JOBSHOP
Work Experience INTRODUCTION The graduate job market has always been competitive and with an increasing number of graduates looking for work it is more important than ever to stand out from the crowd. Work experience will show employers that you have the practical skills they are looking for as well as the academic credentials. According to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) 86% of firms consider ‘employability skills’ to be the most important factor when recruiting graduates – even more so than their degree subjects. It lists these skills as follows:
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Self-management Business and customer awareness Communication and literacy Team working
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Problem solving Positive attitude Application of numeracy Application and IT
This factsheet contains information about work experience and internships and how to find work experience opportunities. TYPE OF WORK EXPERIENCE Part-time work or Casual Work This type of work is of course useful to earn extra money to support your studies, but it can also provide valuable experience. Employers see the benefit in all experience, though you will need to explain the skills you have acquired.
Voluntary work You can participate in this type of work during term time or over your holidays, either short or long term. This type of experience is particularly useful when choosing a career or to gain additional skills.
Internship Many employers offer specific programmes which provide valuable work experience as well as the chance to gain an insight into a career you may be interested in. Application deadlines are often early and competition is high.
Gap year Taking a gap year does not necessarily require travelling overseas, you can take this opportunity to work in the UK to gain experience or try out an area of work you are interested in. Travelling overseas, whether you are working or not, will be a valuable experience.
Vacation Placement These are usually specifically designed for students to participate in during one of their vacations; the placements are usually paid and can last from two to eight weeks.
Work shadowing This usually involves closely observing a professional in their daily working life to see if the job interests you. This is usually short term from a few hours to a week.
Vacation work Again this could be work to gain extra money to support your studies.
Work placement Your work placement as part of your course gives you valuable work experience.
Work taster These are short term and can give you an idea of a particular work area.
Page |2 WHERE TO FIND WORK EXPERIENCE If you are in your first year you will have the opportunity to join the Employability Award which will highlight work experience opportunities. The BG Futures: Careers, Employability and Enterprise Team provide a number of resources and services that help you find work experience. Resource Centre Hardy Building, Open Monday – Friday You can go to the Resource Centre with your enquiries | You can use the resources and collect take away guides Factsheets
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Applications (factsheet)
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Volunteering (factsheet)
Vacation Work and Gap Year Job Hunting (factsheet) Graduate Job Search (factsheet) Information on Local Government and other graduate schemes. Links to company and recruitment websites with opportunities for graduate work experience.
Where to find part-time/term-time work (factsheet) Job Sectors The Job Sectors section of the Resource Centre includes information folders for each job sector. There are also a series of factsheets with information on where to find work and work experience in these sectors. This is particularly useful if you would like to pursue finding a work shadowing or short term work experience opportunity. Jobshop The Jobshop section includes ‘Work Experience’ guides and information. Take away guides / publications A limited number are available to take away from the Resource Centre, one lending and one reference copy will also be available. JOBS Vacancies Board http://bishopg.prospects.ac.uk
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Search for graduate, part time/casual jobs, work experience and voluntary
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Set up an alert for relevant new vacancies to be sent to your email. Jobs Boards With up-to-date jobs, volunteering and postgraduate study opportunities. JOBS Connect
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Create a job seeking profile to be contacted by employers with appropriate job opportunities.
Advertise online the type of work you are seeking or your search for a job share partner. Collect a form to join from the Resource Centre or email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk
Blackboard BG Futures module on Blackboard has five main sections:-
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Services Explore your options Make yourself employable Search and apply for a job
Further and PG Study Blackboard contains information and links to online resources. Facebook and Twitter We keep in contact with students via Facebook and Twitter.
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Latest employment developments and opportunities News and events Some job opportunities.
Page |3 BG AWARDS Employability Award
All first and second years are able to register to this award where you can achieve a pass, merit or distinction. The Employability Award helps and rewards you to actively improve your employability. It encourages you to reflect on your experience, a vital skill for completing your CV or job application. Find out more about this award via the Resource Centre or via the Employability Award section of the BG Futures module on Blackboard. See FAQs here - https://issuu.com/bgcareers/docs/frequently_asked_questions_about_th Volunteering Award
Volunteering is a great way to gain work experience, it gives you the opportunity to learn and develop skills and will make a valuable addition to your CV. Join this award to achieve bronze, silver and gold award for the time you have spent volunteering. Find out more about this award via the Resource Centre or via the Volunteering Award section of the BG Futures module on Blackboard. ONLINE RESOURCES Graduate Internships Action - See the Graduate Jobs factsheet for links to more graduate internships. • All About Careers (www.allaboutcareers.com) Search for graduate jobs and internships • Graduate Advantage (www.graduateadvantage.co.uk) Search for graduate placements • Graduate Magazine (www.graduatemag.co.uk) Magazine with Information and advice and graduate scheme opportunities • • •
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) (www.ktponline.org.uk) Longer term graduate opportunities, go to the website to find out more and to search for vacancies. National Council for Work Experience (www.work-experience.org) Find out which companies are commended for their placement programmes. Shell STEP (www.step.org.uk) Graduate and undergraduate work placements
Undergraduate Internships • All About Careers (www.allaboutcareers.com) Search for internships and placements • •
National Council for Work Experience (www.work-experience.org) Find out which companies are commended for their placement programmes. Shell STEP (www.step.org.uk) Graduate and undergraduate work placements
Page |4 Overseas •
Association for International Practical Training (AIPT) (www.aipt.org/participants/index.html) Internships and training programmes for students and graduates in the USA
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British Council (http://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-create/opportunity/work-volunteer) Volunteer or work overseas
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Council for International Educational Exchange (CIEE) (www.ciee.org/) Trainee opportunities in the USA
Volunteering •
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Local Voluntary Work There are all sorts of opportunities available in Lincoln for volunteers. Visit the Volunteer Centre Lincoln website for local volunteering opportunities and links to training and funding information. www.volunteercentrelincoln.org.uk UK & Overseas See Prospects Volunteer Opportunities for UK and overseas voluntary opportunities. http://tinyurl.com/prospectsvolunteer
Information, guidance and advice You can email staff with your questions at bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk ; we will either email you a response or invite you in for a one to one guidance appointment with the Careers Adviser. CV and application help: Help with updating and creating a CV: You will normally require a one to one appointment to receive help putting together a CV. Email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk
BG Futures: Careers, Employability and Enterprise Operates in accordance with the University Diversity and Equality Policies. If you require this document in an alternative format, for example in large print, please email us at bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk For more information go to Blackboard or www.bishopg.ac.uk/careers