‘If a student can do a job, they should do the job’
Students from the University of Reading highlight the key things that the university is doing to encourage careers prospects
- Student life
Share
James Culley, BA business and management student, Henley Business School (final year)
As a final-year student, being involved with the Reading careers services has substantially improved my skills – with a place in the Teach First graduate scheme being a direct result.
As a Henley Business School student, I was taught about the importance of “getting your foot in the door” – and gaining a place on the university-funded Reading internship scheme helped do that. By undertaking a summer internship with a Reading SME (small or medium sized-enterprise) I gained real experience and formed vital connections.
After returning from my placement year – secured through such connections – I was pleasantly surprised at the support given via both the Henley and central university careers teams. When not attending employer panels or skills development games arranged by Henley careers, I worked with the new campus jobs team. As the department responsible for all part-time work on campus, their belief that “if a student can do a job, they should do the job” ensured that a number of students received roles within the team itself. This mentality – and the work of the careers service generally – helps to support vast numbers of students, including myself.
Jasmine Chana, BA law, University of Reading
On joining the University of Reading, the anxiousness I felt about my uncertain future was quickly quelled after accessing the vast range of services that the careers department offered.
After just two semesters in my first year, I had already attended a handful of informative career sessions, enrolled in the university’s employability award scheme and been accepted to attend a commercial open day at a top London law firm (Allen & Overy), as well as an insight day at the Microsoft headquarters in Reading.
I also successfully completed a two-month paid legal internship at a law firm in Oxford as part of the Reading Internship Scheme, run by the careers service, at the end of my second year.
The careers department exceeded my expectations. It really focuses on student care.
I successfully joined the university’s careers team as a student careers ambassador and RED (Reading Experience and Development) award assistant, and I have been representing the team and their services for students for two years. I led student queries at outreach stands in different locations on campus, talked to prospective students and parents at open days, did reception and admin work, managed the university’s careers portal, set up event venues, helped employers at career fairs and, most recently, I was involved in the creation and redesign of the university’s employability scheme branding.
A year in London: what happens during a careers seminar
Best UK universities for industry connections
Top 20 university careers services in the UK
How work experience can help you get ahead at university
How to secure a place on a graduate scheme
Sagar Kumar, MSc behavioural finance, Henley Business School (final year)
There is a wide variety of careers services and opportunities offered by the team at Henley Business School. I went to as many of the services and sessions that they offered as I could to help improve my career prospects.
I particularly loved the Lego play session. We were asked to build a model of where we were in our careers, and it was good for perspective and self-awareness. I also used their CV and cover letter services and worked with them on how to improve my technique at interviews. I think they are good at meeting different people’s needs and tailoring opportunities to match them.
The Henley team would let us know about job opportunities and helped with networking through industry connections.
I graduate this summer and am already in employment, working as a treasury analyst.
Matthew Harden, BA business and management, Henley Business School (2017 graduate)
Not long after I started my final year, the Henley careers team organised a series of Monday-evening panel sessions, each geared to a particular industry. At each of these, there was a question-and-answer session, and students had an opportunity to meet people working in the industry.
These interesting sessions were good networking opportunities. I received insight into a number of industries, and I was particularly taken by the insurance event.
Each session was followed by a workshop that focused specifically on that industry, so I went along to the insurance workshop, and after this I applied to various graduate training programmes.
The Henley careers team made a big difference, helping me to update my CV and doing mock interviews. Within a couple of months, I’d landed a job with Marsh, a firm of insurance brokers in London.
Now I’m attending the panel sessions as a graduate, promoting my industry to potential new recruits.
Read more: What can you do with a business and management degree?
