Following on from last year’s Work Experience (WEX) Week success, 78% of Queen Mary’s College’s first-year students participated in this year’s WEX programme.
Taking place across several days, students participated in a wide range of opportunities, including in-person placements, virtual programmes, employer-led projects, educational visits, and global citizenship trips.
Placements spanned an impressive array of industries, with students gaining invaluable hands-on insights at organisations such as BMW Group Financial Services, Honeywell Aerospace, WPP Group, Kier Construction, Mitutoyo (UK), National Highways, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust, alongside numerous local businesses, schools, and healthcare practices.
WEX Week: One Part of The Picture
The Work Experience programme at QMC is just one part of the College’s holistic approach to student development. Operating alongside The Social Action Project and a rich super and extra-curricular offering, Work Experience Week allows students to explore potential careers, develop the core skills modern employers demand, and build confidence within new professional environments.
Across the entire cohort, placements reflected a diverse range of roles, including healthcare, education, finance, technology, law, and creative media. Upon completion of the programme, students evaluated the practical skills gained, the real-world challenges overcome, and the personal growth they experienced.
Lessons From This Year’s Work Experience Week
Adapting Communication
A recurring theme amongst students was learning how to adapt and tailor their communication style to fit different contexts. This included de-escalating client concerns, translating complex technical knowledge into simple terms, and engaging children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
“I learned how to adapt my communication style with different patients, whether they were disgruntled after waiting a long time, anxious about their appointment, new to the clinic, or young children.” – Abir, Halford House Dental Clinic
“My most valuable experience was learning how to translate complex technical ideas into simple, actionable terms.” – Ethan, giffgaff
Building Resilience and Navigating Challenges
Working in the ‘real world’, students conquered several challenges, including navigating information overload when learning new systems (such as QuickBooks and SEO tools), managing physical fatigue during the summer heatwaves, and swiftly correcting errors and ambiguity by asking questions rather than making assumptions.
“I quickly realised the value of asking questions whenever I was unsure, rather than pretending I knew all the details. It allowed me to learn much faster and work far more effectively.” – Harry, The Park Health Club
“At first, there was a lot of new information to process. By unpicking it and asking others in the team for guidance, it became much less daunting and I was able to overcome it.” – Aiden, Ergo Digital
Gaining Career Clarity
A major advantage of the WEX programme lies in enabling students to gain a realistic perspective on the working world. For many, the week solidified their long-term ambitions. For others, it provided reassuring proof that professional success is built step-by-step through adaptability and hands-on experience.
“This placement has provided a real opportunity to see what a job in conservation looks like and has broadened my knowledge of the whole sector.” – Finn, Hawk Conservancy Trust
“Understanding that people can build a successful career without knowing exactly what they want to do at 17 has been really reassuring for me.” – Aiden, Tricentis
Understanding Team Interdependence
Students frequently noted a new appreciation for behind-the-scenes operations. They witnessed how individual roles contribute to shared goals, from observing how a hospital ward relies equally on doctors, nurses, and cleaning staff to keep patients safe, to witnessing the cross-departmental teamwork required to launch a complex digital project.
“Great patient care takes a whole hospital team working together, doctors, nurses, therapists and cleaning staff must communicate well to keep patients safe and every role is vital no one can do it alone.” – Angela, Hampshire Hospital NHS Trust
“The most valuable thing I learned during my placement was how different departments work together to keep the business running efficiently. I enjoyed seeing the full journey of a product through the factory and learning how teams such as HR, Procurement, Planning and Technical support the process.” – Jacob, Vitacress
Looking Ahead
The tangible impact of Work Experience Week highlights QMC’s drive to bridge the gap between education and employment. The WEX programme is about far more than just building impressive CVs. It actively fosters the emotional resilience, independence, and professional adaptability our students need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Reflecting on the cohort’s remarkable progress, Victoria Renault, Director of Learning (Admissions, Progression, and Engagement), noted:
“Supporting young people to believe in themselves and achieve more than they thought possible is a privilege, and the Work Experience Week showcases that impact beautifully.”
Queen Mary’s College remains proud to empower our students as they take their next confident steps toward university, higher-level apprenticeships, and rewarding future careers.
