Do you need to secure work experience or an internship to qualify? Here are ways to find work experience or internships.
Gaining Practical Work Experience Makes Job Applicants Competitive
Occupational qualifications include practical work placement components but many learners struggle to secure these opportunities without the help of their colleges.
Here are some ways for inexperienced youth to gain experience:
- Volunteer: Look for volunteer opportunities in your community or with non-profit organizations. This can help you build skills and make valuable connections in your desired field.
- Freelance or take on side projects: Offer your services to friends, family, or small businesses. This can help you build a portfolio and gain practical experience.
- Participate in online courses and workshops: Many online platforms offer courses and workshops that can help you develop specific skills.
- Shadow someone in your desired career: Reach out to professionals in your desired field and ask if you can shadow them for a day or observe them on the job.
- Participate in student organizations: Join student organizations related to your desired field and take on leadership positions to build experience and leadership skills.
- Start a hobby-related project: Take on a project related to your hobby or interest, such as starting a blog, creating a website, or building a product.
Remember that the key to gaining experience is taking action and being proactive. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and take on new challenges. The more you do, the more experience you’ll gain.
How To Find Work Experience Opportunities
Contact companies you may want to work for and let them know why you are interested in an internship with them. Then let them know that you would appreciate being kept informed of any industry or company news they share with their community.
Here are a few tips for finding work experience and internships
Are you looking for an internship? Internships can provide valuable hands-on experience and help you build a professional network.
Include voluntary positions or workplace training:
- Utilize online resources: Websites such as LinkedIn, Internshala, Glassdoor, and Indeed are great places to start your search for opportunities.
- Network: Reach out to family and friends, attend career fairs and industry events, and connect with professionals in your desired field.
- Check with educational institutions: Many schools and universities offer internship programs and job placement services for students.
- Consider volunteering: Voluntary work can help you gain valuable experience, build a professional network, and improve your skills.
- Use social media: Follow companies and organizations on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to stay informed about any available opportunities.
- Look for companies with a strong training culture: Some companies invest heavily in training and development programs for their employees, and offer internships, learnerships and apprenticeships.
- Be proactive: Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you, actively search for them and reach out to companies and organizations that align with your interests and career goals.
Remember that persistence and hard work can pay off in the long run. Keep searching, learning, and networking, and you’ll increase your chances of finding the right opportunity for you.
This makes you look sharp, more like a leader than a hustler.
Most companies have an online sign-up and you can receive their newsletters – SIGN UP EVERYWHERE! Comment on their online articles, be smart and sassy, try things like
“Wow! I’m looking forward to becoming employed in the X-industry after my studies – I really like what you’re achieving so I’ll be watching you closely! “
(Don’t say the same thing everywhere, but definitely show character and enthusiasm)
Click here to book a meeting with Leonie, author of Keep Climbing.
Don’t waste time behaving like a Trust Fund kid during holidays
Offer voluntary (free) service to do something specific. If you’re willing to offer free labour – you should be able to negotiate the terms. So don’t frikkin offer to go in and make coffee, sweep the floor etc for free and not gain the actual practical experience you require.
Each qualification has an ID number, find it on SAQA (search for registered qualifications) and check what it says.
Look at how the work skills component is addressed in this example:
National N Diploma SAQA Qual ID: 90674
This qualification is aimed primarily at giving the learner technical, theoretical knowledge, practical knowledge and workplace knowledge and skills required in their chosen occupational/vocational area.
The design of the qualification is such that it enables learners to progressively obtain the qualification by completing the related N4, N5 and N6 courses in a particular vocation/occupational area, either separately with breaks between, or in one extended study period of a year or 18 months and then to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the workplace for an extended period.
The N4+N5+N6, regardless of the manner in which they are completed, must be followed by or integrated with the relevant 18 or 24 months of practical workplace learning for the learner to be awarded the National N Diploma, Level 6.
Once you understand the qualification requirements, negotiate work experience that covers what you learnt in class.
When you request an internship / voluntary work placement – you must define the areas of experience you need to cover as it’s not the employer’s job to know what your qualification requirements are – you need to let them know.
For example:
Dear X,
I’ve completed three HR modules on IR, HR strategy and HR Systems. I’m passionate about improving the employer-employee relationship so that businesses grow in a positive manner.
Your company has a great profile on Linkedin and I share your views about xxx.
As I’m available to participate in an internship from 13 July to 18 October, I would appreciate the opportunity to meet and discuss the possibility of interning with you.
Don’t sit back and wait. Be competitive and set yourself apart from your peers, this will ensure that you stand out in job applications.
Hi Bongani
Please follow the advice in the article.
Good day
I’d like to inquire about where can i get an experiential training. i did human resource management N6 so now i need the experience in order to obtain my diploma
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