GRADUATE GUIDE
USW Graduate Careers Promise Alumni benefits
Self-employment - Enterprise and Startup Stiwdio
Further study – Post Graduate School
Transitioning from Student to Professional
Exploring your options
Graduate Career pathways
Application and recruitment support
work
YOUR FUTURE, OUR FOCUS: THE USW CAREERS PROMISE
SUPPORTING YOU FOR LIFE AFTER GRADUATION
Congratulations! You’ve worked hard, and now you’re about to take the next big step for life after university. At USW Careers, our support doesn’t stop when you graduate.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
If you are about to graduate or graduated within the last two years, you have access to expert guidance, job search support, networking opportunities, and a range of resources to help you achieve your career goals—whenever you need them.
YOUR EXCLUSIVE USW GRADUATE BENEFITS:
Read our Final Year Futures & Graduate Guide on CareersConnect to explore the full USW Graduate Careers offer to all our final year students and recent graduates
On-Demand Career Resources – Access free, 24/7 support via MyCareer to help you navigate the job market.
Graduate Jobs Board – Continue using our online careers portal to find graduate jobs and opportunities on our CareersConnect portal. Sign up for regular job alerts!
USW Careers Events – Attend workshops, employer networking sessions, and industry insights events. Book on via your graduate access to CareersConnect
GradEdge Award – Enhance your employability by completing our career development award.
One-to-One Career Support – Submit an ‘Ask a Question’ online to ask us a career-related question. You can submit CVs, Cover Letters, and Application forms for checking when applying for opportunities. You can also book an online or in-person appointment at any campus for tailored career advice and guidance.
Thinking About Freelancing or Starting a Business? We also support graduates who are interested in freelancing or starting their own business. Our dedicated Careers Enterprise team is here to help you develop, test, and launch your business ideas.
If you graduated more than two years ago, the hundreds of vacancies on USW CareersConnect are still available for you to browse and apply for. Our extensive range of career development, recruitment support and information resources are also available for your use on demand 24/7. You may also choose to access additional support from your nearest external careers service:
READY TO GET STARTED?
Your journey doesn’t end at graduation—it’s just beginning! Whether you need career advice now or in the future, USW Careers will always be here to help. Visit MyCareer, log in to CareersConnect, or reach out to 'Ask a Question’.
CAREERS WALES
NATIONAL CAREERS SERVICE (ENGLAND) SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SCOTLAND
NORTHERN IRELAND CAREERS SERVICE
SCAN TO VISIT CAREERSCONNECT
ALUMNI BENEFITS
YOUR GRADUATE NETWORK - YOU'RE PART OF A GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF OVER 250,000 USW INCREDIBLE GRADUATES. WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AND SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT FOR LIFE AFTER GRADUATION.
STAY IN TOUCHMAKE SURE TO KEEP YOUR CONTACT DETAILS UP TO DATE SO WE CAN KEEP YOU UP TO SPEED ON EVERYTHING GOING ON IN YOUR ALUMNI COMMUNITY.
The Graduate Outcomes
Survey is the biggest annual survey in the UK and is sent to all graduates 15 months after they finish a Higher Education course. 15 months after finishing your course you'll receive a unique survey link by email and/or text to complete the form, so it's really important to keep your contact details up to date.
THE BENEFITS OF BEING A USW GRADUATE:
The benefits of being a USW graduate extends well beyond graduation, from showcasing your success to commissioning work we’re here to champion YOU!
Everyone loves a discount and as a graduate, you’ll have access to money off postgraduate study, professional training courses and more. Plus you have access to a range of scholarships and bursaries to help you in your further studies.
We recognise the value in your talent and are always looking for ways to offer paid opportunities where possible.
Inspire the next generation by giving back to USW through volunteering activities such as one-off talks, mentoring partnerships, panel events or featuring on our social channels goes a long way.
We’re proud to celebrate and share your diverse and inspiring stories through raising the profile of your achievements.
Keeping you connected to the University with regular news, events, updates and opportunities.
The Alumni team are on hand to support your requests and answer any questions you may have.
OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS:
Alumni and members of the local community aged 18 years or over can join USW Library for free. This entitles you to borrow 2 items from the Library.
As a graduate of USW you are entitled to an alumni discount on all FitZone memberships. With access to facilities such as the gym, strength room and health & fitness classes at no extra cost!
Give yourself the edge with a postgraduate or professional qualification from USW! We have a wide range of courses to offer and graduates may receive up to 20% off.
USW Print and Design - Whether you’re looking to rebrand your business, level up your social media content or print display graphics, USW Print and Design are on hand to help. Graduates are entitled to 10% off all USW Print and Design services.
SCAN TO VISIT USW ALUMNI
SELF-EMPLOYMENT
THINKING ABOUT FREELANCING OR STARTING A BUSINESS?
We also support graduates who are interested in freelancing or starting their own business. Our dedicated Careers Enterprise team is here to help you develop, test, and launch your business ideas. No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, support is available to you:
One-to-One Enterprise Appointments – Get expert guidance on your business ideas.
Funding Support – Apply for funding to kickstart your business.
Exclusive Access to Start-up Stiwdio Business Incubators – Work from our business incubators in Cardiff, Newport, or Treforest, free of charge.
On-Demand Enterprise Resources – Explore CareersConnect for business start-up support, including the GradEdge Start-up award.
STARTUP STIWDIO
At the Startup Stiwdio, we have 3 business incubators (Cardiff, Newport and Treforest) with more than 90 graduate entrepreneurs accessing our support.
We provide a bespoke startup business support programme, a great space to work, and the opportunity to grow your business contacts through our various networks and events.
Network - Access to industry experts and mentoring to grow your business.
Incubation - Free membership for USW graduates, up to 3 years from graduation.
Co-working - A welcoming space to bring your clients. Option to take on office space as your team grows.
Events - Access to business events, speakers and networks.
FURTHER STUDY
Undertaking postgraduate study can be a fantastic way to further your career or explore an area of interest. Check out the Postgraduate study guide on Prospects.
A postgraduate course will broaden your horizons, inspire you to look at the world in new ways and unlock your potential.
Joining us at a Postgraduate Open Evening is the ideal way to find out more about our parttime and full-time postgraduate courses, as well as post-registration qualifications for health care professionals. Find out the latest dates here: USW Postgraduate open days
FUNDING YOUR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
There are a number of ways to fund your postgraduate study. This can be through student finance, bursaries or help from grants, trusts and charities (see Alternative Funding), or a combination of all three.
POSTGRADUATE ALUMNI DISCOUNT: 20% OFF
The University of South Wales is offering a 20% reduction in tuition fees for all University of South Wales graduates (terms and conditions apply).
INTERNATIONAL FEES AND FUNDING
We understand that studying in the UK is a big financial investment, so we make studying at the University of South Wales affordable by ensuring our tuition fees are competitive. Click here for more information.
MASTERING YOUR TOMORROW
FLEXIBLE COURSES
Many of our students are returning to learning, and fit postgraduate study around work, family and other commitments. We take a realistic approach to learning and offer many courses part-time or through distance learning.
BOOSTING CAREER SUCCESS
USW Careers supports students with careers advice, CV clinics, work experience, networking and more. Working with over 3,500 organisations worldwide, we can connect you to your future employer.
EXPERT TEACHING AND LECTURERS
Many of our lecturers are at the forefront of their fields, producing world-leading research and contributing to advances within their area of expertise. Our research informs our courses, so students are taught the latest-thinking.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORT
We care about our students, so you can be assured we have your every need covered. There is plenty of learning support on offer, with a library on each campus and plenty of resources and services available online.
TRANSITIONING FROM STUDENT TO PROFESSIONAL
GRADUATION IS AN EXCITING MILESTONE - AND ONE YOU DESERVE TO CELEBRATE!
As you approach life after graduation, it’s time to start thinking about your next steps and how you want to shape your professional identity. You're no longer a student – you’re becoming an industry professional, ready to make your mark in the working world. To make a strong impression, it's important to shift your mindset and start building a personal brand that shows employers who you are and what you have to offer.
START WITH SELF-REFLECTION
Understanding yourself is the foundation of building a successful career. Take time to think about your interests, goals, strengths, and achievements. Employers value authenticity and passion, so having a clear story about why you’re interested in a particular role or industry will help you stand out. Think beyond your degree – your skills come from a range of experiences, including part-time jobs, volunteering, placements, and extracurricular activities. Identifying these transferable skills will give you the confidence to communicate your value to employers.
OWN YOUR STORY
CRAFT YOUR PROFESSIONAL PITCH
Once you’ve reflected on your skills and goals, it’s time to put it into words. Your professional pitch is a short, impactful summary of who you are, the skills and experience you bring, what makes you unique, and what you want to achieve. Keep it concise and confident – it’s something you can use when introducing yourself to potential employers or networking contacts. Here’s a link to the ‘ELEVATOR PITCH BUILDER – Your 60second summary to engage the listener’ resource on MyCareer.
UPDATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL TOOLS
Make sure your CV and LinkedIn profile reflect your new professional identity:
• Include your contact information, a personal profile (a short version of your pitch), education, relevant work experience, and top skills.
• Keep your LinkedIn updated and start using it actively – connect with others in your sector or target organisations you’d love to work for, engage with posts, and share your own insights.
How others see you often reflects how you see yourself. If the leap from student to professional feels daunting, remember how much you’ve already achieved. You’ve worked hard for your degree and developed a unique combination of skills and experiences – now it’s time to put yourself out there. The more you share your story and engage with your professional network, the more confident you’ll become.
YOU’VE GOT THIS - NOW’S THE TIME TO TAKE THAT NEXT STEP WITH CONFIDENCE.
EXPLORING
YOUR OPTIONS
Feeling unsure about what to do next? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Not everyone wakes up knowing exactly what they want to do with their career. For many, finding the right path involves trial and error, putting yourself out of your comfort zone, lots of curiosity and discovering what you enjoy as you go. The important thing is to take that first step. Below we have provided a few top tips to get you started.
TIPS
Send us an ‘Ask a Question’ online via our CareersConnect system – anything from career path questions to checking applications!
Start exploring our online resources on MyCareer. These resources are available to you 24/7 so you can look through the resources at your own pace as and when you need them.
Explore where graduates from your course are now working on LinkedIn and explore the job opportunities on there, from organisations that interest you.
Explore your career options and see where your degree could take you on the Prospects website: What can I do with my degree? | Prospects.ac.uk
When thinking about career options it can be useful to understand your personality type and reflect on how this might influence your career choices. Here are a few you can take online:
A 5-minute personality test to help you discover what makes you tick: Buzz Quiz
Get a sense of who you are and why you do things the way you do. Includes career pathways and workplace habits: Free personality test, type descriptions, relationship and career advice | 16Personalities
Discover the traits and characteristics that make you a unique individual: Personality Test of Myers & Briggs' 16 Types | TypeFinder®
Book an appointment with one of our Careers Consultants by booking an appointment online: https://bit.ly/uswcareersappointmentsCC
BE OPEN MINDED REMEMBER, WHILE IT'S FANTASTIC TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN A PARTICULAR OCCUPATION OR INDUSTRY, IT'S CRUCIAL AS A GRADUATE TO REMAIN OPEN TO ALL THE POSSIBILITIES AVAILABLE TO YOU AND WHAT TRANSFERABLE SKILLS YOU MIGHT HAVE TO BROADEN YOUR CAREER OPTIONS.
GRADUATE CAREER PATHWAYS
When it comes to career pathways for new graduates there are lots of options to consider. We have provided an overview of some of the common pathways to help you to start exploring, but this is by no means an exhaustive list.
GRADUATE SCHEMES / GRADUATE PROGRAMMES
These tend to be structured programmes that involve training and development activities and sometimes include various rotations around different functions/departments within an organisation. Larger companies tend to open applications for their graduate schemes in Autumn so keep an eye out from September onwards for schemes that start in the Summer the following year. Some schemes have multiple intakes throughout the year. USW Careers can advise on these so get in touch by logging into CareersConnect and set up your job alerts. Graduates are also welcome to attend any Careers events and fairs, where you can find information and/or meet employers offering graduate schemes or programmes.
DIRECT ENTRY ROUTES
Even if a job does not have the word ‘graduate’ in it that does not exclude new graduates from applying. There are lots of entry level, highly skilled jobs out there and these can be a great way for graduates to build their experience and work their way up in an organisation.
SELF-EMPLOYMENT/ FREELANCING
In many jobs and sectors, it is much more typical or people to work for themselves or organisations but in a ‘selfemployed’ way. This means you essentially are in charge or your own ‘business’- you. You decide who you work for, when you do that work and you negotiate your payment for the work. We offer signposting to expert support that graduates can access to help them with exploring enterprise and growing their business. Graduates can also explore our online enterprise advice site here.
INTERNSHIPS
Internships are usually for a fixed period of time (this time period can significantly vary). Graduates could expect to be given specific work to do over this period for the employer usually working with employees of the company in order to broaden their experience and aid the transition to the workplace. Longer term internships can look similar to graduate programmes. For short term work opportunities, graduates can also search for ‘fixed term roles’ however, these may not come with the same level of training and support as internships typically do.
POSTGRADUATE/ FURTHER STUDY
Some occupations require individuals to obtain an additional postgraduate level qualification. We recommend that graduates check whether this is the case for the occupation they are interested in pursuing. We have provided further information about postgraduate study in this guide on Page 8
APPLICATION / RECRUITMENT SUPPORT
Ready to apply for jobs but feeling stuck on where to start or how to navigate the application process? We've got you covered. Whether you're searching for jobs or considering further study, help is available at every step.
With many graduate employers using online applications as part of their recruitment process, you need to be prepared to effectively market yourself and evidence your skills and competencies.
With employers having large numbers of applications to sift through, you will need to understand the skills that they are looking for in order to make an immediate impact. Be sure to demonstrate what you’ve achieved and clearly demonstrate your suitability for the role. Continue reading to discover how to stand out from the crowd (in the limited space an application form provides), and land yourself that all important interview!
TAKE TIME TO PREPARE
Don’t start filling in the application form straight away.
REFLECT ON YOUR ABILITIES
Be clear about how you meet the job criteria and the value you can bring to their organisation.
CREATE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION
with research that helps you understand the role, organisation and sector it operates within.
PROVIDE EVIDENCE
Address employer requirements with specific examples that demonstrate you meet their selection criteria.
REFINE YOUR WRITING STYLE
Stand out from the crowd with an application that is succinct and punchy, communicating how you meet the criteria with impact.
GET IT DONE
Complete it with time to spare so that you can check, double check, and send it off in time. Don’t miss the deadline! SCAN TO VISIT
MYCAREER
As a new graduate, you can still access all our USW Careers support for expert advice and guidance. Plus, you have continued access to AI technology through the Careers employability portal, MyCareer. This includes an instant CV check tool (CV360) and a mock interview simulator (Interview360).
You can also sign up for job alerts on our CareersConnect system, where you can search via sector and/or location to help find job opportunities you are interested in. We can help support your application writing, either via the ‘ask a question’ option or by booking a careers appointment.
SCAN TO VISIT CAREERSCONNECT
TIPS
Try out the AI Interactive tools on MyCareer –CV360 and Interview360
Have you completed the GradEdge Career Ready Award? You can work through a series of recruitment skills and support sections online and gain a CPD certificate as a bonus!
Send us an ‘Ask a Question’ if you need any application form support
Join our USW Careers LinkedIn where we share careers information and employer opportunities. You can also join our USW Graduate Support (Job Info/Advice Group) and the USW Alumni community group
STARTING A NEW JOB AND CAREER PROGRESSION
CONGRATULATIONS ON SECURING YOUR NEW JOB!
Did you know that we offer careers support once you are in work? This includes:
Access to all our USW Careers support – for life! So whether you want help with gaining a promotion or changing roles, we are here for you whenever you need us!
Professional development discounts as a USW graduate via the many alumni benefits on offer to you.
A suite of online development resources tailored to early career professionals which you can explore on MyCareer
COMMUTING - DISCOUNTED TRAVEL
The cost of commuting to work can really start to add up. To help, we have provided some suggestions on ways to save when travelling to and from work, if you plan to stay in Wales.
Transport for Wales
Did you know that anyone can get 1/3 off the cost of their train ticket with a railcard and you can get a free discount card if you’re a jobseeker?
Bus ticket offers and discounts
There are some great savings to be made right across Wales when you travel by bus.
Disabled Person's Welsh
Concessionary Travel
Card
If your primary address is in Wales and you meet the Welsh Government’s disability eligibility criteria, you can travel for free on most bus services in Wales. You can also get discounted or free travel on many rail services too.
Ask your employer whether they offer any travel discount schemes or car share schemes. Some even offer the Bike2Work scheme as an employee benefit so you can purchase a new bike at a discount price.
IMPORTANT
REMEMBER TO UPDATE YOUR DETAILS WITH THE ALUMNI TEAM TO TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW ROLE SO WE CAN KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOU WITH TAILORED ALUMNI INFORMATION. THIS INCLUDES INFORMATION ABOUT THE GRADUATE OUTCOME SURVEY.
The Graduate Outcomes Survey is the biggest annual survey in the UK and is sent to all graduates 15 months after you finish a Higher Education course. So 15 months after finishing your course - you'll receive a unique survey link by email and/or text or they will telephone you to conduct the survey over the phone, making it really important to keep your contact details up to date with us.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
EVERYONE STARTS SOMEWHERE
Everyone has had a first day!
CHECK YOUR TIMING.
Turn up ready for each day (even online) and make the most of every minute.
NEW IDEAS AND PERSPECTIVES
These keep the world growing and rich.
STAY PROFESSIONAL
Be mindful of your language. Try to avoid getting involved in any office politics or gossip, this can lead to difficult situations and it's best to just stick to your role.
CREATE A ‘BRAG FOLDER’!
Keep your feedback and any positive praise you receive. Regularly save good feedback items to reflect on your wins, and on your growth! Also, try not to be disheartened if you get feedback on how to improve your performance, it's a normal part of employment and is crucial to growth and personal development.
GET INVOLVED!
Bring enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Seek out and put yourself forward for opportunities within your organisation - we hope you feel confident to go for it!
AND REMEMBER…
If it's not for you, it's not forever, but it's also never a waste of your time as any experience is worth something.
BE AUTHENTICALLY YOU
Your uniqueness is your magic!
TRY TO BE BRAVE
Speak up - your input is valued!
MAKING MISTAKES IS NORMAL
It’s part of how we learn, you're only just getting started
DISABILITY AT WORK & MENTAL HEALTH WELL-BEING
UNDERSTANDING DISABILITY
“Disability” includes various health conditionsphysical, mental, specific learning difficulties, and neurodiverse conditions. If you identify with any of these, you have the right to additional support during your job search and in the workplace.
YOUR RIGHTS
Under the Equality Act 2010, you’re protected against discrimination when applying for jobs and in the workplace. Employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to help you overcome any obstacles you may face.
HOW WE CAN HELP
We understand that everyone’s experience is unique, and we’re here to support you through any challenges you may face, including concerns about sharing personal information with employers. We offer support at every stage of your career:
Personalised one-on-one career support
Information about the job market and mentoring programmes
Inclusive events and workshops
Advice on workplace equality, diversity, inclusion, and reasonable adjustments
Connections with employers through jobs, internships, placements, work experience, and volunteering
Whatever your situation, we’re here to support your transition into the workplace. Email us at careersplus@southwales.ac.uk, even if you don’t identify as disabled, you may still be eligible for support.
e-Hub Resources >
Explore more resources on e-Hub, designed for underrepresented students and graduates to link your studies with career goals and support your success.
SHARING YOUR DISABILITY
Deciding whether to disclose your disability to an employer is a personal choice. You may want to consider mentioning it if your academic performance doesn’t reflect your true abilities. Our Employability Coaches can help you navigate this decision and highlight your strengths.
REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS
Employers must ensure you can apply for jobs on equal terms. Reasonable adjustments could include alternative formats for application materials, extra time for assessments, or specialised equipment. In the workplace, adjustments may involve changes to your environment or work processes. We encourage our students and graduates to discuss this in further detail with their employer and seek the expert advice available through EmployAbility.
EMPLOYABILITY
If you are a university student or a recent graduate with a neurodivergent, mental health or long term-health condition, or physical, sensory or any other disability, register with EmployAbility to access free support and a range of opportunities.
FINDING INCLUSIVE EMPLOYERS
Many employers actively support disabled applicants and may participate in initiatives like the Disability Confident Scheme. Look for signs that indicate their commitment to inclusivity, such as the disability confidence symbol or an equal opportunities policy.
SUPPORTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AT WORK
The transition from student life to work life will certainly bring many changes. As well as a completely new routine, you will likely have a different social life and hopefully, a healthier bank balance too. It can be a daunting time though, especially if you don’t have much workplace experience. You can find advice and support for adjusting to work life after graduation on MyCareer which is available to all students and graduates, on demand whenever you need it!
Managing your mental health and wellbeing is essential. Looking after your physical, emotional and mental health is key in allowing you to feel and perform your best.
TIPS FOR WELLBEING
Balance Work and Life
Success isn’t just about work. Prioritise time for friends, family, exercise and hobbies to maintain a healthy balance.
Build Connections
Get to know your colleagues. Strong relationships provide support and open up opportunities.
Take Breaks
Step away from your work regularly and ensure you have a proper lunch break to recharge.
Embrace Mistakes
Mistakes are a natural part of learning. Don’t let them discourage you, use them to grow.
Manage Stress
Identify the source of your stress, like a heavy workload, and take steps to address it. Healthy habits, such as mindfulness and reducing caffeine, can help ease anxiety.
Below you will find some of the ways through which you can access wellbeing and mental health support. This is not an exhaustive list but we hope a good starting point as you take your next steps.
Local NHS Services
The NHS offers a range of mental health services, including talking therapies, crisis support, and specialist treatments. You can find out more information and access these services through your GP.
Mind
This leading mental health charity offers information, support, and a variety of resources to help manage mental health issues. They provide helplines, local support groups, and online resources.
Samaritans
Available 24/7, the Samaritans offer confidential support for anyone in distress or struggling to cope.
FINANCIAL WELL-BEING
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT WHEN STARTING A NEW GRADUATE JOB
Financial well-being involves managing your money wisely to support both your current needs and future goals. As a new graduate, it's good to start to think about key aspects of financial management once in employment such as paying taxes, repaying student loans, and starting to save. By understanding your salary, benefits, and the importance of saving now, you can build a strong financial foundation for your future.
FREE FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
Check with your bank!
Many banks offer comprehensive advice and support to help you navigate the cost of living and manage your finances effectively. You don’t always have to be a customer to enjoy this free support!
MoneyHelper
Free personal, impartial money advice is available online and over the phone through MoneyHelper.org, which is part of the Money & Pensions Service. On the MoneyHelper website you will also find useful tools and calculators to help you to keep track and plan ahead as well as in depth guides.
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice offers a range of free money advice services including phone and web chat services as well as in person support.
Expenses
As a new graduate starting your first job, there will be different types of expenses such as tax that you'll encounter. Understanding how they work will help you to manage your finances more effectively.
National Insurance
This is a mandatory contribution that funds various state benefits and services, and you can learn more about it here.
Income tax
This is deducted from your salary and depends on your earnings; detailed information can be found here.
Council Tax
This is a local tax contributing to community services like waste collection and road maintenance. More details are available here.
Student Loan
Repayments usually starts once your income exceeds a certain threshold; you can find guidance on repayment here.
Pensions - It‘s not too early!
The sooner you start, the more time your money has to grow. For advice tailored to young professionals, visit Save the Student. This resource breaks down the basics of pensions, explains the different types available, and offers tips on how to start saving even with a limited budget. Check whether your employer offers pension advice or information through its HR team
STAYING IN TOUCH
YOUR ALUMNI COMMUNITY
You're part of a global community of over 250,000 USW incredible graduates. We're here to support you and showcase your talent for life after graduation.
STAY IN TOUCH
Make sure to keep your contact details up to date so we can keep you up to speed on everything going on in your Alumni community.
Update your details here
It’s important to update your contact details as your university email address will be deactivated 120 days after you finish your course so make sure you have saved everything you need from your student accounts before the deactivation happens!
You are a role model to our current students, and we would be proud to share your success story with others. We love sharing the journeys of our diverse and inspiring graduates, you can read all about your community in our graduate case studies.
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
Giving back to USW through volunteering activities such as one-off talks, mentoring partnerships, panel events or featuring on our social channels goes a long way. Whether you have a busy schedule, or a bit of free time, we have opportunities to suit you. Register for volunteering here.
REMEMBER
Look out for the Graduate Outcomes Survey which will be sent to you 15 months after graduation. This a great way to let us know what you are up to and only takes around 10 minutes to complete.
You’ll also be helping us understand the choices that you’ve made since you finished your course and how this reflects the skills you developed whilst in education.
You will be contacted by email, phone and SMS to complete the survey. Emails will come from universityofsouthwales@graduateoutcomes.ac.uk, SMS from 'Grad Outcomes' and phone calls from a local number. These are legitimate approaches from JISC (who undertake the survey on behalf of all UK universities), so please do respond to them.
CHECKLIST
HAVE YOU:
UPDATED YOUR DETAILS WITH USW ALUMNI TEAM
LOGGED INTO OUR ONLINE GRADUATE GUIDE ON CAREERSCONNECT
SIGNED UP FOR JOB ALERTS ON CAREERSCONNECT
CREATED AN UP-TO-DATE CV
CREATED AND POSTED AS ‘LOOKING FOR WORK’ OR UPDATED YOUR PROFILE WITH YOUR LATEST RECRUITMENT STATUS IN YOUR LINKEDIN ACCOUNT
JOINED OUR LINKEDIN GROUPS - ALUMNI GROUP AND CAREERS JOBS BOARD GROUP
COMPLETED A GRADEDGE AWARD
USED OUR MYCAREER ONLINE EMPLOYABILITY RESOURCES FOR CAREERS HELP AND SUPPORT
EXPLORED SELF-EMPLOYMENT WITH SUPPORT FROM THE CAREERS ENTERPRISE TEAM
KEY LINKS
Graduate Career Support: https://bit.ly/GraduateUSW
Email: uswgraduatesupport@southwales.ac.uk
USW Alumni information: www.southwales.ac.uk/alumni
Email: alumni@southwales.ac.uk
USW Postgraduate study information: https://bit.ly/USWPostGradStudy
Book a postgraduate Open Event: https://bit.ly/PG-OpenEvents