By Michael Chipperfield, Erith School

Work experience is important to students because it gives them an experience of the world of work and the responsibility it brings.

They will soon realise how different it is from school. For example, the environment, working hours, discipline etc.

To some students it will come as a big shock to them. The placements some students do for work experience may be along the lines of what they want to do for a career, and after work experience they may still want to do it for a career.

Students while doing work experience, may/may not learn/benefit from gaining a number of skills. For example, application of numbers, problem-solving, working independently and as part as a team etc.

Students' personal qualities and their attitude also have an effect on how well they do. For example, having a negative attitude towards work and general misbehaviour may put off employers from taking part in work experience (not taking on any more students). The effects of not doing the right thing can have a knock-on effect on the rest of the employees and customers.

Students' personal qualities may improve after work experience. For example, confidence, attitude, punctuality, honesty, reliability etc.

I myself realised how important it was to have good communication skills, especially when I was dealing with members of the public as well as colleagues. I have noticed that certain people have changed certain aspects of themselves after work experience. For example, how important Year 11 is and to get good grades in exams.

Employers can benefit from work experience because it can influence a student in thinking and perhaps even being a future employee at the business/company. It also gives employers an extra pair of hands to deal with some less skilful tasks or to cover some staff that are absent etc.

I found work experience hard work, although the job required little skill. It was nice of other members of staff to appreciate my efforts and to comment on my hardworking and positive attitude towards the work.

I did find though work experience interrupted my school work and I found I lost my momentum in a way school work was put on hold, and it took me a while to get back into the swing of things.

Overall, work experience has made me a better person, and it has made several other students a better person.