Year 10 work experience

[NowYouTseMe]

I'm not too sure if it's compulsory state-wide in NSW but my school made it compulsory to do at least 5 days of work experience in Year 10.
I ended up applying to a whole bunch of law firms and courts by just ringing the contact numbers on their websites but received no offer - I later learned that my mate ended up spending a week shadowing a NSW Supreme Court judge because they were an alumni and he made the contact through the Old Boys' network, which would have been a much better approach.

What ended up happening was I met an ex-student who was staffing at a politician's office at a careers/uni event my school put on and politics, while not directly related to my interest in law was somewhat related and beat going to my old primary school, which was what the really desperate guys in my grade ended up doing. I was also pretty desperate but I really detested the idea of wasting a whole week doing nothing related to my interests.

There, I ended up doing mostly menial paperwork, but eventually they let me have a crack at speechwriting to add to the collection they had for potential delivery - definitely the highlight of my week. What I gained from my week at the politician's office (unfortunately parliament was sitting at the time haha) was a small taste of the political process through interacting with all the staffers, as well as an insight into differing political viewpoints from actual conversations with people. As a result of my time at the office, I ended up doing my own research into political theory, forming my own opinions and eventually getting involved in the political process.

At the time, I wasn't too politically active, but now I'm that person that always brings up politics in conversation(probably not a good thing but I've been trying to cut it down recently), and I attribute that shift in character to my time doing work experience.

[Poet]

Oh wow, so many cool work experience placements! Did anyone else get a ‘rating’ from their employer, or was that just something my school did?

I did mine at Charles Darwin University before they moved campuses – a little placebo hospital ward for nurses-in-training. I had previously applied to Victoria Police, but they only accepted a couple of people out of hundreds of applicants, hence I was not offered a placement.
Although not my original choice, CDU was a lot of fun, and everything was real except for the dummy patients and the medication. I learned a lot about first aid and stitching people back together and inserting catheters and butterfly IVs, even though I got the flu the week before so missed the first day of placement due to illness. If I remember correctly, they gave me the title of ‘assistant product manager’. And now I know how to stab people with sharp things in the proper way. Lots of fun. Also, it was a 2 minute walk from the Queen Vic Markets, so every day was butter chicken day.

Also, because it was a certified university, I didn’t actually get paid for my work. However, I believe the pay was in the training, confidence, independence and experience much more than the actual moolah involved (or lack of its involvement). My employer also offered to act as a referee on my resume, which led to the job I have now.

[sarangiya]

Did anyone else get a ‘rating’ from their employer, or was that just something my school did?

Yes! Our school had feedback forms and the RMH was lovely enough to fill them out.

That's awesome you got a job out of it!
Sounds like a great experience you had too

[thelonelyassassin]

Nice one! Are you looking forward to it?

yes i cant wait. most people at my school are working at retail so im pretty much the only one with a remotely interesting job

[Joseph41]

yes i cant wait. most people at my school are working at retail so im pretty much the only one with a remotely interesting job

Sorry for the late reply, but yeah, that sounds awesome! Really keen to hear updates on how you're finding it etc. when the time comes in August.

[Owlbird83]

my work experience starts at August and im doing it at a library, land surveying and i sent my application to CSIRO but i havent gotten accepted yet

I also did work experience at the CSIRO. But instead of applying, I rang people who worked there asking if I could do it with them (Because my school required me to find a placement before the date I would find out if I was accepted or not.). I did it in the Education and Outreach sector and it was really great! It was interesting experiencing working in an office with a desk and stuff, and the people were all really nice. I also was able to go on some tours to see labs and some machinery and stuff they do there. 10/10

[trql.tea]

I did mine at Charles Darwin University before they moved campuses – a little placebo hospital ward for nurses-in-training.

hi,
I'm currently applying for work experience and I was wondering where/how you contacted Charles Darwin University to do work experience there?

[Poet]

hi,
I'm currently applying for work experience and I was wondering where/how you contacted Charles Darwin University to do work experience there?

Hey, trql.tea, welcome to ATAR Notes!

I applied through my school - they had offered a position on their Melbourne campus for one student, so I entered my name via my school's career counselor and a little resume we wrote at school, and was accepted for a week. You can ask your school's career counselor about applying to universities or hospitals, or you can contact the university via their website. However, I'm not confident they're still offering positions in work experience... or if they still reside in the same building as they have on their website! When I was there, they were talking about moving, as I'd mentioned. So just be aware that this particular opportunity may not be open at the moment, but don't let that discourage you at all - try it out and see what happens.
(Note: Work experience for a uni means volunteer work - 9-5, no pay but nevertheless a rewarding experience.)
Wishing you all the best! If you have further enquiries feel free to PM me.