This week, we check in with Amy Rolfe. Amy joined us between school terms to find out what a week of work looks like. She told us what she learned over the week and what a professional environment taught her about her future ambitions.
Hello Amy! What interested you about work experience at Aldrich & Co?
I wanted to expand my knowledge of the corporate world and gain valuable experience working in an office environment. I also wanted more clarity as to what career paths might interest me.
Working at Aldrich & Co gave me the opportunity to learn about the variety of industries and opportunities available across the city, as well as the candidate profiles that the recruitment consultancy’s clients were looking for. The hands-on experience showed me that I would love a future role in an office. I’m still undecided about which industry that role would be in, but this week introduced me to just how many opportunities the corporate world has to offer.
We’re pleased to hear that you got so much out of your week. What did a typical day at Aldrich & Co look like for you?
I started my day by helping candidates tailor their profiles to the job they were applying for. I then sorted the company’s archives in advance of their office move. Milly and I would pop out for lunch in the peaceful Finsbury Circus. I spent the afternoons with Emily looking through CVs and attending practice interviews with our candidates. I found I loved talking with people from all walks of life and learning about their careers.
What surprised me is how long the process takes to find the perfect candidate for each role. It takes real dedication, but I loved how every team member got stuck in to help each other and make filling each role as enjoyable and efficient as possible.
Having just finished your GCSEs, we’re impressed you took the initiative to take on work experience at an early age. How did this experience help develop your skills alongside your education?
A day in the office is so different from a day at school. Office work is much more dynamic and varied. I also found I love the busy city life. This was unexpected, as I’m usually more at home reading a book in a quiet spot!
I learned about topics that are so important but are often overlooked in school. My communication and organisation skills improved dramatically across the week. I also learned lots about finance from Alex Haynes, the consultancy’s Chief Financial Officer: I was never taught about taxes, insurance and GDPR in school, so that was extremely useful.
I also liked the feeling of getting into the deep end. For example, after meeting with candidates, I was tasked with organising their next visit, which involved contacting the relevant people by phone. Talking to lots of different people on the phone was a new experience for me that definitely boosted my confidence.
It sounds like you had to think on your feet. How did you adapt to a more dynamic pace?
I learned to always ask for help if I was unsure, and to double-check everything, even if I thought it was already perfect. Being diligent and avoiding assumptions is the best way to prevent mistakes.
Similarly, I learned to determine which tasks needed extra support and which I should try to tackle on my own. When I was asked to make up the moving boxes, I took the initiative and worked out how to build each box myself. I’m now an expert at building boxes, haha!
What words of wisdom do you have for other young people who might be thinking about how to get started in professional roles?
Embrace uncertainty. It is perfectly fine not to have everything figured out right away, so stay curious and keep learning. Take the initiative to build genuine relationships with as many people as possible. And remember: Progress comes with small steps, not giant leaps.
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Are you at school or university and looking for work experience in London during the summer? We are always excited to help bright young candidates like Amy who want to get started in professional service roles. Let us know, and we will keep you in mind for our next cohort.