Employability at Kent

Welcome What is this event about? Helping you to get involved with events and activities which will make you more employable when you graduate Why now? The earlier you start thinking about Employability the better. SECL are running a series of events this year centred around Employability Who we are Steph Ham – Employability and Communications Coordinator, SECL Nicola Urquhart – Careers Adviser for Humanities Kasia Senyszyn – Employability Points Coordinator, Kent Enterprise Suzanne Payne – Employability Coordinator, Student Activities Centr e

SECL Employability What SECL is doing this year:  Employability and Communications Coordinator  Careers and Employability Event Programme  Alumni events and mentoring  SECL Employability website  And much more!

More information Details of all of our events can be found on the SECL website at: Come and see me in Cornwallis NW 111 Feel free to talk to us after the event or to contact us by or phone

Employers want more than a degree from you - by recording your skills and experience you can demonstrate how you stand out from the crowd

 Suzanne Payne – Graduate Employability Coordinator  Based in Student Activities Office – above Essentials Kent Union supports employability in a number of ways

 Includes roles such as course reps and committee members as well as time spent giving time to charities as well as other organisations  Is a positive way of gaining valuable skills and experience that employers value and understand Volunteering

Is a recognition scheme for volunteering which provides:  Accreditation for volunteering hours  Recognition of your commitment in a form that employers value and understand  Different levels of award are available according to the number of hours logged Kent Student Certificate in Volunteering (KSCV)

Programme of training sessions each lasting between 60 and 90 mins  Support your volunteer roles and gain further employability skills  Help you fill gaps in your employability skill set  All sessions are free and you can attend as many as you wish  Bookings made via Kent Union website Stand Out

 Browse volunteering opportunities  Record volunteer and paid roles  Log volunteering hours  Record employability skills  Record training  Book stand out training session  Produce a skills record The Employability and Volunteering Toolkit

Log on to E&V Toolkit

QUESTIONS?

School of European Culture and Languages 24th October 2012 Careers and Employability Service Nicola Urquhart Careers Adviser

What is Employability? ‘A set of attributes, skills and knowledge that all labour market participants should possess to ensure they have the capability of being effective in the workplace – to the benefit of themselves, their employer and the wider economy.’ (CBI, March 2009)

What employability skills are graduate recruiters looking for? Communication Report writing Team working Leadership Planning and organisation Project management Enterprise Problem Solving Reflection Adaptability Energy Drive and resilience Integrity Reliability Enthusiasm/passion Self awareness Confidence Contextual/cultural awareness Capacity to develop Numeracy Positive attitude Business and customer awareness IT skills

Changes to graduate recruitment Previously… Degree + good application + good interview = graduate role

Changes to graduate recruitment Now … Employers increasingly focusing on attributes in addition to traditional employability skills Successful applicants have often had experience within the organisation via Insight days, work experience, internships etc.

The Careers and Employability Service Comprehensive web pages Careers talks and workshops Careers Employability Award on Moodle Vacancy database (Graduate Directories) Annual Careers and Recruitment Fair Drop In - Quick Query Careers Guidance Interviews

Careers and Employability Service Web Site:

Attend Careers Talks and Workshops. Choosing a career Applying for teacher training Careers in the public sector How to make effective presentations Commercial awareness Postgraduate study More information available

Employers visiting campus Examples this term include: MBDA Bloomberg RAF Teach First Majestic Wine NHS PriceWaterhouseCoopers

Careers Employability Award (on moodle) The module takes about 12 hours to complete But this can be done at your own pace You do this by completing: 9 quizzes 3 short assignments 1 feedback form

Vacancy Database All vacancies sent to the Careers and Employability Service by employers, whether for graduate jobs, sandwich placements or vacation work/internships are entered on this database which offers: alerts of new vacancies which may interest you Employers notifying vacancies are often specifically targeting Kent graduates, so competition for jobs is lower than on other vacancy sites

Careers and Employability Service Fair Thursday 1 st November 2-5pm Eliot Great Hall. Chance to meet employers and hear about opportunities

Speak to an adviser: Quick query, drop in and speak to an adviser 10.30am pm and 2pm-4pm Monday to Friday. E and an adviser will respond to your query. You can also book a longer career guidance appointment over the phone or pop in.

Action points Start to think about your career plans early! Complete the Careers Employability award on Moodle. Stay up-to-date with what is happening.

Stay up-to-date with what is happening Follow us on Facebook at University of Kent Student Employability Follow us on Twitter

The University of Kent Careers and Employability Service You can download a copy of this presentation at