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» Golden opportunities and back-up plans How to aim high and win whatever happens P26
2011
»H ow do you spot a good placement? P16
» Real World Award Winners Inspiring graduate stories P14
a living Make a life, not just
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
RAJEEB DEY
MAKE YOUR OWN CHANCES Entrepreneur Rajeeb Dey on why internships are old news P6
WORK EXPERIENCE SPECIAL ISSUE
WORK EXPERIENCE | SPECIAL ISSUE
Contents ON THE COVER Interview 6 Rajeeb Dey says, Forget internships, be an entrepreneur UPFRONT News 4 REAL WORLD FEATURES Experience for sale 9 A lesson in personal PR How do I make my work experience work for me? 10 Work experience by numbers 13 Real World Awards 14 The winning graduates and their inspiring stories The perfect fit 16 Find the experience that’ll work for you
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a placement. We also know that work experience isn’t always about a short spell in an office. As Rajeeb Dey suggests in our big interview, why not make you own work experience and be an entrepreneur? After all, the deep end of work experience doesn’t any deeper than that and if you’re going to make it on your own one day why not start today? Of course, there’s also our usual mix of news, advice and updates. Enjoy. Jon Madge, Editor editor@realworldmagazine.com
How to get ahead 18 What makes a good placement? Heaven and hell 20
A gap full of experiences 22 Your guide to the best gap year resources
Golden opportunities 26 Aim high and make the most of whatever comes 50 top work experience placements 28 Case studies 33 Real people, real stories
At Real World we believe you should have a job that you want to get out of bed for. You should be doing something that’s going to inspire you, reward you and challenge you for the next 50 years. We help you do what you enjoy and enjoy what you do. We want to be the ones to tell you about the job opportunity that’ll change your life. And we want to help you to get that job and then succeed without limits. Real World is more than just a magazine. We’re leaders in graduate employment research. We train people how to raise their game. Everything we do is about helping you understand your career, kick-starting it and developing it. After all, apart from sleeping, you’ll spend more time working than doing anything else in your life. We want you to make a good living, but we also want you to make a good life in the process. No sugar-coating and no dry job jargon – Real World tells it like it is. Just the best facts, advice and opportunities.
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The best and worst internships
Ten ways to put your gap year on your CV 24
Make a life, not just a living
hen the rest of the world is just settling in to the new university year or gearing up for Christmas, we know our readers are keen to get experiencing the wide world of work. We’ve got advice straight from the mouths of the graduate recruitment horse, with the top employers telling you how to make the most of
Get ahead The anatomy of a good placement
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Muster your forces Make your work experience work
Editorial: Editor Jon Madge • Publisher • Johnny Rich • Writer/Sub-editor Nathalie Bonney Researchers • Sam Passmore, Terri Sturman, Maxwell Ward• Designer Emma Goodman Advertising: Sales Andrea Moretti • Marketing/Distribution Manager James Munday • Client Services Manager Maria Tasle • Founder Darius Norell • Real World is a publication of Cherry Publishing: 22-26 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ • Tel: 020 7735 4900 E-mail: info@realworldmagazine.com • Website: www.realworldmagazine.com Copyright © 2010 Cherry Publishing Ltd 2010 No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher. We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs or for material lost or damaged in the post. The views in this publication or on our website are not necessarily those held by the publisher.
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real world | news
news RIP the CV
More jobs ahoy The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has launched a national recruitment campaign to create 35,000 temporary jobs across England and Wales for the next Census, to be held on
provides is needed to plan vital services like schools, hospitals, housing, roads and emergency services. Census results are also used as both a teaching and research resource. The 2011 Census is
27 March 2011. The ONS wants applicants looking for flexible temporary
less than six months away. We need to give people help and support to
jobs, including students and graduates. "The census is not just about counting people,” says Glen Watson, Director of the ONS Census, “the information it
complete and return the census questionnaire and this means recruiting the right people for this important nationwide project.”
The newly launched job search website www.labels.io, is dispensing with CVs and asking job seekers to list their skills and experience instead. The idea behind this is to shorten the time it takes recruiters and employers to find potential employees by pinpointing suitable applicants by their skills rather than irrelevant info on a CV, all for free. Octavian Popescu, the Romanian founder of www.labels.io, describes the website as "a game changer". He adds, “Given how difficult it has become to find professionals with specific skills, abilities, experiences and work histories. Three, four and five-page résumés are boring and unnecessary; diluting key information needed by employers to quickly and easily identify qualified candidates”. Popescu is optimistic over the success of his website and its ability to modernise the way we look for jobs. “With no direct competition in the marketplace and a solution with so much upside, we intend to revolutionise the field of technology recruitment.”
Assessment days, ever wanted to practise?
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University College London (UCL) is taking a more hands-on approach with its career advice in the form of mock assessment days. The days are aimed at
preparation top companies are looking for in their graduate recruits. "The initiative goes a step further than the tips and advice that form the usual
students facing the demanding application process for jobs with top
preparation for the high pressure assessment days,” says Karen Barnard,
employers. During the assessment days students will take part in typical exercises, all of which will be led by employers to give unparalleled insight into the level of
Head of the UCL Careers Service. “We want to really prepare our students for the very tough application process that exists for the very best jobs.”
real world | news
Graduates say no to blind-date recruiting Graduates looking for work and internships prefer to go to recruitment fairs and presentations rather than trawl through recruitment advertisements online, a survey has shown. Chris Phillips, Publishing Director at www.TARGETjobs.co.uk, says that “it's encouraging that today's graduates are eager to meet, talk to and evaluate graduate recruiters at fairs, presentations and other events and don't base their views merely on online research and graduate publications.” Phillips is, however, wary of the pitfalls of recruitment presentations. “It's sobering to know that a bad presentation could ruin years of a
8.9% Graduate unemployment reaches 17-year high Research has shown that unemployment among the recently graduated has reached its highest levels for 17 years, at approximately 8.9%. The overall rate of unemployment growth, however, is slowing and Charlie Ball, deputy research director at the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU), is optimistic despite the high graduate percentage. “Prospects for graduates in the short-term look brighter, with unemployment, as a result of the downturn, likely to have peaked and next year we expect to
positive brand image as the graduates attending will tell
see a decline. However, with the anticipated public sector job cuts the
their mates, who tell their mates who tell their mates".
future in the medium-term looks less clear”.
Photography: © iStockphoto
How to network effectively Ever wondered what the secret to networking is? Professional careers advisor and CV writer Tom Dezell has written a new book entitled ‘Networking for the Novice, Nervous or Naive Job Seeker’. This self-help book aims to provide direction to those who may feel a little bit lost going in to the world of work. Explaining how the book came about, Dezell said, “Despite the varied backgrounds of the job seeking populations, I’ve seen too many people use their own fears to hinder their networking abilities. I experienced these fears on a personal level as well and wanted to share the skills I acquired with others.”
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interview | rajeeb dey
Photography: © iStockphotow
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interview | rajeeb dey
Make your R own work experience
isn’t usually what work experience is about but Rajeeb thinks that maybe it should be. We caught up with Rajeeb to ask him whether you really can make your own work experience and why some graduates should. RW: So how does an entrepreneurial work experience differ from the usual kind? RD: We usually place our graduates with small businesses or fast-moving start-ups. So it’s a lot more hands on. In a normal work experience you get to go into a role that’s already created, in a start-up you kind of have to do everything. RW: What skills would graduates develop in this sort of placement? RD: You have to use the kind of innovation and creativity to create your own environment.
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Rajeeb Dey, Founder of Enternships.com explains why now might be the time to turn your back on internships and go it alone.
ajeeb Dey is the founder of Enternships.com, an online jobs board that has sent the world of work experience out for a tin of tartan paint and changed the rules while it’s gone. The idea behind the website is that graduates can do more with their work experience than just make tea and answer phones. It places graduates with newly created or quickly expanding companies, in which they are expected to fuel that expansion. Creating new ideas, founding a new department or completely changing how a business runs
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interview | rajeeb dey
We’ve had lots of people with Enternships who have created their own role and made themselves indispensible to the organisation they’re working in. Others have learned everything they need to go off and start up their own business. RW: What are the qualities that make someone right to be an entrepreneur? RD: You haven’t exactly got to be mad, but you’ve got to be bold and willing to take risks. And you’ve got to be able to fail, which is a real problem in Britain because we have a culture that sees failure as bad, whereas in America there are entrepreneurs that have failed and started another company and succeeded, and they wear that failure as a badge of honour. You also have to be quite comfortable with uncertainty because you aren’t going to have a regular salary. It’s also important to be able to think outside the box and be prepared to challenge the status quo. For me, I know that if someone tells me ‘this is the way something is’ I immediately question why is it? Does it have to be? RW: Isn’t risk, particularly financial risk, a problem for graduates because it isn’t something that they are in a position to take? RD: The great thing about setting up a business now is that it doesn’t have to
that might seem like a better offer than starting up your own business but at the moment there just aren’t those jobs there so you’ve got nothing to lose. You can start up a company and see if it works and if it doesn’t it hasn’t cost you very much. It’s the perfect example of the lean business model.
You don't have to be mad exactly, but you have to be bold and willing to take risks. You've got to be able to fail.
RW: So is now the ideal time to start a business? RD: Yes. I think we should change some of the rhetoric around graduate unemployment. I’ very passionate about graduates becoming entrepreneurs and I think it should at least be on their radars as an option. So I think now is a great time and it is a sensible option. I should add that it’s not going to be for everyone. Not every graduate should become an entrepreneur because it’s not going to suit everyone. Not the way of working nor the lifestyle. However if you’ve ever had an inclination or thought about maybe dabbling in it, now is the time to try it. RW: What advice would you give to graduates looking for a job, either traditionally or as an entrepreneur? RD: I want to stress the importance of networking. It’s never too early to start. There is a perception that you only do that kind of thing when you have a job and have business cards to give out to people. Actually, I started creating my
cost very much. Particularly if it’s an online business, all you need is an idea and a
network when I was 17. In this day and age it’s not a case of
domain name and you can pretty much run it from your bedroom.
walking into a job because you’ve got a good degree. It’s going to be a case of
The economy now is ideal for anyone with an idea to start a business. In a more
what do you know and who do you know. So build a good network around you
stable economy there are jobs on offer
and keep in touch with your network.
The 3-step plan to becoming an entrepreneur 1 – Come up with a good idea. It doesn’t have to be an invention or some ground-breaking idea. What I’m doing isn’t original, there are already jobs boards. What's unique is the branding, the message and the markets I’m connecting. What pain are you addressing and are you passionate about it? That’s important - this is going to be your life.
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2 –Find some support. This can be financial support or mentoring or just general advice. There is a tendency with entrepreneurs to be very precious about their ideas, to think that if they tell anyone they’ll steal it. In my experience that isn’t the case, I’ve found it’s been more useful talking to people about my ideas and gaining their advice.
3 – Just go and do it. There are people that spend a lot of time writing very detailed business plans and working out the smallest details of their ideas. But in this day and age, it’s all about finding out if works. So just get it out there, see if people like it and if they don’t then ditch it and work on something else.
work experience | selling you experience
Experience for sale Getting your ideal job is the most important business deal any graduate has to negotiate. But how do you give you give the PR spin to your most valuable commodity: your experience.
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essica Hodkinson, found her work experience at Oxfam the perfect launching pad to landing a job in PR and giving her inspiration to set up her own blog www.prcompany. org.uk. She shares with Real World why work experience is invaluable and how to make it count when it comes to securing paid employment. Most students at university live for the moment and not for the future, with work experience coming low on their list of priorities. I've been there myself and I remember thinking that going out for a few drinks was far more exciting than
Photography: © iStockphoto
giving up an hour or two to work unpaid. However work experience is more vital than ever and especially in an economy with major cutbacks and soaring levels of competition. In some cases people have worked a whole year of unpaid work experience, which is obviously quite daunting but it doesn't have to be this way. Apply to work for companies that interest you and book in two weeks here and there between semesters throughout your time at university. Showing that you are keen to work and have the motivation to do something on top of your studies definitely makes you stand out from the crowd. I worked for Oxfam twice a week while attending weekly seminars and lectures. This voluntary experience was extremely valuable as I was involved in writing press
Shout about what you've done You may have only worked for an agency for a month but this is still essential experience. List all the activities you took part in and expand on certain tasks you carried out. If you spoke to various people over the telephone, state in your CV that you liaised with various media outlets and reached your goal of getting news out on time. Work experience does not have to be something amazing, even volunteering to look after a brownie pack or coach football is proof you have gone out of your way to do something extra and worthwhile. .
Quick tips • Appear determined and energeticemployers do not like lazy releases, liaising with national newspapers and organising fundraising events. As well as giving me a great insight into PR, the experience helped me to build on my personal confidence and I also gained a sense of satisfaction seeing where the generated funds were being used. If you do some work experience before applying for jobs at university it gives you a great conversation starting point and aids you with the confidence to express your knowledge. Employers do not like lazy graduates. They seek active, willing and enthusiastic candidates. Having as much work experience in the field of work you are interested in will put you miles ahead of the game.
graduates. • Get as much experience as possible whilst at university – I held down a part time job and carried out PR for Oxfam and gained agency. experience in the summer break. • Network and speak to people - get yourself on LinkedIn and Twitter. Following companies you would like to work for is most beneficial. • Don’t sit back and wait – approach companies and stress your passion to work for them. • Make yourself stand out – how can you make your CV different? • Start a mini project, such as a personal blog and get yourself online.
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work experience | making it work
How do I make experience
Illustration: Š iStockphoto
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work experience | making it work
my work work for me?
We asked the top employers the question on every graduate’s lips.
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f you wanted to design a way to put most graduates off the world of work, work experience might be it. For many grads, it’s their first foray into the world of work and they’re expected to find a place for themselves between making the tea and running the company. Then there are all those dilemmas, do you ask questions? Are the rest of the office your colleagues? Should you offer to stay late on a friday night? Never one to shy from the big issues, real world has rounded up some of the top graduate employers from different industries to ask them the serious question
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Ashley Hever, european talent acquisition manager at Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Learn a little about the business before you start. Once there, demonstrate a good attitude, arrive on time and look the part. Show an interest in what you’re asked to do and an eagerness to learn more. Don’t just do the task in hand: add value by using your initiative. Finally, talk to people doing the job. Those on work experience who get noticed are those who show genuine interest.”
on your behalf. For more advice from graduate job-hunting experts, log onto www. realworldmagazine.com Eve Worthington, Director of Performance Management at HR Media Ltd, PR consultancy in Sheffield. “Do some research on the company before you go - if a graduate on placement with us can show they have some understanding of our industry and general knowledge about our company and clients all the better. Most importantly be enthusiastic, proactive, work hard and show your personality.”
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work experience | making it work
Heather Collier, director of National Council for Work Experience “Set objectives for what you want to achieve and keep a diary so you can add your achievements to your CV including how you’ve overcome any challenges to demonstrate problem solving skills to your next employer. Grab any chance to take on more responsibility and do the best possible job to increase the likelihood of getting a permanent role.”
Melissa Ormiston, show manager for La Dolce Vita / Single Market Events “We look for work experience people who are proactive, positive and aren't afraid of getting their hands dirty. If you’re after a reference be sure you help everyone you come across, from the receptionist to the MD, word will spread
Learning a few corporate niceties and politicking tips is a big benefit
Sophie Relf, Head of Marketing Strategy at the Guardian "View a work placement as opportunity to prove your work/life skills and to develop your career network. Learning a few corporate niceties and politicking tips along the way is also a big benefit. Don't be shy about asking to get involved in senior meetings, innovative new projects or anything interesting that takes your fancy. Your employer will want to impress also, it's important to most companies that the perception of working with them is exciting and challenging - give them an opportunity to demonstrate this to you."
Stuart Burlton - chief operating officer at So Organic “Understand that work experience is not a holiday, it’s an opportunity to impress
that you’re a team player. And if you have an idea, be sure to speak up, you’ll
and learn. Get involved in everything, be enthusiastic, look for the next job to do
be noticed for caring about the company.”
and be eager. That is what employers want, and you want any reference written for you to include these comments. Remember, work experience and internships can lead to a future job!”
Help everyone you come across from the receptionist to the MD
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Cana Witt, alumni manager at Lancaster University Management School “Use a work experience placement to assess your performance and behaviour in a work situation, to match skills, cultural fit and to find potential. It’s an opportunity for both sides to work out if the situation is right, or could be right with some additional input. It also gives each party an easy exit if it doesn’t work out.”
work experience | the numbers
Work experience by numbers
18,000 1in3 The total number of hours worked each week by Parliamentary interns.
The number of interns that work for free, according to the TUC
84% Number of placements rated 1/10 or lower on ratemyplacement. co.uk
The number of people out of a total 4,210 that gave their placement 10/10 on ratemyplacement. co.uk
The price a 1 month internship with the NSPCC sold for at auction.
£4,600
Percentage of employers in a 2009 survey that thought their interns had above average team-working skills.
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87%
Percentage of employers in a YouGov poll that said “gap years would help prepare people to develop crucial work skills before they enter into their career"
64%
Percentage of employers that said they thought volunteering had a generally positive effect on career progression in a 2008 Government survey.
Most popular countries for gap years
Ratio of gap year girls to boys
£1.7m
59:41
The combined value of all the electronic goods graduates on gap years currently have on them, according to the AA.
Country
2008
2009
South Africa Kenya Canada Australia
(position) 1 12 2 5
1 2 3 4
Tanzania Costa Rica
4 8
5 6
Fiji Peru India New Zealand
11 6 7 10
7 8 9 10
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wHAT’S NEW awards IN | career real world 2010 | the winners
Real World Awards Enterprising Student of the Year 2010 Winners In association with
Winner: Jack Smith Runner-up: Sunita Deshmuku 14 RW WWW.REALWORLDMAGAZINE.COM
real world awards 2010 | the winners
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ntrepreneurial ideas, glittering trophies and some of the finest graduates in the country? It could only be the sixth annual Real World Awards. There are two categories: the Enterprising Student of the Year (in association with Enterprise Rent-A-Car) and the Student Personality of the Year (supported by the Anjool Maldé Memorial Trust). The Awards have been celebrating the talent and innovation of graduates for the past six years and this year’s finalists were no different. The entrants represented a diverse range of backgrounds, races and cultures and truly embodied the go-get-it attitude that Real World loves. Enterprising Student of the Year 2010 In third place was Adnan Ebrahim, graduate of University College London,
Runner-up: Adnan Ebrahim
worked as a freelance web designer with clients mainly in the US so he could keep his age a secret. By 15, Jack had started his first business selling video game hardware components via eBay. At university, he organised a series of interviews with successful entrepreneurs such as the founders of the Big Issue and StudentBeans.com to inspire other students to consider starting their own businesses. Jack also started a ‘Dragon’s Den’-style competition to promote enterprise among students. Speaking about the Real World Award, Jack said, “There aren’t many competitions rewarding graduate entrepreneurs, so all of us, all the finalists, really appreciate this.” When asked how he was going to invest his £2,250 prize money, Jack laughed, “I’m not going to invest it. This is going to me for sure!”
founder of CarThrottle.com and former UCL Entrepreneur Society president. “It’s
The Student Personality of the Year 2010
been a long process to get here,” he said, “but to get recognition from Real World
This year’s award, which includes cash prizes of £1,500 for the winner and £500
for the work I’ve done is just fantastic”. Second place went to Sunita Deshmuku, a medicine graduate from Nottingham University. Sunita has published a medical textbook and is setting up a registered charity providing medical care and resources to children’s hospitals in developing countries. She said, “It’s such an honour to even make it through as a finalist. It doesn’t matter where you’re ranked, I think all finalists should be congratulated”. This year’s winner was King’s College London graduate Jack Smith. Jack is now the Founder and Managing Director of software training company Mediaroots. He sampled generating his own income very early on when, at the age of 13, he
for the runner-up, was dedicated to Anjool Maldé, an Oxford graduate and former runner-up, who tragically died in July 2009 after achieving an enormous amount in his short life. The winner was Richard Kuti from South Bank University. Richard's work as president of his student union, relaunching the student magazine and running events for his local community – particularly aspiring black businesspeople – were just some of the activities which helped single him out from tough competition. On receiving his award, Richard Kuti said “Anjool is an inspiration to all students and I'm honoured to receive an award in his name”
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work experience | perfect fit
The perfect fit You’ve managed to get yourself a work experience placement. But is it right for you? Take this quiz to find out if you’ve picked the perfect path. Is the work experience in the industry you want to work in? This may seem an inane question, but make sure you’re going in a similar direction to the one you want to be heading in. It’s no use getting a PR internship if you want to end up in finance and it may just be a case of biding your time until you find the right one. Work experience can help, however, if you are unsure about what it is you
the know-how. And don’t be afraid to ask about something you’re unsure about. A) Yes, it’s like being back at school, but in a good way B) A bit, but I have to ask C) Nope Are you making contacts? Being able to make contacts in your chosen industry is vital for getting your big break. For industries such as journalism
Are you actually doing anything? There’s always a danger with work experience placements that you’ll just end up doing menial tasks and often just sit around getting bored. Remember: you’re there to learn. A) I’ve got loads of interesting, valuable
want to do. Getting a couple of weeks experience can give you an idea of
and PR, the people you know won’t only help you on your way to realising your
work to do B) It’s a bit tedious, but I’m ok with that
whether that industry is right for you. It is perhaps a rather long-winded process of elimination, but it can set you on the right track. A) Yes, I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to B) No, but I think it could put me in the right direction C) A job’s a job, right?
goals, they’ll be vital to you once you’ve achieved them. Success in these industries relies not only on what you know, but who you know. A) Loads. I am king of the networkers B) Some, but I’m a little shy C) Nah, I just get on quietly
C) I’ve drawn some fantastic doodles
Are you learning anything? Its all very well getting some experience down on your CV but what will really help is if you learn new industry-specific skills that’ll truly stand out to employers. Knowledge of specialised dataprocessing programs, for example, can help in many sectors, so make sure you intern somewhere where you can pick up
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Are you working for the right people? Working for a large company has its perks (looks good on the CV and will probably provide good networking opportunities), but working at a smaller company tends to mean you are more involved in more important tasks, rather than just making coffee. You need to decide which would suit your career path better. A) Yes. It’s a great company and I feel important to it
B) I’m doing trivial work, but at least I’m in the right environment C) I like making coffee
Are you getting on with your colleagues? Building relationships with those in the workplace can be extremely beneficial to your chances of finding a full-time job. Whether that means being polite and chatty in the office or even going out for drinks after work, the friendlier you get with the people that matter, the greater the chance that they can recommend you for a job. A) They’re my new best friends B) They’re fine I guess C) I’m not here to socialise
AD
Mostly A Congratulations, you’ve found yourself at the pearly gates of internship heaven. Finding a good internship isn’t a golden ticket to your dream job, but with the right attitude it’s the first step. Mostly B You’re on the right track but keep your eyes on the prize. If you lose sight, you may end up stagnating in a role or area that isn’t where you’d most like to be so always be on the lookout for better opportunities. Mostly C Oh dear, you’ve been thrown into the fiery pits of internship hell. Don’t worry though, with a little initiative you can get back on course.
work experience | get ahead
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How to get ahead How can you recognise a good work experience placement? What do you need to look out for? Always level-headed, and never one to put our heads in the sand, Real World headed off in search of answers... and here’s what we found.
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work experience | get ahead
A discussion with someone so ever yone knows w senior hat t at t o e he xpe sta ct r t , of a rangess e e s to e busine of th
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meetings to see how you’ ular re p Reg rog r e s sin g N coll o intro queseagues (duction tion how to y . o s c who if you d an you ur a n yon on’t kn ask e is) ow
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work experience | gap years
A gap full of experiences Gap years are great. They bolster tans and CVs alike. All of which makes choosing the right one crucial. Difficult though, when the only source of advice is your friend with the tattoo who keeps saying how spiritual Thailand was. Worry not. Real World has macheted a path in the gap year jungle and proudly presents our guide to the best resources. DIY gap year These sources are indispensible for the DIY gap year planner.
Green Volunteers Fabio Ausender www.greenvolunteers.com A great guide for animal lovers, volunteer to work with all kinds of animals from eagles to elephants and great whites, in all kinds of places, like South Africa, Costa Rica and Swaziland. There are also projects closer to home, such as seal watching in the Shetlands. Costs for accommodation and fees vary dramatically, from nothing to thousands of pounds. Luckily, this book has a handy tick chart system to filter projects by price, animal, length of stay or place. Once you’ve bought the book, you also get free, unlimited access to greenvolunteers.com updated online database.
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Gap Year Guidebook 2010
Lonely Planet Forums
Alison Withers
www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree
A handy annual guide of places to go, things to do and background
The best way to find out how to do something is to ask someone who’s
information on visas, first aid and insurance.
done it. With a bit of hunting, you’re bound to find you answers here.
The Man In Seat 61
Volunteer South America
www.seat61.com The ultimate resource for rail and ferry travel. Mark Smith started the site as a hobby and it remains entirely unaffiliated. This man knows his stuff, and can get you from London to pretty much any point in the world without flying. He can probably also tell you what the food will be like and how good
www.volunteersouthamerica.net Far from the prettiest website out there, but a fantastically comprehensive and user friendly site. With no affiliations to anyone, it lists all the volunteer opportunities in South America, and a quick hover over a name gives details of what the organisation ofr project is looking for, the costs and what is
a nights sleep you’ll get.
included. A must for the South American traveller.
work experience | gap years
Adventure organisers Want a group adventure? These guys are great.
Raleigh www.raleighinternational.org Not for those who want to travel on a budget, Raleigh offers charity workingadventures that are also good for the environment. Volunteer in Borneo, Costa Rica, Nicaragua or India, and stay from just over 3 weeks to ten weeks. Projects include building wells, teaching children and working on conservation projects. Costs range from £1,500 to £2,995.
be prepared to attend assesment days. You will be teamed up with a partner and spend 3 months in their country, and 3 months here in the UK. Upcoming exchanges include Xi’an (China) to Glasgow and Kaduna (Namibia) to Brighton. Candidates are expected to raise at least £600.
The Adventurists
www.globalxchange.org.uk
www.theadventurists.com The adventurists works hard to make sure you can have a real adventure while raising money for charity. Don’t think your friends will pay to see you sit in a tub of baked beans? How about to see you battle your way unaccompanied across
A serious organisation for those who not only want to make a real difference but are also considering humanitarian work as a career. Not only must you take part for 6 full months, but you also have to apply at least 6 months in advance and
South America on a sofa-bike? Yes, a sofa-bike. Other challenges include the World's longest horse race, a Rickshaw Run across India, and the now famous 10,000 mile Mongol Rally.
Global Xchange
Work experience and learning
Agencies Just need someone to put you in touch with the right people?
Wwoof www.wwoof.org Wwoof (WorldWide Opportunities on Organics Farms) has been running since 1971, and has spawned it’s own verb – wwoofing. The premise is simple and successful – you get to travel round the world and be housed and fed in return for a few hours working on someone’s farm. There is usually a small sign-up fee to access each country’s list, but this is a fantastic resource for those on a tight budget.
Looking for ways to make your CV stand out before you even get to the world of work? Then these are the programmes
while there. Cactus covers everything, from lessons and accommodation to day trips and socials. You can also do
Se7en
for you.
shorter courses in more exotic locations, like learning Quechan in Peru. Prices
environmental low-cost or free projects. One year's membership
Work the World
range from 1 week for £150 to 3 months for £1,000.
costs £10.
www.worktheworld.co.uk If you want a career in medicine, you can never do too much to get ahead. Work the World offers medical student elective placements that meet all British Medical school requirements. Specialities include dentistry, midwifery and new radiography placements. It’s not exactly cheap, with costs excluding flights and visas and ranging from £940 for 2 weeks in Nepal, to £1,840 for 6 weeks in Tanzania.
Cactus Language www.cactuslanguage.com Spend up to 3 months living abroad and brush up on your language skills
Global Vision International www.gvi.co.uk As well as offering standard adventure and volunteer gap years, GVI also gives the opportunity to train up while travelling. Gain a TEFL qualification in Thailand, a BTEC (Level 2) in team leading, or in more specific subjects like biological survey techniques - or even become a qualified safari guide. GVI also offers a job finding service for those who TEFL qualify with GVI. Fees
www.the7interchange.com A bit like Wwoof, se7en lists social and
WorkAway www.workaway.info Another list of people looking for volunteers, but with less eco emphasis and more wide-ranging jobs: from bar tender in the Venezuelan rainforest to theatre technician in the Negev Desert. It also has a ‘last minute’ section, for hosts who need someone urgently. You can view hosts for free but to contact them it costs £18 for 2 years (£24 for couples).
range from £495 to £8,315 for an entire year abroad.
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work experience | gap years
10 ways to put your gap year on your cv Whether it was a yearlong holiday or 12 months of hard graft, make employers take notice of that gap year.
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hen applying for jobs, that gap-year that you took three, maybe four years ago can be a difficult thing to highlight on your C.V or in an interview. You know that you experienced all those new things in new cultures and surroundings but does that mean
“Employers admit that they actively seek to recruit those who have taken a structured gap-year because they are more likely to have developed key skills such as teamwork, project
“Employers want to see evidence that your gap year has helped you to develop leadership, team building, negotiation, resilience, resourcefulness, independence, and
anything to potential employers? The answer is yes, you just need to detail it
management, risk assessment, languages and communication skills –
flexibility; that you have matured and had life-changing experiences,” says
properly. With the help of some leading gap-year experts, Real World has put together a list of 10 ways to sell those gap-year experiences.
stress these points to employers.” Alex Sharratt, editor of the Gap-year Guidebook 2011.
Linden Baxter, marketing and communications manager at Lattitude Global Volunteering.
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If you took part in voluntary or community work for an extended period of time, mention this on your CV rather than simply listing where you went. You need to show that your work had a long term, sustainable impact on a community while also challenging and stretching you. It shows you were happy to be challenged and taken outside of your comfort zone, which gives potential employers a feel for your work ethic and dedication.
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If your gap year was self-funded then explain how you raised the money - be it a part time job or putting on fundraising events. It's worth mentioning these on your CV to show firstly your determination to go away and secondly your ability to organise and arrange something.
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“Think about skills that you developed which may not be immediately obvious” advises Linden Baxter, marketing and communications manager at Lattitude Global Volunteering. “Perhaps you learned patience or tolerance while working with children with disabilities; perhaps you were thrown in at the deep end teaching 'A'-level subjects to classes of 80 children which taught you valuable organisational and people management skills; perhaps you were responsible for planning lessons and
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Be honest. Detail the dates of your travels and mention what you did, i.e. June 2008-June 2009: gap year travelling – visited: India, Thailand, New Zealand etc. If you learnt a language then mention it, but don’t make your time away sound more vocational than it was.
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“Don’t be scared to elaborate on what may feel like very personal experiences,” suggests Linden Baxter, “Your CV is more than just a list of achievements; it’s a reflection of who you are as a result of the life you have led. Being able to articulate how a particular experience, good or bad, has affected you and what you have learned from it will make you stand out. Even little things such as learning to live without running water or electricity and cooking over charcoal every night can be spun to show your resilience, resourcefulness and adaptability!”
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Did your gap year improve your confidence? If so, mention it. Maybe you were nervous talking to people you didn’t know before, but aren’t now. Perhaps you find communicating with people from different age ranges easier now than immediately after you left school. Are you a better public speaker?
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“Think about how different you felt after your gap year, did it meet your expectations?” advises Linden Baxter. “Talk about how you have changed as a person, your
marking work which taught you to better manage your time. Maybe you
perspectives, outlook, and cultural awareness. As well as ‘employability
now speak conversational Zulu or learned to haggle with Vietnamese market traders, perhaps you helped to set up or run a project helping street children in Ecuador or coached your students through their end of school exams in India, helping them to get into university or maybe your experiences have given you a passion for the particular career path you wish to follow.”
skills’ related to a particular job, employers want someone who will fit well with their organisation, who shares the company’s beliefs and culture and who can make a real, significant contribution to the organisation. Being able to understand what makes you tick as a person will help them to decide if you have the personality they are looking for.” So there you have it, a plethora of ways to show potential employers that your gap year was more vocational than vacational. Remember, a good employer will not just look for a list of academic achievements, but for an interesting person too.
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“Emphasise that you made
detailed research and planned your gap-year carefully. Show how you made an informed decision and chose an opportunity that will improve your future,” says Alex Sharratt editor of the Gap-year Guidebook 2011
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wHAT’S NEW IN | career
Golden opportunities ...and the silver and bronze, just in case
When everyone’s chasing the same coveted placements, thinking about your other options might just offer better prospects anyway.
Photography: © Colin Whyman
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wHAT’S NEW IN | career
A
good work experience placement can make all the difference between a CV that gets tossed in the wastepaper bin and one that fights its way to the top of the pile. Sadly that makes the process of getting work experience almost as hard as getting the job. Real World spoke to Catherine von Altheer, senior account executive at Fuel PR, about looking for work placements off the beaten track. “Waiting lists for unpaid work at companies such as The Times newspaper or Goldman Sachs can be as long as two years because of the clout that comes with such impressive names. But fixating on the market leaders might not always be the best strategy. Yes, big names look good on a CV but the experience may not always be the most valuable. After completing my post-graduate degree in Public Relations, I targeted a small, boutique agency for 2 months work experience. I was immediately thrown in
at
n Atheer, Catherine vo
Fuel PR
the deep end and was soon writing press releases, organising photo shoots, contributing to pitches, meeting clients and talking with national media. It was a complete dream for me since I had been planning my career in PR since studying for my A Levels, 6 years earlier. My peers at some of the more
well-know firms were not having such an enjoyable time. While I was learning about the realities of press deadlines, my former classmates were making tea, or running around buying lattes and basically acting as glorified personal assistants. Many were let go after their short placements ended and although they found the name-dropping helpful when trying to secure interviews with future employers, I, on the other hand, had made myself indispensible (partly by volunteering to do all the jobs that nobody wants to do, like taking the minutes) and was offered a full-time job, which of course I took. Even if I not been offered the role, I had still gained experience that would enable me to demonstrate a true understanding of the industry, illustrate my capabilities and convince interviewers that I was best for the job.” With Catherine's advice ringing in our ears, here are some alternative work experience options to consider.
Top options... and the back-up plans ... in the media The Guardian awards work experience as a prize for its Student Media Awards and the BBC has a whole page of work experience placements. The story’s the same for any well-known media organisation. The chance to fight it out for
Work experience with a local councillor can be just as good for the career and give an insight into politics at its most active grassroots level. Shantanu Rajawat, local councillor for Heston West (in the London Borough of Hounslow) told us: "An ideal way to gain
lawyers, and work experiencing with Tesco or the Citizens Advice Bureau might give you expertise that over law students lack.
a placement is usually only a click away. If you don’t quite win that fight (and
understanding is to shadow a local councillor and observe how they
coming out of its eyeballs and Google might give its interns free meals and
even Rocky lost a few) there are other options. Local papers are just as good
engage with their local communities. Not only does this provide an insight into the value and power of the local voice, it can also help local representatives develop the local agenda from a youth perspective.”
laundry but the superpowers aren’t alone in the industry. There are plenty of IT companies that plug te gaps and make sure everything in IT land is running tip top. The website www. itjobsforgraduates.com, has a good list of employers in the industry, although looking outside the industry can give just as good results. Charities, banks, supermarkets and call centres all have IT departments where experiencehungry graduates can hone their skills. ‘Hack days’ and ‘Gamejams’ where industry experts gather together to share ideas and developments - are other good ways to show skills and build up a portfolio of creations.
for learning what the job is like and are less competitive because there are more of them. Also sign up to gorkanapr.com to find out about internships and other work to add to the resume. The Guardian's Media pullout on Mondays is also useful to look through.
... in the Government The Civil Service fast track scheme is a great way to get a foot in the political door as are internships or volunteering with MPs. Despite all MPs wanting interns, there are only so many to go around, so what are the alternatives?
...in law To quote a law student’s joke: “Question: what’s the difference between a good, cheap, honest lawyer and work experience at a law firm? Answer: The first one is easier to find.” While the crowds flock to the big law firms, like Shoosmiths, Clifford Chance, Reed Smith and Linklaters, why not find a more relaxed entry route? Large companies and most charities need
...in IT Microsoft might have internships
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With internships as excellent as ours, it’s easy to start getting ahead of yourself. Enterprise Internships If you’re already planning a successful career in business, you should make that all important first step with us. After all, with a global turnover of more than $12 billion plus 3,400 people in the UK and Ireland alone, we’ve plenty of tips and pointers to get you off to a flying start. As a paid Intern with Enterprise, you’ll learn what it takes to run a successful business while acquiring valuable skills and experience covering everything from fleet management and marketing to profit and loss analysis and sales techniques. And you’ll be learning by doing too, taking on the same challenges as our first and second year full-time professionals. From a few weeks over the summer to a year-long placement, we can offer plenty of flexibility with regards to how long your internship lasts. There’s plenty of scope for promotion too, including the chance to work your way up from an Intern into a professional role when you graduate. Start getting ahead of yourself by visiting www.enterprisealive.co.uk/RWIntern2010 or calling 0870 850 1232.
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work experience | the directory
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50 top work experience placements
Work experience. It’s the first rung on the sometimesrickety-but-always-worth-it, careers ladder. But which companies offer placements? What do you need to be accepted? And when should you apply? The answers are here. It’s not an exhaustive list but you’ll find some of the top names in most sectors.
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3M UK Work Experience. Paid year-long work experience placements in many sectors, usually 25 vacancies a year. www.3m.com
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AgustaWestland Placement. Paid year long placement in either the buisness or engineering departments. Applicants must have relevant prospective 2:1 degree. amy.rees@agustawestland.com
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Allianz Insrance Summer placement. Placement offered to undergrads with prospective 2:1 degree in any subject. Job offer to successful students. 20 places a year. www.allianz.co.uk/graduates
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BAE Systems Industrial placement. Paid year long placement in either the buisness or engineering departments. Applicants for buisness placement must have prospective 2:1 in any subject; for the engineering placement applicants must have a prospective 2:1 in engineering, numerate or scientific subjects. www.baesystems.com/graduates
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Baker and Mckenzie Summer placement. Unpaid short placement for students studying any degree and in their penultimate year www.multiplyingyourpotential.co.uk
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Barclays Internship. 50 placements available to graduates with 2:1 or above. Paid. www.seemore-bemore.com/interns
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work experience | the directory
50 top work experience placements
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BBC Work Experience. Experience available in all BBC departments. Lots of compitition for places and specialist schemes. www.jobs.bbc.co.uk
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BDO Summer Internship. 1-4 month paid summer placement.
www.bdo.co.uk/careers
www.centrica.com/graduates
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CSC Graduate programme. 24-month graduate program open to graduates with 2:1 or 2:2 with relevant experience. www.cscgraduates.co.uk
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BlackRock Summer Internship. Paid summer internships open to students with 2:1 degrees. www.blackrock.com/careers
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Cummins Placement. Paid year-long placements available across all departments of the company. www.eujobs.cummins.com
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Bluestream World Media Ltd Internship. 3 month media sales internship leading to full time job for successful candidates. www.blackrock.com/careers
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Centrica Summer placement.Paid summer placement with offer of job for successful students.
Cancer Research UK Internship. 120 places per year. internships@cancer.co.uk
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EDF Energy Industrial Placement. Paid year-long placements available across all departments of the company. Open to students wanting a year in industry as part of their university degree. www.edfenergy.com/careers
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Enterprise Rent-a-car Management Training Program. Training program open to graduates with any degree. www.enterprisealive.com
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Ernst and Young Placement. “Elite FastTrack� placement programs available for student from any background.
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www.ey.co.uk/studentstories
www.deloitte.com/graduate
job offer.
Deloitte Industrial Placement. Paid placement for students with prospective 2:1, any level of study.
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E.O.N. Placement. Summer and year-long paid placements open to students with prospective 2:1 degrees, preferably in either Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying or Project Management.
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ExxonMobil Placement. Paid placement for undergrads with possibility of
graduaterecruitment@uk.fujitsu.com
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George Placement. Paid 12 month placements available as well as 1-2 weeks work experience. www.george.job/gettingstarted
www.eon-uk.com/graduates
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case studies work experience | fine|art the directory
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50 top work experience placements
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HSBC Summer Placement. Unpaid short placement for students studying any degree with a prospective 2:1. hsbc@graduaterecruitmentservices.co.uk
degree. www.jlpjobs.com/graduates
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IMB Industrial placement. Year long placements across all areas of the company. www-05.ibm.com/employment/uk/ industrial-placements/
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John Lewis Industrial Placement. 10-month paid placement available to students wanting a year in industry as part of their university
Intel Corp Graduate Internship. 13 month internship. Paid.
www.intel.com/jobs/unitedkingdom/ students/internships/
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Jaguar Land Rover Placement. 3-12 month paid placements open to students studying engineering-related degrees. Successful students can win a place on a graduate scheme. www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com/
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Lidl UK Placement. Paid 48-week placement, 15 places available to students studying buisness or retail. recruitment@lidl.co.uk
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Lockheed Martin UK Industrial Trainee Placements in various departments of the company, open to applicants with prospective 2:1 degrees in any subject. 20 paid places
graduate.opportunity@marks-and-spencer.com
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Mayer Brown Summer Internship. 36 paid places available a year, available to graduates with 2:1 degrees. www.mayerbrown.com/careers
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Microsoft Paid internship. 90 places. www.microsoft.com/uk/graduates
a year. www.lockheedmartin.co.uk/
Moody’s Investors Service Graduate Internship. 6 month highly paid internships providing formal credit training in London, Paris or Frankfurt. Finance, economics or maths degree essential.
careers/grads-interns.html
www.moodys.jobs
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L’Oreal UK Internship. 90 paid internships available for students with any degree. 3,6,9 and 12
Morgan Stanley Work Experience. 10 week paid summer placements for students in their penultimate year studying any discipline.
month placements.
www.morganstanley.com/about/careers/
www.lorealbuisnessclass.co.uk
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Marks & Spencer Business Placement. Can apply with a degree in any subject. 40-50 paid placements a year.
work work experience experience | the | resources directory
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50 top work experience placements
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National Grid Industrial Placement. Year-long paid placement open to students in their penultimate year of study.
PSA Peugeot Citroen Industrial Placement. 21 paid placements available for undergrads and graduates.
www.nationalgridcareers.com
www.psacareers.co.uk
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Nationwide Industrial Placement. Paid summer placement for students with prospective 2:1 degrees in either Maths, Economics, Statistics, IT, Finance, Banking, Law, Engineering or Physics. www.nationwide-jobs.co.uk/graduates
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NATS Industrial Placement. Paid placements available to sudents studying a relevant engineering or physics degree. www.natscareers.co.uk
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PCW Business Placement. 11- month paid placement in Swindon, open to any prospective 2:1 degree.
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Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP Vacation Placements. 24 places available for students from a law or non-law background. Paid. www.rpc.co.uk/training
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Rolls-Royce Work Experience. Paid work placements
available is various diciplines. www.rolls-royce.com/careers
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Rothschild Work Experience. 10 week paid work experience,
usually 20-25 places per year.
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Royal Bank of Scotland Group Internship. Paid internship with over 600 places available to penultimate year students.
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Sainsbury’s Work Experience. Paid work placements available for periods of 6-12 months across the departments. grad.recruitment@sainsburys.co.uk
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Samworth Brothers Undergraduate Internship. Scheme is split into two 6-month placements and is paid. Food science degrees preferred but not essential. 12 placements available. www.tastyjob.com
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Slaughter & May (Law) Paid internship. 100 places. www.slaughterandmay.com
www.rothschild.com/careers
www.pcw.com/careers
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50 top work experience placements
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SNR Denton Placement Open to any 2:1 degree. Success in the placement can lead to a 3 year training contract, at the end of which you earn £59,000. hemlata.shamji@snrdenton.com / www.graduates.snrdenton.com
The NCYPE is the leading national charity providing specialist services for children and young people with epilepsy and related neurological conditions. Our inspiring campus in Lingfield, Surrey, provides a residential special school, FE college and a medical and assessment centre. In addition, we provide high quality information, training and support on childhood epilepsy for professionals, parents and young people across the UK.
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Softwire Internship. Paid internship offering training. www-05.ibm.com/employment/uk/ industrial-placements/
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Standard Life Internship. Paid intership based in Edinburgh, with accommodation included. 10 weeks. Applicants must have at least a prospective 2:1 in any dicipline. Only 2 vacancies per year. www.standardlife.com/graduates
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Tata Steel Graduate placement. 12 month paid placement in all areas of the company. graduate.recruitment@tatasteel.com
Being part of the life of young people with epilepsy is not easy. It requires a special person with special qualities – are you one of them? NCYPE aims to provide stimulating and rewarding opportunities where you can contribute, develop and perform to your full potential. The work is challenging, but if you wish to develop a career in social care or use this valuable experience to springboard your career in working with children and young people, this is just the opportunity for you. What the staff say: “The atmosphere at NCYPE is amazing, everyone is really helpful.” “The organisation is very committed to staff development and all staff are very supportive of each other.” “Each day provides many worthwhile challenges.” For further information about our work and career opportunities, visit www.ncype.org.uk We welcome applications from all sections of the community and guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An enhanced police disclosure will be required.
Better futures for young lives with epilepsy
www.ncype.org.uk
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Charity No. 311877
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work experience | case studies
wHAT’S NEW IN | career
Case studies There’s only one way to get the real story - to hear it from the horses' mouths. Real World rounds up some steeds.
Name: Lauren Bonds Age: 24 Degree and university: Business, Finance, Government, University of Texas at Austin Job Title: Global Banking & Markets - Analyst What is it you actually do? I work in Corporate Finance in Mergers & Acquisitions and I’m currently working on a rotation in the TMT (Technology, Media & Telecommunications) Sector Advisory Team. I am involved in all steps of the project – from generating the ideas to creating the final products for our clients. How did you get into the industry? As I researched various banks, I came across the Corporate Finance Group within RBS’ banking division of GBM. Initially, I applied
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and accepted an internship programme at RBS and this gave me more of an insight into the bank - I found it to be a great place to work. Why did you decide to go into this sector? Most of my classmates at university took up graduate positions with banks in the US, but I was looking for greater exposure to international business and believed working in London would provide greater opportunity for cross-border deal experience. What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? Crucial for me is the exposure to such a challenging business environment in which I am working as part of a dynamic team. I have found RBS a great place to work in terms
of the people and culture - in an industry with a reputation for challenging work and long hours, this aspect of my job in a significant part of the overall experience. I cant' say there are any downsides! I knew coming into the role that it would be challenging, but I have found the team and role to be a perfect fit. What advice would you give to other graduates? Make sure you look for a graduate programme that gives you real opportunities and early responsibilities from day one - this was a huge part of my experience at RBS and gave me an opportunity to shine. You can make a real difference if you are involved in challenging roles/ projects from day one.
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work experience | case studies
Name: Laura Jayne Fynney Age: 22 Degree and university: BA (Hons) Business Management & IT at University of Winchester Job Title: Customer Service Manager for Online Retailer What is it you actually do? Daily tasks including dealing with orders from our website, talking to customers about our products, any queries they have or orders they want to place, adding new products to our websites, writing articles, news and press releases, contacting and ordering from suppliers, looking after our Amazon and eBay accounts, stock control. Other tasks include carrying out job interviews, visiting our warehouse to talk about changes in our process and visiting trade shows to look for new products to offer to our customers. How did you get into the industry? Being unsure on a specific career path, I saw the internship advert which sounded interesting and in a field that I knew I could put my previous experiences and education at university and college into practice. Why did you decide to go into this sector? Sounded like an intriguing role to take and
it's a sector that I believe is a key part of our world today. I knew that this would be a job that I would learn a huge amount from as it was a small business and an environment where I had little specific experience. What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? As a small company I get to delve into every aspect. While I have a specific job title, I do a lot more. This has opened my eyes into the true amount of planning and work it takes to run a business. Being in a small team we are very focused and enjoy working together, which I love. Having previously worked in larger teams, it's quite refreshing. I have to say that so far I have not found any downsides to the job, as with any business there are sure to be some but at the moment I think I'm still learning and enjoying every bit. What advice would you give to other graduates? To gain as much experience as you can. You may not start in the position you would like to be in, but experience is key. You can move forward. Take as many opportunities to learn and gain experience as you can.
Name: Kiron Mair Age: 23 Degree and university: Law LLB (Hons), University of Nottingham Job Title: Account Executive/Producer What is it you actually do? I work in the marketing/advertising industry – for a creative agency - in client services and account management. As an Account Exec I support one of the account teams delivering creative work for clients. My job is to manage individual projects and make sure they get delivered on time, on budget, and to the best standard, while also supporting the Account Managers on whatever they’re working on. How did you get into the industry? Through a bit of networking I managed to get the details of a guy who worked in the industry. Because of my enthusiasm, interests and skills, he offered to take me on as an intern for a short time to give me experience. Why did you decide to go into this sector? I stumbled across it while thinking about what I wanted to do with my life. Met the guy, his line of work sounded interesting, so I gave it a try and realised I really liked it. What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I really like being able to get involved with the creative work and get stuck into projects. It’s a good feeling to be involved from the very start and see it all the way through. On the other hand, it requires a lot of organisation, process and admin work which can be a headache. It also means you have to quickly adapt to multi-tasking and handling pressure, which is hard at first. What advice would you give to other graduates? Don’t limit yourself to what you did for your degree. Think about what you’re most interested in and what your key skills are, and look for roles that involve those things. Then, start putting yourself out there. Offering to work unpaid or looking for internships is a good place to start. I spent nearly two years in internships and junior roles at many different agencies, more often than not unpaid (or just expenses), before I got my current role.
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EXPLORING ALL THAT THE FUTURE HAS TO OFFER. WORK. WHAT’S IT TO YOU? When it comes to financial services, Private Banking is one of the fastest-growing areas. And at the same time as working to become a top-tier global wealth manager and advisor, Barclays Wealth is also working in innovative ways to attract the talent who will fuel our ambition. Our ten-week summer internship will offer you a fantastic insight into our business. You’ll discover how we meet the wealth management needs of high net worth and affluent individuals and families, what our plans for the future are and the opportunities that offers you. And as well as providing you with plenty of hands-on experience, exposure to senior management and the chance to experience what it’s like to make a pitch to a client, you’ll also gain an edge on your career competition. Explore everything a summer internship with Barclays Wealth has to offer you at barclayswealthgraduates.com/Internships
Barclays Wealth is the wealth management division of Barclays and operates through Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries. Barclays Bank PLC is registered in England and authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered No: 1026167. Registered office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.
We’ll judge you on your ability and nothing else.