Preparing Yourself for Work After Your Studies - Undergraduate Students
A three or four year undergraduate course gives you ample time to combine your studies with work and other activities to develop yourself into a great candidate for graduate employment.
You will need a combination of:
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fluency of written and spoken English Language
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employment skills (e.g. communication, drive, teamwork, commercial awareness)
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work experience (paid, unpaid or volunteering work)
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interests and activities outside of studies
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determination to succeed!
Example action plan
During your 1st year
Term 1-
get involved in activities that will bring you in contact with UK students/the local community in order to practise your English and become familiar with the culture, for example:
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join a SU (Students' Union) club/society
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volunteer to be student representative on your course
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volunteer to take on responsibility within your halls of residence
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prepare your CV. Come to quick advice or attend the Careers and Employability Centre's workshops on UK-style CV and cover letter writing. Check our events pages for the dates
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secure a part-time job (e.g. restaurant/shop/bar) to develop skills and improve English. The Careers and Employability Centre session on Finding UK Work Experience will help you with this. Details are on our Careers Online system.
Term 2
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start to explore your interests and skills to determine what career direction you may like to take. Our Choosing a Career section has lots of resources to help with this.
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arrange some work experience or volunteering for the summer vacation. Many organisations offer summer placement schemes.
During your 2nd year
Term 1
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start thinking about what sort of graduate role you might like to do. This does not need to be that specific at this stage, just start thinking about potential areas of interest. Make an appointment with a careers adviser to analyse what roles you might be suited to.
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start researching graduate careers and developing your skills
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register early to participate in the Careers and Employability Centre's 'Insight to Management' skills development course over Easter
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attend the Careers and Employability Centre's Career Management Skills Programme
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visit the Careers and Employability Centre's recruitment fairs, and book onto employer talks and Spotlight forums to find out more about career areas
- read about other international students' case studies
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- also apply for third year placements related to your degree - remember there is usually a placement tutor in your department to help you.
- get your CV, cover letters and application forms checked by the Careers and Employability Centre
- arrange a mock interview to prepare for degree-related placement interviews
Term 2
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looking for a some work experience in the field in which you are interested. If this is not possible in Loughborough, try to set up some volunteering elsewhere for the Easter vacation or summer term/vacation
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identify on-campus and local opportunities that will help you to develop your knowledge and skills
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offer to take on a position of responsibility in a Students’ Union club/society, for example - management of social trips or fund-raising for example. Look for other opportunities too such as writing for “Label” the SU magazine
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apply for an Easter/summer placement. Vacancies will be listed on Careers Online or on more general placement websites on our placements pages
During your 3rd year (if you are doing a placement year)
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undertake a placement in a degree related area. Use the opportunity to network with people and find out more about the career options within that organisation.
During your final year
Term 1
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Start to apply for graduate roles.
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get your CV, cover letters and application forms checked by the Careers and Employability Centre. Come for mock interviews to prepare you for the interview process.
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Seek opportunities to meet employers and fill any final skills gaps
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attend the Careers and Employability Centre's Career Management Skills Programme
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visit the Careers and Employability Centre's recruitment fairs and book onto the employer talks and Spotlight forums
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attend the Careers and Employabillity Centre session given by international graduates on finding a UK graduate job where you can talk and get tips from those who have already succeeded in finding UK work
Terms 2 and 3
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inform yourself of the immigration schemes enabling you to get permission to work in the UK attend the Careers Centre's solicitor's talk advertised on the events page.
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visit the International Student Centre to discuss what sort of immigration scheme might suit you if you want to stay on to work in the UK
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prepare documentation and ensure you are ready to meet the requirements of the schemes e.g. by ensuring you have £800 in the bank if you are looking to apply for Post Study Work.