Welcome to the SSIS Employability Newsletter No Images? Click here Welcome to your Employability NewsletterEmployability – what’s it all about? A warm welcome to all students – new and returning – to the College of Social Sciences and International Studies. This is the first Employability newsletter of the academic year and I hope you find it helpful. The term “employability” is used a lot but you may not be sure what it actually means. To put it simply, I define employability as possessing a set of skills and attributes which employers are looking for. You gain these skills and attributes though your academic work and through extra-curricular activity. This newsletter features news on different ways you can build your employability skills and experiences. A special highlight this month profiles some of the volunteering opportunities available to you. Volunteering not only benefits your community but is also great for your own well-being as it gives you the chance to step beyond the intensity of Uni life. Just allowing yourself a few hours a week to do something completely different is very beneficial to your happiness and well-being, and helps you develop crucial time-management skills, something all employers look for. The Employability team hope to see you at some of our events, especially at our first one coming up on the 28th September which is a Speed Networking Event for Careers with Politics and IR alumni. All the alumni are in careers where they are using their Politics and IR degrees and can provide you with essential advice on how to succeed in a career in a Political field. Read the information below for more details. Finalists, don’t forget that the Civil Service Fast Stream is now open for applications and they will be giving a presentation in Exeter on the 11th October. Visit My Career Zone for more details. Have a great year! Julia Paci Upcoming Careers Events in the CollegeSpeed Networking for Careers with Politics and IR Alumni Date: Thursday 28th September This Speed Networking evening will be a fantastic opportunity to speak with a number of prestigious Politics Alumni, and get their tips on how you can use your Politics or IR degree to have a successful career. You will have the chance to speak with 3 of the Alumni in 20 minute sessions. There will be food and drink provided afterwards, where you will have chance to speak with all the Alumni. Employer Presentation - Frontline: The Skills You Need to Succeed in the Third Sector Date: Tuesday 3rd October Frontline's mission is to transform the lives of vulnerable children by recruiting and developing outstanding individuals to be leaders in social work and broader society through a two-year graduate programme. During this event, Frontline will discuss the skills that you need to be successful working in the Third Sector. The event will also give you an insight into the graduate programme. There will be free pizza provided. Choices Consultancy Service Volunteering Talk Date: Wednesday 4th October Choices Consultancy Service is a not-for-profit voluntary run organisation that provides support and advice to prisoners and their families, to enable positive change. They are seeking volunteers who have compassion, a non-judgemental approach and the desire to positively connect with people. The talk will be structured as an informal chat with Volunteer & Family Services Co-ordinator, Claire Hawkins, and will allow you to find out more about Choices and how to get involved. Civil Service Diversity Internships TalkDate: Wednesday 11th October In this session, Exeter Alumni working for the Civil Service Fast Stream will discuss the Early Diversity Internship Programme/EDIP and Sumer Diversity Internship Programme/SDIP. This event is for students from BAME backgrounds, socially or economically disadvantaged, or who have a disability. Student SectionCareers Portfolios Do you want to find out about what you can do with your degree? Do you know what you want to do but don't know how to get there? Introducing our Careers Portfolios; a fantastic online resource to find out everything you need to know about the most popular careers with Social Sciences and International Studies students. We have produced a series of portfolios to help you decide which career path is right for you and how to go about getting a job in that area. These include the Public Sector, Social Research, the Third Sector and more! Legal Cheek Event - Infrastructure: The Next Growth Area for Lawyers Date: Thursday 12th October Legal Cheek are teaming up with leading law firm Burges Salmon to hold an event for students who would like to find out more about infrastructure law. With many industry leaders anticipating a golden age of infrastructure development in the UK, lawyers specialising in this sector are preparing for a busy few years. A panel of Burges Salmon lawyers will explain how the sector works in detail, and what infrastructure lawyers do on a day-to-day basis. Career Management Session for Mature Students Date: Monday 16th October Are you a mature student? This is an interactive skills session to provide helpful advice on a range of topics related to developing your career. The session is relevant to those who already have significant experience, those who are returning to work, or those who perhaps have not had any previous employment experience. This is a great opportunity to meet other mature students and build your network. University Staff involved with supporting mature students will join us for refreshments during this morning session. Volunteering at the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum Watch Exeter Graduate (and former museum intern) Mini Warren, interview past and present volunteers and show how volunteering at the museum has enables students to obtain careers in the Heritage and Culture sectors. What's New in the Career ZoneEmployer Presentation - Freshfields Panel Presentation Date: Tuesday 3rd October As a leading international law firm, Freshfields advises some of the world’s biggest companies on how to grow, strengthen and defend their business. There will be a Q&A with the panel and the presentation will be followed by a networking drinks with our representatives. Casual Jobs and Internships Fair October 2017 Date: Tuesday 3rd October Are you looking for part time work whilst you study? The October Casual Jobs and Internship Fair is a great place to start. The Fair has stands hosted by local employers offering a range of opportunities, along with our Casual Jobs Service stand offering information on part time jobs on and off campus. This event does not require bookings. Global Opportunities Fair (Study and Work Abroad Fair) Date: Wednesday 4th October The Study and Work Abroad Fair will have stalls hosted by returning Exeter students and current inbound study abroad students from the exchange universities who will be available for you to talk to about their experiences, and a Study and Work Abroad stall for you to find out more and ask questions. The Exeter Award The Exeter Award is an employability award for current undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, to help you make the most of your professional experience. You'll receive training in professional skills, develop workplace experience and learn how to optimise your CVs and application forms. You can sign up any time through My Career Zone. Alumni Focus: What SSIS Students do next...Isabelle Hoole Current Occupation: Teacher What is your current occupation? How has your Sociology helped you with your career decisions? I am currently a Secondary School teacher at a school in Wiltshire. Sociology is my specialism but I also teach Psychology, Health and Social Care and Beliefs and Values which includes religious studies, sex and drugs education, careers advice, citizenship studies and politics. My degree has evident application to my job as I am engaging students in social issues every day. My degree also made me aware of the inequalities in society which I see every day played out in the classroom. Additionally, the academic rigour required to succeed in any degree discipline is useful in supporting my students essay writing skills and exam technique. How did your career path develop whilst at University? I was involved with the Sociology and Anthropology Society from my first year and went onto be President in my final year. I also helped the department launch the buddy scheme where older students were matched with first years to support them with the jump between A-Level and University. I was also often involved in Open Days speaking to potential students about why they should study Sociology at Exeter. These three roles allowed me to develop my organisation and communication skills, essential for a successful teacher.Outside of the University, I volunteered once a week at a secondary school in Sidmouth to gain some teaching experience. Additionally, my dissertation was on the reputation that sociology has as a subject, which allowed me to explore the discipline in greater depth. What advice would you give to current students who may want to follow in your footsteps? In the current political climate, being a teacher is full of challenges, constant deadlines, passing standards, obtaining results and long hours. Whenever anyone says ‘yeah but you have the holidays’ it makes me frustrated as I spend my holidays and weekends planning and marking. It is not a 9 to 5 job, it is a lifestyle. If people are unsure, make sure you get some experience before applying to teacher training, many of the schools in Exeter are open to volunteers. It is not an easy career nor something for people who are not sure - you have to be certain before committing yourself to it. Having said that, I enjoy being able to make young people aware of the issues that our society is facing. Teenagers are fascinating and often have a different perspective on life which can make discussion and debates exciting. Contact the Email Julia Paci (Employability & Outreach Manager) Tom Skitt (Employability & Alumni Support Officer) |