Queen Mary’s Sixth Form College recognises that work experience and volunteering are highly beneficial for students’ future aspirations, whether that’s pursuing university, a degree apprenticeship or direct employment. Taking up a work shadowing or voluntary position will help develop your skills, boost confidence and greatly enhance employment prospects.
QMC students at the end of their work experience with BAE Systems.
As a QMC student, you’ll be given the opportunity to carry out meaningful work experience in your first year at College. You may also complete compulsory work experience as part of your course/subject.
QMC is proud to offer students both physical work experience placements, as well as hybrid work experiences. The hybrid approach allows students to complete an industry-led project onsite, while gaining support from the work experience team with vital employability skills for future progression and confidence.
Examples of recent work experience opportunities include a hybrid work experience with BAE Systems (STEM work experience), and our summer NHS volunteering programme (Healthcare work experience) in collaboration with North Hampshire Hospital.
At Queen Mary’s College, we are motivated to ensure that every student has the opportunity to gain valuable insight and experience and develop essential skills needed for their future aspirations. Alongside QMC’s:
The College has developed the following initiatives to help students reach their goals.
The Work Experience Programme At Queen Mary’s College
QMC’s Work Experience (WEX) Programme allows first-year students to get involved in placements across a diverse range of industries, from technology and finance to healthcare, education and the creative arts.
Natalie at her work experience with Tiny Steps Pre-school.
Here are a list of just some of the places where students have completed their placements:
Google
IBM
Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital
Barclays
England Hockey
Basingstoke and Deane Council
Lamb Brooks LLP
GKN Aerospace
National Film and Television School
John Hanson Community School
Metropolitan Police Service
We acknowledge that it may not be possible for every student to gain a placement. For these students, our Careers and Progression Team have set up an online training and skills programme through a third-party organisation, which allows them to gain a certificate and learn valuable skills.
Work Experience Benefits for Students
QMC’s WEX programme has proved highly beneficial for students in numerous ways. Five key themes emerged from their end-of-placement feedback:
Professional Growth and Real-World Skills
Students developed essential workplace skills such as teamwork, time management, and responsibility by adapting to professional environments for the first time.
Confidence and Personal Development
Work placements boosted students’ confidence, helping them communicate more effectively, take initiative, and grow both personally and professionally.
Stevie spent his work experience at the Snows Kia Guildford office.
Understanding Careers and Future Planning
Experiencing real job roles helped students clarify or discover career interests, informing their educational and professional planning.
Working With People
Students built interpersonal skills by collaborating with colleagues and adapting communication styles, especially in roles involving children or clients.
Overcoming Real-World Challenges
Work experience helped students build resilience by navigating real-life problems, developing problem-solving skills, and stepping outside their comfort zones.
“QMC helped me every step of the way. My teachers and the Careers Team guided me through the application, induction and training process. This opportunity not only strengthened my skillset, but also deepened my passion for healthcare and gave me the confidence to pursue it as a future career!”
-Zahira
The Social Action Project
The Social Action Project at Queen Mary’s College requires all first-year students to pick and support a charity or local organisation in their teams, predominantly through fundraising and/or community service. In its first year (2024), students collectively raised £25,000 and in 2025, over £30,000 was raised.
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This project empowers students to make a real difference in the local community and beyond, through social action. They are challenged to delve out of their comfort zone and as a result experience personal growth, developing the skills and qualities they’ll need in the working world such as leadership, collaboration and problem-solving. By working closely with their peers over several days, new friendships also form, contributing positively to students’ social life at College.
“It was great to see all our customers impressed with their cars after the car wash, and to do something impactful and character-building. I thank you for giving me and everyone who took part in QMC Social Action the opportunity to develop our leadership skills, teamwork, dedication and grit.” – Cameron
Getting Ahead
Your experiences and the opportunities open to you at QMC will strengthen your CV, personal statement and cover letter. They will also serve as great references at interviews, giving you a competitive edge and making you a standout candidate to universities including Oxbridge (University of Oxford and Cambridge), Russell Group universities, other higher educational institutions and employers (degree apprenticeship or direct employment).
