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WORK EXPERIENCE - A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD
Marian Baltazar
Class of 1981, University of the Philippines College of Manila
AB Political Science
Many people see work experience like a double-edged sword for the sole reason that there is not only that
chance for a person to gain valuable on-the-job training but at the same time, it is also gaining an inside
knowledge of a particular job. These are the experiences that one cannot achieve or acquire in a college or in
any learning environment. It is indeed a chance for every individual to obtain an insight and knowledge into the
working environment. This is very true because many universities and colleges will actually offer work
experience placements as part of their course requirements. On the other hand, some people who involve
themselves into a work experience have that wrong notion or understanding that they will be given a
permanent work at the end, only to find out that this may not be case. More often than not, in some instances,
a lot of people have experienced to be offered or given a full time permanent employment at the
establishment where they were given a work placement. Whether you like it or not, this maybe an exception
but it is not always the rule.
There are a lot of unemployed persons who are trying hard to integrate themselves get into the work
experience programs so they could try testing the waters and find out whatever suitable job that there is for
them to get themselves into. They try to find out if they would be suited to certain types of jobs or working
environments. Some get employed or even have on-the-job training in private firms, in the government or even
in the colleges or universities. Moreover, many governments also run the work experience programs. There are
cases where employment can be unpaid for certain duration and therefore some employers take advantage of
the cheap employment that they can get out of it. Then at the end of the term they will just simply reason and
justify the fact that the employee was not really fit or suitable for that particular work.
We can still say or presume that it still pays to have work experience for there is a bigger chance and
opportunity to stand in this competition because nowadays it can be fierce to find a new job (which is quite
rewarding) right away. If you take these low-paid job opportunities, you are putting yourself at a head start
over the other job seekers. Hence, you are also given this favorable chance of enjoying the experience of
getting to work and interact with other professionals. This will definitely further your development because
you don’t just learn to get along with them but also learn from the experiences of the other employees as well.
We can say too that being involved in a professional working environment will help you to understand what
would be required of you by the time you have finished your degree. More so, by the time you finish your
degree, you have already acquired experiences to aide you and would be ample enough to start up your career.
Another vital thing that you can learn about having work experience is the fact that it is alright to make a
couple of mistakes for you lack experience. Apparently, your fellow workers will understand you being a
neophyte and taking apprentice in the work that you do. This will ensure that you will not be committing the
same mistakes next time. After all that has been discussed, in the end you will agree with me that work
experience is like a double-edged sword.
Questions for discussion:
1.
How do you view work experience? Why?
2.
Do you believe that having work experience will give you the advantage of landing a job right away? Why
or why not?
3.
Have you experienced that opportunity to work with professionals? When and how?
4.
Give another importance of having work experience. Explain your answer.
5.
In your own explanation, tell us how you will decipher the title “Work Experience ? A Double-Edged Sword.