Joshua Said:

How should i dress for work experience?

We Answered:

Black trousers and a plain white top.

Gladys Said:

Any medical work experience available for 17yr old aspiring medical student?

We Answered:

You can start by volunteering at a hospital. Then, take an eight-week course and get certified to become a certified nursing assistant. This basically trains you to clean bed-pans, but it's a start. At least you'll get into a medical environment.

Then, depending on your eventual goal, you can either get a nursing degree or go to medical school.

Eddie Said:

What are some work experience ideas involving music?

We Answered:

those sound good. be creative! :)

Allen Said:

What would be good work experience to help me get a career in medicine?

We Answered:

I would like a career in Clinical Psychology, which is also somewhat medical and involves similar work experience. Firstly I volunteered at my local University of Reading in the Psychology Department for 6 months (so you could volunteer in the Medical Dep. working alongside current medical students?) Then I visited a care home for a further 6 once a week; another boy who also visited there wanted to be a doctor so did the same work as me. It really benefited us both as you talk to people (often ill or mentally unbalanced people) and learn a lot about how to communicate with patients and understand their needs.
I also did work experience with Age Concern and attended their exercise class once a week to work with older people, and now I am applying to volunteer at my new University's local hospital visiting wards, helping nurses and speaking to patients.
If you get involved with a local University and appear enthusiastic they most likely will let you attend some of their lectures (I attended many Psychology lectures) meaning you'll pick up lots of information and have plenty to write about on your personal statement.
Good luck, I hope you make it in the end!! :)

Edit in response to question: I started work at the University of Reading exactly one year ago around September time, so at the beginning of Year 13 (second year of sixth form). All the experience I just described I have done within the year (except from the hospital work which I've just applied for, of course) When I started I had just turned 17 (birthday's in July). ! :)

Theresa Said:

how important is work experience for uni students?

We Answered:

Work experience during university aims to give the student an environment in which to practice what they had learnt. Therefore, you should try to choose carefully. Some courses require compulsory work experience during university (eg, engineering) but from what you said, your course probably doesn't have such a requirement. However, I would recommend going for work experience as it will help you make some money during your holidays, and at the same time, you can try out for yourself (without risk) whether you enjoy that particular job or industry. This will give you a better idea of what you want to do upon graduation. Work experience will also allow you to build contacts outside of university for use when you leave school. All in all, it is a very good use of your time.

As for difference in length of work experience, of course employers will consider a longer work experience more favourably than a shorter one. However, also bear in mind that you will be a fresh graduate, so your prospective employer will not place too much emphasis on whether you had 2 years or only 1 semester of work exp beforehand. Just make sure you perform well in your studies and if you have had work exp, get a good referee. This will help more.

Good luck!