Work experience Review

It was valuable to be in an office setting, working to meet deadlines and doing a range of tasks to benefit different departments

In general, I felt like the insight was more beneficial to myself than the institution. Some of the tasks were quite repetitive and seemed pointless.

My fellow colleagues were extremely friendly and supportive, therefore providing an enjoyable working environment

Time management, reaching targets and meeting deadlines Professional letter writing Microsoft excel How to be productive and work effectively from 9am until 5am

The insight was designed very well, with one week in each department so I got a well-rounded view of the institution.

Everyone was friendly, we were treated well with many incentives e.g. tea and cake and the building is lovely and very interesting to work in and walk around

Not much investment, each task was introduced with a brief ten minute explanation. However, if we needed assistance it was available to us. The tasks we were given often did not need any training anyway.

The insight was extremely valuable in introducing me to a 9-5pm job in London. I got a good taste of office life, being set tasks and being expected to complete them within a certain time. Furthermore, the smart dress code helped to set the scene.

It made me realise that I would perhaps not like to have a job which is solely desk-based. I found it tiresome at times, and therefore feel like I need a job which involves more travel.

Being reimbursed expenses would have been nice, seeing as it was economically difficult to stay in London for two weeks and use the tube.

The institution I worked for acts as the headquarters for Geographical professionals. Seeing as I am a Geography student, it is a great place to work and meet professionals from every field. The institution holds many meetings and events throughout every week therefore is an ideal place to network, as a student or a working adult.

During my fortnight there, I came across little opportunity to network and socialise with other workers. However, there were around five students my age who were also doing the work experience placement - it was therefore valuable to meet other students with differing geographical interests to me.

Yes - in one of the departments I worked, there was a lady going to an event at a music evening. Her purpose st this event was to network and meet people who had potential to be future clients. This excited me as I saw the event as an added bonus to her job.

I would recommend this insight to any other geography undergraduate... It is an ideal place to work - surrounded by all types of geographers. It is also located in an extremely interesting place in London, on the same road as Hyde park and the museums. Lunch times are therefore never boring, and there were plenty of cafes and restaurants to sample. The people who work there were all very welcoming and friendly, making it an ideal place to do some work experience. However, be prepared for a few mundane and tiring tasks e.g. photocopying and scanning.