While taking part in Gateway this year, I was given the opportunity to go out on a work experience placement.

When this opportunity arose the Gateway teacher Mrs Starkey and the Pathways Co-ordinator Ms Kershaw worked with us to find the best workplace suited to our interests. I voiced the fact that I had always thought a career in Hospitality was for me and that the idea of working in Hospitality had always stuck out to me. Mrs Kershaw not long after, informed me that I would be starting a work experience placement at The Perc, which is a very busy and popular cafe in the Octagon. 

We met with the manager of this cafe prior to starting work to get a really thorough understanding of what was involved and ask all questions that needed to be answered or clarified. This helped minimise any stress that I had beforehand. I worked at The Perc once a week during school hours, for around six weeks. 

During this time I learnt how to efficiently get any cleaning or dishes done, while also helping deliver food to tables and boxing up food from the cabinets, this did not only help me during my placement but also allowed me to learn and apply skills such as time management, having a positive attitude and staying focused. 

I met many new people who offered me support and really grasped the idea of what working in the real world and in the Hospitality industry would be like. It taught me to be resilient and it showed me what hard work was like. This work experience helped me in getting a job as this looked really good on my CV, in fact it was what was pointed out at any job interviews I had after this. I was offered a part-time job at The Perc and some other girls who also participated in work experience were offered jobs at their placements as well. 

I really do recommend taking Gateway as a subject in Year 12 or Year 13 if you are keen to learn about the world of work, as it teaches you valuable life skills but also provides you with real life opportunities and experience. 

Thanks so much to The Perc for having me.