Rachel finds experience trap difficult to escape
RACHEL COX wanted to spend her gap year working in events management as preparation for a degree – but despite contacting 60 firms only one has been able to help.
The 19-year-old, from Ivybridge, passed her A-levels last summer, but has deferred taking her spot at Plymouth University until next September.
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Rachel Cox has been frustrated in her efforts to spend her gap year working in events management as preparation for a degree
But Rachel has been unable to gain the work placement or internship in her chosen field – events management – after finding herself in a classic Catch-22 trap: she needs experience to gain experience.
Rachel told The Herald about her difficulties in a bid to coax firms to take her on, and to highlight the problems faced by novice teenagers as they try to get on the jobs ladder.
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"It's really tricky," she said. "Employers say they want people with experience, but then won't give it to you.
"One company I contacted for an events assistant job said I fitted all the criteria – but experience was so important and I didn't have it.
"Employers are not bothered about you having a degree, they just want you to have experience. It's a vicious circle."
Rachel deferred her place at university because she "wanted to get a head start in business and the world of work before embarking on a very long and very expensive degree".
She said: "I've asked so many companies and businesses for work experience, I've tried to volunteer myself but I'm lucky if I even get an automated reply let alone one from an actual person.
"No one is interested. It makes it even more annoying when they plaster all over their website that they love work experience students and would host people for internships."
Rachel has found some work, as a general assistant at a leading supermarket chain.
But the job was in Dartmouth and, while grateful for it, it was not in the sector she wants to build a career in.
"I have tried to speak to more than 60 people," she said. "That's over the whole of Devon and Cornwall. I need experience and if I have to go to Cornwall I will."
One firm did answer Rachel's plea, however, and she is grateful for the opportunity presented by The Well Hung Meat Company in Buckfastleigh.
But the firm only has one corporate event she can attend between now and Christmas and Rachel is hoping other firms will offer her an opportunity too.
"I'd like to work for a company that has lots of different events," she said. "Even if they can have me one day a week."
Rachel said young people she knows who have found work placements have done so through personal contacts, such as family members.
But with her mother being a nurse, and her father working in IT after a long career in the armed forces, neither are involved in the sector she wants to work in.
" I feel like unless you know someone who can help you, you wont get anywhere," she said. "People have always said it's not what you know it's who you know, but I don't know anyone, so does this mean I'll be stuck?
"I want to get into marketing or events as an assistant and eventually work my way into management.
"I'm extremely hard working and take pride in everything I do and have a great drive to succeed."
Are you a young person having difficulty finding work, or a work placement? Or are you an employer who can help Rachel? contact business editor William Telford on 01752 765529 or wtelford@theplymouthherald.co.uk
Comments
by Mark2Plym
Thursday, November 22 2012, 12:05AM
“Why is this an article? There are hundreds of people looking for jobs and we have to be interested in a girl who is finding it hard to be a events management! Perhaps a lesson in supply and demand will help her in a career.”
by Rachelouise10
Thursday, November 22 2012, 12:02AM
“Thank you Very much to everyone for your kind comments and advice!
Rachel”
by cosymcneill
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 8:12PM
“Hi , thinking I would shelve any local work and enjoy the gap year traveling and getting involved in Uni life say in the ENTS (entertainment - officers or any of the other thriving society's which require organising skills , counting the chrity orgs within the Uni . This can lead to openings all over the nation/universe
Also maybe take the year out working for a holiday company such as Eurocamp /Thompsons even Butlins or cruise ships ,all tending to deal in some way with entertainers and agents .. ... the former tending to recruit in the spring and work until uni starts .
I of course realise that you know all of this but was thinking that you look the part and that's half the battle . Also I used to do a spot of volunteer work on the BBC Radio Devon helpline , quite exciting really being able to operate in a very professional environment in which organisation is key , besides you might get to meet some local celebs ... Good luck to you”
by nick113
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 7:38PM
“Rachel, you've done the right thing - got your picture in the paper. Sending people letters and emails rarely works. You need to call them up and ask if you can come and have a chat about work for a year. If that doesn't work you've got to offer to work free for a couple of weeks. Once you're in the door, and if you're any good, you've a good chance of being kept on. Good luck.”
by knucklehead
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 4:00PM
“blackpot - so she moves to London and knows no-one plus the market is vicious....”
by jb1989
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 11:55AM
“when I was at college and university, I always had some sort of part time work. My grades suffered for it, but after graduating this summer with a third, I am now in a better position than my course mates who gained 2.1s or higher but never bothered with any type of work. Whilst studying, lecturers were always trying to put me off working, saying that I will struggle when I graduate. Unis and colleges need to stop this attitude, as it is not the case. I am now on a graduate manager training program that required a minimum 2.2 to apply for, and why is this? Because during my last year at uni I worked part time in a sales position, turning up on time, hitting targets, showing that there is more to me than 'a degree'. I was selected along with several others out of hundreds of applicants, because my experience was more important to my employer than the piece of paper I graduated with. By all means, go to university, just don't forget about the importance of building up a reputation with employers, no matter what market sector it is in.”
by Othursty1
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 9:33AM
“Sorry, meant Rachel, not Sophie.”
by soph15
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 9:10AM
“Couldn't agree more Othursty1.”
by Othursty1
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 8:48AM
“Either way, at least she is trying. A lot, not all, will sit back and expect something to come to them or give up after the first 10 non-responders. Well done Sophie, I'd say with that spirit, you very much deserve something and going to the paper is also a great idea. Good luck and keep your chin up!!!”
by Waltersmith
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 8:14AM
“Rachel really should have planned this out and looked at the market first.
Blackpot speaks the truth. If this is her chosen career she will have to move away from the SW.
She needs to widen her horizons beyond Devon and Cornwall and look to the big cities - or even abroad - someone I knew did a similar job on the larger campsites in France.
Tried Brittany Ferries?”