My Work Experience Week at Point of Difference Workspace Limited.

By Staicy Gandawa.

“Hi, I’m Staicy and I am super glad to share this daunting but definitely more exciting experience with you. I attend The Bartholomew School in the small village of Eynsham and I’m currently in Year 12. Since I’m in the ever so important years of Sixth form, work experience was essential to secure a future in any universities or jobs I later want to apply to in Year 13. Aside from the school requiring work experience I felt as if it was a great opportunity to put myself out there; gain the sense of the environment I aspire to work in as a (hopefully) emerging solicitor.

Work experience for me was a chance to prove and learn to adjust to new challenges and responsibilities, although I felt nervous (and quite sleepy, a stress response I suppose) Point of Difference was able to guide, teach and encourage me throughout my week-long experience with their lovely team and through their comfortable working spaces.

As it was my first long term experience within an innovation centre, I didn’t expect much as I had no prior knowledge or familiarity to coworking spaces, offices and all of the sorts. From the in depth research on their website and social media -definitely fueled by panic, I had learnt that they were very community and efficiency driven, their values of integrity, professionalism and ‘on it’ motto emboldened me to not only ease my nerves but to go there with the goal of trying my absolute best. Though I did not know much I knew from the get-go I would be in good hands.

The job before the job.

There is no doubt that work experience is significant in regards to preparing students for what working life is really like, for me it was a highly important pathway for my aspirations – but that is not always the case for everyone.

Acquiring work experience no matter where has the external advantages of confidence, communication and teamwork. However, it is the internal benefits that are quite often overlooked that I think are more important and will encourage students like me who are a bit more wary or find it difficult to connect to the importance of work experience.

Being able to encounter failure, new skills and a professional/productive atmosphere without the pressure and expectations of both school and paid work makes work experience crucial to flourish and ease over the line from being a teenager to a young adult. Classrooms cannot offer skills of adaptability to unexpected changes at work or the crucial element of thinking on your feet to tackle challenges and most importantly taking initiative (even if it’s just to make tea).

Gaining those skills and experience gives you something valuable to level up your CV and future interviews and secure that job, first impression or even better, an outstanding linkedin profile.

Finding my Point of Difference.

When I arrived at Point of Difference’s Bicester Innovation Centre, at a gruelling 8:30am, I was welcomed by one of the team members, Jess. Although I was running a few minutes late because of the relentless Bicester traffic, I was met with a very friendly welcome and upbeat atmosphere which instantly cheered my nervousness that I had felt walking in the door. Almost immediately I was introduced to the company, what they do and who they were while also mentioning that I had some knowledge from their website and appreciated their community based and personal values (first impression kids!)

I was then given a short but insightful tour of the building, where I viewed businesses ranging from Health to Digital, who generously stopped to give me a quick, cheery ‘hello there’. Meeting the different businesses there really put into perspective how much Point of Difference provides such comfortable accommodation and services while still being extremely warm and neighbourly.

When it got to tasks I had to do, it began with basic administrative work – which should not be underestimated. Learning terms like ‘CRM’ while learning how to type on laptops I was not used to in order to draft a perfect but detailed email, remembering prices and names and remembering to tag but not forgetting to double check and move emails, was definitely overwhelming. However, I was guided by Jess every step of the way by the seemingly easy but challenging tasks. Additionally, I would also ask what these business terms meant and for more explanations to which were happily answered. I was off to a good start.

The next task was going through Marketing 121 with Jane, which I unexpectedly enjoyed. I was given a very thorough run through of how the business was marketed to which I learnt terms like ‘avatars’ ‘SEO’ and my personal favourite that I was in charge of researching: the ‘ICP’ (ideal customer profile). The reason I found this task as one of my favourites was because I initially, at school, had found it quite boring but Jane was able to project her passion onto mine making the task really fun, which in my opinion no 3 hour long A level business paper could do!

Using official company systems for bookings or finances served to be one of my biggest challenges, it was the real deal and I was super anxious over possibly making a mistake and blowing up the entire building (maybe not that far, but the fear was there!)
I was tasked with booking clients, external and internal, in their meeting or conference rooms, which meant I had to be extra diligent in getting timings, dates and names correct as well as details on car parks and anything you can think of.

As a self proclaimed slow typer, this was a very nerve racking obstacle that I eventually overcame as the team members consistently encouraged me and told me of their own previous mistakes. I learnt ‘quality and cautiousness over swiftness’ is the mentality I needed to adopt in the working world and now although I’m not the fastest typer, my receptionist and customer service skills have definitely been polished and are ready to go.

One of my favourite moments was the Wednesday Point of Difference member’s breakfast that they set up for everyone to enjoy at Perch Co-working, ‘Brekkie’ as they call it. I helped set up the fruits and pastries (while occasionally snacking on a strawberry!) This day proved to be busy as I also had to set up a meeting room, making sure there was a supply of books or pens, water and coffee, a clean chart and working TV, the tasks seemed almost endless!

This taught me to pay the utmost detail in every little thing that involves clients – not because they pay but to build trust, too. To wind down on such an eventful day a team meeting was held where everyone briefed what needed to be done and what has been done, I witnessed how the team cooperates from communication even though some of their positions like marketing and facilities may contrast they showed me how it was still important for team members to be on the same page which is something I’ve noticed that they seem to do quite well.

Lastly, Point of Difference taught me that the behind the scenes of businesses are overlooked even though they keep the place together. After my time with facilities and operations member Zach, going over the fire systems, health and safety etc really put into perspective how it’s not purely zoom meetings and free coffee. Although the technicalities and endless spreadsheets were a bore, I’m comfortable to admit that I’ve learnt much more than what’s on the surface. Additionally, with technology becoming more advanced, I was also shown how to navigate new digital systems (really bringing out the IT in Staicy).

A bit of advice.

Take this from me, work experience is not only important but can be loads of fun. Making mistakes and asking questions with people who are more than happy to answer is extremely rewarding. It helps you learn, exceed employer expectations through even the little things, and shows you’re always ready to get involved. It doesn’t always have to be about work, work, work, take part in that conversation about weekends or the world cup, take part in the mini trip to the kitchen with the team. Every experience teaches you something so it’s time to work for it.

A difference.

Many thanks and love to the Point of Difference team for giving me the opportunity to enrich my skills and develop as a person. I have definitely noticed a boost in confidence and peoples skills and most importantly a huge chunk of worry for the future has been eased immensely as I will take those crucial administrative, basic marketing and finance skills into the future and enhance them further, their encouraging words and in depth tasks has given me a stepping stone into adjusting a lot easier into the workforce.

Additionally the Point of Difference team has such a wonderful relationship with their clients – one of them being a Conveyancing team in Perch Studios – that they arranged a meeting with me to get more insight about the legal career path I want to pursue! (Much appreciation to Jackie,Andy and Jess who talked me through a number of processes I can impress future employers with.)

What a week to remember. I would definitely recommend work experience to all students; get those connections, get those skills and lastly get out the classroom – temporarily of course!”

My Work Experience Week at Point of Difference Workspace Limited.

By Staicy Gandawa.

The job before the job.

Finding my Point of Difference.

A bit of advice.

A difference.

Further reading.

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