Top Year 10 Work Experience Ideas for Students

Written by: Emma Dow

Published

28 August 2025

Contents

If you’re looking for work experience, but not sure where to start, you’re not alone. The good news is there are loads of opportunities out there - you just need to know where to look.

Work experience can feel daunting when you're still at school or college. You might be unsure about what's available, how to apply, or even what kind of experience would be most valuable for your career goals.

Whether you're preparing for a work experience week, building your CV for university applications, or exploring future careers, this article will guide you through 10 great work experience ideas for you to explore.

Key Takeaways

Work experience is valuable for exploring careers, developing soft skills, and strengthening university or apprenticeship applications.
Opportunities are broad, ranging from traditional placements (schools, hospitals, local businesses) to virtual programmes, volunteering, and independent projects.
Success comes from being proactive. Research organisations, apply directly, and make the most of each placement by engaging, asking questions, and reflecting on what you learn.

Why Work Experience Matters

Work experience isn't just about having something to write on your CV. It’s a great opportunity to test drive careers you might be interested in.

Diving into some real-life work experience means you'll gain valuable insights into what jobs actually involve day-to-day. This means you’ll make smarter choices about A Levels, university courses, or apprenticeships.

Plus, you'll develop soft skills that employers and universities really value like communication, teamwork, and time management.

If you’re planning on going to university, UCAS (opens in a new tab) suggests that work experience can make your personal statement stand out from the crowd.

And, for apprenticeship applications, having some work experience under your belt is even more crucial. Many employers prefer candidates who've already shown commitment to their industry.

What Counts as Work Experience?

The great thing about work experience is that it can take many forms, such as:

Job shadowing
Weekend volunteering
Helping out at a local business during the holidays
Virtual work experience programmes
Independent projects: blogs, starting your own small business, fundraising.

Work experience doesn't have to be a formal, week-long placement. The important thing is that you're learning about the world of work and developing skills.

10 Work Experience Ideas for Students

We’ve put together a list of ten incredible work experience ideas, no matter your interests or career goals. Ready to dive straight in? Here's a mix of traditional placements, modern virtual opportunities, and creative alternatives.

1. Local Business Placement

If you’re after something local, small businesses in your area could be on the lookout for enthusiastic students for short placements.

This could be anything from a local solicitor's office or graphic design agency to an independent bookshop or deli. You'll get hands-on experience and see how businesses really operate.

Who it's good for: Students interested in business, entrepreneurship, or specific industries like law, retail, or marketing.

How to get started: Check websites for contact details, call directly, or even go and pay them a visit to enquire about work experience opportunities.

2. Hospital or Healthcare Setting

If you are eager to explore a career in healthcare, it makes sense to approach a local hospital. Many offer structured work experience programmes for students keen to observe different departments, shadow healthcare professionals, or help with administrative tasks.

Who it's good for: Students interested in medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, or other healthcare roles.

How to get started: Contact your local NHS trust's work experience coordinator. Most have dedicated programmes for students. And ask the careers advisor at your school or college – they may be able to contact them on your behalf. And if you’re looking for something more long term, the NHS lists regular volunteering opportunities (opens in a new tab).

3. Primary School Teaching Assistant

Teaching is a profession that values work experience. As a former primary school teacher, it was my previous experience as an unpaid classroom volunteer that helped me secure a place on a competitive PGCE course.

Spend time in a primary school classroom supporting teachers and pupils and you could help with reading, craft activities, playground supervision, and experience the daily routine of a teacher.

Who it's good for: Students considering teaching, childcare, or educational psychology.

How to get started: Email local primary schools directly and ask about opportunities. You'll need a DBS check, which the school can arrange.

4. Virtual Work Experience Programmes

If you want to look into work experience opportunities at home, major companies like Barclays, Rolls-Royce, and the BBC offer online work experience programmes.

These typically involve interactive tasks, video conferences, and virtual projects over a few days. They tend to be flexible with a set number of hours to complete, but you can fit them around your schedule within a set timeframe.

Who it's good for: Students who can't access physical placements or want to explore big corporations.

How to get started: Search for "virtual work experience" on company websites or platforms like Springpod. (opens in a new tab)

5. Local Newspaper or Media Outlet

Wordsmiths might want to explore a career in journalism. Why not get behind the scenes at your local newspaper, radio station, or community magazine?

You might help with research, attend events, or even write short pieces under supervision.

Who it's good for: Students interested in journalism, media studies, or communications.

How to get started: Email local media outlets directly. Smaller publications are often more flexible than large organisations.

6. Veterinary Practice

If you have a pet, you may already know your local vet. Many vet practices welcome students for short placements or regular volunteering.

You could find yourself observing consultations, helping with basic care tasks, and learning about animal welfare.

Who it's good for: Students considering veterinary medicine, animal care, or biology-related careers.

How to get started: Make a list of local veterinary practices and contact them directly. Independent practices are often more accommodating than large chains.

7. Local Council or Government Office

A career in politics or policy can be competitive, so work experience will give you an edge. Experience how local government works by spending time with your council.

Shadowing councillors, observing meetings, and helping with community projects can give you a taste of what a public service career might be like.

Who it's good for: Students interested in politics, public policy, or civil service careers.

How to get started: Contact your local council's HR department or your local MP's office.

8. Charity or Non-Profit Organisation

Volunteer with local charities to gain experience in the non-profit sector. You could try to match your experience with a cause that you're interested in, such as animal welfare or environmental protection.

You could help with fundraising events, admin tasks, or direct service delivery.

Who it's good for: Students interested in social work, charity management, or making a difference.

How to get started: Contact local charities directly or use volunteering websites like do-it.life (opens in a new tab).

9. Creative Industry Placement

If you want a hands-on creative experience, consider a work experience placement with a local design studio, marketing agency, or arts organisation.

Getting to grips with social media, design projects, or event planning will boost your skill set.

Who it's good for: Students interested in art, design, marketing, or creative industries.

How to get started: Research local creative businesses and reach out via email with examples of your work.

10. Start Your Own Project

If you fancy something more individual, you could create your own work experience by launching an independent project.

This could be a blog, YouTube channel, small business, or community initiative.

Who it's good for: Entrepreneurial students or those struggling to find traditional placements.

How to get started: Identify something you're passionate about and create a plan. Document your progress to show what you've learnt.

How To Find and Apply for Work Experience

While it can feel intimidating, finding work experience doesn't have to be complicated. Lots of people and tools can help set you on the right track.

Your school careers adviser. They often have established relationships with local employers who offer work experience for students.
School databases. Many schools also have databases of previous placements and contact details.
Family and friends. They might know someone in an industry that interests you.
Online platforms. Websites like Career Ready (opens in a new tab) list virtual and physical opportunities.

When applying, keep it simple. A short email explaining who you are, what you're interested in, and when you're available is usually enough. If you don’t hear back immediately, don’t worry. Employers can be very busy. After a week, you can always follow up with an email.

Making the Most of Your Work Experience

Once you've secured a placement, it’s time to get prepared so you can get the most out of it.

Research the organisation beforehand by looking at their website, recent news, and what they do.
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during your placement. This shows genuine interest and helps you learn more.
Keep a daily journal of what you do and learn. This will be useful to refer to when writing personal statements or talking about the experience later.
Don't be afraid to ask for feedback. Most supervisors are happy to share what they think you did well and areas for improvement.
Ask for a reference or letter confirming your placement. You'll need this for future applications.

And finally, send a thank you email after your placement. This is good manners, is respectful, and keeps the door open for future opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I do work experience as a student?

Most schools organise work experience weeks in Year 10 or Year 12, but you can arrange your own placements during school holidays at any time.

What's the minimum age for work experience in the UK?

You can start work experience from age 14 in the UK, but there are strict rules about working hours and types of work.

According to government guidelines (opens in a new tab), students under 16 can only work limited hours and must have proper supervision.

Can I do virtual work experience instead?

Yes, absolutely. Virtual work experience has become much more common and is just as valuable as physical placements.

Many major employers now offer structured online programmes that give genuine insights into their industries.

Do I get paid for work experience?

Sometimes, but most work experience placements are unpaid, especially short-term ones organised through schools.

Some longer placements or apprenticeship programmes may include payment. Always check beforehand.

What if I can't find work experience in my chosen career?

Don't panic. You can look for related fields that use similar skills.

For example, if you want to be a doctor but can't get hospital experience, try a pharmacy, care home, or first aid training course.

Transferable skills are valuable, and any work experience is better than none.

Conclusion

Work experience is one of the best ways to explore your future and build valuable skills.

Whether you choose a traditional placement, virtual experience, or create your own opportunity, the key is to stay curious and make the most of every experience.

You might not know what sort of career you want yet, and that’s ok. Work experience is about trying new things, learning, and discovering what sorts of careers you don’t want as much as finding those sorts of roles you do want.

Start by speaking to your careers adviser, then reach out to local businesses or explore virtual opportunities online.

Skim back over this guide and make a list of the sorts of work experience ideas that you’re going to explore. And soon, you’ll be enjoying your first work experience placement and working towards your career goals.