Work Experience - Definition and Overview

Work experience is the experience that a person has working, or working in a specific field or occupation.

The phrase is sometimes used to mean a type of volunteer work that is commonly intended for young people -- often students -- to get a feel for professional working environments. Though the placements are unpaid, travel and food expenses are sometimes covered, and at the end of the appointment, a character reference is usually provided. The trainee usually has the opportunity to network and make contacts among the working personnel, and put themselves forward for any forthcoming opportunities for paid work.

However, in competitive freelance industries, the demand for placements can often be overwhelming, creating a market force that has been known to be exploited by capitalists looking to disguise their desire for free labour. Though many people have professionally benefited from this type of experience, it’s advisable for persons to consider the financial implications of a placement -- there is a gentlemen’s agreement that it should never last more than one month -- and how exactly they would get their effort's worth once it’s over in the correct give and take relationship.