Virtual Work Experience
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During the COVID 19 pandemic, most companies and businesses have been unable to offer face to face work experience. However, many have created fantastic virtual alternatives.
Here you will find a collection of some of the best virtual work experience opportunities around.
For some courses at university such as Medicine, work experience is an essential part of the application process. You will need to reflect on this in your personal statement and may be asked to expand further during your interview. Why not take a look at the opportunities available and see what suits you?
This is the link to a MOOC designed for students who are interested in studying medicine. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/study-medicine
This is the link to a variety of MOOCs relating to Pharmacy. https://www.futurelearn.com/subjects/healthcare-medicine-courses/pharmacy
This is a great website with its own medicine online work experience guide. https://www.theaspiringmedics.co.uk/online-work-experience
The Royal College of General Practitioners has created a fab alternative to work experience called 'Observe GP'. "It is a free interactive video platform providing insights into the role of a GP and the wider primary care team." https://www.rcgp.org.uk/training-exams/discover-general-practice/observe-gp.aspx
This is a PDF created by the Medical Schools Council, providing guidance on gaining relevant experience for studying medicine in the time of COVID-19.
https://www.medschools.ac.uk/media/2636/guidance-on-gaining-relevant-experience-for-studying-medicine-in-the-time-of-covid-19.pdf
UEA Nurturing Bright Futures podcasts relating to medicine:
https://soundcloud.com/nurturing/episode-22-202010-choosing-a-course-and-medicine-work-experience-and-gateway-years
https://soundcloud.com/nurturing/episode-9-applying-to-medicine
Health courses
How to highlight your work experience for Health Science applications (video): https://everwondered.uea.ac.uk/resource/young-person/year-13-1/how-to-highlight-your-work-experience-for-health-science-applications?theme=purple&category=10&type=&term
The Health Science application process (video): https://everwondered.uea.ac.uk/resource/young-person/year-13-1/the-health-sciences-application-process?theme=purple&category=10&type=&term=
Search for voluntary work in a number of settings, including in the community and hospitals/hospices: https://www.voluntarynorfolk.org.uk/
Age UK are offering volunteering opportunities for 'telephone befrienders' or 'neighbourly volunteering': https://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/
NHS advice on gaining experience: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/improving-your-chances/gaining-experience
NHS smart guide to finding work experience: https://www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/work-experience/smart-guide
RCNI have some amazing podcasts, articles and research into the nursing profession. Here is a link to a podcast covering placements during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://rcni.com/nursing-standard/newsroom/podcast/nursing-standard-podcast-student-placements-during-covid-19-pandemic-162961
Veterinary medicine
This is the link to a MOOC designed for students who are interested in studying veterinary medicine. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/vet-school-application-support
This PDF from the Veterinary Schools Council website contains some useful advice regarding work experience for 2021 applicants on page 8. https://www.vetschoolscouncil.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/VSC-course-guide-2021.pdf
Dentistry
This is the link to a MOOC designed for students who would like to explore the world of dentistry. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/discover-dentistry
Advice from Dental Schools Council on gaining work experience: https://www.dentalschoolscouncil.ac.uk/news/dsc-releases-advice-on-gaining-experience-to-study-dentistry-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/
Business
Desperate to gain work experience at a particular company but not sure how to approach them? Why not send them a letter or email using our handy work experience letter template to give you a helping hand? Check out the Letter Template Here
Virtual work experience at Barclays. https://barclayslifeskills.com/i-want-virtual-work-experience/school/virtual-work-experience/
Social work/ social sciences
Age UK voluntary virtual work (NOTE: you must be 18 or over) https://www.theaspiringmedics.co.uk/online-work-experience
Become a COVID response volunteer (NOTE: you must be 18 or over)
https://www.voluntarynorfolk.org.uk/services/volunteer-services/covid-response-volunteer-service/
Become a Food Cycle volunteer (NOTE: you must be over 18 to take part)
https://volunteer.foodcycle.org.uk/
Become an NHS volunteer (NOTE: must be over 18 to take part) https://nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/
Become a Dementia Friend (NOTE: you must be over 16) https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/WEBArticle?page=become-dementia-friend
The Hamlet is offering volunteering opportunities for people age 16 or over. https://thehamletcharity.org.uk/work-with-us/volunteer/
Law
PwC's virtual classroom https://www.pwc.co.uk/careers/student-careers/school-careers/virtual-classroom.html
Education
This is the link to a MOOC designed for individuals who are interested in completing a PGCE https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/preparing-for-a-pgce
Train to Teach events- a good way to find out more about teacher training and receive advice about funding, how to submit a successful application and what a career in teaching is really like.
https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/teaching-events
Television/Media
BBC work experience opportunities https://www.bbc.co.uk/careers/trainee-schemes-and-apprenticeships/work-experience
Top tips for finding work experience in the television industry http://www.tvwatercooler.org/wordpress/top-tips-for-finding-work-experience-in-the-tv-industry/
Royal Television Society tips of getting work experience https://rts.org.uk/education-training/getting-work-experience
Information on entry level training from media/television companies https://rts.org.uk/education-and-training-pages/entry-level-training
STEM
A 4-6 week placement, during which you will complete research project relating to an area of science, quantitative social science, computing, technology, engineering or maths (or a combination!). https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/students-teachers/nuffield-research-placements
Information for schools/ colleges
This website contains lots of information to support students who are interested in veterinary medicine, including outreach opportunities. http://www.edvet.co.uk/for-schools.html
Future First is a charity who put school alumni in touch with the school; a fantastic opportunity to invite volunteers in to talk about their jobs. https://futurefirst.org.uk/
Speakers for Schools- 'Connecting our national network of schools with industry leading employers, we open young people's eyes to the possibilities ahead of them'. https://www.speakersforschools.org/experience-2/
Updated UCAS advise for teachers and advisers when writing references. https://www.ucas.com/advisers/references
Want to learn more about super curricular activities?
Check out this Resource: Exploring and Writing about Super and Extra Curricular's Guide
Want to know how to make your personal statement stand out?
Why not check out our 'How to write a standout personal statement' booklet!