Welcoming the Next Generation of Talent to StartUp Croydon
Here at StartUp Croydon, we love to welcome enthusiastic young people who are eager to experience what it’s like to spend time in the workplace. Between June and July, we were delighted to host Jake, Aryan, Fabio, Konrad, Harrison, Anqi, Ali, each bringing their own energy, curiosity, and fresh ideas to our team.
These work experience placements are a fantastic way for young people to develop professional skills, gain insight into different career paths, and build confidence in a real working environment.
Whether they join us for a few days or a few weeks, we are always proud to play a role in helping the next generation prepare for their future careers.
At the end of their time with us, each participant reflected on their experience — here’s a glimpse into what they had to say:
Jake:
My work experience at StartUp Croydon has been an eye-opening and rewarding experience, helping me develop new skills, gain confidence, and learn more about my interests. I was warmly welcomed by the team and quickly felt part of the environment. I worked on a podcast project about AI and education, learning editing, sound checks, and behind-the-scenes podcast production. I also had the opportunity to redesign the Creative Digital Lab website, which taught me web design, time management, independence, and creative problem-solving.
I gained marketing experience by designing a marketing image for a new product and creating a three-month content strategy, helping me discover that I enjoy strategy planning the most. I also observed a women’s start-up business talk, led a tour of the Creative Digital Lab, and made valuable networking connections. On my final day, I worked in reception, learning about client handling and the business side of operations. Overall, StartUp Croydon has given me incredible opportunities to explore my passions, experience different sides of business, and feel like a valued member of the team.
Aryan:
I had an awesome week doing my Year 10 work experience at StartUp Croydon! Everyone was super friendly and made me feel at home. I got to try out cool things in the Creative Digital Lab, from podcasting and vodcasting to learning about business tasks like invoicing and marketing. I loved working on a vodcast about empowering young people with AI, learning tech skills, teamwork, and how businesses promote themselves. The whole week was fun, eye-opening, and really inspiring. Thank you for having me, StartUp Croydon!
Fabio:
During my week at Start Up Croydon, I felt warmly welcomed and enjoyed the supportive and friendly atmosphere. I worked on a group Vod/podcast project, helping set up and position cameras, lights, mics, and headphones, and learned how to capture the best angles. I enjoyed the discussions during the recording, especially hearing different perspectives on AI. Midweek, we worked on Start Up’s website and finances, which gave me the chance to connect with others over lunch. I also got to edit the podcast using professional equipment like MacBook Pros and premium software, which I really appreciated.