Why Work Experience Matters When Building a Career

Building a career does not happen overnight. It takes time, learning, patience and effort. Many think that obtaining a good certificate is enough for a successful career. Though education is important, work experience also plays a large role. What we learn in school gives us knowledge, which is great, but it is the work experience that brings that knowledge to life in the real world.

Work experience can be in a full-time job, part-time role, internship, as an apprentice, while volunteering or perhaps just helping out at a small business. Also, it is true that out of these experiences, young people get to see what it is like to work with others, meet deadlines, solve problems and take on responsibility. For very young career-stage professionals, which is the early years of your career, that which you do before you get to senior-level positions, gaining this experience is a big deal.

Career Insight Comes From Experience.

In many cases, work experience is what really counts for people to know what they want to do. At times, a person will choose a programme of study which sounds interesting to them at the moment or which their parents think is a good choice. But what they may not realise is how different the job will be in reality until they have had the experience of doing it.

For instance, a person that studies accounting may think they will enjoy working with numbers every day. But after gaining some practical experience, they may find out that they have a better affinity for dealing with customers or managing a business, which in turn leaves the desk work to the side.

This may not have been a waste of their education. Rather, that experience has helped them identify their strengths and interests better. Also, it has put them in a position to make better decisions on which career path they want to pursue.

It Helps You Develop Practical Skills

School does a good job at teaching us many useful things, but some skills we only really develop through practice. From a book, a person may get the theory of what customer service is, but it is in the day-to-day interaction with customers that they truly learn.

Through our experiences at work, we learn to put forward ideas to our colleagues, to attend and participate in meetings, to deal with customers, to use the equipment provided in the workplace and to do our tasks to a high standard. We also learn what is expected of us in a professional setting.

These practical skills apply to all careers. While a person may have great academic knowledge out in the job market, what they also want are people that can put that info to use.

Work Experience Builds Confidence

Starting out in a new job is tough, in particular for that which is the first time to work. You will meet new people, take in new tasks and rules. At first, a person may feel nervous and out of their depth.

Over time and through practice, what we see is that fear lessens. As workers take up various tasks and overcome challenges, what we find is that they begin to trust in their own abilities, which in turn builds confidence.

For instance, a recent graduate that has been an intern may feel at ease in an interview setting because they have that which it takes to be in a real work environment. They may discuss what they did, what they learned and how they managed different situations.

It Shows People How to Solve Problems.

In every work environment, problems arise. A computer may die out, a customer may complain, a deadline may prove to be an issue to achieve, or two staff may argue about something.

Work from which one gains experience in handling such issues in a calm manner. As opposed to waiting for someone else to fix it, employees learn to put forth solutions.

This is a key element of professional development. Employers appreciate those that look at a problem, analyse what is going on, and put forth reasonable solutions.

It Teaches the Importance of Teamwork

Most of the time, what we see is that people in jobs are working as a team. Also, the person who is out on their own still has to get in touch with customers, managers, suppliers or other professionals.

Work from experience that which we put into teams is our patience, respect and good communication. We see that people have various personalities and methods of doing things out in the workforce. Also, we see how to listen to what others have to say and put forth our own ideas.

These issues may not be addressed in a traditional classroom. Working with various groups helps one understand real-life cooperation.

It Makes a CV Stronger

Work experience also adds value to a CV when you apply for jobs. Also, it is a fact that employers put out which applicants have relevant experience for the post they are applying for.

A person who has had some practical experience can detail what they did in past roles and what skills they gained. Also, a short internship or volunteer role may not have had a lot of time but still shows that the person was in a professional setting.

This is especially true for young graduates that do not have a long work history. Instead of reporting only that they finished school, we see that they also have practical experience to report.

It Helps People Build Professional Relationships

Another benefit of which is that you get to meet people. While at work, you may see co-workers, supervisors, customers and other professionals.

Some of what we have now is that which we may use in the future. A former boss may put in a good word for an employee. A co-worker may pass along info on an opening. A client may in the future ask for the person’s service.

This also does not mean that people should only have personal benefits from relationships. In a professional setting, we see that great relationships are formed out of respect, honesty, good communication and responsible behaviour.

It Teaches Responsibility

Having a job means you are responsible for showing up on time, performing your duties and abiding by workplace rules. Also, when you make a mistake, it is expected that you take responsibility.

These courses see people grow in maturity. A person begins to see how their actions play out for co-workers and the organisation.

Learning to be responsible at a young age will better prepare someone for larger roles in their career later on.

Experience Can Open New Opportunities

At times, you may get your first break in a field which isn’t your dream job, but it still may prove to be valuable in the long run.

For instance, a person may start out as an assistant at a small company. Once they gain experience, that same person may become a supervisor or leave to work in another organisation which has greater responsibility.

Career development is a progressive process. Each role we take on brings in new things to learn, opportunities to improve our skills and to find out what we may like to do in the future.

Young people should not pass over small chances.

Many of today’s youth think that it is only large corporations that can give out great experience. That is not always the case. A small-scale business, a local group, an internship, or a volunteer post can also provide great learning.

The key is what you learn from the experience. At a small shop which you are a helper at, you may learn customer service, stock management, communication and basic business operations. In an organisation which you volunteer for, you may learn teamwork, planning and event management.

These experiences can become useful later.

Conclusion

Work experience is a key element in the development of a great career. What we get from education is knowledge which we use in the classroom, but it is experience that takes that knowledge out into the real world. It can build confidence, improve communication, develop practical skills and also teach us how to solve problems.

For young graduates and those that are just beginning their careers, the first job may not always be what you had in mind. But each work experience has something to offer. What is important is your willingness to learn, to take on responsibility and to grow with time.

A career is made up of many small steps. Of these, education is a part, also includes what you learn in your professional life. When individuals put into practice what they study in school into what they do at work, they prepare themselves better for the issues and the chances which come with that which we call a career.