So many people have
degrees these days that you will need to stand out from the crowd
when applying for jobs. Employers are increasingly demanding that
new graduates are able to add value to the organisation straight
away. If you can demonstrate that you have already a certain level
of competence you will be far more likely to get the job you want.
That is why work experience plays such an faimportant role!
1. Industrial placements - six to twelve months' duration, as part of your course.
2. Internships - offered by large graduate recruiters, mostly during the summer. Previous employers include the Royal Bank of Scotland, Boots, BP, the Civil Service and the BBC, to name just a few.
3. Vacation placements - summer vacation placements with smaller companies, e.g. Shell Step which offers eight-week summer placements for penultimate year students www.shellstep.org.uk
4. Vacation courses - offered by major recruiters, and are short and usually over Christmas and Easter.
5. Casual vacation work/part-time jobs - visit your university Jobshop to see current vacancies.
6. Voluntary work - www.volunteerdundee.org.uk (for local voluntary opportunities) or www.lift-off.org.uk (Learning in Fife & Tayside, Opportunities for the Future).
7. International exchanges - these include the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE), the Council of International Educational Exchange (CIEE) and AISEC, a global network that facilitates the international exchange of students.
8. Gap year - visit
www.yearoutgroup.org,
which contains a good checklist for what to consider and links to many relevant organisations.
1. Plan your approach, leaving lots of time for the placement to be organised.
2. Decide what skills or experience you're missing and plug those gaps.
3. Research employers and schemes within your chosen field.
4. Make sure your CV and covering letter are up to scratch - seek help if necessary.
5. Be persistent and
maintain your motivation.
Remember to talk to your Careers Adviser if you need help in getting work experience. The Careers Development Centre has resources that you can tap into:
The following magazines are available for each student:
Focus on Work Experience Magazine (free, annual, published by CSU). Contains useful editorial on:
Target
Work Experience Magazine (free, annual, published by GTI).
Contains useful editorial on:
Work
Placement Guide Magazine (free, annual, published by Hobsons).
Features sections on:
www.AIESEC.org
Facilitates international exchange of students and recent graduates.
www.AIPT.org
Provides assistance with locating a US employer at their PinPoint
Training vacancies site.
www.Barzone.co.uk
Offers information on the Pub and Bar Industry in the UK &
Europe.
www.CIEE.org
Council for International Educational Exchange.
www.everythingyouwantedtoknow.com
Provides links to employers and organisations.
www.hotrecruit.com
A temporary jobs site dedicated to students, overseas travellers
and flexible workers.
www.internjobs.com
Offers internships of varying lengths to students.
www.prospects.ac.uk
www.step.org.uk
Shell Technology Enterprise Programme. Eight-week summer placements
for penultimate year students.
www.studentsource.com
Staffing agency offering opportunities in the San Francisco area.
www.summerjobs.com
www.yini.org.uk
A website dedicated to helping students make the most out of their
year in industry.
