How to Find Computer Science Work Experience in Year 12

What makes a good tech work experience placement?

Deciding to embark on the world of work can be an exciting and daunting experience for a Year 12 student. A great work experience placement will be dependent on several factors. To get the most out of your time in the placement, you should ask how structured the support and mentorship will be. A good work experience will give you opportunities to work on real projects and shadow other professionals in performing their roles. 

Why is it important to get Computer Science work experience in Year 12? 

In my experience, students who were able to secure work experience in Year 12 found it both fascinating and excellent for their personal growth. The real-world experience provides opportunities to implement the skills you have learned in the classroom. More than that though, it provides an opportunity to develop softer skills that aren’t always as easy to learn in a school or college environment. These can include:

• Teamwork
• Self-confidence
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Independence

In addition to the skills mentioned, work experience can offer you outstanding opportunities to network with others in the workplace. Potentially, this can result in your future applications for jobs being put to the front of the queue, especially if you can leave a good first impression. Furthermore, gaining valuable experience will enhance any applications for further work, apprenticeships or university applications. 

Know your passion, strengths and areas of interest

In the world of Computer Science, like many other industries, people often have an area they enjoy more than others. For example, many of my students were often engaged in Cyber Security. In contrast, others were firmly interested in programming in the hopes of becoming software engineers or game developers. Once you have figured out your passion, your next step is to look for relevant companies that can support your goal of getting into the world of work. Computing work experience in Year 12 can sometimes be difficult to come by, so it is important to try and find local, relevant companies that align with your interests and goals.

Looking for relevant companies

There are a wide array of companies out there that will support young people in getting valuable work experience. Beyond work experience, many companies will also offer degree programs or apprenticeships where you can begin your career in the world of Computer Science. Two major companies that I had a lot of success with getting my students into were:

• Accenture, who offer apprenticeships and work experience in many cities across the UK
• GCHQ, the UK's intelligence, security and cyber agency

Many companies will offer work experience, so it is important not to limit yourself only to Computing companies. Thousands of companies and organisations have IT departments, network managers, software developers and much more, all with the ability to offer you a rich environment for self-growth, skills development and working with others.

Specific to the world of Computer Science, many other companies offer more specific opportunities such as programming work experience. These include networking giants Cisco, PC hardware sales and repairs at Currys, and finance giants Deloitte.

How to present your skills 

When applying for computing work experience, it is always beneficial to have a portfolio of projects you have worked on. This not only demonstrates your passion and drive for the industry, but also shows your level of expertise and what areas in which you would benefit from additional help and training. In my 15 years of teaching Sixth Form students, the students who put together a portfolio found more success during the application process for jobs and work experience than those students without one: it can really help an individual to “stand out from the crowd”. A portfolio can be in the form of:

• A website
• An app you have worked on
• A programming project from class
• A game you have made at home

The more you have, the better and if you can also provide a summary of each task you completed with the thought process behind it and the skills you worked on by making it, you will demonstrate a higher level of thinking that would be attractive to a prospective employer.

Other skills you may wish to present could be personal achievements, or competitions you have participated in. For example, The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSE) offers a Cyber First Girls Competition. There are many other competitions out there which would look great on a CV or portfolio such as the Advent of Code.

How to find tech work experience in Year 12  

The internet makes looking for work experience easier than ever before. That being said, a great starting point will always be your Computer Science teacher in the first instance. They, or a member of their department, may have links with companies close to your school who may be able to help you. Additionally, the careers advisor at your school may also be able to help with making initial contact with a company, helping you with writing a CV, and more. Beyond those options, you can then investigate whether family members or family members of your friends may have contacts with businesses in the industry you have an interest in. Many schools often host career fairs as part of their well-being and pastoral programs. These can also be a great opportunity to strike up a relationship with potential businesses. Finally, most professionals and businesses now have a LinkedIn page so it may be worthwhile to spend some time making your own LinkedIn page and beginning to form a presence on there.

Contacting potential employers

The final step in the process can often be the most daunting to some people: reaching out and contacting employers. Many employers will have a section on their website dedicated to work experience so it is worth looking for that information in the first instance. You can also make use of their social media platforms to send them a message and see if you can strike up a meaningful conversation with them. Remember that first impressions count, so if you are going to be utilising social media, be sure to take care and consider your own social media content and what is visible to the general public. Finally, many employers may prefer a phone call. Offer your mobile number and email address to them in any communications and state that you would be happy to discuss your application further at their convenience. 

When approaching a potential employer via email or a social media message, I would often offer my students a checklist to help them make contact with a company and take the first steps in securing a position:

• Greeting: Address the recipient in a professional polite manner. Use their name if you can find it on their website
• Introduce yourself: Briefly say who you are, your current phase of education and the relevant skills you have
• Highlight your experience: Tell them about the projects you have worked on and the experiences you have gained throughout your learning journey. This is the perfect opportunity to showcase your portfolio
• Express your interest: Clearly state that you are looking for hands-on experience with their company. Be certain to mention why you want to work in their company. Most employers won't be interested if the email comes across as generic
• Request an opportunity: Politely request the opportunity to discuss your potential work experience placement further at a time of their convenience
• Closing: Close your email or message strongly and express gratitude for their time and consideration of your application
• Things to remember: Be sure to include your CV in the email, ensuring that it is also customised for the company you are applying to
  • You must also check your email for spelling, punctuation and grammar errors

How to prepare for a Computer Science interview

If you are lucky enough to be offered an interview then congratulations - you have done amazingly well! To prepare for an interview for any company, there are some easy steps you can take to strengthen your position once you meet with the company. 

Research the company 

It is imperative that you know who the company is, what it believes in and what its mission is. If you can chat with an employee of the company and demonstrate that you understand them and their core values, you will make an excellent first impression.

Practise common interview questions

There is a wide variety of websites offering common interview questions, so be sure to make use of these and practise them at home with family and friends. Some example questions are:

• Why do you want to work here?
• Tell me about yourself
• What are your biggest strengths?
• What is your biggest weakness in Computing and what are you doing to overcome it?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Dress appropriately

Ensure you dress as smartly as possible. Shine up your shoes, fasten your tie to the top and be your best version of yourself.

If you follow these simple steps, you are giving yourself the best possible chance of securing not only a short-term work experience placement, but also the very real possibility of work in the future.

FAQs

Can I find software engineering work experience in Year 12?

It is certainly possible to find work experience with software development companies and work alongside software engineers. Most major UK cities have an abundance of software development companies, so spend some time searching for them via popular search engines and looking at job vacancy websites such as Indeed.com.

What IT or Tech work experience can I do in Year 12?

In short, the possibilities are endless! The IT industry has many different sectors to it. According to research by the UK’s Digital Economic Council, as posted on Indeed.com, the UK's Information Technology job advertisements are 43% higher than they were before the 2020 pandemic, with the field of IT making up 13% of all job postings at present.