Work experience.Two words that I loathe and reduce me to a prolonged session of desk headbutting.

Looking after students who come here to do work experience is more trouble than it‘s worth. We certainly don’t gain any “work” from it, and I’m not sure the students any gain any valuable “experience”.

I now feel sorry for the companies I was placed at when I was a student. That radio station where I carried out audience market research? It was thrilled with its improved listener stats, but those numbers could not bear too much scrutiny. Then there was the advertising agency where I was sent off on errands. It would take me all day to get to Covent Garden from Soho … who can resist those shops and cafes?

Now I am being punished for my sins by having students placed with me. The worst are those who are still at school. What on earth can they contribute? There’s only so much tea and coffee they can make – some are so spoilt they‘ve never had to make their own before – and photocopying doesn’t take long either. I haven’t got the time to babysit them, so when they ask if they can go home yet, usually just after lunch, I always say “yes, please do!”

The reason I am looking after these school kids is because I don’t like to say no to friends who ask if their prodigies can work for me. But I should, a) because my friends get to hear what a ridiculous job I have from their kids, and b) because it’s embarrassing telling friends that perhaps PR, or any office-job, is not the right option for their darling offspring, as a few social skills are required.

But there are a couple of small benefits. I can pump them for information about what they’re into these days, which can be useful when it comes to pitching. Plus they are very good at showing me how to use the apps on my phone.

But if you are stuck with a student, just bear in mind these two tips:

1. Make sure they have their own computer. They can spend all day on this – just don‘t go and look over their shoulder, you will either be shocked, or worse, disappointed.

2. Don’t let them answer the telephone. They never use a phone for speaking if they can help it, so their phone manners need work.