When Ben was given the opportunity to do three weeks work experience with an Old Abingdonian in Taipei, he jumped at the chance…
Asked what his view on work experience is, Abingdon Sixth Former Ben replies: “Definitely worth it but try and do something out of your comfort zone.” That is something Ben knows all about having just returned from three weeks doing a work placement at Mark Lintott Design (MLD) – a leading design company in Taipei. An experience he openly admits was ‘daunting at first’.
“It felt like I was flying full pelt into the unknown. I’d never been to Asia before. I knew no one and I really didn’t know what to expect or what the work would entail. I was also a little anxious about language – whilst I speak a little Mandarin” (he did it at GCSE and is currently studying for the international HSK4 qualification) “I’m not fluent and I didn’t know how good I was going to be at communicating effectively.”
As it happened, the work placement turned out to be the opportunity of a lifetime for Ben who is hoping to go on to a career in engineering. Shadowing a former Abingdon student – one who has spent the past twenty years building up a highly successful interior design firm – Ben was able to upskill in a number of areas. “I learned so much about the business and the industry – from the different roles people have, to the processes involved in a project right from inception through to completion, and beyond to marketing. I was able to begin learning some new software skills including AutoCAD, sketchup and EnScape, as well as how to draw for building design. Possibly, the most important ‘take away’ in the business sense, was learning the immense value of good client interactions and building up positive relationships with other organisations and stakeholders. Valuably, I also witnessed first hand how powerful it is to have humility about one’s own success. One of the highlights was visiting Frank – a very cool 10th floor bar designed by MLD. Themed around a man with a lampshade on his head, the lighting is extraordinary and the views over Taipei, breathtaking.
“At weekends and after work, family and friends of the colleagues I worked with took me under their wing and gave me the opportunity to see other parts of the City, experience the culture, befriend some amazing people and, of course, utilise and improve my own language skills. Some of my favourite things were the night markets which are just so busy and vibrant; the Shifen waterfall and Juifen – an old mountain town known for its narrow alleyways, bustling markets, tea houses and gold mining. I feel like I wouldn’t have seen some of these things if I was simply visiting as a tourist.
“The entire trip was an absolutely exhilarating once in a lifetime experience and I am so grateful to MLD and to Mr Triff, Head of Career Guidance, for arranging it as part of the School’s summer work experience scheme for L6 students.”
