2. This session will help you to: Consider different types of work experience Weigh up the pros and cons of an internship Introduce you to useful resources for placements Devise your personal action plan Tell you about support available at Warwick  Work experience- Why bother?  What do employers want from graduates?  Different ways to gain work experience  What do I do next? Action planning  What support is available for finding placements? Aims of session

3. Year in industry-why bother?

4. This session will help you to: Consider different types of work experience Weigh up the pros and cons of an internship Introduce you to useful resources for placements Devise your personal action plan Tell you about support available at Warwick “The sad fact is that for the majority of students a degree alone won’t guarantee you the job you want. It’s a good starting block, but that’s all it is. Recruiters tell us that the graduates that stand out are the ones with some experience, the ones who know how to sell themselves … Any work experience can be relevant, you just need to make it clear how the skills you’ve picked up will make you employable in the career you’ve chosen.” Zoe Roberts, Editor Real World Magazine.

5. Taking your careers ideas for a ‘test drive’ ! Experience of business, industry or another sector of worksector Meet new people and learn about fitting into the working world Gain range of work related skills to make you more employable when you graduateskills Work experience is useful bridge between theory and practice Work experience opportunities can lead to graduate job offers well before graduation

6. What Employers Seek  2.1 Undergraduate Degree : 75.5%  Specific Degree Subject: 33.0 %  From particular Universities 6.8%  Relevant Work Experience: 33.5%  Demonstrate specific skills 62.8% AGR UK Survey July 2010

7. What Employers Seek  Cross cultural sensitivity  Project management  Multi-tasking  Networking and collaboration  Can manage own career and learning AGR UK Survey March 2010  Interpersonal skills  Team Player  Leadership  Decision Making  Commercial Savvy  Customer Awareness

8. The Graduate Jobs Formula E= Q + WE + S x C ? Employability = Qualifications +Work Experience + Strategies X Contacts The Graduate Jobs Formula, 2010, Dr Paul Redmond http://careers.guardian.co.uk/audio/careers-talk-the-graduate-job- formula

9. Types of work experience Vacation placements (1 day – 3months) Informal placements (1-2 days) per week Voluntary work alongside study Work/Travel overseas Formal 12 month internship schemes

10. Past Work Experience Lab assistant: Uni of Edinburgh Volunteering in India with Development in Action Children’s camp in France Business Consultancy Teaching in China At Warwick in the automotive centre HM Revenue and Customs British Telecom Graduate Advantage placements with local SMEs Renishaw Consulting Civil Engineering Consultant Megga Project- Peru Thailand Fish Farming Industry Bonny Food Services in China

11. Top tips-applying for placements Start your research and planning now Keep your options open-Don’t just apply for one Take it as serious as a graduate job

12. Formal internship schemes AkzoNobel Placement Atkins Global Network Rail Placement

13. Overseas www.worldwidevolunteering.org.uk/ Not for profit sector Lattitude Environmental placement Alternatives to industrial placements EWB

14. Arranging your own Large employers-not for everyone Working for a small/medium employer (SME) can have more scope Not so organised/structured-need to show initiative! Negotiation skills needed to contract Start local – Midlands or close to home

15. Short vs. Long? Engineering vs. Something new? Paid vs. voluntary? Large company vs. SME? UK vs. Overseas? Factors to consider

16. What do I do next? Your action plan What skills do I already have? What skills do I want/need to develop during my internship? Which companies/sector?

17. ACTION TO BE TAKENWHEN?Achieved? Follow up needed? Research industrial placement Scheme for Jaguar Land Rover www.jaguarlandrover.com Closing date: 31st December 2010  YES: DRAFT FORM Complete Draft online application form for Jaguar Land Rover Closing date: 31st December 2010 YES: PRINT COPY ACTION PLAN FOR OBTAINING INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT

18. Warwick Advantage This website will help you gather the evidence you need to prove yourself to graduate employers or for further study options! www.go.warwick.ac.uk/advantage

19. www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/careers/workexperience/ www.gradcracker.com/engineering-work-placements/ http://targetjobs.co.uk/work-experience http://www.yini.org.uk/ www.ratemyplacement.com Real World Magazine Work Experience Guide Work experience useful links

20. Andy Lloyd Careers Consultant School of Engineering & WMG In person: Help desk:10.00am to 6.00pm University House, Ground Floor Careers & Skills Library open 24/7 Phone: 024 7652 4748 (general enquiries) E-mail: careers@warwick.ac.ukcareers@warwick.ac.uk