What you don’t learn in lectures
When I started university, I didn’t think much about work experience. I assumed first year was all about getting used to lectures, learning how to reference correctly, and maybe joining a few societies. The idea of working on top of that felt like something to worry about in the future.
But partway through the year, I realised how easy it is to go through university without knowing what any of the content looks like in practice in a real-life working environment. I’m studying Business Management with Marketing, and while I’ve learned a lot of theory, it’s hard to picture how all of that applies in a real-world professional environment.
So, when I got the chance to do a work experience placement at Browser Media, I was delighted. It wasn’t a long placement, but it didn’t need to be because in just a few days, I picked up more than I expected. Here’s what I learned, and why I think work experience is something every student should do early on!
It helped me bridge the gap between uni and real work
At university, most of my time is spent learning concepts, writing essays, and preparing for exams. It’s useful, but it can also feel disconnected from the real world. You learn a lot about business and marketing, but you don’t always get to do it/put it into practice.
During my time at Browser Media I was asked to write a blog (this one, in fact), work on admin tasks, and sit in on meetings. I saw firsthand how teams collaborate and how work is structured. It gave me a much clearer picture of what digital marketing looks like day to day.
I built practical skills that uni doesn’t really teach
University teaches you knowledge, but work experience teaches you how to use it.
Just a small amount of time, and I’ve already built valuable skills. I’ve been improving how I take clear, focused notes and manage my time more effectively, both of which are helping me stay organised and on track. I also had the opportunity to complete some admin tasks, which gave me real insight into how things operate behind the scenes. It’s been a wonderful way to understand the inner workings of a business and how every detail plays a role in keeping things running smoothly.
These practical, transferable skills like communication, organisation, and attention to detail -are valuable in almost any job and are widely transferable. These are things you can pick up by doing them, rather than just reading and learning about them.
It’s boosted my confidence and employability
Getting real work experience, even for just a few days, makes a huge difference to your confidence. You realise that you’re more able than you thought, and that you can contribute in a professional setting, not just sit in a classroom taking notes.
From an employability perspective, this experience has already added value to my CV. It shows future employers that I’ve taken the initiative to get experience early, that I’m curious about the industry, and that I’m willing to step outside of my comfort zone, as well as the student bubble, to learn more. It’s also something to talk about in interviews not just to fill the “experience” section, but examples of how I’ve adapted quickly in a new environment.
It gave me clarity about my career direction
Before the placement, I knew I was interested in marketing, but that’s a broad field. What I didn’t realise was how different the roles and tasks within digital marketing can be. Some people focus more on data and analytics, others on content writing, or PR as well as on SEO or social media.
Being at Browser Media gave me insight into the different parts of an agency and marketing. I saw how everything connects. It helped me think more seriously about which areas I might want to specialise in, and which ones probably aren’t for me.
This kind of clarity is helpful, especially in first year. It means I can now start tailoring/adapting my university projects or essays, optional modules, and future work experience towards the areas I’m most interested in rather than guessing and hoping it all works out!
It gave me a competitive edge
A lot of students graduate with similar qualifications.
So, what makes you stand out?
Work experience does.
Completing a placement in the first year has given me a head start. Not only did I learn practical skills and get clarity on my goals, but I also gained knowledge that most first years don’t have yet, I now have a better understanding of the industry and how agencies work.
On top of that, work experience helps you avoid a common mistake: applying for jobs you don’t fully understand and therefore may not enjoy. Spending time at Browser Media showed me what working in digital marketing is like, so I won’t be going into future applications clueless about what the role involves. It might also save me from applying for the wrong job in the future.In addition, I have a year-long placement coming up in my third year, and this experience will help me feel more prepared and focused going into it.
Rather than applying for any general marketing role, I now have a much clearer understanding of the areas I’m most interested in, which allows me to pursue opportunities that align more closely with my goals and strengths.
To conclude
If you’re a student who’s just started university and wondering if work experience is “worth it” in first year – it is.
You don’t need to take on a huge internship or a part-time job if that doesn’t fit into your schedule. Even a short experience like mine can make a massive difference. It gives you insight, skills, direction, and confidence that you simply can’t get from lectures alone.
I’m really glad I applied for this opportunity, and I’d encourage other students to do the same whenever they get the chance. It doesn’t matter if you’re not 100% sure what career you want yet – work experience is one of the best ways to start figuring that out!