Know You’re Not Alone

Around 75% of students participate in transition year every year; that’s around 30,000 people who – just like you – will all have to face their first day of work experience. Rest assured, they’re all just as nervous as you are.

However, since nerves are never nice, we’ve got some tips to help you overcome Transition Year Work Experience worries.

Tips for Beating Transition Year Work Experience Nerves

Be Prepared 

Preparation is key to feeling in control and limiting those pesky “what if” thoughts. Since you likely already have enough on your mind, we’ve compiled a “First Day of TY Work Experience” list for you to run through.

First-Day Checklist:

• Learn as much as you can about where you’ll be working. 
• Research the commute.
• Prepare your outfit a week or two before starting.
• Pack your bag the night before.
• Set an alarm.
• Go to bed early & get up early. 
• Calm your nerves with a relaxing activity.

Not sure what consists of a relaxing activity for calming nerves? Here’s some inspiration:

• Write Down your Worries: getting our thoughts out of our heads and onto paper can help us to make sense of them. As well, after completing your first day of TY work experience, looking back on what you’ve written can be a comforting activity. 
• Go for a Walk, Cycle, or Swim: exercise can release mood-boosting endorphins, help ease stress, promote quality sleep, and relax tense muscles.
• Light Stretching: Releases tension in the muscles, signalling to the brain that you’re feeling a little more zen. 
• Reading: Reading fully engages the mind and imagination, helping you to take your mind off the next day. 
• Meditate: meditating can help you to cut through your jumbled thoughts and combat overthinking by focusing your attention on the present moment.
• Watch your favorite tv series. 

Another way to prepare yourself is to ensure you have the necessary skills before your first day. Transition Year Work Experience courses can help you to feel cool, calm, and confident walking into your first day, at ease in the knowledge that you know exactly what to do.

Something to Remember:

If ever you feel unsafe, threatened or as though your boundaries have been crossed in the workplace: leave. No TY coordinator (or anyone for that matter) will hold it against you – your safety and well-being always come first. 

What if I Can’t Sleep?

This is one of the most commonly experienced worries the night before starting a new job. You want to feel refreshed and like the best version of yourself – ready to take on whatever your first day might throw your way.

To ensure you drift off to sleep within a matter of minutes, you can follow a simple ritual known as the (tried and tested) 10-3-2-1 formula. 

The ’10-3-2-1- Formula:

• 10 hours before bed: No more caffeine.
• 3 hours before bed: No more food or drinks.
• 2 hours before bed: No more study or school work.
• 1 hour before bed: No more screen time (shut off all phones, TVs, and computers).

Or, if you find that you’re not drifting off despite all hours, the 4-7-8 breathing technique can help you control your breathing and let your body know it’s time for sleep. 

The 4-7-8 Method:

• Inhale through your nose and count to four in your mind. 
• Next, hold your breath for a count of seven. 
• Exhale through your mouth slowly for eight seconds. 
• Repeat until you begin to feel your heart rate slow and slip into a state of relaxation. 

And that’s that!

New job jitters are standard for people of all ages throughout all stages of their careers. Consider yourself lucky that you’re getting to experience these nerves now and learning how to get to grips with them before entering the workforce for good – that’s one of the main benefits of braving TY work experience. So, congratulations on your good choices and good luck – you’ll do great!

So, you’re stepping out into the workforce for the first time? How exciting! Transition work experience can be an invaluable learning experience that helps you to get ahead– but you’ve heard it all before.

Today, you’re here to secure your placement with flying colours, and with this short, sweet, and simple yet effective approach to finding transition year work, it’s only a matter of time.

So, let’s get to it …

Step 0: Start Early

Many well-known organisations and public bodies run Transition Year work experience programmes every year. They usually have an application process, an early closing date, and a lot of interested applicants – so be sure to get in there first.

Step 1: Write up your CV

What Should my CV Include?

• Basic Details

You know this part like the back of your hand. Name, address, date of birth, contact details – and voilà – finished.

• Education

Scroll down where you went to primary school, including address and years attended. Do the same for any educational establishment you’ve attended, including the one you find yourself in at present.

Note: Be sure to include your junior cert results!

• Work Experience

Don’t worry – you’re not expected to have any work experience just quite yet. But if you do, great! List out the name of the establishment you worked for, for how long, and the tasks you undertook while in employment.

Don’t forget! Volunteering work counts too.

• Skills

Now’s your chance to show off! Are you proficient in Microsoft Office or Excel? Have you completed a First Aid course? Let them know. If you’re eager to give your CV’s skill section that competitive edge that’s utterly irresistible to most employers, consider partaking in a Transition Year course.

• Interests

What makes you tick? Write it down here! From reading to karaoke – just be sure to keep it CV-appropriate. 

• Awards, Achievements & Projects

Throw some sugar at yourself. What have you achieved? Think along the lines of achievement in academia, hobbies, sporting, or other such activities. 

• References

From a coach to a teacher, and all the way to pretty much anyone who knows you well enough to be a reference for your character – put them here (keep it to one or two references.) Just be sure to let them know beforehand!

Step 2: Brainstorm

Some people already know what Transition Year Placement is right for them – others don’t – and that’s okay. Transition year work experience is your chance to ‘try on’ a career path to see if it’s right for you. If you still have no clue, ask parents, relatives, friends, or any trusted individual for inspiration. You can even find some worthwhile Transition Year Work Ideas online.

Step 3: Get Looking!

Once you’ve decided what you want to do – it’s time to hunt the perfect opportunity down! Check out careersportal.ie, where hundreds of TY placements are advertised, or reach out directly to any establishment you’d like to work with.

Tip: Local councillors or TDs have a vast network of connections. Don’t hesitate to contact them for some suggestions during this step!

Step 4: Apply

Take some time to craft a personalised email with every CV you send out, including why you’re interested in working with the organization/businesses, outlining what makes you the perfect candidate, e.g., “I’ve been interested in Law since 1st year,” “I recently partook in a food and beverage course to develop my hospitality skills …”

Step 5: Get to Work!

Transition Year Work Experience Nerves are completely normal. You and around 30,000 transition years the length and breadth of the country will be feeling the same first-day jitters. So, don’t sweat it.

Finally …

At TY Courses, we make our business helping you to get the most out of your Transition Year Experience. By offering a range of industry-approved courses, we’ve helped thousands of students to secure transition year placements while providing them with the skills to work with confidence and ease. It all comes with a CV-sharpening edge to boot! From hospitality courses to team building courses, our mission is to help you put your best foot forward always – we look forward to hearing from you!

So, your TY coordinator has just given you your work experience dates. Suddenly, you’re faced with the prospect of finding a work placement. The possibilities are seemingly endless. 

Or, as happens every year, maybe you’re struggling to find a placement – don’t worry – you’re not alone, and it’s never too late to find the work experience placement of your dreams!

But let’s not waste time, let’s start with a quick exercise.

Here’s a few key questions to ask yourself:

“What do I Want to Get Out of my Work Placement?”

Maybe you want to trial run your dream career path. Or, perhaps you want to work somewhere that can help you secure summer jobs or part-time work in the future. Doing work experience in a restaurant, retail shop or local coffee shop can make it easier to find a part-time or summer job later on. This could even be an educational experience for you. 

“What do I Want to do in the Future?”

This is the obvious one. If you know – you know.

But let’s face it – we don’t all have a clear idea of what we want to do in mind – and that’s completely fine. In fact, it’s what transition year is all about! If that’s the case for you, it’s time to ask … 

“What do I Enjoy Doing?

If you haven’t found your calling yet, chances are it’s hidden in what you enjoy doing. Try to envision a bearable 9 to 5 day that’s fulfilling and doesn’t really feel like work. What can you picture yourself doing?

And last but by no means least …

Don’t Sweat it 

Transition year is a time of exploration, experimentation, and growth! There are opportunities to work with Michelin chefs, major tourist attractions, top-class hotels, and restaurants, as well as marketing, event management, finance, HR – and everything in between! So, let’s get to looking at transition year work experience ideas!

The Holy Grails of Transition Year Work Experience

First things first, if you’re truly stuck for ideas, take a look on the websites www.careersportal.ie, TY.ie, and Tourismcareers.ie.

Transition Year Work Experience Ideas

Transition Year Programmes 

Every year, several organizations organize transition year programmes for transition year students. The places go fast so be sure to get in fast!

Engineering:

STEPS Engineering Your Future 

Charity:

UNICEF Transition Year Programme

Tourism:

Fáilte Ireland TY Programme

Irish Defence Forces

Transition Year Work Experience Placements 

Art & Theatre 

The Ark Transition Year Work Experience Programme

Politics 

It might be worth checking out the offices of the EU in Dublin if you’re interested in politics as they often have youth programs running.

Check Out Local Universities

Universities across the country reserve spots for TY students, offering them a glimpse inside academic life. For example, Trinity hosts several Transition Year Programmes, spanning fields such as botany, chemistry, computer science, nursing, and midwifery.

Charities

Working in a local charity shop also counts toward work experience. Or if you’d to take part in more ‘back office’ processes, consider reaching out to NGOs such as Concern, Amnesty International or UNICEF.

Primary Schools

An extra pair of hands always go down a treat at primary schools, making them a popular choice for TY work placement. 

Talk to a local TD or Councillor

It’s not the conventional route. However, it is overlooked when it comes to finding work placement. Your local TD or councillor are part of large networks; the likelihood is that they’ll be aware of placements and opportunities long before others.

Finally

Transition year is your chance to experience the diverse opportunities available and get a taste of the many job roles and skills required to successively thrive in the workforce. To get the most out of your work placement, it can help to have the necessary skills and preparation before taking on your role. TY courses are here to help you put your best foot forward – be sure to check out their transition year courses that are geared towards helping transition year students unlock their full potential.

Writing a TY-work experience letter can be daunting. If you feel like the worries are causing you to put it off, we have just the thing you need: A no-nonsense, easy-to-understand, and to-the-point guide to writing a transition year work experience letter that actually works – enjoy!

How do I Ask for TY-work Experience?

The key to landing the ty-work experience placement of your dreams is a carefully-curated, concise, and personal letter followed by your CV. 

Below, we’ve written out a ty-work experience letter template for you to work upon.

How to Write a TY-work Experience Letter

To make approaching your Ty-work experience a little more manageable and less daunting, it’s best to break it up into three sections: 

• Introduction.
• Body.
• Conclusion. 

Introduction

Formal introduction, who you are, where you’re from.

Address them: Here’s where you formally break the ice. As you’d start any formal e-mail/letter, you’ll place a “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To whomever it may concern” if you’re unaware of gender at the top left of the letter. 

Greetings: It’s always good practice to start with “My name is () followed by an “and,” which leads into where you come from and what educational institution you attend. Outline that you’re a transition year student alongside what dates your work experience is set for. 

Why this company interests you, related subjects/activities.

Before tackling the body of your ty-work experience letter, it’s best to do some quick research on the company or course you’re applying to. This allows you to add a personal touch to your letter, helping you to stand out from the crowd while signaling to your potential employer that you have not simply copied and pasted your letter content.

Example:

“I would like to partake in your course as I have been interested in embarking upon a career in (insert the career of your interest) for many years now. I have done some research on your company/course and admire your dedication to (a value or goal of the company that resonated with you). I believe this placement would provide me with the invaluable experience to further my goal of turning my passion into my profession.”

You’ll also want to briefly mention any skills, experience, or traits that make you the best candidate for the transition year work experience placement.

Example:

“Think along the lines of: I enjoy working with people and am punctual. I am also computer literate, hardworking, and dedicated to progress. Therefore, I would be happy to undertake any tasks assigned to me.”

Conclusion

Say thanks for your consideration, and make sure to attach your CV.

Here you can just sign off with a simple, concise message explaining that you’d be grateful if they considered you for their company or course. 

Don’t Forget: It’s good practice to mention that you’ve attached your CV to the letter in the concluding section. 

If you’re wondering which “sign off” is best to use, a simple “I look forward to hearing from you” followed by “thank you for your time, (your name) is best.

Transition Year Work Experience Letter Wrap Up

And there you have it! Your guide on how to write the ideal ty-work experience letter. Suppose you’d like to pad out your letter or CV’s content. In that case, there are several TY courses you can partake in to give you a competitive edge that shows potential employers that not only are you dedicated but that you already know the ropes!