Five Steps to Graduate Employability Introduce Self Brief Expeience Kirsty Setz-Clarke

Why Choose University after High school? Hands up! Why Choose University after High school? To Launch a career..HOWEVER, THERE ARE MORE GRADUATES OUT THERE THAN EVER SO COMPETITION IS TOUGH! The good news is though that 87% of graduates who leave university are employed, and with an average starting salary of £24K

A Few Facts and Figures The country’s top employers planned to expand their graduate recruitment by a further 7.5% in 2016, the fourth consecutive year that graduate vacancies have increased. This significant rise in graduate vacancies for 2016 took recruitment beyond the pre-recession peak in the graduate job market in 2007, to its highest-ever level. Employers in nine out of thirteen key industries and employment areas were expecting to take on more new graduates than in 2015. Recruiters have confirmed that 32% of this year’s entry-level positions are expected to be filled by graduates who have already worked for their organisations, either through paid internships, industrial placements or vacation work.

1. Choose the right course Some Careers are a clear path from study to work. For example Architecture or Medicine Other Careers are more focussed on transferable skills and a holistic University Experience

1. Choose the right course Some things to consider are: What Career do you want and what qualifications would you require? What subjects are you good at? What grades are you expecting? What subjects interest you – in school and out? Which universities are highly ranked for your chosen subject?

1. Choose the right course Does the course include a placement? Is it guaranteed? If facilities are important, are there photos and videos on the University website? Attend Open Days if you can. If not, request a visit (Northumbria welcomes individual visits at any time but not all unis do so check), or watch virtual tours, videos, webinars, Live Q&As, social media etc to get a sense of the university

I can’t find a job because I have no experience I have no experience because I can’t find a job

2. Volunteer Anyone can volunteer – you’ll develop existing skills and interests or try something new Lots of options – most universities have a volunteering and societies fair in Freshers Week It’s a great way to make friends – happy students are more likely to finish their studies and the friends you make now will become your professional network later

2. Volunteer It fits around your studies – weekly commitment, short project or one-off event. It all counts. You’ll develop transferable skills e.g. communication, leadership, teamwork Make sure you record it e.g. HEAR transcript and ask for references University and NUS awards for volunteering will help you stand out

3. Get Work Experience Opportunities will vary depending on the course and your location Types of work experience: Part-time job – improve your English, integrate with local community, earn money Year-long placement ‘sandwich’ degree – the best experience, in your chosen career field, often paid Short placement – may be included in your course e.g. 6 weeks or 1 semester Summer placement – looks better on your CV than a suntan

3. Get Work Experience There are lots of opportunities out there. How to find them: Look early – the biggest mistake students make is starting the search too late Use the careers service – every Uni has one (Northumbria’s is award winning) Careers service can help you with CVs, cover letters, practice interviews Register for emails to be the first to know about vacancies and employer events Attend the employer events! Start building connections early on Ask your lecturers to put you in contact with students from the year above and find out where they did their work experience Websites such as Prospects, Milkround, Gradcracker.

4.Be International Almost every company is international on some level, whether it’s a small UK business with a supplier in Taiwan, or a multinational corporation – they all value cross-cultural skills. By choosing to study in the UK, you are already showing you are internationally-minded, ambitious, bi-lingual etc. But so are many other overseas students who come to the UK. Stand out by doing a semester/year abroad. Gain a new cultural perspective and internationalise your professional network

5. Networking Attend careers fairs and networking events on campus and off campus Be nice to your lecturers – they have a huge network of contacts Be nice to your course mates – you’re likely to end up in the same industry

5. Networking Utilise connections in your network outside your course (e.g. from societies, sports, work) Create a LinkedIn profile (or equivalent for your industry), add connections when you meet them – follow up with a message so they remember you Be clear about what kind of experience you want and tell people you’re looking – most people want to help others but if you’re vague, they don’t know how

Give Your Career an Edge Support Opportunities Future Partnerships with 560+ business Accreditation from 46+ professional bodies Award winning careers department Industry standard facilities Live project briefs from companies

Give Your Career an Edge Support Opportunities Future Global exchange programmes Industry placement opportunities on all undergraduate courses Part-time work at the university Enterprise and Innovation Fund

Give Your Career an Edge Support Opportunities Future 94% of graduates working or further study in 6 months Higher Education Survey 2014 UK No.1 for graduate start-ups Based on estimated turnover HEBCIS ‘14 7th in UK for professional employment DLHE ‘14

Any Questions?

Keep in touch! Northumbria University website: www.Northumbria.ac.uk Email me: kirsty.setz-Clarke@Northumbria.ac.uk Email the EU team: EUrecrutiment@northumbria.a.cuk