Sian's story
| Age: | 20 | |
| Location: | Wrexham | |
| Work experience: | Cadbury’s | |
| Employment history: | Unemployed | |
| Current employment: | Recently unemployed |
First proper job
My work experience placement was the first proper job I’d ever had. I’d left school without any real qualifications, but had been at college studying catering and hospitality.
I wanted to do the work experience because there was the chance to get involved in cooking, working in the kitchen at the staff canteen at Cadbury’s. It’s exactly what I wanted.
I didn’t care that I wasn’t being paid. I just wanted to get the experience. It’s only two weeks and the difference it makes to your CV is amazing.
Nerves
The first day was really scary! I didn’t want to go in. I didn’t know where I was going or what was supposed to be happening. I just sat in reception for half an hour. No one was waiting for me; no one seemed to know who I was.
I would say that I’m quite a shy person and don’t have a lot of confidence, so this was a really big deal for me. I’m not usually good in this kind of situation but I went there and built up my courage. It was a really positive experience. It was fun.
I worried that the people working there would be looking down on me and judging me. But they didn’t and they weren’t. They were just like me - they were really nice and friendly. I was glad I pushed myself.
We worked really hard. From nine in the morning until three in the afternoon, and you only have one break – for breakfast – at 11am.
I did everything, I was involved in every part of kitchen work - cleaning, washing up, serving food up at the counter. I also cooked, making up custards and gravy from scratch.
Do it again
It felt like I was given a lot of responsibility. If I had the chance to do it again, I would. It’s a job that I would really like to do.
Following the two weeks, I’ve ended up with a much better CV. I’ve got good references and I’ve got real experience of working in a kitchen. That’s so useful, it’s not a chance everyone gets.
Unfortunately, Cadbury’s didn’t have any vacancies, so they couldn’t offer me a job. But I did get another job, as a cleaner. I was employed by a company that was contracted to clean cars at a local garage.
Laid off
The bad news is that I was laid off last week, and it’s not because of anything I’ve done.
On Monday, I went to work as usual, and the woman at the garage said, “You’re not supposed to be here”. I didn’t understand. I asked if I had a day off – maybe I’d forgotten? “No,” she said, “you don’t work here any more.”
My employer had been around to the garage the day before, removed all the cleaning equipment and not bothered telling me. So I get there, and there’s no work. The company has left the building. No one told me anything.
I was really proud to have a job. I liked getting up and having something to do. Now, I’ve got nothing to get up for. Money’s tight at the moment. I’ve got a two-year-old daughter; I’ve got to get her things for the summer. I can’t deal with it.
I’ve been looking for jobs, but there’s nothing out there.
Each week, on Monday, I start from scratch. I go to the agencies, I look around. I need a job; it’s as simple as that. Now that I’ve had work, I’ve got used to getting up, doing something, and I’ve enjoyed it. Now I don’t have a job, I’m just being lazy and I don’t like it.
Yeah, I felt proud of myself. My life had changed. My fellow, he works. And when I got with him, I wanted to work. It’s not fair for me to sit around doing nothing while he’s out there working hard and earning money.
Obviously the situation I’m in now isn’t great, but I would definitely say that doing the work experience changed my life. It gave me more confidence and made me think more of myself. I made me get up and have a routine. I enjoyed it all.
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