For Year 12 students with an interest in business, gaining work experience can be your first step toward exploring a dynamic and rewarding career path. Whether you’re intrigued by entrepreneurship, management, marketing, or finance, business work experience is a fantastic way to develop essential skills, gain industry insight, and begin paving the way for future success. Here’s everything you need to know about securing and making the most of business work experience in Year 12.

Who Should Apply for Business Work Experience in Year 12?

Are you the type of person who enjoys organising, solving problems, or coming up with creative ideas? Do subjects like Business Studies, Economics, or Maths spark your curiosity? If you’ve dreamed of running your own business, managing a team, or working for a global corporation, business work experience might be perfect for you.

This type of work experience is ideal for:

  • Budding entrepreneurs who want to learn how businesses operate up close.
  • Team leaders who enjoy managing projects or rallying a group around common goals.
  • Strategic thinkers interested in problem-solving and making things run more efficiently.
  • Creative minds who enjoy generating ideas for marketing, social media, or branding.
  • Data enthusiasts who love numbers, budgeting, and analytics.

Even if you’re not sure which specific area of business you’re most drawn to, gaining hands-on experience will help you narrow down your interests while giving you valuable insight into the business world.

What to Expect During Business Work Experience for Year 12 Students

Business work experience programs are tailored to introduce students to key concepts, workplace dynamics, and the realities of the business world. While every placement is different, here’s an idea of what you might encounter:

Responsibilities and Activities

  • Shadowing Professionals:
    Observe how managers, marketers, or analysts work, giving you a glimpse of their day-to-day responsibilities.
  • Assisting With Projects:
    Support ongoing projects by contributing ideas, tracking progress, or helping with research.
  • Market Research and Data Collection:
    You may be tasked with gathering information to assist in decision-making, such as researching competitors or analyzing customer feedback.
  • Administrative Tasks:
    Organizing files, responding to emails, or preparing presentations teaches you the importance of attention to detail.
  • Team Meetings and Presentations:
    Participate in brainstorming sessions, or even present your findings or opinions on minor projects.

Exposure to the Business Environment

Step into a professional office for the first time and see how businesses run. From meetings to lunch breaks, the rhythms of a workplace give you a better understanding of what a career in business might feel like.

Development Opportunities

Many companies provide workshops or seminars tailored to students. These could include leadership training, business proposal challenges, and introductions to essential software like Excel or PowerPoint.

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How Business Work Experience in Year 12 Supports Your Career Path

A work placement can be more than just something to put on your CV. It’s an opportunity to build skills, make contacts, and discover what really excites you about the business world.

Transferable Skills

During your time in a business environment, you’ll develop a range of transferable skills that will serve you long into your career. These include:

  • Communication: Answering emails, drafting reports, or presenting your ideas improves how you share information with others.
  • Critical Thinking: Breaking down problems and proposing solutions prepares you for decision-making in any industry.
  • Time Management: Juggling tasks under time constraints hones your ability to prioritize and stay organized.
  • Collaboration: By working as part of a team, you’ll understand the importance of listening, sharing ideas, and contributing toward shared goals.

Networking Opportunities

Work experience allows you to meet professionals who can mentor you or offer advice. Building your network early helps open doors for internships, job opportunities, or even entrepreneurial projects.

Real-World Insights

Experiencing the fast pace of business operations helps you realise the differences between theory and practice. From understanding how businesses grow to how they solve problems, these experiences help refine your career aspirations.

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Benefits of Completing Business Work Experience in Year 12

Why should you invest your time and energy in a placement? The advantages are numerous and far-reaching:

Enhance Your CV

Listing a business placement on your CV shows dedication, initiative, and a genuine interest in the field. It gives you an edge when applying to university courses, competitive apprenticeships, or part-time jobs.

Build Confidence

Stepping into a professional environment might be daunting at first, but as you adapt, you’ll feel proud of what you achieve. This self-confidence will carry over into future endeavors.

Discover Career Goals

One of the biggest perks of work experience is gaining clarity about your goals. You might love the marketing department but realise HR isn’t for you—or discover a passion for finance that you never knew existed.

Personal Growth

Trying something new challenges you to step outside of your comfort zone. You’ll develop resilience, adaptability, and interpersonal skills that will benefit every area of your life.

Companies Offering Business Work Experience to Year 12 Students

Many firms offer structured work experience programs to Year 12 students. Programmes at well-known firms can be highly competitive, so a thoughtful application will go a long way. Here are a few examples:

Deloitte

Deloitte runs a three-day, in-person Career Shapers programme for Year 12 students across the UK. You’ll discover leadership roles, take on real client projects, network with professionals, and attend skills sessions. The programme is designed to give you a taste of business consulting and professional services. Deloitte offers over 1,000 places in 2025, making it one of the most accessible and impactful business work experience schemes for sixth formers.

PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)

PwC’s Business Insight Week is a one-week summer placement focused on finance and business. Open to Year 12 students in Manchester and to Year 13s in Belfast, it provides hands-on experience in different PwC departments, including consulting, tax, and technology. There’s also a Virtual Insight Programme for students who can’t attend in person, offering a broad look at business functions. Applications are made online, and you’ll need to be on track for at least BCC at A-level to apply.

Barclays

HSBC’s week-long hybrid work experience is open to students in Years 10–13, making it ideal for Year 12s. Over five days-three virtual and two in the office-you’ll shadow colleagues, work on projects, and attend workshops that introduce you to the world of business and financial services. You’ll learn about different business functions, HSBC’s culture, and build core employability skills. Applications open in early spring, and places are competitive, so apply early through the HSBC careers website.

Local Enterprises and SMEs

While large organizations have formal work experience programs, don’t overlook local businesses or start-ups. These companies often provide hands-on tasks and close mentorship from professionals passionate about their work.

Immerse Education’s Business-Focused Summer Programmes

If a single week of work experience isn’t enough for you, consider attending a summer program designed to deepen your understanding of business. Immerse Education’s Business Programmes are tailored for ambitious Year 12 students keen to excel.

You’ll immerse yourself in the fast-paced world of business through behind-the-scenes access to leading companies, real-world workshops, and encounters with the people shaping modern enterprise.

At Hootsuite, you’ll explore how digital strategy powers some of the world’s biggest brands, learning from their team about social media tools, customer engagement, and what drives online performance. You’ll also visit Turo, the world’s largest peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace, to hear how they scaled a disruptive business model in an evolving market — straight from their business or marketing directors.

Explore sport as an industry at Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge, where you’ll unpack the commercial side of football, from merchandising to media. Meanwhile, The Kia Oval will show you how business and broadcasting work in tandem at a major sports venue.

You’ll dive into storytelling, branding and marketing strategy with Michael Murdoch at StoryCube, where you’ll pitch ideas and sharpen your business communication. Then, join a hands-on Smoothie Lab workshop at the Museum of Brands, where you’ll explore customer psychology, product development, and what really makes a brand successful.

Meet the founders of The Salad Kitchen and hear how they grew from a food stall to a London franchise while embedding ethical values through youth employment programmes. At Manning Gottlieb OMD, one of the world’s top media agencies, you’ll get a tour and session with strategists working across content, data, and planning for global clients.

Rounding it off, entrepreneur and charity leader James Herbertson will share his business journey, lessons in scale-up and social impact, and the role of ethical leadership — giving you a holistic view of what it really means to launch, lead and grow in the business world.

What sets Immerse Education apart is its focus on personalized mentoring, small group learning, and peer collaboration. Attending such a prestigious programme adds immense credibility to your CV while giving you a broader perspective on global business trends.

Creating a Compelling Application for Year 12 Business Work Experience

Securing a competitive work placement often comes down to a well-crafted application. Here’s how to stand out:

Writing an Impressive CV

  • Include relevant achievements like academic awards, positions of responsibility, or extracurricular activities such as business clubs or Young Enterprise competitions.
  • Highlight transferable skills like problem-solving, teamwork, or creativity.
  • Keep it concise and focused on your strengths.

Crafting a Persuasive Cover Letter

  • Explain why you’re interested in business and the specific company you’re applying to.
  • Share examples of how you’ve demonstrated entrepreneurial thinking, leadership, or curiosity.
  • Avoid generic statements and make your passion and goals clear.

Preparing for Interviews

  • Research the company thoroughly, understanding its values and goals.
  • Practise answering questions about what excites you about business, what you hope to gain from the placement, and how you handle challenges.
  • Prepare questions to ask the employer, showing your genuine interest.

Follow Up

After applying or completing an interview, send a thank-you email. A polite follow-up demonstrates your professionalism and may leave a lasting impression.

Start Your Journey Today

Year 12 is the perfect time to begin exploring the world of business. From gaining valuable skills to discovering your passion, every experience will contribute to your personal and professional growth. Don’t wait—start researching opportunities, preparing your application, and taking steps toward the career of your dreams. Whether it’s a week at a global firm or a local entrepreneurial start-up, your business work experience could be the foundation for a bright and successful future.

FAQs

What’s the difference between business work experience and internships?

Business work experience is shorter, often lasting a few days to a couple of weeks, and is designed to give you a general overview of how businesses operate. Internships, however, are typically longer and involve tackling real-world problems, working on projects, and gaining in-depth hands-on experience. Immerse Education’s programmes are built around hands-on experiences, helping you understand the working world across a variety of companies.

Where can I do business work experience in Year 12?

Look into opportunities with local small businesses, large corporations like banks or retail giants, and even startups. Many schools also offer partnerships with businesses that provide structured work experience programs tailored for students.

Can I complete business work experience online or virtually?

Yes, many platforms offer virtual work experience opportunities that allow you to explore various aspects of business management remotely. For a deeper and structured experience, the Immerse Business Management Online Research Programme is an excellent choice. This programme provides insights into business concepts and strategies while developing valuable research and analytical skills in an accessible online format.

What business areas can I explore during Year 12 work experience?

Depending on the placement, you could explore areas like marketing, finance, operations management, human resources, and entrepreneurship. This exposure can help you decide which field aligns with your interests and future goals.

How do I add business work experience to my CV?

Focus on the skills gained, such as teamwork, communication, research, and problem-solving. Mention any specific projects or tasks you completed and their outcomes. For more guidance, check out our comprehensive article on How to Add Work Experience to Your CV.