We were delighted to welcome Kayleigh to the team as part of a four-week work experience programme. Supporting young people in their HR career path and helping them gain valuable experience in the world of work is something that’s really important to us.
From day one, Kayleigh has impressed us. She has fully immersed herself in learning about HR and the work our team does, while approaching every task with enthusiasm and professionalism. In fact, she has been so proactive that we’ve regularly had to find even more tasks to keep her busy.
As Kayleigh’s placement comes to an end, we asked her a few questions to find out how she found the experience and what she enjoyed most.
What have you learned over the last four weeks?
Over the last four weeks, I’ve learned about a wide range of HR topics, HR career path, and gained a much better understanding of the workplace.
Some of the key things I’ve learned include:
- How to use AI effectively, including common mistakes people make and the limitations and risks to be aware of.
- The investigation process, including why investigations take place, how to organise them, and how to appoint the right investigator.
- The Employment Rights Act and the employment law changes that are being introduced in 2027.
- The grievance process, including why grievances are raised, the procedures employers should follow, and the key considerations throughout the process.
- Employment Tribunals, including why they happen, the risks they can present for employers, and how they can be avoided.
- Creating an inclusive workplace, with a focus on neurodiversity, including different types of neurodivergence such as ADHD and autism, and why supporting everyone at work is important.
- The role of marketing in HR, why it’s important for businesses, and the value of networking.
- Certificates of Sponsorship, including different visa routes, Home Office-approved roles, and how businesses can sponsor workers from overseas.
- Contracts of employment, including why they’re important, what they should include, and why both employers and employees need to agree to them.
- How to use workplace systems such as Capsule and Breathe HR, as well as workplace etiquette, IT set-up, and what a professional working environment looks like.
What have I enjoyed the most?
I have enjoyed learning about the certification of Sponsorship the most as that is what I am most interested in. I have also really enjoyed getting to know the whole team and spending time with everyone.
What do I think I would take with me to my future job?
I would take all the new knowledge I have learnt about many different topics. I want to become a human rights lawyer and all the information I have learnt really helps me and links to my future dream. Therefore, I will all my new knowledge with me.
Is there anything that surprised me working at the HR Booth?
I think what was a bit surprising is how interesting all the work is as I feel many people downplay how interesting HR can really be.
What advice I would give someone who is thinking of taking part in a similar work experience in the future?
The advice I would give to someone who wanted to do the same thing as me is to take part in everything they are getting opened up to. Get stuck into all the work they are giving and enjoy it. It’s a very good and exciting opportunity of learning new skills and information.
HR Career Path and the Importance of Providing Work Experience
Many people don’t realise the variety of careers available within HR. While it’s often associated with recruitment or disciplinary meetings, HR is a diverse profession that plays a vital role in helping businesses and employees succeed. From recruitment and employee wellbeing to employment law, training, performance management and workplace culture, no two days are ever the same.
One of the biggest challenges for young people considering a career in HR is gaining practical experience. It’s difficult to understand what the role involves from a classroom alone, which is why work experience placements are so valuable. They provide an opportunity to see how HR works in practice, develop workplace skills, and explore whether it’s a career they’d like to pursue.
In Conclusion
At The HR Booth, we’re passionate about supporting the next generation of professionals. By offering work experience placements, we aim to give young people meaningful insight into the world of HR. We want to help them build confidence, develop new skills, and gain valuable experience they can take into future education or employment.
We hope that by opening our doors to young people like Kayleigh, we’re not only supporting their HR career path but also helping to inspire the future of the HR profession. You can find out more about careers at The HR Booth on our website.
