By Abigail Markey, St Catherine's

When you look at a teenager what words usually come to mind? Lazy, rude and uncivilised are just some of the words that may spring up.

But as many people find out these words only describe a tiny percentage in today's society.

When a young person is asked to find a work experience placement, all sorts of things run through their mind. Where shall I go? What if the company doesn't want me? How shall I ask the company? These are just a few major things which scare teenagers half to death whilst trying to come up with an excuse as to why they haven't found a placement yet.

But let's look at things from an employer's point of view; who wants a teenager slouching around the place making it look untidy? I mean this is a place of work not a day-care centre.

I've got enough work to do without some kid running around messing things up, which I'm going to have to sort out when they're finally done.

No, seriously, these are some of the reasons employers don't want to give work experience places.

However, none of the above are true unless that's what you want done in your company. Work experience is an experience' of work, the young person obviously wants to be at your company, otherwise they wouldn't have written or applied for a placement.

Us teenagers want to be treated like adults for a couple of weeks, and do the sort of things adults have to do every day. Just think, an extra pair of hands to help to help sort out the over-flowing files and to do the two weeks' worth of photocopying; and what about having someone young to talk to about yourself and tell them how fulfilling your lovely job is' - well, really someone you can moan to about Janice in accounts.

And think about the fresh ideas which could help you; and if you're a real slave-driver, to make you and your colleagues fresh cups of tea on the hour every hour.

If you offer work experience placements you're really giving something back to the community, you should feel special that you've helped lots of young people learn valuable skills and for that you should be proud.

So please, just give a teenager a chance to see the world of work with your company, and, hey, you might even learn to like the things'.