AHSS
In the weeks preceding our Autumn and Spring Fairs, our team of Career Consultants promote the event within all Schools across the University and prepare students to get the most out of the event. Generally, it is an easy sell to our Law, Engineering and Business students; employers are keen to speak to them to find the right fit for their company. However, there is another cohort of students you may notice at the Fairs, they are often cautious, apprehensive and tentatively approaching your stand, not quite sure what to do or say As the employer you may not know what to do or say to them either!These are often students studying Arts, Humanities or Social Science (AHSS) disciplines such as Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Politics, English or Languages. They are at a crossroads of where to go in their career, often unsure of what they can offer and what job roles they can do The very fact they are at the Fair shows initiative, open mindedness and a willingness to learn.
As employers battle with economic and political uncertainty, demographic shifts, technological change and the green transition, the value and contribution these students can make to your workforce cannot be underestimated Cathie McNeill, Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at A&O Shearman talks about her experience recruiting AHSS students:
AHSS
While you may scratch your head and wonder what these transferrable skills are, what can these students actually do, and what can they bring to my organisation, Cathie McNeill goes on to explain:
“Their ability to think critically, analyse complex issues, and communicate effectively makes them a strong fit for roles in HR, Finance, Marketing, IT, and Operations. These graduates excel in project management, research and analysis, marketing and communications, client relationship management, and business development. Their understanding of people, markets, and political contexts adds real value in areas such as compliance, risk management, and innovation projects. By leveraging these diverse perspectives, we strengthen our ability to deliver creative solutions and navigate an ever-changing business landscape.”
Our AHSS students’ versatility, drive and ambition to carve out a successful career is palpable; employers who look beyond subject boundaries and recognise their potential will discover exceptional talent.
While the NI Skills Barometer declares that problem solving and analytical skills are among the most sought after employability skills, our Programme Director for Sociology with Quantitative Methods, Emma Calvert, explains how students can develop these skills in a practical way to support business functions:
“Our Sociology, Criminology and Social Policy undergraduate students can specialise in advanced quantitative data analysis, allowing them to graduate with a BSc in their discipline “with Quantitative Methods”as a minor pathway. The specialist modules build on core research methods training and focus on programming skills, handling large-scale data and training in statistical models that address key social science research questions. Our students develop a range of communication skills, from report writing through to presentations, including how to present complex analysis using data visualisation”.
As you can see, often the name of a degree does not fully encapsulate the breadth of skills and knowledge a student has developed while studying at University; employers who delve deeper will find capable and competent students who are ready to take their first steps into the professional world.
AHSS
Equipped with an entrepreneurial mindset, creativity and resilience our AHSS students are ready to learn, grow and develop. Given the opportunity, they can contribute meaningfully to your organisation and become an integral part of your workforce, driving innovation and supporting growth. We encourage you to embrace our AHSS students at the Fairs and consider Cathie McNeill’s final words of advice:
“Employers attending career fairs should take the opportunity to connect with these students, their fresh thinking, adaptability, and diverse perspectives can spark new ideas and help businesses thrive in a changing world”.
If you would like to know more about our different degree courses and the skills those students are developing, please contact us at careers@qub.ac.uk.