Work experience: How was it for you?
City University postgraduate journalism students: click here to take part in our short survey We’re approaching the final term of our journalism course at City University. By now most of us have completed two or more work experience placements as part of our course. Work placements are a vital part of our training, and offer … Continue reading
Work experience survey update
We’re very grateful to everyone who’s taken the time to take part in our work experience survey. We’ve had 21 responses so far, 13 of which from City University postgraduate journalism students. The respondents included students on the Investigative Journalism, Science Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, International Journalism, Political Journalism and Newspaper Journalism MA programmes. This isn’t quite … Continue reading
Our advice on what not to do
I decided to write this blog post after an experience while working as an intern at a well-known newspaper. It wasn’t so much what the newspaper did wrong but the actions and behavior of my fellow interns I was working with – which was shocking. One boy was bored and was given no work to … Continue reading
What is ‘workfare’ and where did it come from?
Workfare is a scheme designed by government which forces people to undertake unpaid work. Here we look at what the various workfare schemes entail, where the idea came from, and why some campaigners are fighting the scheme. Facts There are five workfare schemes: Mandatory Work Activity – 4 weeks unpaid work for up to 30 … Continue reading
Internship fashion faux pas
It is important to dress appropriately for your internship, so here are a few fashion errors to stay clear of… Girls 1) The cardinal sin for a female intern is colourful, garish makeup. Drag-queen chic does not translate in the office environment. Similarly, bright hair and excessive facial piercings should be avoided. Clear, temporary studs … Continue reading
A third of graduates without work but improvements are on the way
Recruitment website Totaljobs.com has found that a third of UK graduates have been searching for work for over six months, forcing the same percentage to claim Jobseekers Allowance.
Almost 16% of graduates have applied for more than 100 jobs, without success, with one quarter not managing to even secure an interview.
But there has been some good news. There has been a 5% drop in graduates that have been looking for work for over a year and confidence has also improved as a result. In November 2011, 19% of graduate jobseekers said that they were not at all confident of finding work in the next year. Six months later, the figure is 10%.
Mike Fetters, graduate director at Totaljobs, said that things seem to be improving, however this is “little comfort for those…who are being forced to claim the dole and fail to be invited to a single interview.”
The research also showed that:
- Graduates felt that university had been worthwhile, they said it was not as important for employers as experience.
- 41% of the graduates polled said that they regarded six months work experience as being the most important.
- 9% of the graduates polled said the most important thing was having a 2:1 degree or higher.
- 5% said the most important thing was the reputation of the university a candidate attended.
Mike Fetters gave this advice for jobseekers:
- “Maximise the power of your network and keep in touch with classmates, they might hear of an opportunity that you can take advantage of.”
- “Get some work experience or charity work so that you can fill gaps in your CV and finally don’t be tempted to apply for all and every job.”
- “Think about what you want to do and tailor your CV and covering letter accordingly. Make every application count and understand how to stand out from your competition.”
Journalism work experience: worth it in the end?
Charlotte Williams tells Exploited Interns her experience in journalism I started on my journey to become a journalist at 14 years old when I made my own school newspaper with the help of a local newspaper editor. The school project led to my first work placement and I have to say that many of the … Continue reading
Investigation shows up mayoral candidates
An investigation by Graduate Fog, found that some of the London mayoral candidates have been advertising for unpaid interns. They found that Boris Johnson had the most adverts for interns at a grand total of 6. Jobs included “campaign assistant” and “campaign intern”, the others were for “volunteers” and “campaign volunteers”. As these positions were … Continue reading
Apple factories under fire over intern exploitation
An investigation by the Fair Labour Association (FLA) has revealed that interns working in Apple factories are being forced to work long hours in order to graduate. The report disclosed that students are being made to work long hours at the electronic manufacturing factories, which are owed by technology giant Foxconn, in order to pass … Continue reading
‘My mentor would text me all night’
Robyn Smith told Exploited Interns about her intern experiences in journalism… When you are working as intern, you expect to be the tea maker, the photocopier, and the awkward malingerer. But I don’t think you should be expected to work late, especially when you aren’t even paid travel expenses. When I worked at a national … Continue reading
Exploited Interns 