A year in the life of an international careers adviser Jim Campbell, International Careers Adviser
international careers adviser post Brand new post Developmental position Reduced generic caseload
Overview An insight into the post Report back from visits to India and China
Careers education: UK market Seminars for international students Online seminars (VLE and pdf) Interview Academy
Careers information: UK market Statement of service Leaflets Developed/restructured web pages List of international student friendly employers Success stories Careers blog 4 international students @ GU
Careers information: external markets Careers information: international markets Enhanced country information for returning students Develop international student section in Information Centre Virtual Careers Fairs (AGCAS Scotland)
Work experience Scottish Government Challenge Fund project to deliver placements for international students
Language support Application proof reading service
Work with staff Information Sessions: Relocation Advisory Service Cultural Awareness: India
Work with employers UK market Networking External markets Employer brochures India visit, June 2008 China visit, March 2009
Work with University Induction events Share success stories Social/cultural programmes Destination information Sharing contact details with Alumni Relations Contribute to Internationalisation Strategy Internationally Student recruitment activity…
Postcard from India 7 cities in 14 days Participated in student recruitment activities Visited university placement centres Met employers And the ‘Glasgow Auld Students’ group in Kolkata!
Student recruitment Took place in agents’ offices. Vast majority of students enquire about UK job prospects. Most are aware of Fresh Talent though not in great detail. High number enquire about campus jobs and part-time employment. Many do have unrealistic expectations. And many lack occupational awareness. Popular course choices include MBA, Economics and Biosciences.
University placement centres Placement centres invite employers onto campus. Employers allocated slot for the delivery of pre-placement talk/selection interviews. Those with most vacancies/highest salaries get earlier slots. Students apply via placement centre. Employers short list and inform placement centre. Employers interview on campus and distribute offers via placement centre. In some cases, students are counted out of the process once they accept an offer.
Placement centres Do not: offer careers education, information or guidance provide services to graduates routinely organise careers fairs Do: place around 80% of their students
Postcard from China Visited Shenzen, Guangzhou and Beijing Visited a university careers centre Met employers and intermediaries Participated in a Burns Supper event for alumni.
Careers centre, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou Careers information Employer presentations Careers fairs Vacancies and internships Careers education Career planning courses Destination information is linked to university funding!
Diverse recruitment practices Graduate entry levels Graduate training programmes. Working from the bottom up. Timing October - November; March - June
Employer views Widespread complaints of skills deficit within the graduating force in China. English proficiency is highly valued. Returning students Skill set is valued but… Expectations too high in terms of salary and entry level. Too much focus on first tier cities Attrition rates are very high – job hopping common.
Questions?