Transition Year Work Experience

Transition year provides students with an opportunity to explore many options. The work experience module is a chance for them to investigate any potential career area on their own terms without any pressure. But preparation is the key.

• The first thing to do is be inventive. Students should be encouraged to start thinking now and research work areas they have an interest in.

By mid October TY students will be asked to submit details of their placements

Block 1: Work Experience will take place November 13^th – 17^th

• The onus is placed on the student with the help of their parents to find their own placements. We encourage students to start by trying to find placements by themselves through their family or personal contacts. This places the responsibility on them to do it on their own. However, parents are also asked to play an active role here should students need help.
• Students are also encouraged to look through newspapers, media etc for contacts. Speaking to present fourth and fifth years about their experiences could also help. Work Experience is a potentially very valuable activity and can help not just to focus on a career, but also to decide what college to go to and what subjects one might need to get into a college course, what apprenticeship they may have an aptitude for etc. Even if they do not enjoy the work placement, it can still provide a positive experience. It helps to rule out possibilities and teaches them about the cost of living in terms of commuting, eating out etc. It also provides them with the opportunity to develop their social skills and to mature.
• Reminder about Garda Vetting be included, if you plan to do work experience with young or vulnerable people or in a primary school setting your vetting forms need to be given to their teacher in the next couple of weeks.
• Another key feature of work experience is meeting deadlines. Students will be given a list of dates for which forms and placements are to be returned or secured.
• Teachers will be contact with employers to check in on how students are getting on and each student must fill a work placement diary during their week.

Should employers require Insurance letters these have been given to the students’ career guidance teachers or they can e mail me orla.mcdonagh@cbcg.ie and I will forward one on.

TY Careers Week 10 Assessment

For your Week 10 assessment, you must complete and hand up the following documents for grading:

1. CareersPortal Interest Profiler Worksheets (10%)
2. Cover Letter (25%)
3. C.V. (25%)
4. Work Experience information form (10%)
5. Work Placement Evaluation sheet (10%)
6. Work Experience Diary (20%)

All documents must be submitted in class on the week after Work Placement (Mon 20^th – Fri 24^th Nov)