By Chloe Howard, Erith School

Why have work experience? A lot of people I've come across think it's either a waste of time that could be spent educating, or a nuisance to employers.

However, I think it is neither. I think that it is a necessary task in the development of school pupils from children to adults, by giving an insight into what happens in the real world outside the protection of school.

It also assists pupils when they are deciding their futures. Yet it is not only the pupils that benefit, the employer has something to gain too.

At the beginning of my work experience, I wasn't particularly thankful to my school for making me go off into the working world. I was extremely nervous. If you make a mistake in school, the teachers are there to correct and help you. Moreover, if you don't pay attention in class, it is ultimately you that pays. A sloppy mistake or a lack of attention in work could equal a major catastrophe for the company.

I personally had fears of causing the collapse of the Youth and Family Centre, where I was placed as a clerical assistant.

This is one of the reasons why work experience benefits pupils. I had to realise there was no room to doze off, because there could be more at stake than a bad grade. I definitely had to be mature and pay attention.

After I actually started working, the nerves went and I started to enjoy the tasks that I had to do. "There will always be some jobs to do in a company," said my supervisor Carmel White.

The Youth and Family Centre is particularly hectic, and having me do some of the little jobs gave Carmel more time to focus on the main tasks, which is a benefit for taking a work experience student on.

Furthermore, the jobs I had to do showed me I could do an office job if necessary, and that I wouldn't mind doing one. "It's like try before you buy," said Pauline Brown, guidance manager for the Adult Education College Bexley.

Which is true. I have gained the knowledge in office skills, which can benefit me later on. I wouldn't mind doing this job, like many other students would like to work at their placement, either after school or as a part-time job. Employers could have staff they've trained themselves and whose character they know. That is surely a big advantage of work experience.