience. My company is registered but we never get anyone interested!

Reply 3

AGUoS

Official Rep

Original post

by nxzki

Hey @nxzki

It's great to hear that you are thinking about getting work experience after your first year, that will definitely help you stand out later. Please don't worry if it feels tricky right now, that is completely normal. Building business-related experience is a gradual process, but starting now will definitely help you develop essential skills and boost your CV.

You've already received some amazing tips, but as a BSc Business Management with Placement student, I wanted to add some things that really helped me -

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Get Involved - I would suggest getting involved with your university's student clubs and socieities as they are a great way to not only make friends, but also gain skills and boost your CV. If you are interested in a particular society, you can consider exploring committee roles. This is a amazing to show leadership experience and also enhance soft skills like communication, team work, empathy, etc!

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University part-time jobs - A great place to start are the part-time roles with the university, such as student ambassadors, social media ambassadors, peer leaders, and other roles with the students' union. This is where I started, and it went a long way in helping me gain experience, and gradually prepared me to also apply for other roles. Another grear thing about these roles is that they are usually ad-hoc and pretty flexible with their hours and time, making it easier to manage with academics.

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University's career department - I would suggest to get involved with your university's career department as much as possible. Meet with them to get advice, feedback on your CV and cover letters, access any interview preparation resources, and also go to careers fairs. These facilities are extremely helpful and can go a long way in helping you write great applications.