The best advice is to start looking as far in advance as possible as it can take a while to secure placements. And make sure before you go ahead that you feel you’ll get something useful out of the time you’ll be spending doing it.

• Approach local businesses speculatively – give them a call – to see if they have anything suitable and how you can apply.
• Ask at your college where work experience placements or internships have been secured for students in the past.
• Ask around in your own network of family and friends to see what connections they have with businesses and organisations.
• Contact companies via LinkedIn or Twitter.
• Check out some of the following sites where you can search for work experience opportunities and internships:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/careers/work-experience

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/work_experience.htm

[Remember, voluntary work can also be a good source of work experience.]

What next?

Before you decide on a work experience or internship opportunity:

• Find out as much as you can about the work experience or internship opportunity before making your mind up – ask lots of questions.
• Make sure you’ll be able to get what you want out of it, tell them what you’re looking for. The more open you are, the more likely you’ll find an opportunity you’re happy with.
• Check out exactly what your role will be, what they will pay (if applicable), whether the organisation will pay your expenses (most will) and if there is any training or support available (for longer placements or internships).