The Work Experience Program at the British Embassy offers a unique opportunity for a student to complement his/her academic studies with experiential learning in a professional setting. (The Embassy offers work experience in office and non office).

In order to qualify under the work experience program, candidates  must:

1. Be a minimum of 18 years of age at the start of the program
   
2. Not be a student resident in Mexico (Mexican students are eligible under the Internship Program (see Internship Program/  Programa de Servicio Social).
3. Be an overseas national (overseas to Mexico)
4. Be an undergraduate or graduate / a full time student in a vocational college.
   
   

If you fulfil all the above requirements, you are an eligible candidate for the Working Experience Program at the British Embassy.

The following information is very important. Therefore, please take your time to read it carefully. 

Selection and application process

All interested candidates will be expected to apply by sending an email to: Mexico.WorkExperience@fco.gov.uk All applications will be considered and applicants will receive short feedback from HR section if an application is unsuccessful. During January to March each year students would be expected to submit their CV together with a covering letter explaining the reasons why they are interested in applying.

Stage 1: January - March. Student visits our website.

Stage 2: January - March. Student will send their Cvs and covering letter outlining their area of interest.

Stage 3: May. HR receives CVs and applications from candidates. HR calls candidates for telephone interviews.

Stage 4: May. Successful candidates send paperwork to FCO London to start the security clearance process.

Stage 5: July. On receipt of security clearance book flights and make insurance and accommodation arrangements.

Stage 6: July - August. Work experience starts

Remuneration

As a working experience student, you do not receive a salary or any kind of compensation during their time with the Embassy. However, the Embassy will reimburse any official expenses incurred during the work experience as well as reimbursing parking costs.

Probation period

All work experience students are subject to a period of demonstration of aptitude of one month. This is intended to establish their suitability for the program. 

Travel and Visas

Travel: As a work experience student you are directly responsible for arranging and paying for travel both to and from Mexico itself (flights etc) and daily transport to and from the work experience site (British Embassy Mexico City, or sub-posts). Students should carefully consider transportation costs and travel-time before applying for our work experience program.

Visas: Work experience students will need a visa before travelling to Mexico in order to take part on the work experience program. Flights should not be booked before a visa has been obtained. The applicant must also meet all visa costs. The Embassy will issue a letter confirming the position and duration of the program, subject to visa and security clearances. The applicant should produce this letter when making their visa application with the Mexican Embassy in their resident country.

Extra costs

You may incur expenses in addition to your living expenses such as accommodation / insurance costs and other personal overheads. These expenses are the exclusive responsibility of the student. During the work experience period, the Embassy will not take any responsibility concerning medical emergencies, accidents or any other kind of extraordinary situation involving the student.

Insurance

In order to start work experience at the Embassy, students must provide evidence that they are insured by a Private Medical Insurance scheme.  This must be provided before travelling out to Mexico.

Duration of the program

There is only one window for work experience applications.  The window for applications opens 01 January to 31 May each year. Work experience programs may vary in duration but should not be for periods longer than 3 months and on a full time basis. 

What does the British Embassy expect from you?

• Professionalism. You are expected to display mature, professional behaviour at all times. You should be punctual, and abide by British Embassy policies.
  

• Commitment. You are expected to commit to staying at the British Embassy for the period of time agreed. Switching sections midway through the program is permitted and encouraged, providing both sides agree. This ensures that you have an enriched experience of working in different situations.
  

• Journal. A work experience journal is an excellent way of recording the experience. The HR team can advise students on how to take this forward.
  

Paperwork and registration

You, as the student bear sole responsibility for insuring that the HR team has received all paperwork. HR will issue all the relevant paper work to enroll the student into the program. Every student is responsible for ensuring that they keep a record of the hours worked. The line manager must sign the Record of Hours form and pass it to HR after every 25 hours of completed service.

Before applying to the Work Experience Program

Dear applicant, please take a few minutes and take into consideration the following questions before applying for the Work Experience Program:

• What do I want to get out of my work experience?
• Are there any specialist skills or knowledge I want to gain more experience in?
• Will the British Embassy allow me to meet my work experience goals?
• How will I get to and from the work experience site?
• How will I pay for my flight, accommodation and other costs?
• Do I have the time to commit to going on the work experience program?
• What about Non Office Work Experience? There are opportunities for non-office based jobs in the Embassy such as trainee gardeners and chefs. The application process is the same as for office jobs.