Try it out . . .
Online work experience, wherever you are
Sam Hyams looks at how carefully curated online placements with real employers are transforming student access to work experience in the UK.
Work experience transformed
Depending on a school’s location, organising a comprehensive programme of suitable work experience can pose a significant challenge for careers staff. This is especially true for many international schools.
However, in an increasingly digital world, traditional pathways to work experience are now being redefined in the UK, offering new opportunities for young people to explore careers beyond their immediate environment and outside their existing networks. Online work experience has emerged as a transformative tool in careers education, broadening access to professional opportunities and providing critical insights into major industries.
It has also drastically increased the accessibility for students from diverse backgrounds and those who have grown up in less well-resourced areas. The chance to “try before you apply” for university courses and careers has now supported many thousands of students in taking their first steps on their career pathway.
Broadening access
One of the most significant advantages of online work experience, therefore, is its ability to democratise access to career opportunities. Traditionally, work experience has often been limited by geographical location, socioeconomic status, and personal circumstances. For example, young people from rural communities, those with caring responsibilities, or individuals with disabilities, can find it difficult to secure relevant work experience. Digital platforms remove these barriers, enabling students to participate in free work experience courses with major industries from the comfort of their own homes or during school time in organised careers sessions.
The difficulties facing young carers provide an important example of why flexible work experience is so necessary. Our Gen Z Careers Report found that their timeline for making career decisions is often disrupted by their responsibilities, leading to either accelerated or delayed decision-making compared to their peers. Similar can be said of neurodivergent students, 75% of whom described thinking about their future career as ‘a source of stress’. The flexibility and accessibility afforded by online programmes enables them to explore careers at a pace and in an environment that suits their needs.
A recent project with the Careers and Enterprise Company provides good evidence of how online experiences can break down barriers. This inclusive approach is crucial for fostering diversity within industries that have historically been less accessible to certain demographics. By providing equal access to work experience opportunities, digital platforms help level the playing field, allowing young people from all backgrounds to gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in competitive fields.
“Try before you apply” and new possibilities
The traditional approach to career development can often involve committing to a career path, university course or apprenticeship with limited prior experience or understanding because there is no immediate opportunity to ‘try it out’. This can lead to costly mistakes, both in terms of time and financial investment. Virtual work experience offers a realistic solution by allowing students to try a wide range of activities before they ‘apply’. helping them make more informed decisions about their future.
For example, a student considering a career in engineering can participate in a digital work experience programme that offers hands-on projects, interaction with professionals, and exposure to real-world challenges like designing a bridge or the wing of an aircraft. This experience can clarify whether engineering aligns with their interests and skills, potentially saving them from pursuing a path that might not be the right fit. This practical approach to ‘try before you apply’ not only reduces the risk of career missteps but also empowers students to pursue paths they are genuinely passionate about.
It is worth considering too the number of young people without contacts having someone they can turn to in order to discuss their future career. For example, research has shown that students who have received free school meals in the UK are 53% more likely to have nobody to talk to about careers compared to their peers. For students without well-informed voices to help guide them, virtual work experience provides a platform they can go to, find essential information and help shape their decisions with greater confidence.
Building hard and soft skills
Beyond career exploration, online work experience is a powerful tool for building both hard and soft skills. In today’s competitive job market, having demonstrable experience and skills is essential for standing out to employers. Digital work experience provides students with the opportunity to develop industry-specific skills, such as coding, data analysis, or digital marketing, which are increasingly in demand across sectors.
It also fosters the development of soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These skills are critical for success in any career and can also be developed through virtual experiences. For example, students may be required to work collaboratively, present their findings, or interact with professionals, all of which help build confidence and improve their interpersonal skills.
The feedback students give about the programmes are testament to their value. One student on an Airbus’ Aerospace Work Experience programme commented:
“Thank you so much for creating this programme! I really appreciate the time and effort you all put into making it engaging and informative. Your dedication to helping us learn and grow in the aerospace field truly makes a difference. I feel more inspired and prepared for my future career because of this experience.“
The Future
Virtual work experience is revolutionising the way young people explore and prepare for their future careers. By broadening access to work experience opportunities, offering the chance to “try before you apply,” and building both hard and soft skills, free digital platforms like Springpod are empowering the next generation to make informed, confident decisions about their futures.
As the job market continues to evolve, the importance of accessible, flexible, and diverse work experience opportunities cannot be overstated. For young people navigating the complexities of career planning, online work experience is not just an option—it’s an essential resource for shaping their futures.
Sam Hyams is CEO of online careers platform, Springpod, a service which is free to young people looking to find opportunities for online placements. It is paid for by the organisations offering the work experience placements and who are looking to attract talented young people to their industry or university.
More about Springpod
Since Springpod started in 2016, the platform has been already been used by more than 620,000 young people. It is a careers platform where employers and educators engage with young people as they plan their futures. It connects young people to life-changing work and university-based experiences with the world’s leading brands. Springpod works with organisations including UCAS, the Department for Education, universities and global brands such as Amazon to bridge the gap between education and careers. It aims to enable every young person to experience a university course or career before they apply. 24% of Springpod users receive free school meals and 44% come from minority ethnic backgrounds.
To find out more, contact Springpod here; https://partners.springpod.com/contact
FEATURE IMAGE: Unsplash+In collaboration with laura adai
Support images: by Domenico Loia on Unsplash, Springpod, ThisisEngineering on Unsplash, Annie Spratt on Unsplash & UX Indonesia on Unsplash
