Today we look at how several institutions from the education sector are working with students to provide support for life after graduation.
Employability, for many institutions, has become a requisite part of each course syllabus. Student employability is one of the parameters that universities and colleges are judged by; here we look through some of the most engaging and creative ways of teaching Students how to think smart when looking for their first professional role.
University of Technology Sydney
We start with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS); a professional photographer, as well as smart attire, is provided for students at the beginning of their course.
They can use this opportunity to perfect their LinkedIn profile picture and demonstrate just how serious they are about their professional profile. Attila Brungs, vice-chancellor and president at UTS, told Times Higher Education that the aim of the photography session was to encourage students to think “‘you are a professional and you need to think of yourself as one’”.
Taking a photograph is all well and good, but it’s hardly going to score grads the role they're looking for. UTS takes the professional preparation one step further by adding internships into many courses' syllabi; as the Times Higher Education reported, around 22,000 students completed one of these placements. Gaining real working experience can be a huge advantage for students, giving them a greater understanding of what’s required for potential future positions, as well as professional contacts within their chosen industry.
UKCBC Hosts Employability Seminar
As part of their professional preparation program, the UK College of Business and Computing (UKCBC) organises regular employability seminars, inviting professionals from around the UK to give insights into their professional sector. Friday 12th May, saw the UKCBC’s latest employability seminar, with the focus being the ‘skills gap’ and where students can get ahead of the competition.
The event, held at the UKCBC’s new Holborn Campus in Central London, welcomed guests such as Poppie Jones, from the WE Schools program. Poppie’s speech looked at the benefits of volunteering, showing how getting your foot in the door, being proactive and learning as much as you can from the experience can greatly improve your chances of employment.
Speaking with professionals within a company gives students extremely relevant experience with the kind of people who would interview them for their first professional role. As Poppie mentioned, it offers students a chance to learn about the industry from experts, develop a network and find out how to tailor their skills to fit the role they’re looking for.
Be sure to check out upcoming events for the UKCBC on the UKCBC news feed.
