Working for free?

jozi

Would you do it or have you done it? I see FAS has a few work placement positions for technologists.

Personally, I think it's a disgrace of companies to look for qualified AT's and not to pay them for (probably?) the same work that paid well 3-4 years ago.

No6

We are practically working for free here sometimes, like when a client dosn't pay and you have all the work done!! Before I qualified I took a year out and worked for a very low wage with a local architect. It did help a lot when i went back to finish my degree and got my first job after qualifying that I already had some experience of real work, for for people just qualified its an oppertunity to get some experince but I wouldn't do it for too long as you do get taken for granted!!

BryanF

a guy in the council explained it to me as 'were giving them six months experience so they can get work when they emigrate'

Noo

For people with years experience under their belt then definitely not, they should be paid a decent enough wage (obviously its not possible to the same level as a few years ago), their contribution to a company is worth something.

I'm on one of these FAS placements but i'm a graduate straight out of college so i'm not exactly contributing much. But i'm getting experience which is more than most of my former classmates, and yes I'm using it to gain experience before emigrating.

Moral of the story, great for graduates, crap for anyone else.

jozi

Thats what I'm thinking of doing (again), want to try and find work in Holland. I feel in this case the experience won't stand to me, I've worked in a small office and done planning apps for extensions and the like before college and have worked for 2 firms since (during college and after doing 4th year).

I found a no for the guy not to far from me offering work experience. He can offer maybe a few days work not a full week, the odd one of house, extensions, energy certs, some designs work etc. And the one question that always gives me the impression that your just wanted for cad work "can you use CAD".

I'm in two minds about it, on the one hand it's a bit of work and a gap filler, on the other hand I feel I wont gain much from it and is a gap filler always a good idea? As said above I have 9 months post grad with one office, about 2 months after 3rd year and a summer between 2/3yrs while in college.

The other things for me is that I can't see it lead anywhere, if it was a big office with the chance of a permanent job and interesting projects then I'd be very tempted for doing it for a few months.

I'm also thinking I'd like to find a office who use revit, this guy definitely doesn't.

gman2k

Work for nothing = never be out of work.

For anyone with experience = theft of your time & experience.

For someone looking for experience = exploitation.


Why FAS has not been shut down yet is beyond me. It's has been proved recently via statistics that you have a better chance of getting a job if you avoid FAS.