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nitro880 · 29-06-2005, 10:03

Hi,

I am in my 3rd year of a Multimedia and Web Development degree and am tring to find a work experience placement. I was with an agency that promised a load of placements and ties with good companies but failed to deliver one interview because "there is no demand for web and mulitmedia developers". I'm not so sure about this, I have my doubts about the effort this agency has put in to finding me a placement.

Anyway the reason I am posting is to ask for advice from others here who may have done the same thing. Would you work for free? If so how do you manage financially? What is the best way to find a placement short-term? How likely is it that I'll get exploited if I am working for nothing?

If anyone has any advice of tips for me then I would really appreciate them.

TIA

centro · 29-06-2005, 10:38

Tip 1

Check your spelling!

mx · 29-06-2005, 11:17

Back when I wanted to do a placement instead of going into my final year of uni I contacted a few companies in the area with my current portfolio of work asking for experience. got a 12 month work placement. only paid 10k but it was more than i was getting as a student.

Quote:

How likely is it that I'll get exploited if I am working for nothing?

Highly likely!
I'd only do free work if it was to initially get you in the door, and they weren't going to use it commercially. if they want to make money out of you, make sure you get at least a small cut of it!

This was 5yrs ago and maybe things have changed but most of my year did 12 month placements, in some cases at some really big agencies!

mx · 29-06-2005, 11:20

oh yeah. And be shamelessly euthusiatic, but not cocky! there were a few 'god-complex's that got told to fuck off!

cam · 29-06-2005, 11:39

Remember in web/multimedia there's nothing to stop you doing dummy projects purely to fill out your portfolio and also to experiment with styles you may not normally use/get the chance to use. placements are a good way to experience the other side of the industry (deadlines, real working environments, clients) but hardly essential in you getting a job - especially when you consider that you start as a junior for a reason - to gain experience.

as for working for free, if you really value going on a placement that much, then it's probably going to be worth it in the long run.

nitro880 · 30-06-2005, 08:28

Firstly thanks for all the replies. I have the opportunity to work for a local studio. But I need some experience of commercial web design. They have a couple of moderately big contracts.

This placement will only be a couple of months at the most. But I am unsure weather it will be worth it in the long run. Besides two months without wages is going to be tough.

In my experience most jobs in this sector require some commercial experience. I know that this isn’t much but surely is better than nothing.

I suppose really I need to justify it against any value it may have in the future.

29-06-2005, 10:03	#1 (permalink)
nitro880 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2	Work Experience and How to get it Hi, I am in my 3rd year of a Multimedia and Web Development degree and am tring to find a work experience placement. I was with an agency that promised a load of placements and ties with good companies but failed to deliver one interview because "there is no demand for web and mulitmedia developers". I'm not so sure about this, I have my doubts about the effort this agency has put in to finding me a placement. Anyway the reason I am posting is to ask for advice from others here who may have done the same thing. Would you work for free? If so how do you manage financially? What is the best way to find a placement short-term? How likely is it that I'll get exploited if I am working for nothing? If anyone has any advice of tips for me then I would really appreciate them. TIA

29-06-2005, 11:39	#5 (permalink)
cam vague™ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Glasgow Posts: 5,593	Remember in web/multimedia there's nothing to stop you doing dummy projects purely to fill out your portfolio and also to experiment with styles you may not normally use/get the chance to use. placements are a good way to experience the other side of the industry (deadlines, real working environments, clients) but hardly essential in you getting a job - especially when you consider that you start as a junior for a reason - to gain experience. as for working for free, if you really value going on a placement that much, then it's probably going to be worth it in the long run. __________________ The Blog™ \| TWHF \| Twitter \| LinkedIn

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29-06-2005, 10:38	#2 (permalink)
centro ™ Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,624	Tip 1 Check your spelling!

29-06-2005, 11:20	#4 (permalink)
mx fucksocks™ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: in the boosh Posts: 1,632	oh yeah. And be shamelessly euthusiatic, but not cocky! there were a few 'god-complex's that got told to fuck off!

30-06-2005, 08:28	#6 (permalink)
nitro880 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2	Firstly thanks for all the replies. I have the opportunity to work for a local studio. But I need some experience of commercial web design. They have a couple of moderately big contracts. This placement will only be a couple of months at the most. But I am unsure weather it will be worth it in the long run. Besides two months without wages is going to be tough. In my experience most jobs in this sector require some commercial experience. I know that this isn’t much but surely is better than nothing. I suppose really I need to justify it against any value it may have in the future.

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