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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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?

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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 s 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

20. Any Questions?

21. Keep in touch! Northumbria University website: www.Northumbria.ac.uk
me:
the EU team: