Leaver's Guide

Leaving university is an exciting time, as you start the next chapter if your life.

As a graduate taking your first steps on the career path you can come across some small and big challenges that we want to support you with.

This Leavers’ Guide will help you transition to life after university and includes all you need to know about the ongoing support that we can give you.

Through your courses you have already built the beginnings of a resource bank of skills and knowledge to forge your career, but we are here to help as well.

The end of your course means a new relationship with UEL, through our alumni programme and through our careers and enterprise team, we are here to help you with any challenges and opportunities. Our alumni network is a lifeline for our School of Arts and Creative Industries graduates who are looking to keep up contact with fellow graduates and to build for a new community of creatives after graduation.

It’s goodbye to your undergraduate days and hello to networking and being a valuable member of the UEL global family!

One of the greatest assets you have are the people you have met on your course, including fellow students, educators and careers staff. Now is your chance to maintain and grow those networks to help forge your future career!

I hope you find this guide useful and that it helps you navigate the next few exciting months … and years.

Dr Rosemary Stott Dean of School of Arts and Creative Industries

As you head towards the end of your course at University of East London, we want to take a little bit of time to help you prepare for what comes next – either post graduate study, employment, enterprise, and more general life after university.

As you near the end of your final term, time will fly past in a blur, and this guide provides useful information for now and later, therefore, keep it safe to refer back to at a later date as well.

When you leave UEL at the end of this course, it is not the end of the relationship. We are here for you now and in the future. Whatever direction you go in, we hope that UEL will continue to be part of your community and that we will remain in touch for years to come. We will look forward to hearing your career successes and we will support you in securing graduate employment –so please keep in touch!

COMPETITION

WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU MOST TO FOLLOW YOUR DREAM CAREER?

Post your answer on the ACI Alumni – UEL LinkedIn Group for your chance to win £50 Amazon voucher.

Winner will be chosen at random on 6th September 2024.

Keep in Touch

Even after you graduate, you remain a part of the University of East London community so let us know how best to keep in touch with you.

We need your current contact details so that we can provide you with information about benefits such as access to job opportunities, discounts on our master’s courses, business start-up/freelancing advice, continuing professional development workshops, industry events as well as digital employability content and much more!

Please ensure you keep your personal contact details (not your university email address) updated with the UEL alumni team at https://uel.ac.uk/ about/alumni

Also please follow our Linked In group ACI Alumni –UEL https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12903416/ where you can network with other graduates, see new job opportunities, learn about industry events and keep up with news from UEL.

Have Your Say

National Student Survey (NSS)

In your final term you will be asked to participate in the National Student Survey (NSS). This survey gives you the opportunity to voice your experience of your course and highlight what you liked. Your feedback will be used to shape the future of the University for your fellow students. Universities use this information to make real changes to the student experience. All your responses remain strictly anonymous soyou can provide honest feedback.

Graduate Outcomes Survey

Fifteen months after you have completed and graduated from your course at University of East London, you will be contacted with a request to take part in the Graduate Outcomes survey. You will receive this request via an email to your personal email address from uel@graduateoutcomes.ac.uk or by /WhatsApp from the Graduate Outcomes Survey.

The survey is the biggest annual social survey in the UK and captures the perspectives and current status of graduates from all UK universities, fifteen months after you finish your studies. Your response is really valuable and adds to the collective voice of graduates and the results will give current and future students an insight into career destinations and development. The survey looks to understand whether you’re in employment, have continued with further study

Have Your Say

or are doing something else and to what extent your qualification played a part. We also want to understand the non-traditional routes that graduates are taking following education. Employment isn’t the only successful outcome: we want to know what you do, and really understand what you see as fulfilling.

To help with the Graduate Outcomes Survey please note the following points:

– Make sure you update us with your current contact details.

– Look out for the email and / or text / WhatsApp message.

– Complete the survey – you will be asked what you were doing during a particular period of time.

– Remember to always manifest your dream job stating what this job is first before mentioning your current side hustle. For example working as a Fashion designer with a side job at a coffee shop.

For any questions on the Graduate Outcome Survey please contact the Director of Careers and Enterprise: alowe2@uel.ac.uk

WHAT NEXT

– Alumni Network

– Post graduate Study

– Enterprise Support

– Career Zone support

– Graduation – Wellbeing – Job search platforms

Alumni Network

When you graduate, you become part of the UEL Alumni Network, which is made up of over 90,000 graduates from all over the world! This vibrant community can open up all sorts of opportunities and continue to help you develop and grow as an individual. From helping you with vital employment skills, to empowering you to set up your own business, the Alumni Network is here to help. We will keep you in the loop with regular newsletters, magazines, networking events and help you connect with the right people.

As part of the Alumni Network, you will benefit from:

– Up to 25% discount on postgraduate fees at UEL

– Invitations to alumni events including guest lectures and networking events both online, on campus and overseas

– Magazines and e-newsletters

– A range of external benefits and discounts

– A wide range of opportunities for engagement such as becoming part of the Alumni Advisory Board, being an alumni ambassador or mentor, and volunteering opportunities all of which will boost your CV and enrich your community

– Dedicated Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts

– Continued access to the Career Zone. The Career Zone provides a support network that enables you to grow and develop from your first few weeks beyond university through to employment. We’ll support you to stay on track, succeed academically and secure graduate level employment and/or further study. There, you can call on one-to-one career coaching, professional mentoring

WHAT NEXT

programmes and employer events, including careers fairs, networking, and seminars presented by our career coaches and industry professionals

– Access to our academic tutoring teams which can provide support in maths and English for academic purposes, which will help boost your academic and employability success

– A range of start-up support activities from the UEL Enterprise team designed to develop your skills and support your ambitions to start a business

– For an additional cost of £15, you can access benefits such as continued access to the UEL libraries and a discounted SportsDock rate via our Alumni Passport Card Scheme

For more information on the Alumni team and what we can offer you, visit uel.ac.uk/alumni or contact us on alumni@uel.ac.uk +44(0)20 8223 2222.

Postgraduate Study

University of East London offers a range of postgraduate study options.

UEL alumni can receive discounts on some postgraduate courses. If you’re interested in postgraduate study now or in the future take a look at the courses below, checkout the website uel.ac.uk

List of current ACI Postgraduate Courses here:

Fashion

MA Fashion

MA International Fashion Business

MBA Fashion Entrepreneurship

MA Creative Enterprise

Media

MA Data Journalism

MA Film Making

MA Global Football Journalism

MA Media and Communication Industries

MA Creative Enterprise Performing Arts

MA / MFA Sound and Music Production

MA Acting for Stage and Screen

MA Creative Enterprise

MA Directing for Stage and Screen

MA Theatre Directing

MA/MFA Applied Theatre

MA/MFA Contemporary Performance Practices

Prof Doc Performing Arts

Enterprise Support

We have a passionate Enterprise Team on hand to support you in your venture through 1-2-1 support and guided sessions. Our dedicated Enterprise Team can support you with starting your own business or going freelance. We will support you with developing successful consultancies, nailing your thriving side hustle, securing your first freelancing contract, or getting your product to market. Whether it be an initial idea or start-up to growing SMEs, we have every step covered. You can book one to one appointment from someone on our team

Employer Events and Panels

We host a range of employer events throughout the year for UEL students and graduates. The events aim to support students on their entrepreneurial journey and help them develop the skills, confidence and networks to start or accelerate their business. For the opportunity to learn about the enterprise essentials, practice pitches and meet like-minded individuals book your spot search for events on Career Zone.

Chat with an Expert

Our team run both appointments and drop-in sessions where you can talk through any ideas or ask questions. Start-up, self-employment and freelancing advice appointments can be booked on Career Zone. Make sure to update your details on Career Zone to access the support. You can also drop into a Career Zone and speak to an advisor to learn more.

WHAT NEXT

BACK:ED Bootcamp

BACK:ED Bootcamp is an enterprise bootcamp providing business support, grant funding, mentoring and networking opportunities for current students and recent graduates (of up to 2 years). The primary aim of the bootcamp is to empower you to and give you an opportunity to test, start and accelerate your business or business idea.

Career Zone Support

The Career Zone is here to support you even after graduation! As long as you are registered, you can take advantage of all the Career Zone has to offer. Make sure you log into the Career Zone after graduation to update your contact details and register.

New! Dedicated LinkedIn Group

Join the School of Arts and Creative Industries dedicated LinkedIn group ACI Alumni – UEL www.linkedin.com/ groups/12903416/ for Level 6 and recent graduates. It’s a new fun and informative community where you can learn about jobs, get career advice, and get support from university staff as well as your colleagues.

24/7 Access to Career Zone

Did you know our online platform is available to you every day at any time? Take advantage of various tools like a CV builder, and CV reviewer which use AI to help improve and target your applications. Simply log into the Career Zone platform with your UEL login to get started.

WHAT NEXT

Professional Development Workshops

Book into this invaluable resource to help you create new networks, develop and refine your skills, build your career toolkit, and stand out from the crowd. There are so many workshops for all types of learning. Log into the Career Zone website and look for the events option to book.

Employer Events

Get unparalleled access to people who are already professionals within your desired sector and the opportunity to gain insight into how to successfully build a career within this space. Log into the Career Zone website and look for the events option to book.

Online Tools and Virtual Work Experience

Forage hosts virtual work experience programmes that replicate work at top companies and help you gain the skills to be successful when applying and working there. The virtual work experience programmes are self-paced with no experience or application required! In addition, Internship Experience UK offers free three-day virtual internship programme which takes place every summer - each year is a completely new programme designed to support you with your career. Sign into the Career Zone to learn more about these programmes and more! https://careerzone.uel.ac.uk/

Graduation

Graduation is an exciting ceremony to celebrate your achievements and is the official conferring of your degree! What’s better than celebrating your special day with your friends and family by your side? It’s a day to feel proud and represent UEL in our caps and gowns.

What happens at graduation?

Each ceremony begins with speeches from notable members of staff, including our Vice-chancellor and President, Professor Amanda Broderick. When it is your turn to cross the stage, all you’ll have to do is pass your name card to the speaker. Remember to give your biggest smile as there will be photographers capturing this moment!

Who is eligible for graduation?

Graduation ceremonies take place during September and January. To be eligible for the September ceremonies, students must have been awarded their final grades by 30 June. Similarly, to be eligible for the January ceremonies, students must have been awarded their final grades by 31 October

If you have any queries about your graduation ceremony, please don’t hesitate to contact us at graduation@uel.ac.uk.

WHAT NEXT

Wellbeing

Leaving university is a big step. It’s an exciting time but making the transition can sometimes be difficult and you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed as you adopt to a new life outside of university. You may find yourself isolated from the friendships, creative links and networks you built during your time at University of East London. It’s important to know that it’s ok if you feel like this - you’re not the only one! There are things you can do before leaving university to help make your first few months and years as a graduate easier.

If you’ve been receiving support from our Counselling, Health and Wellbeing team, please discuss your future support requirements with your Counsellor or Wellbeing Practitioner. They can liaise with your doctor if required.

Also, as a graduate, please be aware that depending on where you live, you may need to register with a new General Practitioner (GP).

Top Tips for GRADUATES

Here are our top tips for graduates:

Every small step will take you a little nearer to your dream career.

It can be a journey to get to your dream job but keep taking steps every day to get you there. You might not know your destination yet, but doing what you love is a good place to start. Take every opportunity available to you. The smallest job could be the one where you meet the person who will change your destiny.

Network, Network, Network

You need to keep building your connections and keep engaging with them. Opportunities are everywhere –reach out. Develop a solid professional online presence and use it to engage with industry. Tell people you do the job you want to do, not the one you may be currently doing. By saying it you are one step closer to manifesting it. For example, say you are an actress or designer, with a side hustle at Starbucks currently whilst you build your career. Don’t just say you work in Starbucks!

Leave no stone unturned in finding the jobs. Don’t wait for the opportunity, you have to make it. The best jobs aren’t advertised – they are given to people who have proactively reached out and sought them. Spend time on industry research and approach your targeted companies directly. Tailor your CV and cover letter to each company, demonstrating your knowledge of them and the skills and experience you can offer. You have to sell yourself on your CV – so make sure it is an example of your best work.

Develop your resilience

Don’t let fear of failure stop you trying. Things go wrong sometimes, and you can’t expect to get every job you go for. Failure is success in progress. Take the time, reflect and try again. Practice makes Progress.

TOP TIP

Keep in touch and join ACI Alumni – UEL LinkedIn group www.linkedin.com/ groups/12903416/

This is the best way to build your network with other graduates and industry partners, see new job opportunities, and learn about industry events.