Finalist Futures

Finalist Futures:  Get Career Ready > Book your place  

Thursday 8 October 2026: 5.45pm-8.15pm - James France - In person 

Along with other finalists, join in practical activities and allow yourself the space to think about the year ahead. This event is ideal for those students who have not been on a placement year, although all final year students are encouraged to attend. 

Finalist Futures:  Your options after graduation > Book your place 

Monday 19 October 2026: 1.00pm-2.00pm - Online  

As you reach the final year of your studies, your thoughts might be turning towards what to do afterwards.  You may already have a good idea, some ideas or no idea at all about your next steps.   

Finalist Futures:  Finding a graduate job > Book your place 

Tuesday 27 October 2026: 12.00pm-1.00pm - Online  

As your undergraduate study is slowly coming to an end, many finalists turn their attention to finding a graduate job afterwards. But what options are open to you, where can you find vacancies and how do you apply? We will explore the many places where you can find graduate level opportunities.  

Get Hired!

A series of practical workshops open to all students to support your job hunting and career planning.

Get Hired:  How to make your applications stand out > Book your place 

Tuesday 20 October 2026: 1.00pm-3.00pm - room TBC - In person 

First impressions count! Employers receive hundreds of applications. How can you make sure yours stands out?  

Get Hired:  How to use AI effectively in your applications > Book your place 

Thursday 22 October 2026: 1.00pm-2.00pm – room TBC - In person 

AI is changing our world.  How can you ensure you harness this effectively to explore your career options and excel in applications and interviews? 

Get Hired:  How to impress at interviews > Book your place 

Thursday 29 October 2026: 1.00pm-3.00pm - room TBC - In person 

This session will cover: 

• The various formats of interviews and the question types you might encounter. 

• The differences between good interview answers and bad ones. 

• Demonstration of our online tools that can help you with your interview performance. 

• A segment on practising your interview responses and techniques in a safe environment with other students. 

• Further support and Q & A. 

Get Hired:  How to tackle online tests > Book your place 

Wednesday 11 November 2026: 1.00pm-3.00pm - SMB 1.09 - In person 

Applying for a graduate job, placement or internship? Many employers now use online tests as part of their recruitment process. Knowing what to expect can make a huge difference to your success.

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Identify common types of employer online tests
• Understand why employers use them
• Develop strategies to improve your performance
• Practise sample questions

Get Hired:  How to become an entrepreneur > Book your place 

Thursday 12 November 2026: 1.00pm-2.00pm - Online 

Discover the boundless possibilities and support available through the Loughborough Enterprise Network. 

Get Hired:  How to build professional connections > Book your place 

Wednesday 18 November 2026: 1.00pm-2.00pm - room TBC - In person 

Details to be confirmed.

It can be hard to know where to start looking for a job as a finalist, whilst juggling coursework deadlines and other commitments. At Careers Network we have information on a wide range of topics to help guide you through the process, and we suggest the following pages and information to get started:

• Jump to Choosing your career for some tips on how and where to begin your career planning.
• Visit our Options with your degree page to find out more about what careers your course could lead to. You can find information such as key skills you have developed as a student, resources to research career areas and to help you look for graduate jobs.
• Use the Job profiles on Prospects to research careers within a specific field, case studies, skills and further qualifications that may be needed for the role.
• Book a Careers Coaching appointment to map out your ideas and talk about your career. You do not have to know what you want to do to book an appointment.
• Look on the LinkedIn Alumni tool to find out where our Loughborough alumni are working to inspire you on your career journey.

The Careers Network team is here to provide support and inspiration to help you, whatever your needs. For up-to-date details see Book an appointment.

• Careers Hub: Edward Herbert Building 2.03: drop in with any careers related query, 11.00 -3.00 on weekdays during term time.

• Careers and Enterprise Advice: 20-minute appointments to check CVs, covering letters, or application forms, prepare for interviews and assessment centres or to ask any careers related query. Available via MS Teams or telephone or in-person. Book online or via telephone 01509 222765.

• Careers Coaching: 30 minutes available via advance booking only - for an in-depth discussion with a Careers Coach about your career. You do not need to have a career in mind for this appointment. Available via MS Teams or telephone or in-person. Book via telephone 01509 222765.

• Interview Coaching: 30 minutes available via advance booking only - for an opportunity to practise your interview technique with a Careers Coach. Available via MS Teams, telephone or in-person. Book via telephone on 01509 222765.

• Business and Enterprise Coaching: Email LEN@lboro.ac.uk to request an appointment or visit Embrace Entrepreneurship for more information.

• Attend events e.g. our careers fairs and online employer events, to network and find out about opportunities.

• Find jobs and work experience using Get Placements, Internships and Graduate Roles with a variety of links and information, including our vacancy database Target Connect.

• Your careers coach will be sending you emails and/or newsletters with jobs, opportunities and other information relevant for your school.

There are a variety of different types of jobs and opportunities available that finalists can apply for post graduation. You can also still gain work experience during your final year of study.  These include:

• Graduate schemes/programmes - a structured role (usually between 1-3 years in length) more common in larger companies, combining work and training and requiring a degree
• Finalist Internships - usually a short-term role undertaken during your last year of study.  Explore Loughborough's Careers Network Talent Match programme; paid, short-term opportunities in the UK and abroad, created exclusively for Loughborough students.
• Graduate internships - a shorter term role (usually between 1 month and 1 year) often within small to medium size organisations, working on a specific project or within a specific department/team.  
• Entry level roles - usually offered in more niche areas such as charities, journalism, social enterprises, sport and within small to medium size organisations in which you progress from entry level by demonstrating your competence and future potential
• Work shadowing - a short period of shadowing a professional(s) within a role and organisation of interest to you to learn more about the role. Workshadowing is typically between 1 day and 2 weeks maximum in length as it is unpaid.

Information on where to look for these roles can be found on our Find jobs and work experience pages which includes both websites, Target Connect and job hunting through networking.

We have a range of support available to develop your skills and competence in applying for graduate level roles. You can get support from Careers Network from initial application right through to interview and accepting a job offer.

We would encourage you to consider engaging in the below options to maximise the effectiveness of your applications.

• Access the Make Applications web page for guidance on applying for jobs.
• Download our useful frameworks from the Personal Best App.
• Have a Careers and Enterprise Advice appointment, or drop in to one of our Careers Hubs to get your CVs, covering letters and application forms checked.
• Use eCareers Grad, Graduates First or book an Interview Coaching Appointment.
• Access support on Employer Tests to improve your performance including practice software called Graduates First.
• Attend a Mock Assessment Centre to learn about the process and 'have a go' in a safe and friendly environment.

Further study can demonstrate enhanced technical and transferable skills and a commitment to your subject.

Further study at Loughborough

If you are a Loughborough graduate thinking of applying for a postgraduate course at either of the Loughborough University campuses, you could apply for our Alumni Bursary which awards you up to 10% off tuition fees. You may also be eligible for a UK Government Postgraduate Loan.  Find out more about funding options on the University web page Funding, Bursaries and Scholarships.

For advice on choosing a course you can speak to your personal tutor, or come to one of the postgraduate open events where you can speak to current master’s students, which is a great way to find out about their experiences of studying at the next level.

You are able to order a prospectus or view our courses online for further information.

Further study outside of Loughborough

The Careers Network team can provide you with impartial information, advice and guidance on postgraduate study. You can have a Careers Advice or Career Coaching appointment to go through your options and help you make a decision that is best for you. We can also check your personal statement for your postgraduate applications. Information on how to book an appointment is available here.

We have more information available on our postgraduate study pages on topics including:

• Types of postgraduate courses and choosing the right course
• Reasons for choosing to apply
• Advantages and disdvantages of postgraduate study

If you’re thinking about going freelance, being self-employed or starting a business after graduating, Loughborough Enterprise Network (LEN) provides the space for enterprising students and graduates to connect across both our Loughborough and London campuses.

From inspired idea to the next big business start-up, we support students and graduates on their business journeys by providing valuable opportunities for them to develop a highly desirable, entrepreneurial mindset.

More information about the support we provide can be found in Embrace Entrepreneurship, or you can contact us directly at LEN@lboro.co.uk.

We send regular newsletters to all our current final year students.  They will also be published below throughout the academic year, starting again in October 2026.