23 May 2024 , 15:34
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A British mum has been left feeling bemused after her arts-loving daughter was assigned a rather unexpected work experience role by her sixth form college.
The woman voiced her surprise when the college, which said it intended to match students with jobs suited to their skills and interests, placed her daughter in a gravestone maintenance role. "My teen is about to do some work experience set up by her 6th form college," she tweeted.
"The idea is to match students with jobs that reflect their skills/interests. My girl is deep into the arts - she loves music, art, photography, making stuff. Her allocated job? Gravestone maintenance."
She later added: "We're not cross about this and I didn't think they'd bag her a job at the Tate. Doing random jobs is character building."
The quirky job placement quickly caught the attention of scores of other X users, sparking a mix of amusement and sympathy. One commenter quipped: "As somebody working in a creative field, I find it very appropriate to get a hopeful, young person used to the idea of burying all their hopes and dreams as early on as possible."
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Another reader had a playful take and added: "Dead-end career. Don't let her do it, it will be a grave mistake, it's a dying customer base. Nothing artistic about graveyards even the musicians are de-composing."
A third user said: "That's the most goth work experience I have ever heard of - Mary Shelley would have been proud." And a fourth added: "Think that's a fantastic idea - so much history and remember to tell her you'll always find a fanny in a graveyard! (Family joke)."
Certain users saw the possible merit in the job. Someone suggested: "Understand your frustrations Fiona but there is amazing art in old stones and I used to know a man who was a stone mason, to watch him carve marble was inspiring."
Another user concurred: "I'd suggest it is a kinda cool assignment. A lot of fascinating history in graveyards, a lot of fodder for creative imagination types... And she'll be doing something really worthwhile on an emotional level that is likely to leave her feeling warm and fuzzy."
While another shared: "My sister did that! She loved it. She found it surprisingly rewarding, taking care of people who used to mean something to other people. My sister is also into art, poetry... it's a lovely thing to do. You don't know what it will inspire."
Other X users detailed their own strange work experience placements (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Meanwhile, others shared their own nightmarish work experience stories. One individual disclosed: "I was keen on design and graphics and hoped to get into a graphic design studio for my work experience week - I got sent to Debenhams where I was told to stack shelves!"
Another confessed: "I was an EXTREMELY shy and unworldly 17-year-old back in the 90s and my 6th form arranged for pupils to have workplaces in industry rather than retail, or offices etc. It meant we went to various factories which was fine. Except I was sent to a condom making factory. I was mortified."