Work experience: reflections from the London office

I have just completed a week of work experience at Progressio. As I am hoping to study Geography at university, I thought that working with an international development charity would give me an idea of the sort of work I could end up doing later in life.  

I was given a job as soon as I arrived; to write a report on the new water campaign. With my own project to do, I felt like a member of the team already.

Although the project seemed daunting at first, I had an office of friendly colleagues on hand to help with any queries I had.

I didn’t spend all my time in the office though as I had the opportunity to attend an inter-agency meeting at Christian Aid. This gave me a chance to see how charities interact with each other and plan events.

Everyone seemed to genuinely want to tell me about their work and answer my questions even though they must have done so many times before.

The atmosphere in the office was lovely as everyone smiled at me and stopped to ask how I was getting on, not to mention the endless cups of tea I was offered.

My time working here has been really enjoyable as well as educational. After attending a team meeting, I now know how much work has to be put in to organising just one event and how essential it is to have hard-working team members.

It was great to be taken seriously and have my opinions valued in a place I would only be staying for a week and where I was so much younger than everyone else and with so much less experience.

I am very glad I chose to do my work experience with Progressio as it was small and friendly, yet had so much to offer. I hope to stay in touch and to get involved with future campaigns and activities.

Hannah Smith, 17, spent a week with Progressio and is from Moseley, Birmingham.