In July we were very pleased to welcome a Work Experience student to the Pen to Print office, here are Joshua’s reflections on his week with the Pen to Print team.

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This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been with Lisa and Lena; we travelled to Trewern [Outdoor Education Centre] for Hay Festival in 2022. This year, a friend who I had also travelled with suggested that I consult them for Work Experience and managed to put me in contact so that we could discuss the idea further.

And now, here I am!

I’ve been working in their office and doing most of the grunt work they haven’t been wanting to (of course, I’m just kidding). It’s been a really great experience, and I’ve learnt quite a lot in my time with Pen To Print. I’ve even been offered an opportunity to submit some of my writing to them, which I’ll definitely be considering! It should help in building a portfolio for myself so that I can find a job in the writing industry that much easier.

If I’m being honest, this experience wasn’t what I was expecting. But, the industry is such a mystery to me that I can’t say I had solid expectations at all. Regardless, I’m quite pleased that I had this time to demystify the career path I’m wanting and open my eyes to new options that I hadn’t considered before.

On the more practical side of things, I think I’ve learnt how to operate things and work in an office environment, so I can see that new wisdom coming in handy. As it turns out, I can really persevere and work hard on whatever I put my mind to, even going beyond what’s asked of me (AND I’m a professional bookcase organiser! How many people do you know who can claim that much?). My perseverance isn’t limited to just my passions, all I need to do is put in a little extra care.

Less practically, I’ve taught myself how to organise more efficiently and find methods of work that suit me best. I see now that I can quickly adapt to the situations and tasks I face, it’s only through working with Lisa, Lena and Habib that I’ve discovered this flexible part of myself.

I really do mean it when I say that I found Work Experience with Pen To Print incredibly valuable; not a moment of my time was wasted here, I partly wish that I could continue working with them (though, that might also be because it’s been a great week away from school, but don’t let my teachers know).

If you’re a young person like me, and you don’t see the value in Work Experience if you’re not being paid for it, then trust me when I say that the experience and wisdom you attain is payment enough! I know for sure that I’ll take everything I’ve learnt here and put it into good use for my future. I can’t thank Pen to Print enough for giving me this opportunity.

– Joshua

P.S. Lisa caught me working on some of my artwork between tasks, so I’ve been forced against my will to put up an example.

Please send help!