By Tafadzwa Murape, St Catherine's

I am currently in Year 11 and attend St Catherine's RC Secondary School in Bexleyheath. I want to with you share my wonderful experience that I had in working in the company of Zandra Rhodes Fashion and Textile Museum.

As I walked in on my first day I felt very curious as to see how the day would go. After a while I settled in and felt more comfortable with the employees.

The only thing I was worrying about now was how many names I had to remember. I was given the job of being a fashion assistant and helping out with administrative work. The tasks I was set were to iron materials and design a motif for a t-shirt.

When I finally met Zandra Rhodes I felt slightly scared to approach her. She was a woman of works with bright pink hair!

I soon found working at Zandra Rhodes Fashion and Textile Museum a lot easier to get used to.

It became like an ordinary routine, choosing outfits, boarding the train and being greeted with a "good morning" every day.

I later went and explored the Fashion and Textile Museum which is run by two other employers. I was amazed by all her creations representing different cultures of the world. Then we followed to Zandra's apartment which is situated in the same building as the museum and studio. I started sewing some skirts together which she was taking to a fashion show in China, two days later. I did a "fantastic job" she told me. I also sewed some sequins on the shoes she would be wearing in China. When I finished she was very pleased. "That's brilliant petal!"

Afterwards I sorted out her outfits which had arrived previously from a fashion show in America.

I really enjoyed lunchtimes because we were allowed to go whereever we wanted for an hour. I was fascinated by how working people spent their lunch hour, where they would eat and how they were dressed. This was definitely one of the busiest times of the day.

One of the most interesting times was when I had to deliver some dress samples to Harrods, Knightsbridge. I felt very professional because I was given specific guidelines to follow and shaking hands with many people on the way.

I had a fantastic time on work experience knowing the ins and outs of the working world. By the time I got home I was absolutely tired. I felt so grown up.

One of the good pros was that I gained knowledge on the way and received advice from the girls on what qualifications and courses I will need to undertake to go into fashion.

Employers benefit from work experience students because they provide a valuable addition to the existing workforce in many cases and help them to focus on the needs for development.

It gives the student an idea for the student to see what work life is really about and what's involved in it.