Debate: Education v Work experience

Our panel discuss how valuable work experience is, or whether it's best to earn educational qualifications instead.

Which is more valuable, education or work experience?

Produced by Lifetracks

Four young people compare going to college with getting a job. Which do you think is more important?

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About our panel:

Jules
Jules graduated from University and received a degree in Music Production. Since then he has worked, travelled, and recently relocated to London to look for work. He is now working with the Ministry of Justice and is considering returning to education to study for a Masters degree in Global Sustainability.

Oré
Oré has been temping on and off for the last two years. This year she is focusing on acting professionally and has already attended several auditions. She prefers the flexibility of temporary work in order to be able to accept future acting work and develop her career.

Aarti
Having just completed her GCSE's, Aarti started her A-Level course in September. She would eventually like to follow her brother and go to university, with the hope of studying English literature combined with French as she is hoping to pursue a career in journalism.
Read Aarti's blog about the debate.

Sandra
Sandra moved to the UK from Bulgaria two years ago. She studied Foundation Art & Design before starting a Graphic Design degree and is currently working part-time whilst studying. After graduating she would like to continue her studies and pursue an MA course in Graphic Design in order to enhance her employability.

Terry
Our host works as a Vodafone Store Manager on one of London's busiest streets. Terry enjoys his current role and is very career ambitious, keeping himself as busy as possible whilst testing himself with challenging roles and responsibilities. Terry volunteered with Lifetracks to help us in our mission to give advice and guidance to young people who need it.

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Updated:15/04/2010

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If you're still at school, talk to your careers advisor about links they may already have with local placements, or visit the National Council for Work Experience.
If you're a student or a graduate, visit Prospects work experience pages to find information and details of work placements. Or visit Work Experiences Online (WEXO) for some fabulous opportunities with companies from Sony to Working Title.
Whatever your stage of career, if you know the kind of field you want to go into, be pro-active. Google details of companies in this area and phone them directly to enquire about their work placements; follow their instructions as to how to apply.
Some companies will have an application form for work experience so you should fill this in as you would a job application.
Some companies will take speculative applications, so write a clear, enthusiastic covering letter with a copy of your CV.
Once you've finished a work placement, remember to keep in touch with one or two of the people you worked with. They will be useful contacts in the future.

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