An interesting, well paid and progressive career is the goal that all University students are working towards. However, it can sometimes feel like the main focus of your efforts is learning how to write top quality essays and first class exam papers and despite this, employability must be a constant focus and the chances of a future you being able to comfortably afford to be sharing bills with your housemates depends upon the choices made in the last couple of years as a student.
That’s on top of understanding that landing a g job will depend not just on exam results but your experience, attitude and standing out from the others who are after the same role.
The careers service at your university is a vital tool but sadly it is under-used as students turn to the internet to research the job market. Student broadband deals are great but they also lead to watching Netflix, using Instagram and watching vlogs on obscure subjects – in other words distractions from learning how to get that dream job.
Careers advisor at university
There’s also a perception that a careers advisor at university may be bossy and tell someone what they should do with their lives and the route they need to take. In reality, this isn’t the case at all – it is the encouragement to intelligently explore and consider all opportunities and directions on the journey to the right career which is being offered. You might have a particular career in mind but an advisor may spot a talent or an experience that may be better suited elsewhere.
For some students a more direct approach is appealing. They might enjoy being told what will be good for them, though this may come from a lack of confidence in making their own decisions. Once again it becomes the careers advisor’s job to build up the self-esteem and positivity in these students allowing the important stuff to be decided. Coaching and/or mentorship is an option at this point.
Every student should make time for work experience or internships. The summer holidays are endless for a reason – it’s a great time for laying the foundations of an amazing future and also time for messing about on beaches and at festivals.
All-inclusive shared household bills
Glide provides worked out, all-inclusive shared household bills that will help make life easier for many; once it’s all set up there’s no faffing about over who owes what each month and trying to find the time to pay. This means there will be extra hours in the month and no excuse for students not to do some really thorough research into where useful work experience might come from.
Most students will get a part time job in a bar or shop to make extra cash but it’s also important that you try to find something relevant to your degree before you settle for the first job offer. Keep thinking CV, CV, CV when decisions are made about your career – even when looking for a part time role.
Volunteering looks fantastic to potential employers
Volunteering looks fantastic to potential employers since it shows dedication, initiative and thoughtfulness towards the community. When choosing between candidates, the interview panel will be searching for someone who stands out as special and making the effort to have a good and inspirational impact an another person’s life can be persuasive to an employer.
For example, of the potential volunteering opportunities to consider there is youth work, caring for the elderly and also charity work that may just be the difference between getting a job, a promotion or not attracting employers at all.
It may look like we are suggesting you do it all at once doesn’t it? Find a degree related part time job, internship, work experience and volunteering all while completing a degree and having an enjoyable and fun student life.
Remember there are three or four years in which to make the time so start early when thinking about your employability (You’ll hear this word a lot while at University!) and it will be easy to walk out of that longed-for graduation ceremony with both results and life skills to be proud of.
There’s no point getting into your last year and wishing you’d done volunteering or finding a great part time job sooner – act as soon as you can to gain the most benefit!
And if you want to know more about sharing bills in a student house, plus getting a great student broadband deal, then speak with the f