Undergraduate voluntary work experience

Username99

Hi,

I am a mature student currently studying Electronic and Computer Engineering. I have been searching around the internet for companies that offer work experience to undergraduates on a voluntary basis, but as of yet, I have not come across much information regarding this.

My question is, Are there any companies which offer voluntary positions to people such as myself?

Or does anyone know how I might go about getting some work in this area, in particular the Electronic Engineering field, as this is the area I hope to specialize in.

Thankyou

Username99

Don't all reply at once guys!!!

spideog7

If you're open to travelling then IAESTE might be worth a shot.

Turbulent Bill

Have you tried asking some of you lecturers for any industrial contacts they might have? Most of these work experience jobs come by word-of-mouth.

Another thing to remember is you'll have to promote what you can do (or would like to do) to a potential employer, once you know what's available. There's always a 'cost' to the employer in terms getting other employees to train and supervise you, even for voluntary jobs, so you need to stress what you can usefully do for them. Sounds obvious, but I've seen work experience students who didn't appreciate this.

Agreed on the lecturer route. Perhaps you know people who know people who might be in a position to ask somewhere whether they take on summer students?

Username99

Turbulent Bill wrote: »

Have you tried asking some of you lecturers for any industrial contacts they might have? Most of these work experience jobs come by word-of-mouth.

Another thing to remember is you'll have to promote what you can do (or would like to do) to a potential employer, once you know what's available. There's always a 'cost' to the employer in terms getting other employees to train and supervise you, even for voluntary jobs, so you need to stress what you can usefully do for them. Sounds obvious, but I've seen work experience students who didn't appreciate this.

Thanks for the advice, I'll ask my lecturers and see what happens. Hopefully something will come up.

Darren1o1

Username99 wrote: »

Don't all reply at once guys!!!

People here are not obliged to reply and take time out of their lives to help you so try be a little more respectful.
I would look at the areas where you would like to work after you finish up and email the HR groups. Larger companies will more likely be will to take people on as they will have the resources. I worked in O2 for the summer one year and they take students on most years. I would also talk to your careers office, they may know of people hiring allot of graduates and those companies may be willing to take on a student for the summer. As mentioned above, lecturers may have some contacts.

Username99

Darren1o1 wrote: »

People here are not obliged to reply and take time out of their lives to help you so try be a little more respectful.
I would look at the areas where you would like to work after you finish up and email the HR groups. Larger companies will more likely be will to take people on as they will have the resources. I worked in O2 for the summer one year and they take students on most years. I would also talk to your careers office, they may know of people hiring allot of graduates and those companies may be willing to take on a student for the summer. As mentioned above, lecturers may have some contacts.

I was actually only joking when I posted that comment, but as I forgot to put a smiley face after it, I suppose it could easily have been misinterpreted, my sincerest apologies to anyone who my have been offended.

And thanks for the advice, Good to hear of experiences like yours.

I hope you do not mind me asking, was that for your work placement or did O2 take you on specifically for summer work (Between college years)?

Darren1o1

Username99 wrote: »

I was actually only joking when I posted that comment, but as I forgot to put a smiley face after it, I suppose it could easily have been misinterpreted, my sincerest apologies to anyone who my have been offended.

And thanks for the advice, Good to hear of experiences like yours.

I hope you do not mind me asking, was that for your work placement or did O2 take you on specifically for summer work (Between college years)?

No worries. My experience was between college years (May- Sept)

cladyman

Username99 wrote: »

Hi,

I am a mature student currently studying Electronic and Computer Engineering. I have been searching around the internet for companies that offer work experience to undergraduates on a voluntary basis, but as of yet, I have not come across much information regarding this.

My question is, Are there any companies which offer voluntary positions to people such as myself?

Or does anyone know how I might go about getting some work in this area, in particular the Electronic Engineering field, as this is the area I hope to specialize in.

Thankyou

I might be able to help you where are you based?

Username99

cladyman wrote: »

I might be able to help you where are you based?

PM sent.

CillianL

Username99 wrote: »

Hi,

I am a mature student currently studying Electronic and Computer Engineering. I have been searching around the internet for companies that offer work experience to undergraduates on a voluntary basis, but as of yet, I have not come across much information regarding this.

My question is, Are there any companies which offer voluntary positions to people such as myself?

Or does anyone know how I might go about getting some work in this area, in particular the Electronic Engineering field, as this is the area I hope to specialize in.

Thankyou

Have you no self respect that you think your labour should be worthless?

A first year apprentice (who everyone in college looks down on as a bottom feeder) gets paid throughout their apprenticeship, has their exams paid for and learns tangible skills yet undergraduates are unemployed for 3-5 years, study in an inefficient college system, and yet still expect to work for free because they have no 'industry relevant skills'.

If you're paid at least an employer is motivated to get the best out of you to make a profit, but if you're working for free, five minutes work a day making the tea is already a good return.

Graduates aren't slaves off the ships (at least they had their food provided), yet voluntary work has became all too acceptable which is shocking considering graduates are supposed to be the future.

Michael Collins

CillianL wrote: »

Have you no self respect that you think your labour should be worthless?

A first year apprentice (who everyone in college looks down on as a bottom feeder) gets paid throughout their apprenticeship, has their exams paid for and learns tangible skills yet undergraduates are unemployed for 3-5 years, study in an inefficient college system, and yet still expect to work for free because they have no 'industry relevant skills'.

If you're paid at least an employer is motivated to get the best out of you to make a profit, but if you're working for free, five minutes work a day making the tea is already a good return.

Graduates aren't slaves off the ships (at least they had their food provided), yet voluntary work has became all too acceptable which is shocking considering graduates are supposed to be the future.

Indeed. While some companies many not consider highering paid interns (who sometimes are more of a burden than a benefit for the few months they may be there), nevertheless, starting your negotiations requesting a salary of zero isn't the best of bargaining strategies!

My outlook on it would be since you're looking for real-life engineering experience, part of that includes actually getting paid, with the idea that you work hard for the company in question and they reward that with proportionate payment. That's the way the system is designed to work.

cladyman

My company will be paying the suitable applicant

pljudge321

• Intel
• Analog Devices
• Texas Instruments
• ESB
• Eirgrid
• Shanahan Engineering
• Johnson Controls
• ARM
• Irish Rail
• Bord Gais
• S3 group

Most places advertise summer internships in and around February.

Username99

CillianL wrote: »

Have you no self respect that you think your labour should be worthless?

A first year apprentice (who everyone in college looks down on as a bottom feeder) gets paid throughout their apprenticeship, has their exams paid for and learns tangible skills yet undergraduates are unemployed for 3-5 years, study in an inefficient college system, and yet still expect to work for free because they have no 'industry relevant skills'.

If you're paid at least an employer is motivated to get the best out of you to make a profit, but if you're working for free, five minutes work a day making the tea is already a good return.

Graduates aren't slaves off the ships (at least they had their food provided), yet voluntary work has became all too acceptable which is shocking considering graduates are supposed to be the future.

First off I don't appreciate the tone, at the start of your last post.

Of course I would like to be in paid work while gaining experience in the area I hope to work in, in the future. However as we are currently in the depths of a recession, the fact that i'm a mature student with no previous Engineering related, work experience, just after starting first year (9 weeks into a 4 year degree) I think it would be a bit naive of me to expect to be paid for working in this area at present.

As I said in my original post I am looking for voluntary work experience, just however many hours a company could offer me, nothing major as I still have to attend college and study.

And at this stage I know the difference between being used as a 'tea boy' and being trusted with a fitting level of responsibility. I'm not prepared to be exploited by anyone, If I were to gain worthwhile work experience, I would return the favour by working just as hard, if not harder than the current employees on the other hand if an employer attempted to take advantage of my good nature, then i'd be gone, simple as that.

If you would like to get back to me with an equally informative post as your previous one, but this time just include a list of companies in Ireland, who actually provide paid work experience to individuals such as myself, i'd be most obliged

Username99

pljudge321 wrote: »

• Intel
• Analog Devices
• Texas Instruments
• ESB
• Eirgrid
• Shanahan Engineering
• Johnson Controls
• ARM
• Irish Rail
• Bord Gais
• S3 group

Most places advertise summer internships in and around February.

Thanks, very helpful.

CillianL

Was my tone harsh, fair enough but the problem is that voluntary work has became too socially acceptable, especially with for profit organisations.

Keep in mind that not every company in Ireland is on the breadline, yet they'll use the recession as an excuse for not paying you if you're willing to be unquestioning of it.

As I said an apprentice is paid from the start even though thy don't have any skills why should a first year be entirely worthless?

Just make sure no internship you go into is open ended, and that the conditions are clear cut

CatFromHue

Don't mean to be Captain Bringdown but I think you'll really struggle to get work experience this Summer (I assume that's when you want to do it) with only one year of college behind you. I'm not saying it's impossible but I wouldn't get your hopes up.

Most places would only take students for the Summer after second year or even third year in some cases.

Turbulent Bill

CillianL wrote: »

Was my tone harsh, fair enough but the problem is that voluntary work has became too socially acceptable, especially with for profit organisations.

Keep in mind that not every company in Ireland is on the breadline, yet they'll use the recession as an excuse for not paying you if you're willing to be unquestioning of it.

As I said an apprentice is paid from the start even though thy don't have any skills why should a first year be entirely worthless?

Just make sure no internship you go into is open ended, and that the conditions are clear cut

I agree with you in principle (fair wage for fair day's work etc.), but for work experience pay rates shouldn't be a priority if at all possible. From a career perspective it's much better to get good quality experience than a decent salary. In practice many employers will offer both if you provide obvious value to their business.

Apprentices can do some basic tasks from the start, whereas engineering takes years of training even to be handled some level of responsibility, so the comparison isn't valid.

Username99

CatFromHue wrote: »

Don't mean to be Captain Bringdown but I think you'll really struggle to get work experience this Summer (I assume that's when you want to do it) with only one year of college behind you. I'm not saying it's impossible but I wouldn't get your hopes up.

Most places would only take students for the Summer after second year or even third year in some cases.

I fully understand that, It was just something I have been thinking about. I'll keep looking anyway, if something comes up great, if it does not, then I wont be too let down by it as it will be the outcome I would have expected to begin with.

Actually now that I am on the point, what are peoples feelings on here regarding summer work experience for college students (Not just third year work placement) but summer work between each year of a chosen course, Do you think there should be systems in place for students to get hands on experience throughout their course, which would enivitably produce better graduates (Just my opinion, don't rush me out to the gallows ) OR do you think the work environment for a profession such as Engineering would not be suited to such a scheme?

Turbulent Bill

Username99 wrote: »

Actually now that I am on the point, what are peoples feelings on here regarding summer work experience for college students (Not just third year work placement) but summer work between each year of a chosen course, Do you think there should be systems in place for students to get hands on experience throughout their course, which would enivitably produce better graduates (Just my opinion, don't rush me out to the gallows ) OR do you think the work environment for a profession such as Engineering would not be suited to such a scheme?

I don't think a formal system is necessary, just that companies advertise their summer jobs and that students understand what it is they can offer to the companies. It's no different from any full-time job in that regard.

There certainly is value for students getting work experience every summer, I did this and it was great to get the industrial/commercial insight.