WEEK ONE
Here is my Work Experience report which had to be given to Ms.Lyons:
WORK EXPERIENCE DIARY
(PRE-PLACEMENT DETAILS)
Student Name: Jack Kelly
Name and Address of Employer: Supervalu , Portumna , Co.Galway
Dates of Work Experience: 23rd October- 27th October
Job Title: Shop Assistant
Job Description: - Restocking Shelves
- Waste Disposal
- Helping Customers
- Working with new stock in Storeroom
Why I Selected this Work Placement:
-I wanted to see if I would be interested in having a part-time job in this workplace.
-I always wanted to know exactly how a big franchise like Supervalu worked and how the business was run.
-I felt I would gain valuable experience from working in this placement.
Page Break
LETTER OF APPLICATION
Heathlawn,
Killimor,
Ballinasloe,
Co.Galway
10 October 2017
Mr Conor O'Riordan,
Manager,
Supervalu,
Portumna,
Co.Galway.
Dear Mr O'Riordan,
I am writing to you to enquire if you have any work experience available in your workplace for Transition Year students. I attend Portumna Community School and as a Transition Year student I am required to complete one week's work experience from the 23rd of October – 27th October.
I would be very thankful for the opportunity to complete my work experience in your establishment because I hope to work in businesses/ franchises similar to yours later in life. I love to help people and this would be put to good use in your business. I also enjoy doing the business side of things with Business Studies being one of my better subjects in school. I am hard-working and have good initiative. I hate to be idle. I believe all of these skills would be very suitable for your workplace.
I have developed many other skills in school and at home: I was a member of the student council in my school for two years which taught me the vital skill of teamwork. I live on a farm at home so I am always kept busy and this taught me to be hard-working.
Please find attached my CV. Thank you in advance for reviewing my application. I hope you consider taking me on board for the week.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Jack Kelly
Page Break
DIARY OF WORK EXPERIENCE (DAY ONE)
Start Time: 9AM
Finish Time: 4PM
Training and Instructions: I was shown around the premises and introduced to some of the staff. I was shown how to work some of the equipment and to stack the shelves correctly according to their bar codes. I was then told my tasks for the day. I was also shown how to drive a combee (a type of trolley).
Work Undertaken: In the morning, I was put in charge of doing the waste disposal in the storeroom, getting rid of all the packaging of the products. It involved seperating the cardboard / plastics and putting them into the baling machine. I then had to restock the water bottles in the fridges. After lunch, I was asked to do the daily jobs which involved changing the rubbish bins, moving trolleys etc. I then swept the whole shop and also the outer area, before moving some stock around in the storeroom.
Interactions with others: I met my boss for the week Conor in the morning who was very welcoming. I was also introduced to some other staff such as Peggy and Nicky, the store manager. They were all very friendly and helpful.
Challenges Encountered and How I Overcame them: At the start , I found it difficult to use the baling machine in the storeroom. I asked Nicky for assistance and he showed me how to use it correctly. I faced no other challenges as the work was very basic.
Skills that I Improved: I became more confident having found my way into the workplace and beginning to work in the 'real world' for the first time. I became more initiative by looking for jobs myself rather than being told to it.
New Skills I Developed: I learned how to use new equipment such as the baler. I learned how to restock the shelves appropriately and also how to act professionally in a workplace with other employees/customers.
How Others Viewed my Performance: I felt the other staff thought I was a good worker and thought I did a good job. My manager Conor told me I was doing a good job and that I was 'the man'.
My Personal Evaluation of Today: Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of being put in a workplace. I enjoy being put out of my comfort zone and learning new skills all of the time. Although at times the work was boring, I am happy with how I always found other tasks to do.
DIARY OF WORK EXPERIENCE
(DAY TWO)
Start Time: 9AM
Finish Time: 4PM
Training and Instructions: In the morning, I was instructed to go to the storeroom to help with the new deliveries. I was shown how to restock certain products. I was also shown what to do if a customer asked me where a product was. I had to be very mannerly with the customer and walk over and show them exactly where the item they're looking for was. If I didn't do this, the Portumna branch of Supervalu would be fined.
Work Undertaken: Along with another staff member, I restocked all of the frozen foods. I had to take the combees out of the freezer in the store and put them into the freezers in the shop. Again, they had to be put in the correct place or the shop would be fined. I was then told to tidy and rearrange the staff meeting room , by moving tables and chairs from the storage rooms into the meeting room as there was an important meeting on that day. After lunch, I decided to put some of the Halloween chocolates on display, as well as some toilet paper. This had to be done in a way that was appealing to customers. A new batch of firelogs had been delivered and had to be displayed, so I put them up at the tills. Finally, I performed my daily duties of doing the rubbish, trolleys etc.
Interactions with Others: I had a couple of interactions with customers today, which put into practice my training from earlier where I had to personally show the customer where the item they were looking for was. I had less interactions with the staff today however I got on very well with the employee who I was working with in the morning.
Challenges Encountered and How I Overcame them: I had to decide myself how the Meeting Room should look as I was not told exactly how it should look, which I overcame very well as my manager told me. When confronted with the challenge of showing the customer where the item was, I remembered my instructions and put them into practice and thus, overcame the challenge.
Skills that I Improved: I improved my teamwork skills while working with the fellow employee in the morning. I improved my social skills when communicating with customers and fellow staff members. I improved my ability to follow instructions.
New Skills that I Developed: I developed the skill to do a job thoroughly when displaying the items making sure it was perfect, rather than not doing it to my full potential perhaps as I would have done outside of the workplace.
How Others Viewed my Performance: As the staff continued to tell me I was doing a good job, I feel the staff viewed my performance well. Furthermore, one of the customers gave me a €2 tip after helping her with her groceries, showing that I did a good job.
My Personal Evaluation of Today: I found the day was a great success for me. I learned and developed many new skills and did the work to the best of my ability. Although I may not particularly enjoy the work I am doing, the skills and experience I am picking up along the was is invaluable.
DIARY OF WORK EXPERIENCE (DAY THREE)
Start Time: 9AM
Finish Time: 1:15 PM
Training and Instructions: I was shown how to pack the bags at the tills and how to help the customers with their shopping. I was instructed to ask every customer if they needed my assistance and to help them in any way that I could. I was shown how to empty the balers.
Work Undertaken: I worked at the tills and helped customers to pack their bags and to carry their shopping to their vehicles. I was responsible for finding and getting rid of any out of date items in the store room. I had to move alcohol from a storage building into the shop and also to display them in the Off-License. I then had to dispose of all the waste in the baler, while also emptying it.
Interactions with Others: I had many interactions with customers today as I was working at the tills and helping them. I also worked together with staff in the store room and also while moving the alcohol.
Challenges Encountered and How I Overcame Them: At the start , I was uncomfortable asking every customer if they needed my assistance however, as time went on, I became more confident and overcame this challenge.
Skills that I Improved: I improved my social and confidence skills when working with customers. I improved my skills of both working on my own and with other in the storeroom.
How Others Viewed my Performance: My boss for the week ,Conor, told me I did an excellent job throughout the week and also gave me a great report. Other staff members also suggested that I should come back to the shop for some part-time work during the summer.
My Personal Evaluation of Today: I didn't really learn much today as it was my last day and the jobs became very repetitive , as well as being a half-day. However, I still enjoyed working in the shop and helping others. I also feel that I did all of the work to the best of my ability.
Page Break
WORK EXPERIENCE REVIEW
Did anything unusual/unexpected occur? Was it what I expected?
The job was pretty much what I was expecting however I was surprised and happy that I could always find a job to keep me busy. The work was a bit more boring than I expected however I could handle that.
Can I make any observations in relation to my work experience? Did I learn anything new about myself?
One of the main things I learned about myself is that I want to push myself in life. I do not want to have a job like many of the staff in the shop. It really encouraged me to work hard in school. I also learned that I am a hard-worker and hate to be idle , as pointed out to me by a staff member.
How has my Work Experience influenced me in terms of my personal career direction?
As I previously stated, the work experience influenced me to get a higher-tier occupation than the one I had for this week. It also pushed me to look harder for a better suited workplace for myself for my next work experience.
What employability skills have I enhanced / developed as a result of my work experience?
I have learned and developed many valuable skills throughout the week. I also have the experience to put on my CV to help me gain positions in the future. I learned more about myself and will be better prepared for other jobs that I will apply for in the future.
Is this the right career for me?
Answer: No
Reasons: I have no doubt that I would be suitable and well qualified for this job , however, I feel the work is often boring and not challenging enough. I feel my skills and qualities would be wasted and I would not earn as much money as I believe I am capable of.
I learned that I have bigger plans for myself in the future rather than this position. I have learned that this particular career does not suit me, not even my manager/bosses positions. I learned that I would like to work in a different type of business or rather a different side of the business. However I still am interested in working in the business world and will continue to do Business Studies for my Leaving Cert.
I plan on doing more research for my next work experience about the available positions and get the position faster , as I hope to work in a placement that I am more interested in and which will be of more benefit to me in the future.
WORK EXPERIENCE DIARY
(PRE-PLACEMENT DETAILS)
Student Name: Jack Kelly
Name and Address of Employer: Supervalu , Portumna , Co.Galway
Dates of Work Experience: 23rd October- 27th October
Job Title: Shop Assistant
Job Description: - Restocking Shelves
- Waste Disposal
- Helping Customers
- Working with new stock in Storeroom
Why I Selected this Work Placement:
-I wanted to see if I would be interested in having a part-time job in this workplace.
-I always wanted to know exactly how a big franchise like Supervalu worked and how the business was run.
-I felt I would gain valuable experience from working in this placement.
Page Break
LETTER OF APPLICATION
Heathlawn,
Killimor,
Ballinasloe,
Co.Galway
10 October 2017
Mr Conor O'Riordan,
Manager,
Supervalu,
Portumna,
Co.Galway.
Dear Mr O'Riordan,
I am writing to you to enquire if you have any work experience available in your workplace for Transition Year students. I attend Portumna Community School and as a Transition Year student I am required to complete one week's work experience from the 23rd of October – 27th October.
I would be very thankful for the opportunity to complete my work experience in your establishment because I hope to work in businesses/ franchises similar to yours later in life. I love to help people and this would be put to good use in your business. I also enjoy doing the business side of things with Business Studies being one of my better subjects in school. I am hard-working and have good initiative. I hate to be idle. I believe all of these skills would be very suitable for your workplace.
I have developed many other skills in school and at home: I was a member of the student council in my school for two years which taught me the vital skill of teamwork. I live on a farm at home so I am always kept busy and this taught me to be hard-working.
Please find attached my CV. Thank you in advance for reviewing my application. I hope you consider taking me on board for the week.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Jack Kelly
Page Break
DIARY OF WORK EXPERIENCE (DAY ONE)
Start Time: 9AM
Finish Time: 4PM
Training and Instructions: I was shown around the premises and introduced to some of the staff. I was shown how to work some of the equipment and to stack the shelves correctly according to their bar codes. I was then told my tasks for the day. I was also shown how to drive a combee (a type of trolley).
Work Undertaken: In the morning, I was put in charge of doing the waste disposal in the storeroom, getting rid of all the packaging of the products. It involved seperating the cardboard / plastics and putting them into the baling machine. I then had to restock the water bottles in the fridges. After lunch, I was asked to do the daily jobs which involved changing the rubbish bins, moving trolleys etc. I then swept the whole shop and also the outer area, before moving some stock around in the storeroom.
Interactions with others: I met my boss for the week Conor in the morning who was very welcoming. I was also introduced to some other staff such as Peggy and Nicky, the store manager. They were all very friendly and helpful.
Challenges Encountered and How I Overcame them: At the start , I found it difficult to use the baling machine in the storeroom. I asked Nicky for assistance and he showed me how to use it correctly. I faced no other challenges as the work was very basic.
Skills that I Improved: I became more confident having found my way into the workplace and beginning to work in the 'real world' for the first time. I became more initiative by looking for jobs myself rather than being told to it.
New Skills I Developed: I learned how to use new equipment such as the baler. I learned how to restock the shelves appropriately and also how to act professionally in a workplace with other employees/customers.
How Others Viewed my Performance: I felt the other staff thought I was a good worker and thought I did a good job. My manager Conor told me I was doing a good job and that I was 'the man'.
My Personal Evaluation of Today: Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of being put in a workplace. I enjoy being put out of my comfort zone and learning new skills all of the time. Although at times the work was boring, I am happy with how I always found other tasks to do.
DIARY OF WORK EXPERIENCE
(DAY TWO)
Start Time: 9AM
Finish Time: 4PM
Training and Instructions: In the morning, I was instructed to go to the storeroom to help with the new deliveries. I was shown how to restock certain products. I was also shown what to do if a customer asked me where a product was. I had to be very mannerly with the customer and walk over and show them exactly where the item they're looking for was. If I didn't do this, the Portumna branch of Supervalu would be fined.
Work Undertaken: Along with another staff member, I restocked all of the frozen foods. I had to take the combees out of the freezer in the store and put them into the freezers in the shop. Again, they had to be put in the correct place or the shop would be fined. I was then told to tidy and rearrange the staff meeting room , by moving tables and chairs from the storage rooms into the meeting room as there was an important meeting on that day. After lunch, I decided to put some of the Halloween chocolates on display, as well as some toilet paper. This had to be done in a way that was appealing to customers. A new batch of firelogs had been delivered and had to be displayed, so I put them up at the tills. Finally, I performed my daily duties of doing the rubbish, trolleys etc.
Interactions with Others: I had a couple of interactions with customers today, which put into practice my training from earlier where I had to personally show the customer where the item they were looking for was. I had less interactions with the staff today however I got on very well with the employee who I was working with in the morning.
Challenges Encountered and How I Overcame them: I had to decide myself how the Meeting Room should look as I was not told exactly how it should look, which I overcame very well as my manager told me. When confronted with the challenge of showing the customer where the item was, I remembered my instructions and put them into practice and thus, overcame the challenge.
Skills that I Improved: I improved my teamwork skills while working with the fellow employee in the morning. I improved my social skills when communicating with customers and fellow staff members. I improved my ability to follow instructions.
New Skills that I Developed: I developed the skill to do a job thoroughly when displaying the items making sure it was perfect, rather than not doing it to my full potential perhaps as I would have done outside of the workplace.
How Others Viewed my Performance: As the staff continued to tell me I was doing a good job, I feel the staff viewed my performance well. Furthermore, one of the customers gave me a €2 tip after helping her with her groceries, showing that I did a good job.
My Personal Evaluation of Today: I found the day was a great success for me. I learned and developed many new skills and did the work to the best of my ability. Although I may not particularly enjoy the work I am doing, the skills and experience I am picking up along the was is invaluable.
DIARY OF WORK EXPERIENCE (DAY THREE)
Start Time: 9AM
Finish Time: 1:15 PM
Training and Instructions: I was shown how to pack the bags at the tills and how to help the customers with their shopping. I was instructed to ask every customer if they needed my assistance and to help them in any way that I could. I was shown how to empty the balers.
Work Undertaken: I worked at the tills and helped customers to pack their bags and to carry their shopping to their vehicles. I was responsible for finding and getting rid of any out of date items in the store room. I had to move alcohol from a storage building into the shop and also to display them in the Off-License. I then had to dispose of all the waste in the baler, while also emptying it.
Interactions with Others: I had many interactions with customers today as I was working at the tills and helping them. I also worked together with staff in the store room and also while moving the alcohol.
Challenges Encountered and How I Overcame Them: At the start , I was uncomfortable asking every customer if they needed my assistance however, as time went on, I became more confident and overcame this challenge.
Skills that I Improved: I improved my social and confidence skills when working with customers. I improved my skills of both working on my own and with other in the storeroom.
How Others Viewed my Performance: My boss for the week ,Conor, told me I did an excellent job throughout the week and also gave me a great report. Other staff members also suggested that I should come back to the shop for some part-time work during the summer.
My Personal Evaluation of Today: I didn't really learn much today as it was my last day and the jobs became very repetitive , as well as being a half-day. However, I still enjoyed working in the shop and helping others. I also feel that I did all of the work to the best of my ability.
Page Break
WORK EXPERIENCE REVIEW
Did anything unusual/unexpected occur? Was it what I expected?
The job was pretty much what I was expecting however I was surprised and happy that I could always find a job to keep me busy. The work was a bit more boring than I expected however I could handle that.
Can I make any observations in relation to my work experience? Did I learn anything new about myself?
One of the main things I learned about myself is that I want to push myself in life. I do not want to have a job like many of the staff in the shop. It really encouraged me to work hard in school. I also learned that I am a hard-worker and hate to be idle , as pointed out to me by a staff member.
How has my Work Experience influenced me in terms of my personal career direction?
As I previously stated, the work experience influenced me to get a higher-tier occupation than the one I had for this week. It also pushed me to look harder for a better suited workplace for myself for my next work experience.
What employability skills have I enhanced / developed as a result of my work experience?
I have learned and developed many valuable skills throughout the week. I also have the experience to put on my CV to help me gain positions in the future. I learned more about myself and will be better prepared for other jobs that I will apply for in the future.
Is this the right career for me?
Answer: No
Reasons: I have no doubt that I would be suitable and well qualified for this job , however, I feel the work is often boring and not challenging enough. I feel my skills and qualities would be wasted and I would not earn as much money as I believe I am capable of.
I learned that I have bigger plans for myself in the future rather than this position. I have learned that this particular career does not suit me, not even my manager/bosses positions. I learned that I would like to work in a different type of business or rather a different side of the business. However I still am interested in working in the business world and will continue to do Business Studies for my Leaving Cert.
I plan on doing more research for my next work experience about the available positions and get the position faster , as I hope to work in a placement that I am more interested in and which will be of more benefit to me in the future.
WEEK TWO
For my second week of work experience I worked in Duffy's in Killimor. My jobs included serving customers at the till, working in the bar and restaurant, restocking items in both the shop and bar and just working around the area. I only got to do two days for the week due to the terrible weather conditions and also because I had to go to Trinity on the Tuesday for a Physics Day.