Page 1 of 2

Work Experience

Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:18 pm
by shebarose
Hi,

I haven't gotta do it for a couple of months but i though i might aswell start early :D

Does anyone know if its possible to do Work Experience on the Railway :D

Cheers in advance,

Christopher :D

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:25 pm
by jackr
Hi,

I Think TFL Have a system that i read in the paper A while a go.

They had a recruitment system that if you signed up at a certain age at a certain date
between about the ages of 16-18 you would be promissed a good carear in the TFL Structure.

I'm Not sure if it is still running but, It's Worth a search on there site for though... :o

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:25 pm
by BR7MT
Tube Lines have taken on work experience students before, for 2 week periods.

Regards,

Dan

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:54 pm
by desiro5
Damon Cox (Coxster) did work experience with SWT - i would love to do that next year. (just finishing year 9)

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 6:38 pm
by JSReeves86
A few TOCs seem to be able to do Work Experience, altho not a TOC I did mine on the RH&DR and had a great time in all areas of the railway, C&W, Station Staff, Traveling Gaurd and even had a diesel cab ride. My advice is to contact a TOC or whoever you might like to work with and just ask.

Also might be worth doing a forum search as there has been a number of topics on the subject which might give you some useful info.,

JR

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:38 am
by ied
I tried to get work experience on the railways when I was in year 10. I'd still love to work on the railways, but that would be my alternative career plan as I want to go into Journalism.

If I remember rightly, my Dad tried to get me a placement at First Great Western (he knew the Managing Director) and they couldn't accomodate me. I wanted to go to Eurostar where my Dad had worked, but nothing could be organised there. I think he offered me the chance to do some signalling and train planning training with him too if I remember.

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:48 am
by danielw2599
Did my 2 week work expereince with Railtrack as it was back then (1998/1999ish), most boring two weeks of my life yet still ended up working on the railways.

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:03 pm
by superdrive1
desiro5 wrote:(just finishing year 9)
Same here, I was given a option of where I wanted to do my work ex, Bishops Stortford railway station or Audley End Miniature Railway.
I chose the Audley End option as I feel because my life is down at the moment, working on a smaller scale might be the best option.
Still, Can't wait though. :D

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:04 pm
by shebarose
Cheers Guys, im just leaving year 9 too :D

I got a interview with the connexions people when we go back but im gonna email National Express East Anglia and see what they say :D

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:12 pm
by jtiffin
I hope you do get a chance, shebarose.

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:44 pm
by desiro5
jtiffin wrote:I hope you do get a chance, shebarose.
Aye. All the best.

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:45 pm
by shebarose
Cheers Andy and Ali

Especially you Ali as i wish you all the best too :D

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:59 pm
by richard222
Only a comment, but with Work Experience, I'd send a letter if I were you, makes you look all that more professional and makes them want to take you on more in my opinion. (Make sure to make it look good though and include all your personal details for them to contact you!)

Richard

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:42 pm
by arabiandisco
I did my work experience in an insurance company office, and consequently swore that I'd never, ever work in an office.

You know where I work now, then!

My advice would be to find something easy and local to your house. Work experience is NOTHING like the real thing, and it doesn't matter what you do, it'll be the single dullest thing you'll do in your life. You'd be better off not bothering...

Re: Work Experience

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:43 pm
by richard222
I agree mainly. I was lucky in that I got some decent work to do in an office, so it was fairly useful, but the reality is, with offices it is all pot luck. My two pieces of advice are
- Don't get placed by the company running it - you may get lucky but not worth the risk
- Try to go in a profession that interests you rather than one you might like to work in. If you wish to be a barrister for example, you wont get much work or experience out of shadowing one, so may as well do one for the sake of it, such as the Railways that you'll enjoy.