RECENT and prospective graduates of a university, college or high school may get very frustrated when job hunting. Their major source of frustration? The employers’ dreaded requirement for yes, work experience.

Work experience is, without doubt, a valuable asset to organisations since employees with work experience adjust more readily to the work environment. It is also more cost-effective since, usually, minimal orientation and training is required for the experienced worker in the initial stages of employment. Here are some suggestions to meet the challenge of the work experience requirement.

Access summer jobs

Prospective graduates should endeavour to gain summer employment while qualifying for their career. Placement in an area related to your career objective would be an asset. Even if this does not happen, there are other important skills, relevant to the world of work, to be learnt.

They include interpersonal skills, meeting deadlines, time management, working in groups, writing reports and punctuality. Preparing for work on a daily basis and learning to fit into the image of the organisation as it relates to dress code and general behaviour are key.

Work part-time

Part-time employment while pursuing your course is another way of gaining valuable work experience. Many organisations will use students in this way to help cope with excess work, especially during their ‘peak’ period. They also use part-time employees in areas where the required skills are scarce.

Volunteer and consider part-time study

If you are unable to gain work experience through the regular programmes, then it would be a good idea to offer your services to an organisation as a volunteer. Although you will not earn cash, this experience will be reflected on your résumé and will be a plus for you.

Working full-time and studying on a part-time or day release basis also allows for work experience while upgrading you qualifications. There are organisations which facilitate these programmes in order to enhance their employee’s development.

What schools and employers can do

Education institutions should incorporate work-study and other related programmes into the curriculum. Only a conscious effort on the part of educators and employers can effect this change. Employers should implement proper training and orientation programmes for young graduates. The advantage of training and orientation programmes are many.

Merrit Henry is the career counsellor and students services manager at the Placement and Career Services Unit, UWI, Mona. You may send comments to: merrit.henry@yahoo.com.