WORK

EXPERIENCE
2025

MR. STEFANO PAOLILLO

UCC-WORK-EXPERIENCE@eursc.eu
Contents
Main goal of the experience....................................................... 3
Dates ....................................................................................... 3
Where ...................................................................................... 3
Remuneration .......................................................................... 3
STEP 1: Prepare your CV and Cover Letter .................................. 4
STEP 2: Find an employer .......................................................... 5
STEP 3: You’ve found an employer! ............................................ 6
STEP 4: Contract....................................................................... 7
STEP 5: Parental consent and Code of Conduct ......................... 8
STEP 6: Do your internship! ....................................................... 8
STEP 7: You’ve finished your internship ...................................... 8
STEP 8: Receive your certificate................................................. 9
Additional questions................................................................. 9
Checklist ............................................................................... 10

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Main goal of the experience

Simulate a job search in the real world.

Dates

Between 23rd of June 2025 to 4th of July 2025. It can last from 5 to 10 working days, up to
you and the employer.

Where

Anywhere in the European Union. Transportation and accommodation expenses are not
covered by the school.

Remuneration

None. You are legally not allowed to be paid for this activity.

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STEP 1: Prepare your CV and Cover Letter

Go on the website of Europass (https://europass.europa.eu/en/create-europass-cv) and

you will be guided through the creation of your CV. Don’t worry if you have little or no ex-
perience—employers will understand that. Be sure to list the languages you know, your
personal interests, and your soft skills (e.g., teamwork, communication, prioritizing,
etc.). Add a professional photo to your CV; employers want to see who you are! Ideally,
the photo should resemble a passport photo: serious, with only you in the frame. Avoid
using pictures where you’re surrounded by others.

Next, write your Cover Letter. You can use a general template, such as the one available
on the WEX website, or find many others online. Prepare a basic template and then adapt
it for each specific company. Your cover letter should include the following points:
• Your personal details and the subject line: “Internship Request.”
• An introduction about yourself, your interests, passions, and any professional
experiences you may have.
• A compliment about the company and an explanation of why you’re applying to
them.
• Reasons why the company should choose you as an intern, emphasizing that
you’re not looking for a full-time job but an opportunity to contribute and learn.

Keep your Cover Letter concise—between half a page and three-quarters of a page is
ideal. It should not exceed one page. Depending on the language, ask your parents, or
your L1 or L2 teacher, to proofread it. Make sure it’s written in the language of the em-
ployer.

Question: Can I use other templates instead of Europass?

Answer: No. For this project, Europass is requested. In the future, you will
be free to use anything you like.

Question: I don’t know what to write on my cover letter. What do I do?

Answer: You will find millions of examples online.

Question: How do I rate the languages I know?

Answer:
• A1/A2 (Basic User): You know a language a little. For example, you can
order food in a restaurant or ask for directions.
• B1/B2 (Independent User): You can communicate effectively in most
contexts. You can talk with a friend about everyday topics.
• C1/C2 (Proficient User): You can communicate naturally and effi-
ciently, using a wide range of vocabulary and expressions. You can
write essays and follow films without missing much.

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STEP 2: Find an employer

Think of a place where you would like to work, it can be anything from a hospital to a farm.
It can be located anywhere in the European Union (the school doesn’t cover transporta-
tion or accommodation expenses though). Search online for their contacts and send
them an email with your CV and Cover Letter. You may need to contact multiple employ-
ers before receiving a response, so be patient. Once you find a place you’re interested in,
email them to express your interest in doing an internship.

This is a list of domains students chose last year: airports, animal shelters, architect
studios, associations, banks, bookshops, clinics, consultancies, cooperatives, courts of
justice, dental practices, embassies, farms, football clubs, horse stables, hospitals,
institutes, jewellers, language institutes, law firms, massage parlors, medical practices,
ministries, nurseries, observatories, parliaments, pastry shops, pharmacies, press
agencies, research institutes, restaurants, schools, senior centres, tennis clubs, travel
agencies, TV stations, universities, veterinaries, violin-makers.

This is a list of the industries of the companies where students completed their
internships last year: audiovisual, automobile, chocolate, data developer, document
management, media, metal-cutting, pharmaceutical, recruiting, satellites, technology,
videogames, wine

Question: Is there a list of companies I can choose from?

Answer: No.

Question: If my parents e-mail you, will this list appear?

Answer: No.

Question: Has this list existed in the past and will it exist in the future?
Answer: No.

Question: Why?
Answer:
1) The main goal of the experience is to simulate a realistic job search in the
real world. In the real world there are no lists to choose from.
2) The school is not an employment agency.
3) No employer can guarantee a cooperation with EEB1 every year, therefore
a list of that kind wouldn’t be reliable.
4) Some employers might accept interns on an exceptional basis just be-
cause they know your parents or your family. This doesn’t mean they are
willing to do so again in the future.

Question: Can I do an internship with my friends?

Answer: While nothing prevents you from doing so, remember that this is
not a time to have fun with friends. It’s a moment of individual discovery to
explore your own interests and skills. You can spend time with your friends
after work. For example, last year, six students interned together at the

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 Royal Observatory of Belgium. Realistically, how many of you will work at an
observatory in the future? Don’t waste your precious time!

Question: Can I work at my mother’s or father’s job?

Answer: No, this is not allowed.

Question: Why?
Answer: Allowing this would turn the program into “work with mom and
dad,” which defeats the purpose of simulating a realistic job experience.

Question: Can I work with family members that are not my mum and dad?
Answer: Yes.

Question: Can I work in the same company as my parents if I have a differ-

ent tutor?
Answer: Yes.

STEP 3: You’ve found an employer!

Once your internship has been confirmed, you must agree on the duration and dates with
your employer. Next, ask them whether the internship will be observational or
participative.
• Observational: You will shadow someone as they work, observing what they do
without actively participating (e.g., you won’t even make a photocopy).
• Participative: You will take part in tasks, which could range from making
photocopies to working in a field.
It is essential that the employer determines the type of internship, as this will affect the
insurance provided by the school.
Complete the form with your personal details to ensure the school can arrange your
insurance. Having insurance is mandatory—without it, you cannot begin your internship.
The following fields need to be filled in:

• Last name (ex: Smith)

• First name (ex: John)
• Class (ex: S5FRD)
• National register number (you will find it on your Belgian identity card)
• Starting date of your traineeship (you have to agree on one with your employer)
• Ending date of your traineeship (you have to agree on one with your employer)
• Date of birth (ex: 29/07/07)
• Place of birth (ex: Genoa, Italy)
• Name of employer (ex: Lamborghini)
• Address of employer (ex: Via Modena 12, 40019 Sant'Agata Bolognese, BO, Italy)
• Observational or participative internship (as explained above)
• Definition of your workplace (ex: automobile manufacturer)
• Language of final certificate (either French or English)

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 Question: My employer doesn’t know if the internship will be observa-
tional of participative.
Answer: Tell them that, unfortunately, they have to make this choice be-
cause otherwise we cannot provide you with you an insurance, and con-
sequently you won’t be able to work with them.

Question: My employer requires a reference letter.

Answer: E-mail me and I will send you one.

STEP 4: Contract

Download the contract from the website (available in either English or French). You will
need three copies: one for the employer, one for you, and one for the school.

After printing the contract, complete it with your details. Then scan it and send it to your
employer, they will need to complete their part, sign it and stamp it (if they have a stamp).
When they send it back, take it to the Secretary, Mr. Jimmy Godefroit, at the Chateau. Tell
him that the director, Mr. David Tran, will have to sign it, stamp it, and give it back to you.
Remember that all the three copies need to be signed by you, the employer, and the di-
rector.

- You will keep one copy for yourself

- You will send one copy to the employer
- You will upload one copy on Sharepoint by May 2nd 2025

Question: My employer wants to use their own type of contract, is that

ok?
Answer: If you want to sign an additional contract with them, there is no
problem. However, the school still requires the contract to be made
with our template, which your employer will also need to sign. Without
it, you will not be able to do obtain your certificate.

Question: I can’t upload the documents, can I send them to you via
email, give them by hand, throw them at your window with an arrow?
Answer: No. If you are experiencing technical issues, please contact
me, but I won’t accept any document that isn’t uploaded on the
platform.

Question: I don’t have a printer, what should I do?

Answer: Ask your parents to print at work, go to a printing shop. You can
download the files onto a USB stick. Remember that to be printed, they
often have to be in PDF format.

Question: I don’t have a scanner, what should I do?

Answer: Ask your parents to scan at work, go to a printing shop, or take
a clear photo with your phone.

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STEP 5: Parental consent and Code of Conduct

Download the parental consent form (in English or French), have it signed by your par-
ent(s), and upload it on the website.

Download the code of conduct, complete it, sign it, and upload it on the website.

These two documents need to be uploaded by the 2nd May 2025.

STEP 6: Do your internship!

The week before the internship starts, email your employer, and agree on where and when
you will meet for the first day. It’s a good idea to try and go there before your start date to
check how long the commute takes. This will help ensure you’re punctual. If you have
trouble finding your way, contact your employer directly—don’t call the school or your
parents. They understand this is your first professional experience and will be supportive.

Download the evaluation form from the website, give it to the employer, and tell them they
will have to fill it out before your internship ends.

Question: I don’t like my employer or my workplace. What do I do?

Answer: This can happen in real life too. Use the experience to understand
what you do not want to do in the future and what lessons you can take
from it.

Question: How should I behave during the traineeship?

Answer: Be punctual, stay calm, dress appropriately, be polite, remain
open to criticism, ask questions, and offer help when you can.

STEP 7: Write your report

Download the internship report and fill it out right after work. This will be easier than wait-
ing weeks and forgetting what you were doing.

Writing a Work Experience Report is essential as it allows you to reflect on your internship,
document your learning, and evaluate how the experience shapes your future goals. Your
report should include your details, information about the company or organization, a
summary of its activities, a description of your daily tasks, and your personal feedback
on what you learned and how it influences your career decisions. Aim for 2-3 pages,
ensuring it’s clear, detailed, and professional.

Use the template you fill find on Sharepoint.

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STEP 8: You’ve finished your internship

Ask your employer to give you back your evaluation form, and upload it on the website.

Complete your internship report and upload it on the website.

Enjoy the summer.

STEP 9: Receive your certificate

It is best to upload all of your documents as soon as you finish your internship to avoid
forgetting anything. However, you have until 26th September 2025 to upload all required
documents (CV, Cover Letter, Code of Conduct, Parental Consent, Contract, Report,
Evaluation) on the website. Keep your documents organized and know where they are.
The more documents you have missing, the longer it will take me to prepare your
certificates. Therefore, it is in your best interest to upload everything as you complete
each part.

The certificate will be available in PDF format, and you’ll be able to download and print it
if desired. The download link will be provided in November 2025. Certificates will not be
available before that date.

Additional questions

Where can I contact you?

E-mail me at UCC-WORK-EXPERIENCE@eursc.eu or come to room V20, Tuesday P3-P4.

Can I contact you on Teams or on your teacher’s email?

No. I will ignore the messages I receive there.

I’ve decided not to do my work experience. What now?

No problem. Just e-mail me.

Will there be a Teams group this year?

No. Announcements will be made on Sharepoint. For any questions, you can send me an
email.

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Checklist

Step Checkbox
1. Search for company
2. Send CV and Cover Letter
3. When accepted, ask if observational or participative
4. Fill in the form with all your personal details
5. Print, fill in and upload signed documents (CV, Cover Letter, code of
conduct, parental consent, signed contract in 3 copies)
6. Do your work experience
7. Give, receive and upload evaluation grid
8. Write report
9. Thank employer
10. Check if you have uploaded all the 6 documents
11. Receive certificate

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