Work Experience – Q&A with Ben

We caught up with Ben in Year 12 who has recently completed a successful work experience placement, an option which is available to pupils in year 12-13, organised through our dedicated Careers and Higher Education Hub.

1. Where did you do your work experience placement and what was your role there?
I spent my week of work experience at Ward Williams Associates, a construction consultancy in Gloucester. Here I shadowed Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors on a variety of construction projects.

2. What skills did you gain from this experience?
During my week, I learned about the measuring and costing behind construction projects and how it can influence clients’ decision making. I also gained an appreciation of the importance of safety on construction sites.

3. What advice would you give to any Clifton College pupils undertaking future work experience?
Go for it! As I’ve found, it is an excellent way to find out whether or not a particular career or industry is something that you might enjoy in the future.

4. What was the highlight of your placement?
I particularly enjoyed visiting a variety of construction projects. My favourite of which was to a premiership rugby stadium where I was shown their plans for the future.

5. How has your work experience placement supported your future career plans?
By taking a week of work experience, it has opened my eyes to an interesting industry which can enable me to work anywhere in the world. This is a career that would give me the opportunity to influence projects from conception all the way through to delivery.

We look forward to hearing other pupils’ success stories and can’t wait to see how these placements may help to shape your futures!