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Get the most out of work experience
Been offered a work placement? Whether it is formally through college or just you turning up on a Saturday, here are some ways of ensuring you benefit the most.
1 Before you get to the station learn about it
It is amazing how many people I get to meet on work experience who don't know the first thing about the station they have come to work at. It does not take much to spend the night before you start your placement having a look at the website. At the very least, you should be aware of the area the station broadcasts to (TSA), the kind of programmes it produces, the frequency you can pick it up, and the name of the breakfast show presenters.
And it goes without saying - listen to the station for a few days before you start!
2. What should I wear?
My advice would be dress up for the first day - blokes in a shirt and tie, girls something similar that looks smart. Most radio stations don't expect employees to wear formal clothes except those who regularly go out of the station (eg sales staff and journalists). Unless you know exactly what you will be doing, it's best to prepare for these, and then you can alter what you were for the rest of your time depending on what happens on your first day.
I'd recommend taking a notebook and a couple of pens, and you may want to take a packed lunch.
3. Induction
Depending how formal or organised the station is will depend on the type of induction you get to the station. Some will have a proper procedure that includes a tour and filling in forms, others will simply let you sit in the corner and get on with it. If yours is the latter, take the initiative and ask to be shown around at a convenient time.
4. Sat there in the corner
Being in a actual radio station can sometimes feel quite daunting, and for the first hour you may just be left to watch what goes on. However, if at five o'clock you've sat in the same chair doing nothing apart from watching the world go by, you've not gained any experience and the station hasn't gained anything from having you. So, again, take the initiative and ask if there is anything you can do, or if you can simply shadow somebody for some time.
5. Please show me...
Most people at the station will not object if you sit in with them whilst they do something (ie read a bulletin, make an advert, present a show) but you must always ask. Gauge the person's attitude to the task as to whether they will be happy to talk you through what they are doing, or whether it's more a case of you simply observe.
6. Meetings
At some point during your placement you'll probably in invited to a meeting, whether it's discussing the news agenda, programming planning or a sales pitch. My advice is to shut up unless you have something that will really benefit the meeting; there is nothing worse than being interupted by some jumped-up little work experience trying to tell wisecracks.
7. Can you do this...
The people working at the station will not normally know about your background, so they might get you do to things that either exceed your skills or appears to be mind-numbingly easy. Don't feel bad about saying that you can not do what you've been asked - you will be respected a lot more if you are honest, than if you pretend you can and end up wasting their time trying to fix what you attempted. If what you've been asked to do is something that you can do in your sleep, then get on with it and they'll try and find you something a little more challenging next time.
8. Don't complain
Having a moaning work placement student can be incredibly annoying, so it's best to be pleasant and positive no matter what. Don't demand to be in the radio-car every day, or to be doing the fun things at a station - if you'd like to have a go at something that hasn't been offered to you ask in a positive manner and most people will try and arrange it.
9. Final day
On your final day, take your CV in for the manager. On this occasion it's often a good idea to stick a recent photo on your CV as you are a lot more likely to be remembered by your face than your name. Make sure you put lots of contact details on your CV and leave them with the people you've been working mostly with. And it's never a bad idea to drop a note or card just to say thanks a few days later. Chocolates are an added bonus!