Work experience can help set you up for success in your desired future career path, and it can also help you develop better expectations around what specific roles and companies are like.
Beyond your personal development, work experience looks great on your resume and helps signal to potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge to commit to work successfully.
Wins all round!
Our employer partners, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, are fully committed to helping young people access these opportunities. They’ve got some great advice to help you get started!
What are some of the ways to find work experience?
There are a few key ways to find out about work experience opportunities for young people:
- Through your school and work experience programs
- Through placement programs offered directly by companies
- Through ‘speculative’ approaches (calling or emailing employers to enquire about work experience)
- Through Explore Careers! We promote opportunities with our employer partners for you to search through.
The methods you use will depend on what’s available to you, but we suggest trying a few to get you on the right track.
How do you get started with work experience?
It can feel daunting, especially if you’ve had no work experience before!
But starting is the hardest part – once you get stuck in, you’ll quickly see how valuable and rewarding work experience can be.
Here’s what the team at Mornington Peninsula Shire Council had to share:
1. Get the word out there.
One of the best ways to find and secure some work experience is through your existing network.
Who’s your network? Your parents, family, friends and family of friends, neighbours, and local postie; you get the idea!
Speak to the people you know well and tell them you’re interested in getting some work experience and if they know anyone or any ways to help.
2. Research the companies you’re interested in.
Some companies offer work experience programs and placements, so do your research! Start by researching companies in the area(s) of industry you’re interested in, then check their websites.
If they offer programs, there’ll usually be a dedicated section with all the information and how to apply.
It doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t offer anything if they don’t have it on their website. Reach out with an email and see what they say. What have you got to lose?
3. Contact employers in the sector you’re interested in.
As well as looking up specific employers, you could create a list of all the employers in your local area who work in the industry or areas of work you’re interested in.
Once you have this list, you can call them or, if possible, pop into their place of business and introduce yourself.
Let them know you’re interested in a career in their sector and are currently looking for any work experience opportunities they might be able to offer.
Come and Sea For Yourself!
The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council work experience program offers high school students the opportunity to gain valuable experience within local government.
There are several placement opportunities across the Shire, including:
- Library (Mornington)
- Library (Rosebud)
- Library (Hastings)
- Library (any location)
- Information Technology Team (Rosebud)
- Community Engagement Team (Rosebud)
- The Briars Nursery (Mt Martha)
- Visitor Centre (Dromana)
- Kitchen (Rosebud)
Work experience placements are open all year round to all high school students living or attending a high school on the Peninsula.
How to apply:
- Fill in the Work Experience Expression of Interest Form below
- Select your preferred area of work experience
- Specify your placement dates
- Include reasons for wanting to undertake work experience at the Shire
Apply for Work Experience Placement Here
Find Out More
To learn more about working at the Shire, please visit their website www.mornpen.vic.gov.au or head to their dedicated Explore Careers profile here.
