Spotlight on careers in STEM! Hear how successful graduates landed their dream jobs! Full of great opportunities with top employers including Arcadis, Santander, M&S and many more! Hear about the 2015 Employability Event How to make the most out of your Christmas break: key tips to get you ready for 2016!
Are you interested in getting a mentor? | Tips for maximising your profile on LinkedIn | Company Profiles
CONTENTS Page 3
Welcome from the team
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Careers at Accenture
Page 5
Spotlight on STEM Education
Page 6
Bright Futures Strathclyde: STEM Networking Event
Page 7
M&S Innovation
Page 8-9
MyKindaFuture Employability Event 2015
Page 10
Meet Kris, a graduate who landed his dream job
at Rolls Royce
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Meet Tim from HSBC and hear about his career
journey so far
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Find out more about First Place Mentors
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Careers in the Civil Service
Page 14
Technology and Operations at Santander
Page 15
Careers at KPMG
Page 16
Arcadis: Design and Consultancy
Page 17
Making the most of your Christmas Break
Page 18
Company profiles
Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28
Apple Santander The Civil Service Fast Stream RPC Vodafone Aspen M&S Tesco Nestlé UK&I HSBC
NATIONAL AWARD SPONSORS BPP Society of the Year [Strathclyde Bright Futures] www.bpp.com
St James’ Place Fastest growing Society [King’s College Bright Futures] www1.sjp.co.uk
HSBC Most Collaborative Society [Lancaster Bright Futures] www.hsbc.com/careers
The Civil Service Most Inclusive/Diverse Society [Worcester Bright Futures] candidate.faststream.gov.uk
RPC President of the Year [Shah Ahmad - Aston] www.rpc.co.uk/manifesto
CAPP/Jobmi National Ambassador of the year [Adam Engdahl - Royal Holloway] www.jobmi.com
Lancaster University Corporate Investor of the Year [RPC] www.lancaster.ac.uk/careers/
M&S Newcomer of the Year [Southampton Bright Futures] careers.marksandspencer. com/graduate-careers
GE Aviation Event of the Year [Strathclyde Bright Futures] www.geaviation.com
EDITOR’S letter Welcome to the December 2015 Edition of the MyKindaFuture Hired Ezine! In this issue, we are shining a spotlight on careers in STEM! If you are reading this as a non-STEM student, don’t worry! We still have lots of advice and information for all types of students, regardless of what you study. At this time of year, you might be looking forward to your (well deserved!) Christmas break! Although this is the time for you to relax and enjoy some home comforts, we have provided some top tips for being smart over the festive period with some quick things you can get done in your free time to set you up for the new year! Check out Page 16 for Mark’s top tips on how you can make the most of the Christmas break.
For our network of Bright Futures societies, it has been a fantastic first term with loads of great events being ran by student committees at over 50 universities across the UK. In this issue, we hear from Youssef, the president of Strathclyde Bright Futures about their annual STEM networking event and also from Kris, a former Bright Futures President from Glasgow University about how he landed his dream job with Rolls Royce. If you would like to join a Bright Futures society, then please head over to our website (www.mykindacrowd.com) to find the society at your university!
A few weeks ago in November, we also ran our Annual Employability Conference at Aston Villa Football Club, it was a fantastic day bringing together students with leading employers and careers advisors. You can read more about it on pages 8 & 9 with some top tips on how to maximise your profile on LinkedIn! From all of us at MyKindaFuture, have a fantastic Christmas and New Year! We look forward to seeing you again in 2016!
Lucy Godwin National Societies Executive at MyKindaFuture
www.mykindafuture.com
If you don’t have a Society at your university then set up your own! Contact us at society@mykindafuture.com and we can get you started right away!
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Consulting as an Engineer Blog Post by Caroline Gadsby I read an interesting article on How Engineering Impacts the World. It’s not a long article, but if you haven’t read it, the essence is that engineering is about problem solving - ‘one problem solved at a time, mostly behind the scenes’. Working individually and in a group to fix problems featured heavily in my engineering degree and was one of the focuses of being a ‘Liverpool Engineer’. Having not studied any other degree at any other university, I imagine that the experience would be similar through many other degrees, but I can’t help but be a little biased! Looking back on it now, it’s no coincidence that when I visited a consulting company for the day
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(that led to paid work experience), being challenged to pick up a concept and use it to analyse a company was fun and interesting. Three years of studying engineering had taught me how to learn concepts and find solutions under pressure. This repeated itself through the work experience at the same company and my Accenture interview 2 months later (which I actually really enjoyed, and remember telling the interviewer that). The last 20 months spent in aerospace and defence consulting has been essentially fixing one ‘problem’ after another; in processes, communication, reporting, planning, governance… working with an Accenture
team to fix a client problem, and then measure the benefit of it, is really satisfying and probably a reason why (despite the early train journey!) I look forward to Mondays. Right, back to work: I’m editing a PowerPoint presentation, and feel that in my pre-coffee state this morning, I have overdone it on the animations... Visit: accenture.com/gradblog to read more from our graduates and interns.
STEM challenges in education: shaping the next tech revolution
School leavers and graduates are lacking the relevant skills required by UK employers. Coupled with the workforce crisis of 2030 that leading economists, such as the Boston Consulting Group, are predicting, we are in significant danger of a serious skills mismatch, particularly across the STEM subjects. The ARM Forum at the British Science Museum in November brought together business, civil society, schools, academics and government to ask how we can better shape the next tech revolution. How do we ensure a long-term succession of worldleading scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians? I visited the Science Museum with my niece (7) and nephew (5) a few weeks prior to the event. They danced their way through lasers, poured liquids, slapped buttons, spun wheels, and joyously whizzed and banged their way around the gallery. The pair were equally focused on the problemsolving activities, and kept the adults waiting on the side-lines
for an extended period of time. No, these little scientists are far from losing their passion for experimentation and challenging their logical-thinking. As the STEM skills gap widens, small businesses look to suffer the most. FTSE 100 corporations have less to worry about with resources and teams committed to attraction, recruitment and training schemes to engage young people in careers into STEM. Smaller businesses can support education through demonstrating practical examples; the realworld application of science and maths across transport and aerospace, energy, design in the built environment and healthcare. But most importantly we must use subjects that appeal to each age group such as understanding the laws of physics for rides at Alton Towers, the chemistry behind developing beauty products and the computer-generated special effects in Oscar-winning films like Gravity. Although businesses of all shapes and sizes do what they can, it is not sufficient to bridge the skills gap across the length and breadth of
the country. Interventions are often only ad-hoc, providing short-term activities that privilege a lucky few. Furthermore, it is difficult for business to understand what is going to work for the students - to understand their audience. Companies require support to ensure that everyone has a good experience. Government, the private sector and civil society must work together to inspire, motivate and educate young people about their career options. By pooling our resources and different areas of expertise, we can ensure that every school, college and university student has a clearer understanding of their career paths and opportunities. Increased face-to-face engagement with companies is essential to the development of their practical and employability skills. This, in turn, will help businesses to connect with a more diverse talent pool and maximise the potential of our future work force. By James Whiting
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STEM Networking with Strathclyde Bright Futures Society
For the second year, Strathclyde Bright Futures Society have ran a STEM networking event. Here, the president Youssef Hounat talks about the importance of getting involved in STEM events!
This year we once again hosted the Strathclyde University Bright futures STEM Networking event. Being a business student myself, I had the opportunity to organize the event last year and being able to learn about a whole new sector was eye opening. After winning the event of the year award at the Bright Futures National Awards, I was very pleased to pass on the organization of this spectacular gathering to our new Vice President for STEM subjects, Ashleigh Newlands. Ultimately I think it is very important for Bright Futures societies to be organizing STEM related events. Although
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the committees are typically dominated by students studying business subjects; creating events like these is a great way to engage students from different backgrounds and open existing member’s minds to the different careers available. In our committee, we have a wide range of students from different subjects which is vital for bringing a wide skills set to organizing and running the society. The diversity of our committee is on the of the society’s key strengths, our different course subjects mean practically we have separate deadlines which means we can share the workload of our events
but we also bring a range of different knowledge and contacts which allow us to run unique events with a wide range of sectors. I hope that everyone who attended the event had a great time and I’m sure it will continue running for many more years! If you are interested in attending fun events with employers from a range of sectors then check out your universities Bright Futures Society! We have societies over 50 Higher Education Institutions in the UK so head over to: mykindafuture.com/Society to find out more!
STEM IS
AT THE HEART OF M&S INNOVATION
Innovation has made M&S a leading international, multi-channel retailer. Developments in science, technology and engineering drive every aspect of our business – from allowing us to offer the best in online shopping, to keeping our stores running, to inspiring our products. Which is why we welcome STEM talent with open arms. As the digital world has evolved, we’ve changed too. Millions of our customers choose to shop online and M&S.com is one of the biggest shop windows in retail. The M&S.com Programme is relatively new – and that attracted Megan, a Geography graduate from Durham University. “It’s a great opportunity to get in there and influence things – a huge learning curve,” she says. Join Megan and you’ll be reviewing and refining our site and creating ingenious ways to make it even better. Aside from our M&S.com programme, there are opportunities to join our IT Business Analyst or Software Engineering Programmes. As a Business Analyst, you’ll learn how we take the latest IT innovations to tackle real-world business issues, working on IT projects for everything from our website and warehouses to retail systems.
Our Software Engineering team is transforming how we do business and the programme here will give you an insight into pioneering technologies and agile working methodologies. You’ll get to work with Java, .NET, Objective C, HTML5, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery, as well as emerging hardware. Or you could use your scientific or technological degree to further enhance our product ranges. Our Product Technology team is renowned for breaking new ground – the first machinewashable suit was developed at M&S and we’re pioneers in fabrics. You’ll learn how to combine practicality with creativity as you make the most of your product engineering, material science or textile technology-related degree.
Alternatively, if you have a science or food-related degree, you could join our Food Technology Programme. This will show you how to ensure food product safety, legality and quality. You’ll also bring new products to market, influencing every stage of their development from concept to finished product.
Applications are open and you can also contact us on WhatsApp: 07834 335603 with your career questions.
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For the fourth year in a row, we recently hosted our MyKindaFuture Employability Event at Aston Villa Football Club on Wednesday, 18 November 2015. The event brought together school pupils, university students, employers and careers services from all over the UK to discuss how young people can make themselves more employable in the ever-changing job market. The event kicked off with a highly engaging presentation from our keynote speaker - Jennifer Holloway: best-selling author of ‘Personal Branding for Brits’. This extremely interactive session was a very simple yet effective way of highlighting the importance of first impressions. Jennifer spoke about the fact that we are all judged based on extremely simple things such as what shoes we wear, how we smell, or something as trivial as to whether your phone screen is cracked or not! This session was definitely an eye opener for many of the students attending as the basic gestures which we never
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think about - such as shaking someone’s hand - can make all the difference on whether you are offered a job or not. There were many opportunities throughout the day for all of the students to engage with the many employers in attendance. We were delighted to welcome companies such as Bechtel, Accenture, M&S, Vodafone and KFC, to name but a few! The opportunity for students to engage with representatives from some of the largest UK companies was invaluable - not only were they able to ask questions face to face, they were also able to gain and create valuable contacts for the future. During the afternoon session, whilst the school pupils were working together on a number of projects such as building towers out of paper and writing raps based on their career options, the university students took part in two short workshops. The first session was about ‘Pre-Boarding’ where the students discussed the importance
of the period of time which falls between when a candidate is offered a job and when they start employment which can be anything between a few weeks and several months! The second workshop, entitled ‘Maximising your Profile on LinkedIn’ was a session full of practical tips on the importance of having an online presence and how to make the most of LinkedIn.
For those of you who missed the event, we have included our three top tips for maximizing your profile on LinkedIn: 1. Be professional! Ensure your profile picture on LinkedIn is one that you would be happy with potential employers viewing. This does not include a cropped photograph from a recent night out! You should also ensure that you always use your full name - no nicknames - and try and be creative with your headline as this is automatically filled with your current job title - using this to differentiate yourself can reap great rewards when trying to make yourself stand out! 2. Share your experience, not your job descriptions! One of the most common mistakes that LinkedIn users make is that their ‘Experience’ section is often full of job descriptions. Most, if not all, employers will be aware of what your role titles will involve. Instead, you should provide some detail of your roles – there is no need for in-depth descriptions. Be careful not to make the mistake that most people make of just listing your activities. Instead you should focus on your achievements and responsibilities. 3. Be alive online! Like many things, there is no point of having a LinkedIn profile if you are not going to use it fully and be active on the platform. There are many ways to ‘be alive’ on LinkedIn including sharing updates, liking posts, commenting on discussions, joining groups and publishing posts; to name just a few. By joining groups you will be linked with people from the industry of your choice and this will help to grow your online network. You will also be able to consult those within your network for any advice about the industry of your applications.
The event concluded with an interactive panel made up of school pupils, university students, employers and entrepreneurs - such as Oli Monks, founder of Bagsee. This was a great platform for students to ask any questions they had which they had not had the chance to ask previously. The feedback from all of the attendees was excellent and we have included some of their comments below: • It was a wonderful day and it has definitely motivated me to use my personal brand to get a graduate job. (Arooj Rashid, President of Greenwich Bright Futures) • The schedule of the day and the content was great. The students at our table were genuinely engaged. I think it helped them to realise the number of opportunities that are available to them and how to improve their chances of getting them! (KPMG) • I really enjoyed the event and got a lot more than expected from it. I loved the practical tips on using LinkedIn more effectively. (Aadil Farooq, Student from Birmingham City University) • There were many highlights, from Linkedin sessions to lunch with employer reps who I’d met at previous events - it’s a great environment where you’re all united in a common goal, and I would thoroughly recommend anyone, whether Bright Futures members, Careers Service or Sixth Formers to come to the event next year and experience it for yourself! (Michael Bolton, President at Bristol Bright Futures) • This event has helped to shed light on what I want to do in the future and how to get there. It has also allowed me to learn new skills. This experience has taught me to step out of my comfort zone. (Students from Moseley Park School) • Great day, interesting and very different from the other events we’re involved in. (Tesco) • We really did enjoy the Employability event - it was great. The students had only positive things to say about the opportunity to ‘mingle’ with such top name employers. (Michelle Poole, Careers Advisor at Birmingham City University)
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Meet a graduate: Kris from Rolls-Royce Want to know what its actually like to work in the STEM industry? We hear from the ex-president of Glasgow University Bright Futures about his experience of getting his dream job at Rolls-Royce!
My interest in a career in engineering developed from an early age, even though I may not have realised it! I first flew on a plane at the age of 12 and from that point I had a huge interest in how they worked. I remember getting a copy of Flight Simulator for Christmas when I was 13 and from there I was hooked. Throughout school, I attended STEM events and saw the exciting opportunities engineering could offer. I was also inspired by the varied career my father has had as an Engineer - hearing about his work was always very interesting. During my penultimate year at school I attended the University of Glasgow’s open day. I visited the Aeronautical Engineering department and was in awe at the sort of exposure they offered as part of the degree. It seemed the perfect fit, and Glasgow became my first choice on my UCAS application. This visit
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excited me, and there is no doubt in my mind that this motivated me to do well in my exams that year.
Class Honours in Aeronautical Engineering back in July of this year.
In turn, this helped secure me a place on the course at Glasgow. The five year course sounded so long when I first read about it, but in reality it went by very quickly. After my third year I completed a summer internship with BAE Systems which I really enjoyed, and went into my fourth year excited by the reality of a career in engineering.
Looking back, engineering has always been the career for me. I’m now working for RollsRoyce and the work is exciting and hugely diverse. All the hard work you put in reaps such huge reward - a STEM career will test you, but I couldn’t recommend it enough. If you like the challenge of solving problems then it is definitely the career for you, too.
During my final year I completed an internship with Rolls-Royce. The exposure I gained was amazing, and I was offered a place on their graduate programme starting this year. I was unbelievably excited by this, and went back for my final few months at university with a clear vision of where my career could take me. This motivation helped me in securing a First
Tim Lucas – Product Manager, Current Account (Overdrafts) “I joined HSBC in 2014 on the Executive Management Trainee programme after studying Chemistry at the University of Birmingham. I was always interested in finance/banking but was always put off by my absolute lack of knowledge about the financial industry. What stood out to me about HSBC was its global presence and the fact there was a real emphasis on employees’ personal values. When I went through the application process I was surprised that I was not really quizzed on my knowledge of banking of the financial sector. I remember telling my final interviewer that I was surprised by this and his response to this has stuck with me to this day. He said that “we can teach you about banking, but we can’t teach you your values and your values
are the most important thing here”, for me this sums up HSBCs approach to both recruitment and it’s everyday business. Arriving on my first day of placement in St. Albans I was so daunted, I felt lost walking through the door and meeting the team for the first time. Quickly I realised my apprehension was completely misplaced and I was given amazing support by the team and given lots of responsibility right from the first day. I was able to make my own mark on the branch and the business area. Using my experience in the front line I was able to apply this knowledge to a placement in head office looking after the overdraft business. Ultimately I obtained my first permanent role (and a promotion) in the same role
and now I manage UK personal overdrafts, a multi-million pound business in its own right. The contacts I have made throughout my time in Retail Banking & Wealth Management (RBWM) have enabled me to get up to speed with my role and hopefully my manager would tell you I am making a positive contribution to our customers and the business as a whole.”
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BREAKING NEWS FIRST PLACE MENTORS
“We can help you succeed in gaining an Internship or Apprenticeship” – Alastair and David Co Founders of First Place Mentors.
B F N Bright Futures News 09:00
First Place Mentors: Be mentored and succeed with FPM. 2 minutes ago | Recruitment
Today it was announced that First Place Mentors can help students seeking an internship or apprenticeship to succeed, all through the means of peer to peer mentoring. First Place Mentors is an online community of Undergraduates who are currently undertaking an Internship or Placement at a specific company. Companies on the FPM website include IBM, Lloyds Banking Group and Marks & Spencer. This ground breaking website allows students seeking a role with the above employers to connect with those [Mentors] working within those companies. All of the mentors online have been selected by the organisation they are representing and can therefore provide specific company information. Once connected with the mentors it is possible to ask questions directly to them. Questions that have been asked range from what to write in an application to what to wear on the first day in the office. This tool has received a great response across the UK with huge success being witnessed. Kelly Markwick from the IBM UK Recruitment Team stated “80% of the students who interacted with IBMers on the platform applied for roles, and of those who applied, 75% of them were offered a role and start with us this summer”. These types of figures have really taken the Recruitment world by storm. Look at FPM Website here: www.firstplacementors.co.uk Benefits of using FPM to students are numerous. Firstly students are able to gain a competitive advantage over others. Secondly users will be better prepared thanks to gaining inside knowledge on the industry and the employer as well as receiving tailored advice. Lastly students using FPM can prove to their potential employer their drive to succeed and passion for the job role.
Do you have a question about First Place Mentors? Or a question about how to get involved? The First Place Mentors team will answer your questions directly. Send your questions for the FPM team in the following ways: ! ! 12
Email: Info@firstplacementors.co.uk Tweet: @FPMentors
Diversity Internship Programmes A Key to the Fast Stream At the Civil Service, having a diverse and representative workforce is vital in creating an organisation that represents the public it serves. Through our Diversity Internship programmes, you can experience whether a career in the Civil Service is right for you, and at the same time gain invaluable experience and skills to prepare you for an application for the Fast Stream graduate scheme.
Early Diversity Internship Programme (EDIP) The Early Diversity Internship Programme (EDIP) gives first-year undergraduates from diverse backgrounds a sense of what being a Civil Service fast streamer is like. It puts talented undergraduates on a 1-week placement in a government department. As a successful applicant, you’ll attend network sessions and skills workshops and will shadow a fast streamer as they work. The EDIP is an ideal way to learn, in a short space of time, if a career in the Civil Service is for you.
Candidates must also be from one or more of the following backgrounds: • Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) • Socially or economically disadvantaged Applications Close 11 DECEMBER 2015 EXTENDED DEADLINE
Summer Diversity Internship Programme (SDIP) The Summer Diversity Internship Programme (SDIP) puts talented undergraduates and graduates on a 6- to 9-week paid (£350 per week) work placement in a government
department. As a successful applicant, you’ll get an insight into the broad range of opportunities available across the Civil Service. By the end of the internship you should feel confident in your ability to apply for the Civil Service Fast Stream. You can only apply for SDIP in your final 2 years at university. This can include postgraduate studies immediately following your first degree. We are accepting disabled candidates for the SDIP, as well as BAME and disadvantaged SES students. Applications close 04 JANUARY 2016
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Technology and Operations on Innovation Technology and Operations is a key component to Santander as it sits under every business area function and essentially helps the bank to run and work on a daily basis. It is also the core element driving innovation and constantly moving Santander forward towards the digital revolution. Since 2014, Santander have launched a new, easy to use website alongside the improved online banking with over 1.1 million mobile banking users. Santander have created 3 new apps for their customers: ‘Spendlytics’, ‘KiTTi’ and the ‘ISA App’. The ‘Spendlytics’ app analyses your spending and helps you to see where your money goes, for example, how much you spend on your supermarket shop or on petrol and can really help you
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when you need to cut back on retail therapy! ‘KiTTi’ helps customers with saving or collecting a pot of money in a group, for example if you are saving up for a holiday or wanting to split the bill with friends. This is especially exciting as you don’t have to be a Santander customer to use it, it is free to download and it’s clear to see who has or hasn’t paid! The ‘ISA App’ gives you access to your ISA funds, includes an ISA calculator which calculates what you earn alongside a countdown clock to the end of the tax year and is free to download for anyone. Santander are looking to the future and evaluating new concepts to help us create even smarter banking and you could be part of Technology and Operations through our Graduate opportunities. Our
two-year graduate schemes are designed to give you all the practical skills and experience you need - over four six-month rotations, you’ll work on live projects while developing a broad understanding of our business. Some of last year’s graduates and interns were heavily involved in developing Apple Pay @ San UK, as well as our ‘Spendlytics’ app, making this your opportunity to have a real impact on the next big innovations in banking.
If you are interested visit: santanderearlyincareer.co.uk to make your application.
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Arcadis is the leading global Design & Consultancy firm for natural and built assets. Applying our deep market sector insights and collective design, consultancy, engineering, project and management services we work in partnership with our clients to deliver exceptional and sustainable outcomes throughout the lifecycle of their natural and built assets.
Have you ever considered a career in the Built Environment? Perhaps you’re interested in Quantity Surveying/Cost Consultancy? Visit our website to learn more about the diversity of career options available within our organisation: www.arcadisgradsuk.com Science and technology isn’t just about subject knowledge; it’s about how you apply that knowledge in creative ways and to solve problems in a way that can really make a difference. Around 70% of all businesses employ people with STEM skills, and a career in science and technology can make an impact in many different ways.
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If you study for qualifications in STEM subjects you are highly likely to:
• Have control over where your career takes you • Have a wide choice of careers • Be in demand • Earn more throughout your career The world is going to face some big challenges over the next 20 to 30 years. From climate change and rising sea levels, to rapid urbanization and pressure on natural resources, our world is a more complex place. At Arcadis, we help our clients navigate this complexity by understanding the bigger picture, whether that’s through maximizing space in cities or making wasteland habitable. Often a STEM career can play an important role in helping you to shape the future. If you have studied Maths, why not
turn your hand to a career in Cost Consultancy? The options are endless, but even if you have not studied a relevant subject at University, we can guarantee you will find a suitable role within Arcadis. We recruit graduates from all disciplines, not just those with a surveying/construction or engineering related degrees. In our experience, a mix of technical and non-technical graduates enriches our environment by bringing different skills and perspectives. As long as you have the drive and determination to succeed, we offer conversion courses for nontechnical graduates via day release or distance learning, which are fully financed and supported by us. For further information please contact Kerry Sneddon:
graduates@arcadis.com
Making the most of the Christmas break Getting to the end of the first semester in the lead up to Christmas is always such a relief but it is important that you make the most of your Christmas break! You will probably never have the luxury of holidays this long at this time of year again so don’t get us wrong, please do make the most of your long lies but you should also try and make your Christmas break as productive as possible. We have put together our five top tips of suggestions on how to make the most out of your Christmas break. There are many other things you could be doing – these are only a few suggestions to get you started!
Organise, Organise, Organise!
• We know how difficult it can be to keep your notes organised during the last few weeks of term when deadlines are hitting hard and fast so make use of the break at Christmas to organise your notes and get things back in order before returning for the new year. It is much easier to learn and revise when your notes are organised and in order so whilst classes have stopped, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.
Follow Up on Events!
• For all of those students applying for graduate jobs, internships and placements, you will have attended lots of events throughout the semester both on campus through your careers service and independent events organised by employers. Use some time – it won’t take long - during the Christmas break to follow up with any contacts you have made at events whether that is a simple email or by connecting with them on LinkedIn. The longer you leave it, the more likely the other person is to have forgotten who you are!
Volunteer!
• Volunteering is not only a way to enhance your CV and LinkedIn profile, it is also a great way to explore your interests and discover new hobbies! There are lots of volunteering opportunities available and often more so during the Christmas period. Why don’t you find out where your local soup kitchen is and offer an hour or two of your time? You could also organise your very own fundraising opportunity – perhaps you enjoy singing: you could organise some local carol singing to raise funds for a nearby hospice or cause!
Study… even just a little bit!
• We know how difficult it can be to study during the Christmas period when many other people are relaxing and enjoying the festivities. It is extremely important that you don’t forget to do this, especially if you have exams coming up or assessments due soon! Obviously you are not expected to go through the entire reading list at Christmas… but why don’t you pick a couple of extra books and spend the time reading them – you never know, they could really improve the quality of your essays. And if you are struggling to
find a reason to do some studying over the festive period, university work is a fail-safe excuse for escaping from tipsy relatives!
Make Memories!
• Perhaps the most valuable part of any break from university is the chance to catch up with family and friends! Whether that is a night in the house with a few board games or catching up at a local Christmas market, use this time to have fun with your friends and family and share this special time of year with those who matter most! There are lots of cool ways to spend time with your friends and family – perhaps you could organise a ‘Poker Night’ but use those left over Quality Streets instead of money! You could even organise your own ‘Bake Off’ or host a ‘Bring a Dish’ event to make your memories unique.
What we’re trying to say is, that if you make the most of your holidays by finding the balance between studying, working and fun with family and friends, as well as watching TV box sets, you will have made the most of this invaluable time. Enjoy it and be merry!
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COMPANY PROFILE
Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, the Mac and Apple Watch. Apple’s three software platforms — iOS, OS X and watchOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.
Apple
About Apple Apple Store Sales and Customer Service Opportunities The Apple Store is a retail environment like no other — uniquely focused on delivering amazing customer experiences. And we’re looking for incredible individuals to connect consumers and businesses to our amazing products. Apple Store employees are unique individuals whose varied talents and experiences bring value to the way they connect people with Apple. So whether you’re analytical or creative, tech savvy or a people person, the Apple Store provides an ideal opportunity to challenge yourself
To find out more visit: www.apple.com/jobs/uk/
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Santander
Thinking about what comes after University life? Take the next step with Santander Early in Careers!
COMPANY PROFILE
It’s the time of year when most students start thinking about their next steps, whether that be another year of study, coming face to face with the world of work or embarking on an Intern/Graduate scheme. In the Early in Career team, we’re planning for a successful campaign to bring on board individuals to join our Santander family and build a successful long-term career with us. Currently we have both Graduate and Intern opportunities ranging across a number of business areas for those individuals who want to continue developing the skills they have learned during their studies and also be challenged through contributing to projects, such as around building new digital platforms, and creating new relationships. Our Internship opportunities provide a really great snap shot into what it is like to work for Santander and dependent upon performance, also offers the chance to be given a place on the Graduate programme without having to go through the assessment process again. Not only does this relieve any pressure to complete interviews in the final year of your university life, it allows you to focus all of your efforts on obtaining the best results in your degree.
Our Internships last for 10 weeks over the summer and the feedback we have had from the latest Interns is that they were surprised as to how much they were able to learn about Santander in the time that they had in the business, how much responsibility they were given on projects and how many people they were able to meet and network with. The Internship has opened up many doors for the students helping them to understand what the world of work is all about but also giving them a flavour of what else was to come if they moved onto the Graduate programme and we’ve seen the highest numbers of Interns move onto our Graduate programmes this year, for this very reason.
industry-recognised qualification in your area – such as a CIOBS, Professional Banker Diploma, ACCA or CIMA.
Should you choose to stay onto a Graduate programme with us, you will have a number of developmental opportunities as well as advice and guidance throughout the programmes from knowledgeable colleagues who know what you’re going through. You will have the chance to take part in our CSR project, supporting our charity of the year, which is a great opportunity to build a network of fellow graduates that will influence the rest of your career. By the time you’ve finished your programme, you’ll have earned an
As we base our decisions on how long the opportunities stay on the website on the number of applications we receive, we have already closed a number of Graduate Programmes – so don’t leave it too late to visit the website and make your application!
We have a number of opportunities available in different business areas as below:
• Risk • Internal Audit • Human Resources • Marketing • Corporate & Commercial Banking & Global Corporate Banking • UK Banking • Technology & Operations
For more information on the programmes mentioned please visit our website below:
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www.santanderearlyincareer.co.uk
Civil Service Fast Stream
Civil Service Fast Stream Internship programmes: Where will you lead?
If you are a diverse first year undergraduate or a diverse penultimate or final year undergraduate, look no further than our Diversity Internship Programmes, which are now open for applications! If you are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background, or from a disadvantaged social or economic background, or disabled (only for the Summer Programme) you can apply for our two Diversity Internships:
Early Diversity Internship Programme • For first year undergraduates, this is a one week placement in a governmental department. • You will attend networking sessions and skills workshops, and shadow an actual Fast Streamer as they work in the department. • We’ll also provide assessment survival workshops with all you
need to know about applying for graduate vacancies. • The programme is ideal if you want to learn, in a short space of time, whether the Civil Service is right for you. • You’ll need at least a 2:2 (expected or achieved) in any degree field
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 11 DECEMBER 2015 Summer Diversity Internship Programme
COMPANY PROFILE
Are you looking for an insight into the world of government but aren’t sure where to start? Want a taste of working in the Civil Service? Need some myths debunking?
place on an intensive coaching programme, designed specifically to enhance your chances of success in the Fast Stream selection process – as high as 40% success rate. • You’ll need at least a 2:2 (expected or achieved) in any degree field, and be a UK, EEA, Commonwealth or Swiss citizen. • £300-350 per week, including travel and other expenses. • You’ll need to be available to work between June and September 2016
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 4 JANUARY 2016
• For undergraduates or postgraduates in their penultimate or final year of study. • This is a six to nine week paid placement in a governmental department, carrying out challenging project-related work such conducting research and shadowing senior civil servants, with an end-of-programme appraisal report. • Opportunity to compete for a
See www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service-fast-stream for more in-depth information on any of the streams.
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RPC
2016 RPC London Summer Scheme: Apply now!
COMPANY PROFILE
If you never go against the grain, always follow the well-trodden path and consistently take the safe option, you could find yourself sleepwalking into a predictable career with a traditional firm. If that’s how you see your future, we wish you every success. But please look away now. If you prefer the bold to the boring, however, and find the prospect of joining a different kind of law firm enticing, we’d love to talk to you.
We run summer vacation schemes each year to enable prospective trainees to spend time with us, getting a feel for what we do and what it’s like to work here.
If this sounds like the type of role for you, we want to hear from you.
We want to break the mould, rewrite the rules and redefine the legal profession. Your mission could be to build the law firm of the future, today. And to define your career at the same time.
Early applications are recommended!
Closing date for Vacation scheme is 31 January 2016.
www.rpc.co.uk/manifesto or follow us on twitter @LifeinaLawFirm
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Vodafone didn’t become a global technology leader by accident. We did it by looking after our people. From flexible working and great training to rewards, you’ll find there’s plenty to smile about. And if that wasn’t enough, you’ll have the chance to shape the world for our 407 million customers. We are now recruiting for talented graduates to join our two year Graduate Discover programme in September 2016. Discover what you can achieve in two years
During your two years with us you’ll work on real business projects, with real responsibility from the start. You’ll get to know all about us, how we work and what we stand for. And you’ll learn lots about yourself too
Vodaphone
COMPANY PROFILE
We’re at our best when you’re at yours
Whilst some of our programme areas may appear to be more suited to certain degrees, we welcome applications from any degree discipline, what’s more important is that you love innovation and are customer focused.
There are 7 different areas you can choose to join:
• Commercial Marketing • Customer Experience and Sales • External and Corporate Affairs • Finance • Human Resources • Retail Management • Technology
The Graduate Discover Programme is a fantastic and unique opportunity to experience life at one of the world’s most innovative companies.
To find out more visit: careers.vodafone.co.uk/graduates
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Aspen
Compliance Analyst’ and ‘Change Management’ Graduate Roles available.
COMPANY PROFILE
Say hello to graduate opportunities: the best careers start at Aspen.
You put your career first and we put our people first. That’s why Aspen is the best place for graduates to begin their careers in the insurance and reinsurance industry. We run our graduate program to develop the next generation of diverse leaders, innovators, and progressive professionals. Aspen graduates need to be naturally talented, innovative and grounded. You will represent our graduate program both within the business and to the external marketplace and will go on to hold positions of responsibility. We currently have the following remaining opportunities on our 2 year graduate program commencing September 2016:
Compliance
Keeping Aspen held to the highest standards Compliance is a fast-paced and evolving discipline as global events continuously shape the environment in which we do business. Aspen’s compliance team has two roles: making sure that our conduct and business practices complies with regulation and principles and keeping our regulators informed about our
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business operations and any significant events affecting our business activities and performance. You will have a view of nearly all parts of our company, gain an understanding of how they operate with one another and build a network of stakeholders around the business to advise them on regulatory requirements around issues such as new legislation, internal controls and sanctions. A Law Degree is a pre-requisite
Change Management
Using technology to hone and maintain Aspen’s competitive edge Change management is the technique by which we combine people, processes and technology in order to deliver successful outcomes quickly and on budget. This adaptability is a vital skill in order to stay ahead of the competition and deliver excellent results for customers and clients. At Aspen, change management isn’t only central to our IT strategy, but also the entirety of our business. It ripples out through every project from start to finish: from speaking with people in the business to gather requirements, through scoping, implementing and delivery and into change communications to help employees adopt new behaviours and processes.
You will join our team of change professionals driving transformation globally across our organisation. With them, you’ll work with almost every department in Aspen to develop a detailed understanding of our business and, using this knowledge, gain experience and master important skills to become an agent of change capable of reviewing and improving any aspect of our work.
Requirements
Applicants are required to have achieved a minimum of 300 UCAS points and a 2:1 or above in your degree. We also look for candidates who have strong mathematical skills. But it’s not just all about academic achievements. We’re looking for candidates who can prove that they have the soft skills and characteristics that define future business leaders
The closing date for applications is Friday 1st January 2016
To find out more about the program, the benefits on offer and the learning support we provide please visit: www.aspen.co/Careers/Graduates/Opportunities
Perfect Products, Perfect Careers
We strive for perfection in everything we do. You can find it in all of our stores and every aspect of our operations. You can see it in our exquisitely executed, expertly edited fashion collections; and taste it in our melt-in-the-mouth food ranges. You can feel it in every fibre of our fabrics and experience it through the warmth of our customer service. Perfection is what inspires us; and what our customers have come to expect. As a bright, talented graduate, we see no reason why you should settle for anything less. Which is why we’ve created perfect careers with you in mind.
We now welcome over 33 million customers through our doors and over 6.1 million people to our website every single week. And our continued growth has seen us develop new channels and expand into new markets. Meaning, for you, that we can offer virtually unlimited opportunities.
COMPANY PROFILE
You’re an ambitious graduate looking for the perfect place to make the most of your talents and build a career. You’ve found it at M&S.
M&S
The perfect role is waiting for you at M&S; applications close soon.
Applications for our business placement and graduate programmes close on 11 December 2015.
So whether you want to pursue a career in retail management or specialise in one of the many Head Office disciplines that make our business tick, the perfect role is waiting for you here at M&S.
You can find out more about our programmes by visiting;
www.marksandspencergrads.com
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What we’re about Aspen
Our people are our biggest asset – over half a million of them! The success we have is shaped by the vision and ideas of our colleagues; and their ability to turn these ideas into a fantastic shopping experience for our customers.
COMPANY PROFILE
The customer is at the heart of everything we do. We’re continually striving to give them a better shopping experience, whether that’s through a seamless online experience or reducing the queuing time within our stores. Who are we looking for? We’re looking for talented individuals who share our passion for great service. People who have energy and enthusiasm for delivering, working collaboratively and managing large scale projects.
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Of course, there’s plenty of learning, development and support along the way. We’re proud of our early career programmes, and the training we provide But we firmly believe that the most rewarding way for you to learn is to apply your own knowledge in real-life business situations. No two days at Tesco are ever the same so if you think you’ve got the skills and passion to help us serve our customers even better we would love to hear from you.
Where can I find out more? For more information on all of our programmes, Graduate, Summer Intern and School Leaver & Apprenticeships, visit: www.tesco-earlycareers.com
Nestlé UK&I
Nestlé’s big focus on the future
Nestlé’s big focus on the future
What is the Nestlé Academy?
As the world’s largest food company, Nestlé employs more than 276,000 people at over 500 sites across the globe. Our success as a business is built on genuine care for our consumers, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we work. But none of this would happen without the people who work for Nestle, putting our vision into practice.
The Nestlé Academy was launched in 2011 to grow our business with high performing talent, in order to develop our future leaders. Whether you’re about to leave school, studying at university, or recently graduated, the Nestlé Academy offers you the chance to develop your skills and gain experience in a vibrant global business.
With applications now open for our 2016 intake, there has never been a better time to join our company. And what better place to start than at the Nestle Academy.
As a dedicated programme, the Academy sets you up to succeed and build a rewarding career at Nestlé. Whether you want to gain professional qualifications or develop your personal skills, support is never far away. The Nestlé Academy is a great place to build a career for life, whether that be in Engineering,
COMPANY PROFILE
As the world’s leading nutrition, health and wellness company, we are constantly on the lookout for the next generation of future leaders. Applications for our 2016 intake of Graduates, Placements, Interns and Fast-Starts are now open; please visit: https://nestle.apply. cappats.com/Jobs to see the job opportunities available. Supply-chain or one of the many other functions that we offer a scheme within. From school leavers to university graduates, the Nestlé Academy offers a variety of schemes. If you’re looking for high calibre training leading to a degree qualification, together with practical experience and a promising career, our Fast Start programme offers just that. About to graduate university? Check out one of the eleven graduate schemes that we offer in order to get your career off to a flying start.
To see all of the opportunities we have available please visit - nestle.apply.cappats.com/Jobs Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest happenings within the business - twitter.com/NestleAcademy
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HSBC
Open, Dependable, Connected
COMPANY PROFILE
Our Values are at the heart of everything that we do. They define who we are as an organisation and what makes us distinctive. It’s only by setting the highest standards of behaviour and working with courageous integrity, that our people and our customers can be proud of our business. Our career and development commitment to you continues throughout your programme as well as after you finish your programme and move into a permanent role.
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www.hsbc.com/careers
During your programme, we’ll make sure that you are matched to your interests and capabilities, and assigned a suitable buddy and a mentor. You will also be guided by a programme manager who knows the business and the career opportunities that are available. All of these people will help you ease into the organisation, ensuring you are welcomed into an open and flexible working environment that allows you to work at your best and become a valued member of the team.
Our leaders will encourage you to grow personally and professionally, to drive your own learning and development and to build your professional network, connecting with other talented colleagues within your office and across the world. You will also have the opportunity to join one of our Employee Resource Groups and take part in the many sustainability activities run by HSBC, contributing to the communities in which we work.
Lucy
Lucy says she’s been able to achieve a huge amount over the three years that she’s been at KPMG. “I’ve been working in a variety of teams and sectors, giving clients insights and advice to help protect them from risk and improve the way they operate. I’ve learnt a lot about KPMG and the wider consultancy sector – as well as developing all sorts of business skills. I started off working in data analytics before moving on to Cyber and the McLaren Alliance team. Just recently I’ve moved to our Financial Services Technology Risk team. My day-to-day role varies – I could
be doing everything from having meetings with senior people at the clients’ offices through to working on bids and proposals at KPMG.” She’s particularly proud of the positive impact her work can have for clients. “We advise our clients on technology – what they have in place and any potential updates – and this advice can make a real difference to improving how they operate.” She also has internal clients. “I had the chance to work on a project that involved looking at our own cyber strategy. It meant working closely with the Head of Cyber Security within the defence sector. That kind of exposure was a great opportunity for me to develop new skills.”
COMPANY PROFILE
“I chose to join Technology Risk Consulting because I knew I’d get a great mix of client work and training. I was also fascinated by the idea of using technology to protect and support different clients,” she says. “Cyber Security was totally new to me when I joined KPMG, but there’s been loads of training to help me learn quickly.”
KPMG
Having studied Economics and Politics at the University of Bristol, Lucy wanted to challenge herself with a career in technology. KPMG gave her the opportunity to turn her passion into an accelerated career, and she’s made the most of every opportunity since. she’s been on the committee of NextSec – a UK networking group for young professionals working in cyber security and information risk management. She’s also part of KPMG’s leadership team for BeyondMe – a nationwide initiative that matches charitable projects with businesses. “There are so many opportunities to get involved in things at KMPG. You can really push yourself here – having never picked up a rugby ball in my life before, now I’m the Ladies Captain for KPMG’s touch rugby team! I’m a member of the running club too, and of KPMG’s Network of Women (KNOW).” And Lucy’s top tip for making the most of life at KPMG? “KPMG gives you the opportunity, it’s up to you what you make of it.”
Lucy has also been busy outside of her day-to-day role. For example,
Click here to view our Technology opportunities.
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Arcadis
Arcadis operates across a wide range of sectors encompassing infrastructure, water, environment and buildings. Our professional services include disciplines ranging from asset and facilities strategy to business advisory, cost consultancy, programme management, engineering and environmental consulting. Its diverse, talented and passionate people and our specialist combination of skills makes us unique. We provide services from designing to redefining built assets ‘the whole asset life cycle’. Our market sector knowledge and our ability to integrate sustainability and health and safety into design and delivery helps us to deliver solutions across the globe. We are 28,000 people with diverse backgrounds generating €2.5 billion revenues per year. We support UN-Habitat with knowledge and expertise to improve the quality of life in rapidly growing cities around the world. Please visit: www.arcadisukgrads.com
COMPANY PROFILE
As a leader in sustainable societies (economic, social and environmental), wherever we undertake a project we work to make change for the better. Responding to community needs is something we take very seriously. Whatever you want to achieve, and wherever you’re looking to go, we’ll aim to find the right place for you. We offer the opportunity to be a part of some of the biggest and most important projects around the world, shaping environments and improving quality of life. We recruit Graduates into a number of disciplines as follows: -
Cost Consultancy Project and Programme Management Building Surveying Business Advisory
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www.arcadisukgrads.com
– Management Consultant Asset Investment & Finance – Facilities Management Environmental Consulting Building Services Engineering Mechanical Engineering Rail Engineering Highways Engineering Water Engineering Design Engineering Arcadis people share, grow and explore their interests across a wide range of disciplines and geographies. It makes for a rich and enduring career. You will see that we are highly professional as we strive to exceed our clients’ expectations, and yet also friendly in the way we go about things. With Arcadis, you have a platform to drive your career, explore your capabilities turning your ambition into reality.
Entry routes: -
Graduate Opportunities - 2 year development programme Year Out for Sandwich year students - 10-12 months Summer placements - 8-12 weeks Our aim is to attract the very best people and provide them with the learning that will help us succeed as a business. We are looking for people who have a passion for excellence and those who are looking to build a long term career path. We have a two year development programme for our Graduates, during which time many work towards various accreditation routes which you will be fully supported with. 90% of our Year Out/Summer interns convert to Graduates when they finish university with sponsorship in the final year of study.