Virtual

Your Future, Edited – Penguin Virtual Work Experience

Job sector

Publishing & Journalism

This programme is open to anyone aged 13+

Certificate of completion

Over 7 hours worth of content

Overview Do you want to learn from a well-known brand? The most widely recognised book publisher in the world? Step into the world of Penguin and publishing, where ideas become products, creativity meets strategy, and teams bring stories to life. From discovering new ideas to shaping a book’s journey onto shelves and screens, you’ll explore the roles and skills that make publishing one of the most exciting and influential industries out there. Packed with interactive activities, inside knowledge from Penguin colleagues, and the chance to start imagining your own future in publishing, this programme is sure to be a page-turner. What’s Included Over the course of this programme, you won’t just come to learn about how we publish great stories, but you’ll also find out that we hire so many different people with different skills and interests here at Penguin – no matter what you’re into, there’s a role for you here. You’ll discover how you

Welcome to Penguin and step into the fast-moving world of publishing where ideas become products, creativity meets data, and bold decisions shape what the world reads. In this module, we’ll introduce you to the publishing world and show you how Penguin is progressing to be a publisher for all. We care about making books for everyone, and workplaces that create belonging, embrace difference, and champion new voices. So, what’s important to you? And what part could you play here?

Every book begins with an idea. In this module, we’ll take you inside the process of buying a book from an author – where stories are pitched, decisions are made, and our publishing principles guide what we bring to life. From best-selling titles to bold new voices, every decision counts, and by the end of this module, you’ll get to play the role of a Penguin colleague, making real decisions. Could you spot the next bestseller?

This module will take you behind the scenes, as you uncover what it takes to turn a manuscript into a finished book you can hear, hold, or download. We’ll explore the challenge of making, designing, and delivering a finished book. You’ll discover how many teams across Penguin bring books to life in different formats, balancing creativity with practical decisions regarding cost, environmental sustainability, and reaching target audiences. Think you could spot what makes a great story or build the system that brings it to readers? See where your strengths fit.

Your skills tell your story. In this module, we’ll explore the qualities every employer looks for – from teamwork and communication to the all-important problem-solving. You’ll also discover the many ways to begin your career with Penguin, from entry-level roles to internships and work experience. Think of this module as the final chapter – the last piece of your puzzle for stepping confidently into the world of work.

Available dates

Starting soon

Programme dates

24th November 2025 - 29th June 2026

Hear from our student community

“

Aqsa Saleemi, Year 12 Student

Thank you for all your time and effort. The program was by far the best experience I’ve had virtually compared to other virtual experiences I’ve done. I liked the layout and the interactive activities, and I learnt a lot I didn’t know. I would definitely recommend this program to others; it was a great experience I would love to do it all again.

“

Sophia Nathwani, Year 11 Student, from Hampton

I enjoyed understanding the many professions and areas within journalism that I had not been able to clearly separate prior to this programme; I particularly enjoyed the photojournalism and broadcast journalism sections, as they allowed me to explore a less conventional writing style than what I would normally use. The interactive tasks were a great way for me to demonstrate and put into practice my new knowledge, and all of the videos were extremely concise and helpful.

“

Stephanie Oseha, Year 12 Student

A huge thank you to everyone who made this programme possible. It was a fantastic experience, and I feel more confident in myself now when applying for a job position in the future and in my personal life. I valued this experience because I realised it was okay to make mistakes and how they make you stronger for future events. I loved how efficient the Barclays team was when students and the professionals who ran the live webinars asked questions. The skills I've learnt through this virtual work experience will be used for future endeavours. So once again, thank you so much.

Frequently asked questions

When will I hear back if I have been successful with my application?

Once you have applied for your programme, you will receive a confirmation email. You will be notified about the outcome of your application via email at least 3 days before the programme start date. Good luck!

Can I apply to multiple programmes?

Yes, you can sign up to multiple programmes with us. The live talks will be available as recordings, so you can catch up on any potential clashes.

Who can take part in the programme? (Age limits, some programmes have location constraints but most don’t etc.)

Most of our programmes require students to be in school/college. Some programmes require students to be based in specific regions of the UK, this is stipulated by the organisations themselves, and is not defined by Springpod.

However, the ages mentioned on our programmes are more of a guideline than a strict limit. As such, we more than welcome older students to apply as well!

How long does it take for assignments to be reviewed?

Assignments can take up to a week or longer to review and be marked complete. Rest assured, it will be reviewed soon and your certificate will be generated once your programme has been marked as complete.

What do I do if I upload the wrong file?

If you make a mistake when uploading a file, please email hello@springpod.com. We will be able to make a note on our system. Don’t worry, the outcome of your programme will not be affected by this.

How long will I have to complete this programme?

There is no specific cut-off deadline for completing your programme (although, if possible, we would encourage you to complete all the work within the time frame, alongside the live webinar sessions).

When does the programme start?

Our programmes have various start dates, you can find the exact date on the programme website page. These are available here: https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/search

You will be notified if your application has been successful, 3 days before the programme start date.

What happens if I can't finish the work experience in time?

All programme material will remain accessible after the end date of the programme. Students can continue to work through their programme after the official end date. Although, if possible, we would strongly encourage students to complete all the work within the time frame, alongside the live webinar sessions.

How much work is required for these programmes? (Will I be able/should I complete more than one programme at a time)?

There is around 10 hours worth of work in total, spread across a two week period. The live talks will be available as recordings, so you can catch up on any work whenever possible.

When do the programmes run? (programme structure etc.)

Once you have access, you can view and complete the material as and when you can, within the time frame of the course in question (for example, within a two week period). In total, there is around 10 hours worth of work. The live talks will take place during weekday working hours. However, all live talks will be available as recordings and the courses can be completed at your own convenience. . There is no specific cut-off deadline for completing your programme (although, if possible, we would encourage you to complete all the work within the time frame, alongside the live webinar sessions).

What happens if I can't make a live talk/webinar?

All live talks will be available as recordings. You can access these at the same link used to access the live event. So don’t worry if you can’t attend a live webinar, a recording will be available for you to access through your programme within 24 hours of the live event finishing.

What software is required for the live talks?

We use a piece of software called BigMarker. It is a cloud based video hosting software. It requires no installations or downloads on your end, and will provide everything you need to join the live webinars through one simple link.

Will I be able to ask questions/do I have to have my microphone on?

You will have a chance to ask questions at the end of each webinar. These questions are typed out and then read to the presenter by the host of the live talk. There is no need to speak, and all student microphones will be muted for the duration of the live webinar.

Do you offer in-person work experience?
We don't directly manage in person work experience but many of our virtual programmes can lead to in person opportunities, look for the programmes marked as 'Virtual to Reality'. You will need to complete the virtual programme and declare your interest via the embedded form.
When will I hear if there is an in-person opportunity?
Our employer partner will contact you directly about any opportunities, timescales can vary Springpod won't be able to provide any updates on progress.

Ready to find out if this career is right for you?

Apply now

Your Future, Edited – Penguin Virtual Work Experience

This programme is open to anyone aged 13+

Certificate of completion

Over 7 hours worth of content

Welcome to Penguin

Buying the Book

Making It Happen

Buzz and Buy-In

Beyond the Book

Employability Skills

Available dates

Hear from our student community

Aqsa Saleemi, Year 12 Student

Wilfred Williams, Year 12 Student from London

Sophia Nathwani, Year 11 Student, from Hampton

Ellinor Comard, Year 12 Student from Teddington

Stephanie Oseha, Year 12 Student

Jack Zhou, Year 12 Student from Kingston upon Thames

Frequently asked questions

I have a question about my application or programme eligibility

I have a question about my assignment

I have a question about the programme dates, deadline or workload

I have a question about the live talks

I have a question about the certificate

I have a question about in-person work experience

I want to delete my account

Ready to find out if this career is right for you?