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- Completing Work Experience at the Ski Club
This summer, we were delighted to welcome a work experience student into the Ski Club office, giving them the chance to learn more about what we do while experiencing life in a busy office environment.
We’ve been working closely with Trinity Academy in Brixton to offer a week-long placement that helps students develop valuable workplace skills and build confidence as they prepare for their future careers.
Following a successful application and interview process, Maysuun Abdi Ahmed joined us for the week. We caught up with her to hear about her experience, what she enjoyed most, and the key things she learned during her time with us.
The Interview Process
I found the work experience through my school. When I initially applied, I decided to research the company and this made me appreciate how important it is to find out about different sports you may not be aware of, and the opportunities it provides for the individuals who are involved – such as people who love skiing/snow sports. Before attending the interview, I did some deep research into the company (which helped!) and tried to think about the skill set/experience I would want to highlight during the interview. I was incredibly nervous because I wanted to make a good first impression. However, Pete Davies, who interviewed me, was great, friendly, and made me feel comfortable. We discussed everything from “tell us about yourself” to whether I could work independently/ within a team.
I explained that I have experience in my role as House Captain at my school, in which I am responsible for helping organise various events which require collaboration with other students and members of staff. Even though I was a little stressed beforehand, I am pleased to say the interview went well and boosted my confidence
First Impressions
I was nervous on my first day as I did not know what to expect. However, both Eve McCartney-Samples and James Lapham were very welcoming and supportive throughout my placement, making sure that I had all the information I needed by explaining things to me. They were happy to answer my questions, which made me settle into the workplace quickly.
Eve introduced me to the rest of the team, who were friendly and welcoming. It helped me to feel included as part of the team from the beginning. I also had online meetings with Pete, who was outside the UK during my work experience. He checked in to see how I was getting on and asked how everything was going. This showed me that the company genuinely cares and supports people during their placement.
The Tasks
At the beginning of each task, Eve clearly explained and outlined exactly what she expected from me and would always check in when needed. For me, initially I struggled with the picture research, as it was completely new to me and something I had not done previously. However, once I got the hang of how things worked, I found it easier to get into flow.
One of my favourite tasks was writing the “Top 5 Biggest Ski Resorts in France” blog. I particularly enjoyed and loved researching the various ski resorts themselves and digging deeper into all there was about both skiing and mountain tourism. Eve reviewed my piece and provided great constructive feedback, explaining where I could improve and how to make those improvements. This helped me build confidence in my writing abilities, leading to an improved version.
James also helped me upload my blog and the images to the website. He patiently guided me through the process, teaching me useful computer skills and shortcuts along the way. His explanation was always clear, and he took time to make sure I understood each step. I also completed a social media research and inspiration task, which I found enjoyable and interesting.
Key Takeaways
I have also developed many important skills during this project, such as researching, writing, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. During my work experience, I gained lots of knowledge about being in an office environment and seeing how each department works together with one another. While completing my tasks, I found some aspects more difficult because it was completely new to me. However, once I understood the process, it became much easier.
The task I found most interesting was writing the blog. It was my favourite part of the work experience because it allowed me to learn a great deal about ski resorts and travel whilst improving my writing skills.
Overall, this work experience has helped me become more confident, independent, and organised. Although I hope to pursue a career in the NHS rather than in an office-based role, I have gained transferable skills that will support me in my future education and career. It also gave me a better understanding of professional teamwork, communication and what to expect in a real workplace.
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