Planning and jobs

No one likes to plan, but planning can bring you very far! As you’re approaching the end of the year, instead of taking each day as it comes, why not plan a holiday or apply for a job over the summer to earn some extra cash?

I started my first official paid job in a central recruitment and admissions department and the contract was for 4 weeks. In those 4 weeks I made a good amount of money which helped finance my driving lessons (yep they are quite expensive!). After working for that one month there was an opportunity to work during term time which turned out really well and I’m glad I took the chance to extend my experience. Now when I apply for other jobs the employers can see that I have a solid experience from a paid role which is not easy to get with today’s economy. As the portal has been selected to advertise jobs, make the most of it, there might be something you’re interested in. I find that the student jobs advertised on the portal have a decent pay rate as well so it might be better than going straight into a retail job. Also, if graduate employers see that you have had part time work whilst in higher education, it shows that there are no gaps in your education/employment history and it indicates that you are proactive as an individual *brownie points* J

Plan ahead for the next academic year to come, try and find out how many coursework submissions you have and when their deadlines are. Then you know when you have spare time to visit home and book tickets early for cheaper rates! 

Placements

Recently, life has been pretty hectic! Running around university printing past exam papers, trying to

squeeze in those last deadlines and on top of all that, PLACEMENTS!

As you all know, I haven’t had the best of luck with placements but there is light at the end of the tunnel. A company is interested in my application and the process is actually quite daunting, tests, interviews, more tests and the final interview L. What I've learnt is that nailing a placement is crucial for you to develop your career because it acts as that stepping stone into the big world and can show that you’re a responsible person. Employers are looking for students who outshine the rest, by holding a degree it might not always be enough for some companies. There are skills which people learn from experience and experience only; those skills might be the deciding point between you and another candidate.

If you are a first year student it’s worthwhile having a look online at what companies require for their placements and internships. A majority of companies wish to recruit students who are finishing their second year and can take students for 10-12 months. It’s also paid! So why not?

By the time you enter your second year you should already know which companies you want to apply for and you should be tailoring your CV to each company’s requirements. Before sending your CV you should get it checked by one of the employability staff at your campus.

To find out more information, visit your student centre and they will be able to help you with the next steps you need to take on building your career!