Work experience

From ArticleWorld

Work experience refers to the amount of skill a person gains from his or her time spent working in a particular field or occupation.

Opportunities

The phrase work experience is at times used to mean volunteer work that young people (often college students or recent college graduates) engage in to understand the working environment of the field they hope to enter. Although this type of experience is typically unpaid a stipend is usually paid to allow for compensation for travel and food expenses. At the end of the volunteer period the young person is usually given a letter of recommendation and given the opportunity to be placed in true employment.

An intern is similar to a volunteer, however interns are often (depending on the industry) afforded a small salary. Some professions (like medicine, law and many technology fields) require a young person to complete an internship before being licensed to work in the field, or in some cases, before graduation of a professional program.

Exploitation

In some industries where the work force is particularly competitive the demand for placement can be overwhelming. This will allow companies to exploit individuals by disguising their desire for profit (via free or low-cost labor). To avoid exploitation, it is suggested that strict terms of the agreement be laid out ahead of time, as to how long it will last, any expectations at the end of the arrangement and specifics as to the duties that will be performed.

Advantages

By gaining valuable work experience before real-world placement, people are able to improve their stock when they enter the job market, thus they will most likely receive more beneficial pay.