Work experience has Ailbhe in stitches!

Ailbhe and Laura tell us about what they did on their first Wednesday of work experience.

Shannon's work experience video

Shannon has just completed a work experience at NUI Maynooth Chemistry Department. She made a short video of her time there.



Read more of Shannon's blog here.

A surreal week for Jenny

Jenny writes about her work experience in RTE.
I still can't believe that I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to go on work experience to RTÉ last week. It was the most amazing experience and made me even more realise how much I really do want my dream of becoming a journalist. I made loads of great new friends and met some of my idols aswell! So here's a shortened version of an account of my week, because we did far too much for me to even remember!

Monday:

We didn't have to be in until 9:30, which was perfect for Meg and I as the bus stopped literally right outside our houses and then right outside the RTÉ studios so getting to and from was no problem. When we got there we met 16 other TY's who we were going to be with for the week. We were all very excited but a little quiet, but that soon changed and by lunch we were all chatting as if we'd known each other for years. That morning we were given an introduction to RTÉ and then a tour, where we saw all the studios like The Late Late Show, Prime Time, The Frontline, The News, etc. We also went out to the the Fair City set and met some the cast. We also visited the radio studios where we met Pat Kenny, Marty Whelan and Joe Duffy. At lunch we went to the canteen, where we all sat amazed at the fact that we were sitting in a room full of people from the telly! After lunch we went to Publishing, where we saw how the RTÉ Guide is made and how they use photoshop.

Tuesday:

We arrived as excited and enthusiastic as the last day and we couldn't wait to see what our day in radio had in store for us! In the morning we worked with two presenters from Lyric FM where we made our own radio show. I was the Director and we made a show with movie theme, so we played songs from the movies. In the afternoon we went to meet with the producer of 2fm who showed us around the whole studios and we got to be on Rick O'Shea's show. We also met Miriam O'Callaghan!

Wednesday:

We had been told that we wouldn't be finished until 5 so we were expecting to be tired but no where near as tired as we were. We were making our own TV show which was an experience and a half! We were split into two groups and in the morning we had to come up with our story line, write our script and pick our locations for shooting. I was the production assistant! After lunch we began shooting our show, which very long, tiring and cold! We didn't finish until nearly 5:30 and even though we ran we missed our last bus so it meant that we had to get a bus into town which decided to stop so we had to run to another bus and then wait for ages for a bus in town back home. We didn't get home until nearly 8 but it really gave us the full experience of TV and how much hard work is involved!

                                                                                   

Thursday:

After our tiring day before, we maintained our enthusiasm and didn't have to be in until 10. At ten we set off to the National Concert Hall on the bus, to watch the National Symphony Orchestra rehearse. It wasn't our most exciting part but it was a nice rest! At lunch we met Dara Quilty and Ryan Tubridy who we actually ran after to get a picture! After lunch we had a talk on Saorview which was good cause I had no idea what it was about! And we thought of marketing and advertising ideas for them.

Friday:

We were all very sad that our week was ending but we had no idea what an exciting day was ahead of us! In the morning we were in news, which I loved because that's where I want to be when I'm older. We wrote newsletters later that morning in groups. Towards the end of lunch we headed back to reception to have a look and see who was arriving for The Late Late Show rehearsals! We met Susan Boyle and The Wanted while we were casually waiting there! I also met Charlie Bird who just happened to be passing by. I had been waiting to met him all week as he is my idol and I finally did and got a picture with him! We then went to watch our TV shows that we had made together and we had some laugh! Then to our surprise we were told that Susan Boyle was prerecording her interview on The Late Late Show and they had tickets for us. So off we headed to the studio and got to sit in on Susan Boyle's interview! It was some day and I still can't believe all that happened.

So even though it doesn't seem like it that's my shortened version of my week in RTÉ, trust me there is loads more that I could talk about! 

It was the most surreal and amazing experience that I have ever had and I can't express how grateful I am to my school for this opportunity! 

Work Experience Week 2

The TYs had another week of Work Experience from 27th February - 2nd March and once again, the girls really enjoyed experiencing the world of work.

There was a huge range of placements. Niamh went to a stud farm, Siofra went to high end store Brown Thomas, Shannon went to radio station FM 104 along with Sive and Sarah B and Sarah K travelled to Manchester to work in the adidas offices there. Read the girls' blogs to see what they had to say about their placements! Once again, it was each student's personal responsibility to obtain their Work Experience placement so well done to everyone.

This is their final week of Work Experience in TY so all the girls made the most of it. It allowed them to get the feel for the working environment and showed the TYs what careers they may or may not be interested in pursuing.
All in all, Work Experience has allowed all the TYs to personally develop and learn many new things. :)

Work Experience Week 1

This week, TYs completed their first week of Work Experience. It gave them a chance to gain an insight into the world of work and maybe even opened their eyes to a possible future career.

Work experience

A few students are still looking for work experience placements after mid term. Here is a spreadsheet with some placements held by previous TY students. It has contact names and details and also a brief report about what the work experience involved.

It might help those struggling with finding a placement.

Work Experience placements

Remember, Mr Corcoran and Ms Hughes are there to help.

I will make the file public in November so you can all add your November placements and that might help some students for next March.

Mrs L :)

Mia and her therapies!

Mia was at Peamount.....

"For my work experience I went to Peamount Hospital in Newbridge, I was in three different departments they were

1.Physio Therapy

2.Speech and Language Therapy and

3. Occupational therapy

I also went to the Audiology department to get information on what goes on there.

Monday:

On Monday I went to human

Ellen and the babies.

Ellen really enjoyed her work experience....

"For my second week of work experience I went to The Purple Penguin Creche and Montassori in Oldtown Mill. I really enjoyed the week and didn't want to leave when it was over! The Creche is divided into different rooms and the children are put into

Zoe wants to be a vet

Zoe enjoyed her last work experience.

"For our second work experience placement I went to Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital in the Curragh :) I wanted to go there because I love working with horses and I am interested in becoming a vet also.

My friend Laura also went to the same placement as me in the same week :) I was really nervous on the first day as I honestly didn't know what to expect but

Aoife has advice for new TYs

Aoife wrote a really good post giving advice to any student going into TY next year, I thought it important to put here so the 3rd Years will read it.

"What's So Good about TY?

As Mrs. Leahy has directed future transition year students to explore our blogs and gather more information about the whole TY experience I decided that I would make a post dedicated to

Rachels cooking!

Rachel was working with Clodagh Mc Kenna for work experience.....

"For our second work experience, 7th-11th of March. I went to Lyons Cookery School. I loved it, it was exactly what I was looking for and so much more. I was not only helping in the cookery school but also in the cafes kitchen, where I learned so much about cooking and running a kitchen.
I definitely want to go into cookery after the Leaving Cert, and I think I even know what courses I want to do now as well. I would definitely recommend Lyons Estate to anyone looking for work experince, the people there are so nice and they make sure your busy and involved the whole time."

This was a successful work experience then Rachel. Isn't it great to know what you want to do after school?
Well done.

Read Rachels blog here.

Visit The Village at Lyons website for more information.
Mrs L :)

Saidhbh was at RTE

Saidhbh spent a week at RTE for her work experience. Read what she has to say about it .......

"Last week I had the privilege of doing work experience in RTE for the week :)I was unbelievably lucky as I was one of 18 students picked out of a draw of about 300! RTE do a special T.Y work experience programme, and it began on Monday.....

Lauren wants to teach!

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Lauren was teaching last week. Click the Read More link below to read her post....

"Last week the 7th of March all TY's were out on work experience. I decided to do my work experience in my old primary school. I chose to do my work experience here because ever since I was a primary school student I wanted to be a teacher myself.

Another successful Work Experience

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Work experience is over for another year and once again the reports from employers about all the students were outstanding. The employers told us how enthusiastic, diligent, punctual, and lovely the students were. Many said they would happily take a St Wolstans student for work experience again. That's a great credit to our TY ambassadors.

Thanks so much to class Amina and Emnet for being such exemplary employees and doing us proud.

Mrs L :)

Ailbhe likes the student life!

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Ailbhe spent her work experience at the University of Limerick. Sounds like she enjoyed it, read on.....

"University of Limerick is really such an amazing place to go for work experience! The reason I went to UL was because I wanted to get a taste of a few different courses and I thought that it might give me an idea of what I would want to do in college. It was so good because we actually were like college students for the week. We were on our own going to the different lectures......

Orlaigh's been to Court!

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Orlaigh has been in the Four Courts on work experience, read on......

"So, I'm doing my Work Experience in the Four Courts this week and wow was it a good choice. Since I was seven I have wanted to be a lawyer and to finally get to see all of these intelligent barristers at work is just amazing..........

Hayley is on yard duty!

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Hayley is enjoying her work experience by the sounds of it!

Read what she has to say.....

"Dia Dhuit!!! I am working in Gael Scoil Uí Fhiaich in Maynooth and I am loving it! Yesterday morning I went to my supervisor who gave me a time table of the class I would be in for the week. Firstly I was in senior infants helping kids with their words and their writing. I then took down posters around a class room and put up new ones. I also helped calculate marks for tests. I also had to help with Irish dancing which was awkward because I have no idea about any of the dances. I was really nervous to begin with because it was an all Irish school but the teachers are lovely and friendly.
Today I started off in the same classes I was in yesterday stapeling and helping kids with their work. I then spent my time sorting out library books. I had to stick labels on each of them and then put the school stamp on it! I was also in a third class helping them with their work. I spend lunch times on yard duty everyday.
It was a great day and I am looking forward to tomorrow!"


Read more of Hayleys blog here.

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Poll: Did you enjoy work experience?

Results from the Work Experience (November 2010) poll:

Did you enjoy work experience?
Yes 96.23% (51 votes)
No 3.77% (2 votes)
Not sure 0% (0 votes)
Total Votes: 53

Thanks to everyone who voted:)

Thoughts on Work Experience

Here's a snapshot of what the TY's are writing about their work experience last week......

Stephanie S

Now I know to work hard in school because it shows how far in life you go. 

Aoife B

Overall I had a good week, I have realised that I like interacting with children and so this will help me when I consider possible careers.

Siobhan

I think that I got on very well in work experience I got on well with all the nurses and they were very good to me they helped me a lot when it comes to thinking about what I want to do in the future.
That was a week that I will never forget and I truly did have a good time and I’m going to miss it very much.

Alison

I went off to The Village at Lyons for the week.  When I’m older I either want to do something with food like a chef or be a primary school teacher. For my second week of work experience, in March, I’m going to my primary school to see what both careers would be like. Should be fun :D

Niamh P

Well Friday was my last day of work experience. I really didn't want to leave when half three came around on the clock.  The week was so enjoyable and I did learned quite a lot about pharmacy.

Work Experience excitement

Some of the TY's have been blogging about work experience next week. here is a selection of what they are saying.......

Ellen

"This week we are busy preparing for work experience, which is next week. I will be going to St Anne’s National School in Ardclough for the week. On Friday all of TY will have a workshop to tell us what to expect during work experience and tell us what to do if we encounter any problems. I'm really looking forward to work experience as I’m going to my old primary school, but it will be a little awkward to see my old teachers."

Aoife

"I'm going off to a dog groomers in Newcastle so that should be fun. "

Aisling

"I'm going to Naas hospital from Monday to Thursday and Tirmohan National School for Friday. Getting work experience was a challenge but I know it'll be worthwhile. It was a great learning experience for the future."

Rachel

"I'm going to the D.S.P.C.A. for my first week and working with all the animals who need new homes or need to be nursed back to health, i'm really looking forward to it."

Ciara B

"I'm going to Scoil Mochua from Monday to Thursday as they have a day off on Friday so i'm going to a playschool in Maynooth for the day. I'm hoping to be a teacher in the future so this experience will let me see what it's like as a job and will hopefully give me motivation to study hard and get the points needed for teaching college (about 479 at the moment :S) No pressure :L"

Aoife O B

"I'm going to Carton House Hotel in Maynooth for the week. I start at 9 and finish at 4 so its the same as a school day which is not too bad!! I'l be doing something different every day, like working in a different section of the hotel everyday! When I applied for my work experience, I had to do an interview which I was really nervous for but it wasnt that bad! I'm really looking forward to it :)"

Orlaigh
"Our first internship for work experience is from the 8th-12th of November. Next week, we are having a preparation seminar during school to prepare us for our work experience. I am doing my work experience in Morgan Model Management, located in town, Herbert Place. It is management for models, photographers, stylists, hair and make-up artists and production. They also provide a full production service for photo shoots and fashion shows. I can't wait!"

Good luck to all TY's on work experience.
Mrs L :)