Working in industry

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are defined as companies that employ less than 250 people and have a turnover of less than £42 million (European Commission, 2003).There are 5.6 million SMEs in the UK and they account for 3/5 of employment (Federation of Small Businesses, 2023).

Advantages of working for smaller businesses

There is a huge variety of SMEs across all sectors, from micro businesses (traditionally less than 10 employees) to medium-sized enterprises (less than 250 employees). A start-up is a young company founded by one or more entrepreneurs to develop a unique product or service and bring it to market. It is classed as an SME.

The advantages of working for a small business include:

• The opportunity to have greater responsibility and influence operations;
• Working more closely with decision makers and senior colleagues;
• Networking and liaising with management teams;
• Variety and autonomy in your work;
• Making tangible contributions to the business that are visible;
• Experience of different tasks and functions within a company.

Imperial students that have undertaken internships in an SME have said:

“During my internship I gained valuable insight into both the biotechnology industry as well as the intricacies of working for a start-up. I improved my pitching ability; pitching in front of CEOs and executives of biotech and health companies in the pre-final judging round at MassChallenge.” Anonymous, 2018, MicroQuin

“As sole researcher, I designed a trial to extend this primary remit, managing all stages and reporting the improvements in hydration and wellbeing. I have learned a lot about research. I have also gained skills in problem solving; being flexible and adapting research to fit the constraints I am given.” Diana Shroff, 2019, Jelly Drops

Where to find opportunities?

SMEs are less likely to have formal recruiting practices; you may need a more creative and proactive approach to find opportunities.

The hidden job market describes vacancies that employers do not advertise yet still want to fill. Consequently, it is a good idea to send out a speculative application to an employer to enquire if there is the potential to create a job or internship.

Start-ups and smaller businesses can also be harder to find but here are a few places you can start your search:

• The British Chamber of Commerce represents businesses of all sizes in the UK and has regional chambers for you to research into local companies;
• The UK Science Park Association has a list of its members sorted by location;
• Sifted is a media platform for Europe’s innovators and entrepreneurs backed by the Financial Times;
• WorkInStartups is a jobs board for candidates looking to work in start-ups;
• Unicorn Hunt advertises the latest tech jobs in European start-ups.

Networking is also an effective job searching technique and a way to build a strong community of contacts. Once you have identified the sector you are interested in, you can look for relevant associations that host networking events such as Tech Nation.

Imperial College London

Imperial is home to a vast start-up ecosystem. Explore the following resources and research any companies or start-ups mentioned that interest you, perhaps contacting them with a speculative application if they are not advertising a suitable opportunity.

• Enterprise Lab
• I-HUB
• Advanced Hackspace
• Undaunted (Climate Change Innovation)

Large organisations can be defined as companies that employ more than 250 people. They are often recognised internationally and may be strong household brand names.

Advantages of working for a large organisation

In a large company, you are likely to start out as a small fish in a very big pond and there are various advantages to exploring this route:

• Structure – big companies often have an established way of doing things and you will tend to work in a clearly defined role within this set structure;
• Training – if you secure an internship or graduate role you will undergo a training programme designed to support your integration and career growth and this may include different placement rotations for you to explore more areas of the business;
• Salary and benefits – generally salaries are higher in larger corporations and they often have the resources to offer a wide range of benefits such as pension schemes or dental care plans;
• Job security – there is likely to be more job security in a large organisation but this is not always the case;
• Specialisation – if you are interested in advancing your knowledge in a specialist area you are likely to find this easier in a large business where you will have a clearly defined role;
• Brand reputation – a big company is more likely to be a well-known brand and working there could be a way to add value to your CV. An established name can sometimes hold weight when moving on as a stamp of quality.

Where to find opportunities?

Large companies are more likely to offer advertised structured opportunities including internships and graduate jobs. Explore our resources on work experience and job hunting for further guidance on finding opportunities.

When researching, it is important to visit the company’s website and follow the company on social media. This will help you understand a company’s culture and direct you to additional opportunities to engage with them including networking events. We host or advertise hundreds of events each term to help you build success on your own career journey. For more details, explore our What’s on webpages including upcoming employer workshops and career fairs.