TheEvents Guide Guide The 2020-212019 Autumn
CareersService Service Careers
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
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Contents Meet the Careers Service The Careers team Get informed, get connected What do Imperial graduates do?
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Thinking about your career Develop your career, step by step 7-8 Get advice 9 Timelines by year of study 10-12 Glossary of terms 13
Jobs and experience Work experience and building knowledge 15-18 Getting involved at Imperial 19-21 Networking and Social Media 22-23 International students and working abroad 24-26 Postgraduate study 27-31
Applications and interviews Applications and assessment centres 33-34 Psychometric tests 35-37 Interviews 38-39 Careers Service central workshops 40
Meet employers at events Focus on‌weeks 42 Fairs and forums 43 Talks and skills workshops 44
Who’s recruiting and how to succeed 45
Step inside for help with your career! Despite the huge worldwide events of 2020 and the ever presence of the COVID-19 pandemic there is still much to look forward too, and I urge you to remain as positive as you can and consider your career as you would in different times. The pandemic will pass in time and we all look forward to when we can return to a degree of normality. The Careers Service is here to support you and your career aspirations from day one. Our services have adapted to remote and online delivery for the time being. We are offering the same service to you and you can still access the full range of support you would expect of us if we were on campus. This means that wherever you are in the world you can take advantage of your Careers Service to assist you with your future. This Guide is aimed at both undergraduates and postgraduates, and it will lead you through a process of considering your options and assisting you toward making that all-important and well-informed decision about your future. It also contains our programme of employer events and how to access these. Successful career planning starts early and the more time and thought you give it the likelihood is you will transition to a successful and positive outcome after you leave the College. The Careers Service has built up years of experience with key employers and we run a comprehensive series of events throughout the year. These events will take place in an online format until we can safely return to campus. These include careers fairs, forums, company presentations and a mentoring scheme. We also invite employers to talk to you directly in our popular lunchtime talks. Our online system (JobsLive) has live and up-to-date information on placements, internships and graduate vacancies, which are aimed specifically at Imperial College students. Visit our website to find out more and to register with JobsLive. Remember, timing is important. Most companies will start their recruitment process for internships and graduate jobs early in the autumn term. We all look forward to helping you and wish you every success. I sincerely hope we can be back on campus as soon as possible. In the meantime, do make use of our services now and in the future. Jason Yarrow, Director, Careers Service, Imperial College London
The Careers Service team Jason Yarrow Director Richard Carruthers Deputy Director Mark Allen Careers Consultant Madelaine Chapman Careers Consultant Katie Dallison Careers Consultant Rebecca Guppy Careers Consultant Jessica Popplewell Careers Consultant Victoria Sood Careers Consultant Richard Marshall Information Manager Sophie Hale Information and Enquiries Officer Stephanie Scantlebury Information and Enquiries Officer
Welcome to the Guide 2020-21 This brochure highlights the services available from the Careers Service, the recruitment events we run and employer contacts. It is designed to help you make the most of the recruitment cycle. Recruitment events begin in the autumn term and include employer presentations, Recruiter in Residence sessions, mock interviews, skills workshops, careers talks and careers fairs.Keeping up-to-date with all job vacancies, internships and careers events is simple via JobsLive, our online jobs, appointments and events system. Simply register via JobsLive and you will be emailed event and vacancy updates according to how you have set up your profile. If you would like to have a one to one discussion you can find out more about the range of appointments we offer on our website. Our website is also packed with everything you need to know know to help you make informed decisions. We look forward to helping you over the coming year and hope you take advantage of the events listed in this brochure.
Robert Carpenter Employer Liaison Manager Alexandra Ashbee Events and Marketing Assistant Maria Lounes Administration Assistant Norma McEnery Internship and Placement Adviser Rhiannon Whittaker Internship and Placement Adviser Contact us Careers Service Level 5, Sherfield Building South Kensington Campus London, SW7 2AZ +44 (0)20 7594 8024 careers@imperial.ac.uk www.imperial.ac.uk/careers Opening hours Monday to Friday (including vacations), 10:00 – 17:15
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Get informed • Start by visitng the plan your career section of the Careers Service website, it encourages you to reflect on yourself, your skills, qualities and interests and how these relate to possible careers. • There is a wealth of information available... including: exclusive online resources and publications, recordings of events and talks, useful tips and videos on every aspect of the graduate recruitment process, from CVs to psychometric tests. • The careers, occupations and job sectors section will help you find out more about different careers available.
The graduate job market In a competitive job market, employers can be selective and are looking for a good degree, work experience and an ability to evidence your skills – both in applications and in person. The good news is that Imperial is consistently one of the institutes most targeted by employers and your degree is one of your best assets in a competitive field. As well as achieving academically, make the most of your time at Imperial – work experience, involvement in student societies and voluntary work can help you build up the skills you need to impress employers. Don’t underestimate the importance of work experience. A summer internship can help you to secure a graduate position. A large number of companies run eight to twelve week internship programmes, which often form a large base for their graduate intake in the following year.
Range of services on offer Abigael Bamgboye Materials Science & Engineering (MEng 4YFT)
“The Careers Service at Imperial gives you great chance to explore opportunities potential employers. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed attending various Careers Fairs offered throughout the year – they’re brilliantly organised and very informative. I think the best way to make the most of them is to engage with employers, and make a connection for the future. Ask them the questions you really care about: will the graduate scheme train you in transferable skills? What is the company culture like? Are there many opportunities to network across the company? What’s career progression like? Then, make sure they remember you, and that you can get in contact with them in future. Ask the representative for their business cards, add them on LinkedIn and send a follow up thank you note. Also write down what they do in a bit more detail, so that you can refer back to it when you message them in the future. People remember people, so make yourself stand out for the right reasons.”
Planning ahead Learning how to articulate what you have to offer to an employer is vital, both verbally and in writing. Employers can only go by what they see, so don’t get beaten to a job role by someone less qualified who has written a better application or is more prepared for an interview. Keep a look out for the following events to learn more • Employer Led Skills Workshops • Recruiter in Residence and Mock Interview Sessions • Skills seminars and workshops
Get ahead of the game The Careers Service provides you with an opportunity to explore a range of career options. Maybe you are curious about a sector you don’t know much about or you want to network with company representatives face-to-face and gain an insight into an interesting company. Our Focus on Weeks, Careers Fairs and Forums and Lunchtime talks are just some of the ways to find out more. Read on for more information and dates. Many employers, especially the larger graduate recruiters, will set early closing dates or will recruit on a rolling programme, which means that often it can be a “first come, first served” basis. Don’t leave your job search too late. Don’t forget to register with JobsLive to ensure you are always up-to-date with our events, and the vacancies posted by employers.
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Get connected
Go to Jobslive
Sign in with your Imperial username and password
Update your profile from the the ‘Me’ tab. You can adjust your settings to match your requirements, so opt to receive daily or weekly emails alerting you of job vacancies and events that are relevant to your specified areas of interest. It’s also a good idea to subscribe to the weekly Careers Newsletter which keeps you up-to-date with the latest Careers Service news and events.
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Get ready on Jobslive JobsLive is the Careers Service’s platform where Imperial students and recent graduates can find the latest job vacancies. You can also book a wide range of employer events and appointments with our professional team of careers consultants and placement and Internship advisers. Make sure that you set your email preferences to receive notifications of jobs and upcoming events which are of interest to you.
Richard Marshall, Information Manager
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What do Imperial graduates do?
Alumni Support Chris Fuller PhD Plastic Electronic Materials Management
“The Careers Service is accessible up to three years after graduation! Despite leaving Imperial College London in 2017, the Careers Service supported me fifteen months later as I changed career direction. Within days of contacting the department, a careers consultant was available for a general appointment over the phone - I did not live in London at the time - and further advice via email. The consultant offered an incredible service by providing valuable cover letter/CV feedback, job searching strategies and even a mock interview over Skype. The support was yielded quick results too, as after two weeks of advice I was invited to three interviews and subsequently offered a job.”
Find out more about the prospects for Imperial students when they graduate. Options for Imperial’s science and engineering graduates are superb and wide-ranging. Many careers are open to students with any numerate degree and the quality of an Imperial degree means that our graduates are in demand. Popular sectors for Imperial graduates Of those graduating with first degrees in 2018, 64.1 per cent were engaged in paid employment, including running their own businesses. The most popular sector was healthcare/social work – due to the degree in medicine. Excluding medics, the three most popular sectors were professional, scientific & technical activities, Finance & Insurance and Information & Communications with twenty 4.2 per cent, 17.7 per cent and 15.8 per cent of graduates entering these sectors respectively. The ‘other business activities’ sector (5.1 per cent) is diverse, covering the legal profession, marketing, advertising, retail, property and recruitment, with a mixture of professional, permanent jobs, plus temporary work (typically in retail) with graduates paying off debts while continuing to seek a career position. What about the rest? About 5 per cent of Imperial graduates take time off after studying to travel the world, building confidence and developing their skills in the process.
Surveys To continue to have these figures, we rely on graduates letting us know about first jobs by completing the Graduate Outcomes questionnaire, which is emailed to all graduates fifteen months after completing your course. All information is treated in confidence and stored and used in accordance with the Data Protection Act. All universities work with the Higher Education Statistics Agency to collect this data, which publishes indicators of employment and other statistics and helps the College provide anonymous examples of career destinations to present students. Salaries We collected salary details from 607 graduate responses, and the average salary was £35,577. Postgraduate study Further study beckons for 25.9 per cent of graduates. Courses range from PhD. and MSc, to vocational training or even another degree (e.g. in medicine). In 2018, over 30 per cent of graduates from Bioengineering, Earth Sciences & Engineering, Life Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics went on to further study, many choosing to stay at Imperial to do this.
Sadly, unemployment is the initial experience for 3.2 per cent of graduates, fifteen months after graduation. If you find yourself in this position, remember that support is still available to you from the Careers Service for three years. Be flexible and proactive in your job search and network actively. Consider voluntary work or getting involved in community projects to develop ‘soft skills’ too. And remember that your degree will continue to remain attractive to employers in the future. More information More details of graduate destinations for your subject area can be found under the What do Imperial graduates do section of our website.
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Develop your career, step by step
Although everyone’s situation is unique, there are some key steps to take in order to develop and progress your career. The diagram shoes the main elements of career planning; start this process early on as an undergraduate and you will save yourself time later. This process continues as your career develops too. This approach encourages you to consider your values and your skills carefully in the planning process.
There are four main aspects to career choice and development:
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To make choices you need to know what interests you, what motivates you, the skills you have and those you wish to develop more. You can assess your personal values and find information on how to complete a skills audit here.
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Explore opportunities open to you, whether directly related to your degree background or in new career areas, using the skills gained on your course. Research your options and approach organisations and employers directly to find out more. Start to develop your network.
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Review and evaluate your options and make decisions, focusing on areas of particular interest.
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Prioritise and create a plan, with built in deadlines and contingencies. Find out how best to present yourself – in writing and in person – so you can start applying for jobs, internships or courses.
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Know yourself
Explore opportunities
• What do you enjoy doing?
• Research occupations. Employers, further study and training opportunities
• What can you learn from your experiences? • What do you really want from work?
• Who do you know to talk to who can help you find out more about opportunities for you?
• What skills and strengths so you have and what are you good at?
• Keep a file of key contacts and information you gather
• What would you like to improve?
Take action • Check deadlines and how to apply • Make a SMART action plan • Develop a good CV and work on your cover letter and applications • Prepare for interviews and assessment
Review and evaluate your options • Be clear about what you want, and rate your options in order of preference • How achievable and realistic are they? •Find out what you can do to improve your chances e.g. work experience. • Have a plan B – if you are struggling with this seek help from the Careers Service
Ruth Keane - Computational Methods in Ecology and Evolution (MSc 1YFT) (PhD) “I just wanted to thank you for all your help over the last few months. I’ve spoken to a few different people and they’ve all been really helpful, well informed and really good at adapting to my needs in the appointment. I’m especially grateful to the consultant who spoke to me the hour before my interview yesterday and really helped me with both feedback on my failing technology (which saved me a lot of stress!) and really helped me with framing my answers in a professional way. I’ve also been really impressed with how quickly the service switched to online and how many online events have been happening.”
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Get advice The names of appointments may change as a result of working remotely, and the College’s advice on COVID-19. We recommend that you check our book an appointment web pages for the latest update on appointment types. We understand that navigating your way to a career that’s right for you can have its challenges. We offer a range of one-to-one appointments to give you an opportunity to discuss what’s important to you and to seek guidance so you can feel more informed and confident when taking the next step. Careers Discussion (online) Discuss any aspect of your career and/or check CVs, cover letters and applications. Our career consultants offer you confidential, one-to-one advice and guidance on topics including your career options, finding and exploring opportunities of interest, further study routes, deciding on your next step, and help with applications including CVs, cover letters, interviews, online tests and assessment centres.
Careers Consultations (by referral - online) Are booked with the Careers Consultant that works specifically with your department. They can offer more in depth advice on any careers-related problems or queries you may have. Available only after a referral from a Careers Consultant, during a 20 minute careers consultation. Duration: 40 minutes
Careers Consultations (Postdocs) Explore any career related topic you wish to discuss including interview practice, preparing CVs and applications, working out careers ideas and strategy for achieving the next stage in your professional life.
Internship Discussion (Online) Practice your interview technique and receive feedback on your performance from a Careers Consultant. These sessions allow you to specify the areas and/or questions that you would like to focus on and can be tailored to specific industries and roles as required.
Work Experience Discussion (internships + more) Discuss finding and applying to work experience opportunities including internships, placements and volunteering. Our Placement & Internship Advisors can provide on speculative applications and creating your own internship or discuss our programmes including the Alumni Mentoring Scheme, Work Shadowing, Professional Project Fund, and/or SME Internships.
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First year timeline: start now to get ahead It’s never too early to start building your skills base and enhancing your employability. Find out what you can do at Imperial, whichever year you are in. September •
Log in to your JobsLive and set your profile Imperial Alumni Mentoring applications open
October •
Join clubs and societies and get involved with university life
•
Check deadlines for spring insight schemes and summer internships
November •
•
Submit applications for spring insight
December
schemes and summer internships with upcoming deadlines •
Attend careers workshops and events around
•
deadlines •
January
•
Look for summer work or work experience
•
Consider setting up a LinkedIn profile
Attend careers workshops and events around CVs and applications February
Look for volunteering opportunities or parttime work
Submit applications for spring insight schemes and summer internships with upcoming
CVs and applications
•
Imperial Alumni Mentoring applications open
•
Imperial Professional Project Fund opens for application
•
Imperial work shadowing applications open for Easter opportunities
March •
Spring insights take place
•
If your summer plans are not yet finalised, consider booking an Internship Consultation
April •
Spring insights take place
•
If your summer plans are not yet finalised, consider booking an Internship Discussion
to discuss making the most of the upcoming
to discuss making the most of the upcoming
summer break
summer break
May •
Imperial work shadowing applications open for
Summer •
its clubs and societies, volunteering or part-
summer opportunities
time work. •
Activities for first years Imperial Horizons Programme This will help you to see your subject in a broader societal and multidisciplinary context and provide you with opportunities to work and debate with students from other departments. Imperial Work Shadowing Work shadowing is an unpaid experiential learning experience which gives short exposure to a professional environment. Our work shadowing programme normally takes place twice during the academic year, at Easter and during the summer.
All experience in first year is positive, whether
Don’t forget that Imperial Careers Service is open all summer. Consider booking in for a Internship Discussion to discuss career planning and getting ahead on applications for second year
Work shadowing
Pallavi Ojha Mechanical Engineering MEng 4YFT “Putting ideas into practice work shadowing at WSP exposed me to myriad career paths within engineering in just a single day. I was able to have in depth discussions with passionate people who had done the same degree as me, giving me the opportunity to ask specific questions. If I had not applied for this scheme I would have never had this level of access .”
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Second/penultimate year timeline: start now to get ahead October
September • • •
Check deadlines for Easter and summer
•
Update your JobsLive profile
internships
•
Attend careers workshops and events
Updates your LinkedIn profile with any
•
Meet employers on campus
experience gained over the summer
•
Imperial Alumni Mentoring applications open
Imperial Alumni Mentoring applications open
•
Submit applications early for Summer internships with upcoming deadlines
November •
Attend careers workshops and events
•
Meet employers on campus
•
Submit applications early for summer internships with upcoming deadlines
•
Prepare for interviews, assessment centres and psychometric tests
•
undertake one December •
Attend careers workshops and events
•
Submit applications early for summer internships with upcoming deadlines
•
to discuss making the most of the upcoming summer break March •
February
If your summer plans are not yet finalised, consider booking an Internship Consultation
Most deadlines for summer internshipswill have already passed, but consider making
•
Professional Project Fund opens for applications
•
Imperial Alumni Mentoring applications open April
•
Spring insights take place
•
SME internships advertised on JobsLive for upcoming summer
speculative applications to small and mediumsized enterprises May •
Imperial work shadowing applications open for summer opportunities
•
If your summer plans are not yet finalised, consider making speculative applications to small and medium enterprises
Activities for second/penultimate years Imperial Alumni Mentoring Scheme This provides an opportunity to be mentored by a professional alumnus working in your chosen field of interest, or a related profession. The aim of the scheme is to encourage personal and professional growth. The Professional Project Fund A Careers Service initiative developed for Imperial undergraduate and PhD students. It offers students a chance to experience working in the UK not-forprofit sector by undertaking a four week graduate level project.
Prepare for interviews, assessment centres and psychometric tests
January •
Plan for an Industrial Placement if intend to
Summer •
Don’t forget that Imperial Careers Service is open all summer. Consider booking in for a Careers Consultation to discuss career planning, graduate applications, or personal statements.
Applying skills from academia to industry Zainab Titus Earth Science and Engineering - Petroleum Related Research
“The Professional Project Fund scheme gave me the support I needed to achieve a social goal that has impacted the lives of many in my community. The opportunity to execute and drive a project that has contributed to social impact has been very rewarding for me not just personally, but also academically and professionally, as I worked on a project that allowed me to apply the analytical, programming, communication and networking skills I developed during my research on a greater platform. I have gained valuable practical experience in project management, leadership, and organisation through initiating, leading, and managing a project within an organisation. For me, this is a phenomenal experience that has helped me learn more about my strengths and interests, as well as apply my professional skills to a project outside my research area for a noble cause.”
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Final year timeline: start now to get ahead Imperial College Graduate Attributes
These are some of the attributes that you should develop over the course of your studies and through engaging in extracurricular activities such as work experience. • Demonstrate deep conceptual understanding of your chosen discipline • Work effectively in multi-cultural, international teams and across disciplinary boundaries • Approach challenges with curiosity, critical thinking and creativity • Innovatively apply your skills to tackling complex real-world problems • Understand and value different cultures and perspectives • Have developed into independent learners with high self-efficacy • Display a strong sense of personal and professional identity
September •
Check deadlines for graduate schemes
•
Updates your LinkedIn profile with any experience gained over the summer
•
Imperial Alumni Mentoring applications open November
•
Attend Careers workshops and events
•
Meet employers on campus
•
Submit applications early for graduate schemes with
•
October •
Update your JobsLive profile
•
Attend careers workshops and events
•
Meet employers on campus
•
Submit applications early for graduate schemes withupcoming deadlines
•
Consider further study options
•
Imperial Alumni Mentoring applications open December
upcoming deadlines
•
Attend careers workshops and events
Prepare for interviews, assessment centres and
•
Submit applications early for graduate schemes with
psychometric tests •
Deadlines for PhD applications begin
•
Earliest PhD funding deadlines
upcoming deadlines •
psychometric tests February
January •
Further deadlines for graduate schemes
•
Interview and recruitment processes for graduate
•
graduate scheme
small and medium-sized enterprises •
April
Most deadline for graduate schemes will have already passed, but consider making speculative applications to
•
Post-Graduation
summer
•
SME graduate internship schemes advertised on
SME Graduate Internship Schemes advertised on JobsLive for upcoming summer
SME internships advertised on JobsLive for upcoming
May
If your future plans are not yet finalised, consider applying directly for opportunities that are not part of a
March •
Prepare for interviews, assessment centres and
•
Continue to access Imperial Careers Service for up to three years after graduation
JobsLive for upcoming summer •
If your future plans are not yet finalised, consider applying directly for opportunities that are not part of a graduate scheme
Develop your career knowledge Start finding out about how to job search, CV writing, applications and interviews. Attend Careers Fairs and other employer-led events, such as workshops, mock assessment centres, and presentations which will help you understand how employers select candidates as well as giving an insight into different jobs and sector.
Activities for final years Develop contacts and utilise technology Having a network of contacts is a key resource in your career planning and development. Maximise your contact with employers, through attending employer-led events; workshops and presentations. Social Media can also be useful in developing your personal brand, such as getting to know industry influencers via Twitter.
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Glossary of terms Employability Simply put, this refers to your skills and abilities that allow you to be employed. JobsLive JobsLive is the Careers Service's online system for booking events and appointments, searching for jobs and employers. Graduate Scheme A graduate scheme is a structured training programme run by an employer, targeted to recent graduates, and usually last between one and two years and are often available in a number of specialisms. SME Small and medium-sized enterprises that have less than 250 employees. Often have a range of opportunities available, but may not be well known brands… yet! May be more open to receiving speculative applications than larger firms are. Graduate Job/Direct Entry The Careers Group defines this as a job that requires a degree, but is not a position on a structured graduate scheme. Competency/Strength A competency is a skill you can demonstrate and you may be asked to give an example of a time you have utilised this skill in the past. A strength is something you have a natural aptitude for and may be an indication of what you like doing.
Transferrable skills A key consideration in career planning and making applications, transferrable skills refer to the so the application of skills already gained to a new situation. Assessment centre A typical component of the recruitment process for graduate opportunities, assessment centres involve undertaking tasks and activities, such as group- work exercises and e-tray tasks. Spring Insights These are structured programmes lasting anything between one to two days to a week to give you an insight into different areas of a firm’s operation. Internships Internships normally take place in the summer, from July to September, or over the Christmas or Easter vacation period. Internships can also be undertaken by graduates. They vary in length depending on the time of year, but are typically between eight and twelve weeks, and do not form a component of your academic study.
SME graduate internships
Clarisse Marie Esther Beurrier Biological Sciences with Management ‘‘The SME Graduate Internships scheme allowed me to pursue my passion to address some of the challenges we face such as antibiotic resistance and climate change due to animal agriculture. By working for a high impact start-up I gained an entry into the career of my dreams. I now plan to pursue further studies in collaboration with the start-up.’’
Placements Placements last between six and twelve months, and are part of your degree.
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Make work experience work for you
Forty per cent of recruiters from the UK’s Times Top 100 employers warned it was either ‘not very likely’ or ‘not at all likely’ that a graduate who’d had no previous work experience at all with any employers would be successful during their selection process, irrespective of their academic achievements or the university they had attended. – High Fliers Research 2020
Why? Why? Work experience allows you to gain an insight into a career and demonstrate to future employers how you have put your degree theory into practice. Having experience can help you make an informed decision about your career direction by either affirming, or disproving, your interest in a certain area. Employers want evidence that you have a selection of the skills required for their graduate roles. Through work experience, you can directly evidence your skills and demonstrate your abilities to employers. These can be transferable skills, such as team work or communication, or technical skills required for a specific role, such as programming in Python or Java.
What? Work experience is anything that gives you practical experience and allows you to develop either transferable or technical skills. Both paid and voluntary experience can give you the opportunity to develop skills that are relevant to future employers and careers. Work experience can include activities such as: • • • • • •
Work Shadowing or Spring Insight Schemes Internships Industrial Placements (if your course gives this option) Volunteering Part-time or summer jobs Competitions
However, evidencing your skills does not just have to come from ‘traditional’ work experience. Remote online learning opportunities are a fantastic way to evidence interest in a sector and develop relevant skills. Research a job profile or sector to understand the essential skills required and use this knowledge to develop these skills using online courses such as LinkedIn Learning and massive open online courses (MOOCs). This extracurricular online learning can showcase your motivation and proactive attitude to continued professional development.
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Where? Job boards and online vacancy sources You can access job vacancies via the jobs board on JobsLive, by industry sector, location, and job role. Many opportunities from employers are specifically targeting Imperial College students and graduates.
The unadvertised job market Don’t overlook the importance of speculatively approaching organisations of interest and the value of networking. A personal approach can help you to uncover opportunities for work experience that never get advertised.
Looking overseas If the opportunity of working abroad appeals to you, there are many programmes that offer such an experience (e.g. in the USA), many of which charge you a fee. GoinGlobal contains information to help you plan your international career. Imperial Careers Service subscribes to this online resources to give you direct access to country specific resources, so ensure to access this via our website.
Make the most of your work experience
Pushing your comfort zone
Zeyad Sakr Aeronautical Engineering with a Year in Industry (MEng 5YFT) “Doing a year in industry at Airbus was one of the best decisions I made during my degree. The internship puts you on the edge of your comfort zone pushing you to develop a stronger character and a more powerful sense of discipline. You are placed in an unfamiliar environment with new people, so you learn how to handle relationships and communicate more effectively. I came out of the internship more aware of my strengths and weakness with a better understanding of the corporate engineering world. I also developed a better understanding of what I wanted to do after graduating.”
If you keep a note of your work experience activities, challenges you face, even mistakes you make, and most importantly what you learnt from it all, you will find this very useful later when applying to future employers. You can create your own log or diary or use the work experience tracker template at targetjobs.
Want to find out more? Book an Internship Discussion via JobsLive with our dedicated Placement and Internship Unit to discuss your work experience plans in more detail.
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Building your knowledge and gaining experience JobsLive You can register to receive emails about internships, placements, part-time seasonal work and voluntary opportunities on JobsLive, as well as information about events to meet employers.
Work Shadowing Scheme Mirroring corporate spring insight schemes, the Work Shadowing Scheme is a Careers Service initiative exclusively for first year undergraduate students at Imperial. Its aim is to provide an insight in to the work environment with up to five days experience in an organisation. The scheme takes place during the Easter and summer vacation and application details can be found on the Careers Service website.
The Alumni Mentoring Scheme The Alumni Mentoring Scheme offers Imperial students the opportunity to be mentored by a professional alumnus working in your chosen field of interest, or a related profession. The aim of the scheme is to encourage personal and professional growth, and all eligible students are welcome to apply. Mentoring partnerships will officially run from November to May and so taking part is not a one-off commitment. Applications will open on the Alumni Mentoring webpage in late September.
The Professional Project Fund The Professional Project Fund is an initiative for Imperial students continuing into the next academic year. It offers you the opportunity to develop your own graduate level project that is tailored to your interests and skills. The projects must be full time for four weeks (or part time equivalent) and can be taken at any point during the summer vacation period. Your project should identify an organisation in the third sector that could benefit from your skills and knowledge. Once agreed with the organisation, you can then apply to Imperial College Careers Service for a ÂŁ1200 bursary to support you undertaking your project. To read case studies of previous bursary recipients and register your interest to receive updates when applications open, please visit the Professional Project Fund webpage.
SME Graduate Internship Scheme In partnership with Santander Universities, Imperial College London Careers Service is able to offer funding to support the engagement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with final year students and recent graduates through paid project based internships. Opportunities are advertised exclusively on JobsLive, but you can also apply for funding if you’ve found your own opportunity. Contact the Placement and Internship Unit for more information.
Ask An Alum Ask An Alum is a database of Imperial alumni who are available to answer your one off career-related questions. It provide you with the chance to get an invaluable insight, direct from a professional in industry or research. To learn more and view the Ask an Alum database visit the Ask an Alum webpage.
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Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) UROPs provide opportunities for undergraduates to participate in and contribute to research at Imperial, which can also link with final year project ideas. There are term-time and vacation opportunities. Most UROPs occur as the result of an individual student and staff interaction so planning to approach an academic staff member is crucial.
More worldwide programmes Several organisations run global work experience, working adventures and work/travel programmes. There is often a fee to cover visa and work permit requirements and it is important to check whether your airline fare and insurance are included when comparing fees. Visit: • • •
Prospects istplus AIESEC
IAESTE The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) is administered in the UK by the British Council, and aims to provide science and engineering undergraduates with paid, course-related vacation training abroad.
IAESTE
Alumni Mentoring Munisath Khandoker Microbiology BSc 3YFT
Volunteering Volunteering can be as beneficial as other work experience in developing and improving skills and increasing your employability through practical experience. Imperial Student Union offers various structured volunteering opportunities such as The Pimlico Connection Tutoring scheme and the Welcome Team. Further information on ways to identify a volunteering experience can be found on the Careers Service website.
“Being a part of the Alumni Mentoring Scheme was life-changing. One of the many highlights was visiting my mentor in Greece and working in her lab, thereby gaining invaluable work experience such as presenting at the Cell Series Conference. Throughout the mentorship I also felt incredibly supported, I now have greater clarity about what my options are once I graduate. It’s testament to my mentor for helping me set my goals for the future, inspiring me with all that she has achieved so far in her career. I hope to follow in her footsteps and undertake further study!”
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Getting Involved at Imperial
StudentShapers
Student Shapers
Arijit Bhattacharyya Electrical and Electronic Engineering (MEng 4YFT)) "I learned about the StudentShapers initiative via a job posting in a Careers Service email. I applied for my internship at the beginning of March and had my interview three days later. I am working on a six-week project which aims to better educate incoming first year students on what opportunities they can pursue in their first year summer holidays.I believe that this experience has helped me to develop my interpersonal and time management skills, and also helped me to expand my own professional network.One of the main takeaways from my project is a quote from a recruiter, “Any experience is experience”, which highlights it doesn’t matter what you do, just as long as you can talk about what you learned from it. I definitely recommend all students to apply for Studentshapers projects, as it will allow them to develop their soft career skills but also give them a great experience to talk about at interviews for future jobs."
StudentShapers is an exciting scheme aimed at fostering projects which have equal partnership between staff and students, across all Faculties and Departments. The StudentShapers scheme offers students an opportunity to be an active participant within the entire educational process, using your own perspectives and expertise in your discipline to enhance and improve the curriculum in partnership with staff members. Projects in educational research and in central departments and services are also within the remit of the scheme and engage students in partnership in the range of activities which contribute to the College’s educational mission. Along with active learning and student engagement, partnership has become a key approach within Higher Education thinking in recent years. Adopting a staffstudent partnership approach will lead to better informed and higher quality developments but is also invaluable to students who become involved. There are benefits to your short-term and long-term experiences, whatever the next steps in your intended career path are. The opportunity to have creative collaboration within your own learning can dramatically enhance your student experience, whilst also improving your professional skills of team work, problem solving and adaptive thinking. Dependent upon the nature of the project, you might also contribute to the field of educational research or present your findings at conferences or to others in the College. For more information visit the StudentShapers website. and for more informtion on projects already running.
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Enterprise Lab Supporting the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs “Our mission is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to develop the entrepreneurial skills, mind-set and networks they need to translate ground breaking ideas into world-leading products, services and ventures for the benefit of society as a whole.” Ben Mumby-Croft, Director, Imperial Enterprise Lab Launched in October 2016, and located in the heart of the university’s South Kensington Campus, the Enterprise Lab is a dedicated co-working space and community for student entrepreneurs at Imperial College London. Open to all students and recent alumni at Imperial, our programmes are designed to help students develop an entrepreneurial mind-set and apply it to their own personal ventures and their professional lives after graduating. The Enterprise Lab team delivers a range of extra-curricular entrepreneurship programmes, competitions and events that are freely available to all students at Imperial. We work with more than two thousand entrepreneurial students every year. We launched one of the UK’s first university programmes to support female STEM entrepreneurs (WE Innovate) and run Imperial’s flagship student startup competition (the Venture Catalyst Challenge). Comprising over two thousand square feet, the Enterprise Lab features a reception for hosting visitors; a studio with hang-out area where students can meet and work together; a work-out area for more formal business planning, workshops and events; a dedicated office for management and support staff; and a small, but state-of-the-art boardroom to engage aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate executives alike. Finally, the Enterprise Lab also provides students with access to in-house expertise at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey. From Idea Surgeries with a member of the team to give guidance on next steps, to professional business coaches and subject specialist Experts-in-Residence, all the way up to mentoring with seasoned startup founders and industry experts via the Imperial Venture Mentoring Service (IVMS). Visit the Enterprise Lab website to find out more. Contact the team if you would like to support the Lab’s ongoing programmes and activities.
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Imperial College Management and Finance Graduate Training Schemes The Graduate Management Training Scheme aims to develop high potential individuals into future leaders. The scheme is designed to provide candidates who do not have extensive professional experience with an introduction to a career in university management. Trainees on the scheme undertake six placements in departments across the College over a threeyear period. Each placement offers a wide array of opportunities, from leading on projects, to organising large scale events. The College offers a diverse range of placements, including the Education Office, Communications and Public Affairs, Campus Services, Strategic Planning, Enterprise and the College’s academic Faculties and Departments. The Scheme Director, Kim Everitt, meets with trainees regularly to check on their progress and reflect on the next steps in their personal development. Trainees will also be provided with opportunities to be involved with the recruitment for the scheme. The aim of the scheme is to provide trainees with the skills and experience necessary to move into a management positions at Imperial. The training element of the scheme is provided through practical, on-the-job experience, supported by the College’s Learning and Development courses. Trainees in the past have also had the opportunity to take on additional, external training such as the PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification. than three quarters of trainees move into a role within the College immediately after leaving the scheme, and close to 50 per cent of all former trainees are still working in a variety of roles within the College. For further details and to learn about some of the trainees already on the scheme, please visit the Imperial College Management and FInance Graduate Training Scheme webpage. Imperial’s three-year Finance Trainee Scheme is designed to give successful candidates both operational and project experience through a series of placements. Although the length of each placement will vary, they usually last approximately twelve months and allow trainees to gain a real insight into the financial operation of a globally-renowned university. scheme is flexible to allow the needs of both the trainee and the College itself. Therefore, each trainee takes a unique path through the scheme, gaining both knowledge and experience within positions of real responsibility whilst being overseen by the Director of Finance, Tony Lawrence. Trainees also have the opportunity to gain a professional accountancy qualification. Successful applicants are expected to study for either the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) or the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification. Imperial will meet the full cost of all relevant training courses, membership costs and exam fees assuming first time passes. So, if you wish to make a significant contribution to a world-class university whilst receiving full support to obtain a globally recognised financial qualification, then please find out more details about the Finance Trainee Scheme (including profiles of current and previous trainees).
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Networking Contacts help you make better informed decisions about your future. Spending time in developing a network of contacts can help develop career ideas and gain great advice. Many jobs are offered to people already known to an organisation so networking is one of the most important, if not the most important, activities in which a job-seeker should engage. Additionally networking can help produce career plans through talking with people in an attempt to understand their job and the associated skills etc. When used appropriately it can help plan your future and get you one step closer to employment.
Building a network Start local and pursue your own contacts. Approach people you already know, even if their job isn’tof immediate interest to you, as they can lead to people who are. Ask friends, family, academics and GTAs if they know people in the fields you’re interested in and if they could introduce you. You’ll need to prepare a brief introduction about yourself and what you’d hope to get from any connections you make. It’s also a good idea to prepare a few questions that you would like to explore. The internet has made it easy to find people to network with. Social media and online groups are an easy way to source possible connections and London is filled with various societies and networking groups too. You can also try more creative approaches to track down organisations of interest to you and make direct approaches to either request a meeting with an employee or to explore employment potential with them.
Making contact Your initial introduction may be by email, phone or social media but, whatever the format, it should explain who you are, how you found the contact and that you like to ask a few questions about their career and to seek their advice. Explain why this would be of use to you and look to arrange a mutually convenient time. You do need to prepare for rejection at this stage but many people will be quite willing to spend a short amount of time answering a few questions – buying a coffee can always sweeten the deal too!
Information Interviewing Once you’ve found a relevant contact you may want to engage in an informal conversation to gain information and advice. This is often overlooked by many but it can be an effective research tool in addition to reading books, websites and exploring job descriptions. You may feel awkward approaching people you don’t know and asking to talk with them about heir work however most people actually enjoy taking time to talk with someone about their opinions and experience (most people like to talk about themselves). Use your time to ask about their personal experiences to seek advice and opinion and show a curiosity and interest to encourage them to share. Exploring their personal perceptions and careerdecisions can be invaluable to shaping your future.
Making the Most of Mentoring
Hansa Shree 2nd Year Biology with a Year in Industry/ Research student “It was really nice to have someone so invested in my professional, academic and personal development by providing as much support as possible. Being given tours of GSK’s research and business sites gave me unique insights into the firm I was applying to. As a sounding board, he provided a valuable 3rd person perspective which helped me constructively reflect on interview feedback. I can now articulate and track my goals better, and maintain stronger workplace connections.”
Follow-up and maintenance Manners cost nothing! Effective networks thrive when there is mutual respect and trust between the people involved. Thank your contacts for their time and nurture beneficial relationships by keeping in touch; you never know when the contact may be able to assist you in the future.
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Social Media LinkedIn One of the world’s largest professional networking sites for making meaningful career connections is LinkedIn. Your profile can evidence your skills and experience just like your CV and once you’ve created a profile you can start to explore data from over half a billion users; essentially you have access to view all these profiles and gain career inspiration and insight! By browsing profile key words like the title of your degree or ideal job titles you can uncover a huge amount of information. To help navigate this massive dataset you can apply filters to explore profiles by industry, geographic location, employer name etc. You can even filter profiles to show Imperial College graduates. Within a few seconds you can have access to the profiles of people doing a huge variety of work and explore how they advanced their career. LinkedIn enables you to go further than simply reading profiles, it allows you to connect! Once you’ve found a contact you may want to learn more about them or ask their advice - clicking the connect button enables you to reach out to them. Our top tip is to do this from a desktop/laptop (and not via the mobile app) as you can then enter a short message to introduce yourself and increase your chances of success! Once you’ve secured a connection you can message them and start to find out even more.
Twitter This micro-blogging site, where you communicate with others in posts of fewer than 280 characters, can help with your career if used wisely. You can follow organisations and professionals to keep up to date with recruitment trends and boost your commercial awareness in a particular industry or sector. Twitter is also a gateway to a huge range of opportunities, as many organisations quickly and cost-efficiently advertise jobs and internships. Try using a combination of hashtags (#) to search keywords related to your career, e.g. #job #intern #hiring #data.
Your digital footprint You leave a trace of online activities every time you go online – it’s referred to as your digital footprint and it’s a very good idea to know what it says about you. Type your name in a search engine and see what’s out there. It is possible to take control of your footprint and manage what the world can see about you.
Etiquette Be careful with your use of language – if you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online! Build and maintain your online brand to present a professional and rounded picture of you. Many employers may try to find you online – make sure what they see is good.
YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat… In this age of the digital revolution social media is constantly evolving. As the general public move with the trends in innovation so to do organisations and recruiters and you’ll see their online presence in a variety of locations sharing information and stories with their audience. Use these multiple channels to keep connect with potential employers and gain an insight into their culture, values and recruitment practice.
Using LinkedIn and Meetups to network Indranil Dutta, PhD in Quantum Physics
"I have used LinkedIn quite effectively to increase my network of contacts. I first used the search engine and filters to identify relevant professional contacts, who had a similar academic/ research background to me and were fairly new in their current roles. I then requested to connect with that person, adding a personal message expressing interest in what they did (not just asking for a job). People I’m connected to, who know my work, have endorsed my skills and I got a LinkedIn endorsement too for a programming language after doing an online quiz. I also use the ‘Meetups’ app to join groups of interest (in data science), and attend talks, group discussions, tele conferences and such like. As a result, I heard about Silicon Milk Roundabout, a jobs fair you have to apply to attend, where I’ve made contact with about fifteen different companies. I am currently being considered by one of these for employment."
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Working in the UK for international and EEA students Working in the UK for international and EEA students Your ability to work in the UK depends on what kind of visa you hold. As an international or EEA student, trying to understand what you are permitted to d o in terms of working while you’re studying can feel like tracking a moving target, especially with political influences like Brexit and immigration policy. The best way to keep up to date is to find the right resources and follow these changes as they happen. Know what your visa states in your passport and Home Office documentation, keep up to date with the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) news and if you are still not sure, double check with the International Student Support Services before agreeing to any type of work. Working while you study If you need immigration permission (also known as ‘leave’) to study with us in the UK, your visa and/or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) should state exactly what your work entitlement is and it is important you do not do work that is not covered by this entitlement. UK Employers should do a Right to Work check when they hire you, and part of this may involve getting a work entitlement letter from the University (where the University is your sponsor in the UK). Be sure as well to check the Imperial term times as these are the dates that the Home Office uses to define if you are in or out of the holiday period.
No details have yet been finalized about how this will affect Imperial students and their ability to work in the UK post-graduation; however, Imperial is committed to working with the Government to ensure the best possible outcomes for our European students. Find out more information about Imperial’s approach. Our advice to EEA students is to stay in touch with changes, follow the news and know your rights and responsibilities in this time of change. If you have any concerns at all, do not hesitate to contact us. How to succeed if you are applying for work • Understand what you have to offer as an international/EEA student and articulate your skills, e.g. languages, cultural awareness, adaptability, international focus, in your covering letter. • Be clear on your immigration status so you can inform and educate employers and refer them to sources of help, e.g. the Home Office employer helpline. • Make sure your written English is good and seek support to improve it if necessary, e.g. from the Centre for Academic English or a friend who has English as a first language.
Ying Zhou
Human Nutrition (MRes) As an international student, I found our career service to be extremely helpful. I received brilliant feedback and guidance on my CV, cover letters and preparing for interviews, etc and obtained a deep insight into business etiquette and cross-cultural aspects. I also appreciate that it is available to students up to three years after graduation as I benefited a lot from workshops regarding different job application stages in the UK. I found it really convenient that we can make telephone and Skype appointments to speak to consultants if we are based outside London. Additionally, the Careers Service offered lots of opportunities like career fairs, forums and networking events, which opened my eyes to the recruitment process and job options.
Imperial is committed to working with the Government to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students. The International Student Support Team and the Careers Service run regular workshops throughout the year giving the most up-to-date picture, so sign up to our weekly events email via JobsLive. EU students and working in the UK On 19 March 2019, the UK Government officially left the European Union with a transition period agreed until December 2020. After this date the UK will either enter into a new relationship with the EU or exit with no deal.
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The global graduate Students and graduates have always been interested in working, studying and travelling abroad, often in the form of a gap year before or after university, or as part of a longer-term career move. For many Imperial students, study in the UK is an international opportunity already, while for others this is the first opportunity to consider a professional opportunity overseas. Either way, in today’s interconnected global economy, employers across all sectors need people who can work effectively in different locations and if this interests you it is essential to thoroughly consider your options.
What are international employers looking for? Tokyo Scholorship
Vikram Jayaswa Biotechnology with Spanish for Science (BSc 4YFT) “Being a part of the Alumni Mentoring Scheme was life-changing. One of the many highlights was visiting my mentor in Greece and working in her lab, thereby gaining invaluable work experience such as presenting at the Cell Series Conference. Throughout the mentorship I also felt incredibly supported, I now have greater clarity about what my options are once I graduate. It’s testament to my mentor for helping me set my goals for the future, inspiring me with all that she has achieved so far in her career. I hope to follow in her footsteps and undertake further study!”
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) undertook research to identify attributes appreciated by global employers, and many of them can be developed through international experiences too: • • • • • • •
Intercultural and communication skills. Resilience – working abroad can mean losing familiar support structures. Flexibility – to adapt to new situations and ways of doing things. Ability to handle diversity and to understand, respect and adapt to cultural differences. Knowledge of local conditions. Commercial awareness; of the strategic aims of your employer, and of the international environment in which it operates. Language skills; although English is often the language of business, a working knowledge of a local language will help you communicate effectively and develop good relationships, both at work and socially.
All of this is in addition to skills many employers require for graduate-level work, such as problem solving, analytical thinking, numeracy, teamwork, leadership, self-motivation, and self-reliance.
Taking a year out - factors to consider and how to benefit You might decide to take a gap year after your studies to experience different countries and cultures or travel before starting your career. Many students use a year out to enhance their employability, or to find opportunities that are not open to them in the UK. Options you could pursue include travel or trekking, charity work, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), an organised ‘gap year project’, a work placement or year in industry. You may even decide on a mixture of these. If you use a work experience provider, make sure that you use one with a good reputation and a wproven track record. If not, you should research the job market in the country you’re interested in before you make firm plans. A good place to start is GoinGlobal, which you can find on our Working Overseas webpages.
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A long-term international career? An ‘international career’ means different things to different people – you may be looking to add an extra dimension to your CV, or you may want a truly global career, involving several long-term expatriate assignments, such as onsite work with an upstream oil company. Alternatively, you may want a career that involves travelling internationally on a regular basis but from a home base, e.g. professional services work, consultancy or technical sales. Whatever your goal, it helps to check with employers what the potential for travel or placements abroad might be. Increasingly, international companies include an overseas placement as part of the graduate trainee period, or in the early stage of a career path. How and when you decide to proceed with your global career will be influenced by external factors, such as recruiter expectations, labour market conditions, work permit requirements and personal preferences and constraints. Research, planning and preparation are all important for success – as a starting point you should have a look at our Work Abroad web pages.
Working in the EU for UK students The UK government have formally confirmed that it will not extend the Brexit transition period beyond December 2020. After this date, the UK will either enter into a new relationship with the EU or leave with no deal. At present details have not yet been finalized about how this will affect UK students and graduates hoping to work in the EU, and our advice is to stay in touch with changes, follow the news and when planning a country to visit, ensure you know your rights and responsibilities. If you have any concerns at all, do not hesitate to contact us.
Still looking for Inspiration? Options based in Japan: The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme is an official Japanese government initiative, which aims to improve foreign language education in Japanese schools and promote international exchange at a grass-roots level. MEXT: the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology – has offered research scholarships to UK graduates. Research may be undertaken in almost any field as long as it is relevant to the grantee’s field of expertise or previous studies. The Daiwa Scholarship is a nineteen-month scholarship programme in Japan designed to give recipients a solid understanding of Japan’s language, culture and people, intrinsically tied to their own particular area of academic and/or professional expertise. As part of the programme, Daiwa Scholars commit to an intense year-long language immersion at one of Japan’s premier universities, Waseda; a month-long homestay with a Japanese family and a six-month work placement with a Japan-based institution of their choosing.
Interested in the US? The US-UK Fulbright Commission hosts both the Fulbright scholarship programme and the EducationUSA advising network for the UK. We focus on opportunities and exchanges between the USA and the UK, as part of a global programme.
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Postgraduate study Read our guidance to help you decide whether postgraduate study is for you. Postgraduate study is a very popular option with Imperial graduates, with over a quarter of all graduates from Imperial (and over a half from some degrees) choosing to undertake a postgraduate taught course or research. A postgraduate qualification can be essential or desirable for entry into some careers but the majority of graduate programmes are open to graduates with a good first degree. Postgraduate study shouldn’t just be a way to delay career decisions and postpone work experience or employment. So think carefully about what you would gain from postgraduate study and what your reasons are for choosing this option. What types of postgraduate study options are there? The following are the types of course you could go on to do: • • • • •
taught courses leading to masters degrees (MSc, MA) research courses leading to masters degrees (MRes) research degrees leading to MPhils or PhDs vocational courses, required for entry into professions such as teaching or law studying abroad – e.g. in the USA or on courses taught in English in Europe.
Application timelines Postgraduate courses differ in their application deadlines and requirements. These are some examples: • Masters/MRes: applications go directly to the university; course deadlines may be open but popular courses can fill up quickly. • PhDs: start researching the options in November. • Vocational courses: applications for some courses eg teaching or law have to be made via a clearing house system with fixed closing dates. • Studying abroad: usually requires much more time to plan ahead (e.g. eighteen to twenty four months) to research courses, take any tests, e.g. GRE, and make applications.
Reasons to choose to do a PhD Do you enjoy pushing back the boundaries of knowledge to devise new theories and models? In some areas extensive practical work will also be required in the laboratory or the field. If you think this could be for you, then applying for a PhD or MRes leading to a PhD might be your next step. Gaining a doctorate is the recognised route to becoming a professional researcher or academic but bear in mind that you will be up against enormous competition and the PhD itself requires tremendous determination, patience and stamina – ninety five per cent perspiration and five per cent inspiration is sometimes mentioned! So you have to be really keen.
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Different types of PhDs UK Research and Innovation is an organisation that brings together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England. There are links to the relevant science and engineering Research Councils from the UKRI website UKRI website. Research Councils decide which research areas they will support and invite bids from the academic community to develop Doctoral Training Programmes in these areas. Research Councils fund CDTs (Centres of Doctoral Training) and DTPs (Doctoral Training Partnerships) as well as industrial CASE studentships (iCASE) in the key areas of research identified by that Research Council. (Industrial CASE awards (or iCASE awards) are where businesses / industry arrange to collaborate with a university or research group of their choice.
Students with disabilities Useful information and links can be found on the careers website. If you are Research Councilfunded, you may be eligible for a Disabled Students’ Allowance. Contact your funding body directly for more information about this. Further information can be found here on the Prospects website. International students There are a few competitive scholarships and awards available for postgraduate study in the UK for international students. See the Prospects website and the careers website for more information.
Vacancies for PhDs can be seen on university websites and on findaphd. Further information is available from the relevant Research Council website. DTP and CDT PhD programmes place a strong emphasis on professional skills training. The first year of a four-year programme is designed to prepare student for years two to four of their PhD. The universities manage the recruitment and selection of students to the PhD programmes that are Research Council funded. So this means you must approach all relevant universities to apply for and be considered for selection. Have a look also at findaphd. What do you need to do as an undergraduate if aiming for a PhD? • Achieve the best possible grades on your degree. Undertake a research placement e.g. UROp during year). • Once in your final year, be aware that PhDs can be advertised from November onwards. • Check whether the PhD programmes to which you are applying are funded; this is usually the case in science and engineering. • Let academics know of your interest in doing a PhD. Discuss your interest with academics such as your personal tutor and your final year project supervisor and seek their advice. See also targetjobs. • You are not restricted to Imperial – so research online, identify and approach academics at othe universities too, who are working in research areas of interest to you. • The earlier you start exploring options, the better.
The Careers Service can help you at every stage – researching and exploring options, getting feedback on your applications and helping you prepare for interview.
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Why do a PhD? Professor Adrian Sutton, FRS (Department of Physics) has this advice to share: The first thing to stress is that a PhD does not guarantee a job in academia. Only a very small fraction of all PhDs in science subjects in the UK become university professors – less than 1 per cent. For many employment sectors a PhD does not enhance employability or salary beyond a good first degree. After a PhD you could find your salary is three or four years behind your contemporaries who entered employment straight after their first degree. So, why do a PhD? There are some very good reasons – to be successful in the research that leads to a PhD, you will develop generic skills that will be useful to you for the rest of your life. These skills are also highly valued by some employers, who are willing to pay a premium to employ PhD graduates; and a few employers will accept only PhD graduates. A PhD involves learning how to tackle a significant question for which there is no known answer. In your first degree you meet questions for which by and large there are well-established answers. In a PhD not only is the answer unknown but even the methods you might use to find the answer are sometimes unclear. Even the question itself may have to be refined during the course of the research to make it more meaningful. To be awarded a PhD you have to make a contribution to knowledge. It may be the first time in your life that you discover what it means to confront ignorance, and develop a hypothesis and an approach to test it through experimental and/or theoretical evidence.
Skills that are gained on a PhD • Analytical – you will be facing problems for which there is no known answer and developing a hypothesis as well as an approach to test this hypothesis through experimental or theoretical evidence. • Teamwork – you will support colleagues, provide and receive feedback and gain awareness of your personal impact. • Project management – you will also be expected to work effectively on your own: to manage your own research project effectively, you will need to learn how to manage your time and maximise your productivity. • Autonomy, responsibility and leadership – as your experience and confidence increase, you will take more ownership of the project and become a more independent researcher who can demonstrate leadership and intellectual responsibility. • Communication – you will learn to write clear, concise and evidence-based reports about your work, and develop excellent oral communication skills by delivering group talks, seminars and conference presentations, sometimes to an international audience; this culminates in your thesis, a substantial body of work, which you will have to defend in a demanding two to three-hour oral examination.
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Dr. Caroline Hargreaves, Senior Teaching Fellow at the Graduate School says: A good PhD application is always tailored to the specific PhD, individual student, supervisor, Research Group and context. Read the PhD description if there is one, as PhDs vary depending on these factors. If you’re thinking of applying for a PhD, network (see below), attend any relevant workshops, e.g. Stepping Up: Master’s to PhD tailor your application and allow time to gain feedback on your draft application before you send it. When networking get advice from people in the field/group that you’re interested in working, ask current PhDs in the particular groups what are the highlights and challenges of their PhDs to get a feel of whether you would enjoy working there. Find opportunities to meet prospective supervisor/s to see if you want to work with them. When you tailor your application demonstrate your enthusiasm, initiative, motivation and interest in the project, supervisor and group, as well as evidence your relevant academic skills and techniques. Highlight experience that you have had or potential that you have in what they are looking for in the application form. For example, provide evidence if: you have worked successfully on research topics relevant to the PhD; your work had impact via outreach, publication/s, presentation/s, collaborations, team working, teaching, attendance at conferences or any prizes/awards; your Master’s supervisor/institution is well regarded. Show your communication skills and attention to detail in the application.
Read any given information given and research the group and supervisor, read the candidate profile and project description. Some examples may be found via the links below: Imperial doctoral courses Apply for a research programme
A balanced PhD experience
Mitesh Patel Phd Student, Centre for Doctoral Training in Theory and Simulation of Materials “Throughout my undergraduate studies in the Department of Physics, I was motivated to pursue a PhD by the opportunity to make an original contributions to science. My interest in applying mathematical and computatonal physics to real workd problems naturally lead me to the TSM-CDT as it nurtures strong industrial collaborations.. The Phd is oftern percieved synonymoylsy with research but what sets the TSM-CDT apart is its investment in the personal development of scientists. Hence, it runs workshops on career planning, science communication, ethics and team building. For me such courses are immesely useful becouse they encourage you to reflect on your skills and refine your frame of mind, a trait that is highly valued by employers. Additionally, there is a multitude of outlets to excercise creativity, which is important for a balanced PhD experience. For example, I am involved in the inception of a conference, I see such commitments as invalueable teachers of skills that are seldom encountered in a standalone degree.”
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Funding for further study Postgraduate Masters Loans Postgraduate Masters loans, of up to £11,222 are available for students wishing to study Masters degrees in the UK (MSc, MRes and MPhil) but not PhDs. Students normally resident within the UK, but not international students, are eligible for a Masters loan. The loan needs to be paid back as soon as the student is earning enough. You may also be eligible if you are an EU national and meet certain criteria but please check current regulations on the goverment website.
PhD loans It is clearly important to try and obtain a fully funded PhD as PhDs typically take three to four (quite a commitment). Websites such as findaphd usually say whether the PhD vacancy is funded. Some students do not manage to secure funding and seek other ways to undertake a PhD so may be interested to know that UK nationals who haven’t secured funding from one of the usual sources have been able to take out a loan towards covering the cost of fees and living expenses of a PhD, up to a maximum of £26,445.overall. This loan will then need to be paid off like other student debt. More information on PhD loans can be found on the Prospects website.
For more information, see also findamasters and the Prospects website.
Research and innovation grants UK Research and Innovation works in partnerships with universities to fund research and innovation. The easiest way of finding out about funded PhDs in areas relevant to your degree is to regularly review findaphd and also research on universities’ own websites. Find out more about where and how the UKRI is funding innovation and research.
Graduate teaching and research assistantships Working as a research or teaching assistant within the department may entitle you to a bursary and/or a waiver of your fee. jobs.ac.uk advertises vacancies for research assistants. Look also in the Times Higher Education Supplement and Tuesday’s The Guardian for information on these posts.
Employer sponsorship College bursaries Most colleges and some departments have their own awards. Check with the department, university website or postgraduate admissions office to see what you might be eligible for.
Charities and trusts These will not fund all of your study but can contribute up to a few hundred pounds for specific items such as books or transport. Consult the Directory of Grant Making Trusts or the Grants Register for more details.
This is rare unless you are already working for the employer, in which case you may get funding to study for a vocational qualification.
Postgraduate study websites
Postgraduate study websites
findaphd features PhD vacancies in your discipline, both in the UK and overseas. findamasters features taught and research masters courses. The Prospects postgraduate study webpages have useful information on courses, funding and how to apply. The Careers Service further study webpages outline further resources available to you. If you want to study abroad, check out the Prospects postgraduate study abroad webpages for information on your options.
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Energy can neither be created nor destroyed — it only changes forms. — 1st Law of Thermodynamics
TRANSFORM IDEAS INTO ACTION. Alexandria Scientist
Ace applications Take action on your applications and tailor each one. Your efforts should then pay off. Recruiters apply their company’s selection criteria when assessing an application and gain their first impression of you from reading this. Producing a well researched and carefully focused application is vital!
Make or break? Many applications fail for basic reasons that could easily have been avoided – such as mistakes in spelling and grammar, waffle, clichés or not being concise and specific enough. Most large organisations will want you to use the company application form and apply online. Check the instructions carefully so you know whether you need to be fine-tuning your CV or filling in an online form. Be aware that for some large multinational organisations your application documents may be scrutinised by applicant tracking software to score how relevant your application is to the job requirements. Using similar language to the advert and providing clear and unambiguous evidence of the skills and qualities required will help you do well with this part of the application process.
Application help Omar Abdulla Chemical Engineering (MEng 4YFT)
“The careers service was enormously useful for me. The advice I got really helped me streamline the way I approached the applications in terms of really targeting what the recruiters are looking for. It was specific and detailed to my case and not just generalised advice which was really helpful. The mock interview really gave me that extra confidence and gave me the ‘I got this feeling’ which was amazing. I highly recommend it!”
Types of questions: open or closed? Some questions are straightforward. You are asked to provide personal details, followed by exam results and work experience. These questions require short, factual answers or selecting options from drop-down lists, such as your preferred geographical location and choice of career, and the function or role of interest e.g. research, production, marketing or finance.
Employers want your broader skills to match their selection criteria, hence they may ask the following of you:
Open questions are harder to answer. These are designed to test your self-awareness and career understanding, for example:
Your answers
• Why have you chosen a particular career? • What evidence do you have of the qualities and abilities needed to succeed in it? • Do you understand what the career involves? • Can you provide examples of skills such as teamwork, commercial awareness and problem solving?
• Give an example of when you achieved a goal through working in a team. • What did you do that made a difference? • How do you know you were successful?
• Draw up a list of skills the employer is looking for. • Review your activities and achievements to find evidence that matches the selection criteria. • Draft your responses, giving yourself credit for what you have achieved or learned. • Always market yourself positively. • See Imperial careers applications and interviews for more information.
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How to succeed at assesment centres How to succeed at assessment centres Assessment centres give employers the chance to find out more about you by seeing how you perform in a series of activities and can either be held face to face or now more commonly online. So what exactly do they involve? Employers use assessment centres to obtain a more rounded view of candidates. They want to see how you interact with others, not just at one-to-one interviews. An invitation to an assessment centre usually follows a successful first-round interview, and a wide range of activities can take place there. What’s in it for me? All selection processes are two-way: you can find out much more about your potential employer. You might meet a range of employees, gain a better understanding of the culture of the organisation and have the opportunity to ask lots of questions. You can be more certain that you are really interested in it. How many people will be invited? Assessment centres can include group exercises where you work on a range of problems with five or six other candidates. Some, all, or none of the candidates may be appointed. It helps to regard them as future colleagues, people to cooperate with, rather than as competition. Boost your confidence by realising that assessment centres are time consuming to run – only strong, viable candidates are invited. How will I be assessed? Employers have a checklist of skills, abilities or competencies against which they rate you during each exercise and interview. These may include: • • • • • • • • • •
problem solving team/group skills communicating successfully handling complexity commercial awareness drive/energy initiative ability to influence/persuade technical understanding an enterprising approach
Practicalities • If you can, familiarise yourself with the platform that the organisation will be using. • Re-read all employer literature and your application form before you begin. • Dress codes may be indicated in the invitation and should be followed. It is better to be too smart than too casual. If the assessment centre is online it is still a good idea to look professional. • Follow all instructions carefully and if you are not sure of anything, ask for clarification. • Be friendly and cooperative to everyone you meet. You never know who will have the final say about you. • Participate: there are no marks if you don’t. • Make a note of the names of all the company representatives you meet. How can the Careers Service help me prepare? You can also watch the video about assessment centres online. Look out for workshops and talks about assessment centres, especially during the autumn and spring terms.
Innovia Technology – Innovation consultancy “Candidates that are able to apply the knowledge from their degree to unfamiliar situations really stand out to us during the recruitment process. Evidence of being able to work collaboratively with other disciplines is also very important — we think this is when the best innovation happens!”
Assessors will keep detailed notes on how you are doing and grade you against each competency in each exercise and look carefully at your overall performance. Even the best candidates won’t do everything perfectly, so if you feel you have made a slip, don’t let it put you off – stay focused!
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Psychometric tests Online psychometric tests are often used by employers. You may have to take one of these tests when you apply or later at an assessment centre. There are two types – aptitude tests and personality questionnaires. Aptitude tests are strictly timed and typically involve verbal, numerical and diagrammatic reasoning. In contrast, personality questionnaires are not timed and feel less like an exam. Remember that test results are just one part of the picture when decisions are made. Interviews are often used to follow up the results of a personality questionnaire.
Why do employers use them? Employers like tests because they are objective; it is impossible to completely eliminate subjectivity and bias from interviews. In very popular areas, such as banking, tests offer a quick way to screen out candidates.
How should I prepare for psychometric tests? Practice can help you know what to expect. If an employer sends you examples, make sure you do them. Percentages, pie charts, histograms and ratios figure strongly. Even if you have A Level maths, it may help to remind yourself of ‘the basics’ again. You can find examples of a range of psychometric tests on the Careers Service website.
Situational judgement tests Online situational judgement tests (SJT) measure your behaviour and attitudes by asking you to select (from a list of options) what action you would be most (or least likely) to take when faced by a series of work-related scenarios. Think about the impact on clients or customers, and also colleagues, as well as the values of the organisation and the competencies they seek, when deciding what action to take.
What if I am disabled or have a specific learning disability, e.g. dyslexia? If you let employers know in advance, they can make suitable arrangements for you. If you get extra time in College exams, and you mention this to employers, you may be entitled to get extra time for the tests.
How should I approach personality tests? Be yourself, the best of yourself – don’t try to reinvent your personality. Respond in a positive way that is true to you.
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Examples of typical psychometric and assessment centre activities What’s Involved
Aptitude Tests
Formal tests of reasoning (e.g verbal, numerical, logical, diagrammatic)
Practice the aptitude tests available in the- Careers Service
Strictly timed with right or wrong answers
Work quickly but accurately throughout
Instructions and practice questions are given before the actual test
Have a good nights sleep the night before!
These are designed to measure your behaviour and attitudes in work-related scenarios
Do any practice examples you are given
Situational Judgement Tests
Read through the situation and all possible responses carefully before deciding how to rank what you would do Be aware of the competencies the employer is looking for and what ‘good’ looks like for them
Group tasks may be with different roles assigned beforehand, or no roles assigned Problem solving exercises and group discussions are popular for both online and in-person assessment centres
Group Exercise
How to Succeed
Practical tasks, such as building a paper tower, are more common for in-person assessments
Make sure you contribute but don’t dominate the group Speak clearly, listen and don’t interrupt others Argue your point assertively but be prepared to compromise Check on time and summarise progress every so often Practice group exercises in Careers Service workshops
The objective is usually for candidates to work together to achieve a result Assessors will be observing your behaviour and interactions
Presentations
You may be given a topic on the day or in advance, with a set time allowed for your presentation.
Good structure: introduction – middle – conclusion
You will present to assessors and possibly other candidates
Prepare easy to read prompts to yourself (not a script)
Make slides clear and not too detailed
Practise in front of an audience and check you stick to time! Make sure you know how to use the technology before you start Speak with energy and enthusiasm Talk at a steady pace and maintain eye contact with audience There may be follow up questions so make sure you can justify what you’ve said
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Review and analysis of data (possibly related to employers’ business) requiring written
E-trays – scan through all items initially and priorities your time allocation
report or discussion
Case study or e-tray exercise
Manage your time – there will be a lot of information and a tight time limit
E-tray exercise - working through a series of ‘e-tray’ items, making decision on action
Be prepared to discuss your decisions and conclusions
needed and drafting responses
May be one to one or panel
Second Interview
Usually focuses on different areas from the first interview. May probe issues arising from the day May include technical questions and discussions of case studies or scenarios
Social Activities
Prepare as for first interview – review what was asked then. Revise technical areas if appropriate For an in-person panel interview try to direct eye contact to the speaker but keep eye contact with the rest of the panel
For in-person assessments this may mean Be yourself but be aware of the impression you are lunch on the day and the opportunity to talk making to graduate trainees and manages outside the main assessment Even when the atmosphere seems relaxed, be aware that you are still being observed It is an opportunity for you to find out more about the organisation and your role in it Ask interesting questions but don’t monopolise the conversation Remember that people you meet will probably all be asked informally to give their opinion of the candidates afterwards
Richard Carruthers,
Deputy Director, Imperial College London “Can you do the job? Will you do the job? Will you fit in? These three questions underpin the entire recruitment process. You must provide evidence of relevant skills, a detailed understanding of the company and demonstrate an appropriate personality for the role.”
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In the interview hot seat
2 Video, online, phone or in person – whatever interview type you face, the way you prepare follows the same steps. Being invited to an interview at any stage of a recruitment process is a major achievement as you have proved to an employer that you could be a good fit for their role. Now they need to take their assessment to the next level which means you need to move your preparation up a step also.
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Think like an employer Look back on both your initial application and the job advertisement/person specification for the role. During the interview, employers will be basing their questions on these documents, creating questions and activities to assess whether you match with the skills they have said they need. Have a look at the example questions box for ideas on what sort of questions you might be asked.
Gather your evidence
2
3
Brainstorm situations you have been in that match with the skills you have identified the employer wants to see. This helps you to create a database of situations that you can talk about at interview. The employer will also want to know why you want to work for them so you will need to build on the research you did for your application to prove this. Use the employer website, look at their annual report, know the employer’s values and use any networks you have (your lecturers, family, friends, colleagues) to learn what you can. This will form the basis of you being able to match yourself to the company.
Practise, practise, practise So you know what sort of questions you might be asked, you have gathered and brainstormed your evidence – now match this up. Practising out loud is the best way to get better at answering questions. Record yourself and listen back to get a good feel for how well you are progressing and ask others to listen to your answers. For more example questions, try the Careers Service website.
How many people will be invited?
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Assessment centres can include group exercises where you work on a range of problems with five or six other candidates. Some, all, or none of the candidates may be appointed. It helps to regard them as future colleagues, people to cooperate with, rather than as competition. Boost your confidence by realising that assessment centres are time consuming to run – only strong, viable candidates are invited.
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Video interviews (or pre-recorded interviews) These often happen at the beginning of an interview process and are used by employers to assess if they should bring you into a full assessment centre. You will be sent a link, asked to log on and will work through a set of questions which are all timed. Top tips are: • Stage-manage your set. A neutral background with no clutter is best, and look at how your lighting is set up so that you don’t have silhouettes or shadows obscuring your face. Make sure there won’t be anbackground noise or interruptions. • Set the camera height to point straight at your face and make sure you look straight at it. If there is a small inset picture of you on the screen, try to move it to just below where your camera is. • As with any interview, eye contact is key so have a practise run with a friend to make sure they can see your expressions clearly. • Practise answering questions without looking at a person. This feels odd as there is no one to give you any feedback or encouragement, so try getting used to it. Phone interviews Similar to video interviews, these are generally screening interviews to assess if an employer will bring you into an assessment day and many of the same tips apply. Additional tips are: • Smile while you talk – it will lift your voice and make you sound friendlier and enthusiastic. • Ask questions like ‘Would you like me to expand on this?’ or ‘Does this answer your question?’ if there are awkward silences. • Make sure you are in a location with good reception, your battery is fully charged and there are no distractions. Skype/Team/Zoom interviews Often Skype or a video conference interface are used in place of a face-to-face interview if there is a large distance to travel. The same top tips apply as for prerecorded interviews. Developing your interview technique The Careers Service offers a range of opportunities to develop your interview technique, including sessions at the Service and in the department, employer-led skills workshops, lunchtime workshops and mock interviews.
In the interview hot seat Joy Yoon Biology with a Year in Industry/ Research (BSc 4YFT)
I used the Careers Service on two occasions: for my Industrial Placement application and for my Summer Internship application. In both cases, the Careers Service, especially my Departmental Careers Consultant, gave me invaluable advice on how to tailor my applications and be successful in interviews by doing mock interviews. The mock interviews helped me the most, as I didn’t know how the conventional interview process worked. They also taught me how to present all my work in the most positive way. All of the applications that I made through the Careers Service were successful. Since then, the Careers Service has become my lucky charm and I highly recommend other students to use it to get the same positive results.
There is also a wealth of tools on our website including further practice, sessions we’ve recorded in the past and a database containing information that we have gathered from previous students who have been through interviews.
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Career Service central workshops
During the autumn and spring terms, we run regular skills seminars on a variety of careers-related topics such as CVs, applications, assessment centres and interviews. These are designed to help you learn how to present yourself more effectively to employers, and will go a long way to enhancing your employability in a competitive graduate job market.
Careers Essential and Discovery Seminars (usually 50 minutes) CV and Cover Letters, Interviews, Effective Applications, Succeed at Assessment Centres, Postgraduate Study, and Finding Internships & Placements in various sectors including: Oil, Gas and Mining, Boutique Finance, Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology, plus many more. raduate job market.
Careers Labs workshops (usually 90 minutes) Interviews, Presentation Skills, Case Studies, and Assessment Centres, plus many more To find dates and to book onto each event please go to JobsLive. raduate job market.
Careers and disability Every year the Careers Service organizes a programme of events for students and graduates with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes: • Workshops on subjects such as disclosing disability, finding inclusive employers and adjustments • Meeting inclusive employers both at the Careers Service and at external events • Opportunities to work with specialist organisations who support disabled students into work We also publicise employment opportunities for disabled students and graduates at inclusive employers. If you are interested in receiving email notifications about all of these opportunities, adjust your preferences in your JobsLive profile to receive the disability careers newsletter.
Access to employment We run an annual event, hosted by a major graduate employer, where students can meet recruiters and diversity champions from leading organisations who are committed to disability recruitment. In previous years hosts have included PwC, Bank of America, JP Morgan and Bloomberg. For further information on this and similar events, please sign up to the email notifications as detailed above.
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WELCOME TO OPTIVER WHERE TRADING AND TECHNOLOGY JOIN FORCES
MILLIONS OF TRADES PER DAY ON >50 EXCHANGES
600 DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS
35.000 CHANGES PER YEAR
MOVING 230TB OF DATA A DAY AT 10GB A SECOND
1500 SERVERS GLOBALLY
10.000 HIGHLY CUSTOMISED COMPONENTS
14.000 RELEASES PER YEAR
LATENCY OPTIMISED TO NANOSECONDS
We achieve this by attracting, developing and empowering top engineering talent. As an engineer at Optiver, you will be collaborating with our traders and researchers to solve complex problems and to develop proprietary software that provides immediate results and direct impact. Talk to us via
recruitment@optiver.com
or check out our career page:
https://www.optiver.com/eu/en/job-opportunities
Events and Workshops - Focus on... Weeks
Focus on Sector Weeks aim to shed light on a specific sector, with a week-long programme of events providing an overview of a variety of industries. Events taking place range from Getting Into…Talks, one on one appointments and workshops facilitated by representatives from a range of organisations. Visit Jobslive for dates of specific events, how you can access these and to book your place.
Focus on Environment Week A week of events helping you explore and learn more about this vital sector, featuring Lunchtime Talks, Recruiter in Residence sessions and Careers Cafés. Attendees in the past have included The Environment Agency and Design Consultancies. Expect a wide range of areas to be covered including conservation, energy, climate change and waste management.
Focus on Start Ups and SMEs Interested in becoming your own boss or finding our what it’s like to work in small to medium sized businesses? Start-ups and SMEs offer an array of work experience opportunities rivalling those on offer by larger organisations. If you have an entrepreneurial mind and are interested in working at the cutting edge of innovation this could be the pathway for you. During this week, you will be able to connect with a range of entrepreneurs and hear first-hand their experiences of starting a business.
Focus on Science Communication and Policy Week As an Imperial student, you’re studying at the very forefront of the science and technology that shapes the way we live; communicating these ideas to the public and using them to inform policy is as much a specialised task as research. Whether you’re interested in this area already, or not sure how your degree might be relevant, there is an event for you in this week long programme of events. Organisations who have attended in the past range from the Civil Service, The Wellcome Trust and The Science Museum.
Focus on Data and Analytics Week An exciting and rapidly expanding sector, there are a huge variety of opportunities within this field. Data Scientists turn data into information using algorithms and machine learning, helping industry and business to gather and analyse ever larger and more complex data sets and are in demand across sectors and organisations. This Focus On… week will feature a packed programme of events including a Forum, Getting Into.. Talk and a Careers Fair.
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Events and Workshops - Careers Fairs and Forums Careers Fairs Careers Fairs
Abigael Bamgboye Materials Science & Engineering (MEng 4YFT) “The Careers Service at Imperial gives you great chance to explore opportunities potential employers. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed attending various Careers Fairs offered throughout the year – they’re brilliantly organised and very informative. I think the best way to make the most of them is to engage with employers, and make a connection for the future. Ask them the questions you really care about: will the graduate scheme train you in transferable skills? What is the company culture like? Are there many opportunities to network across the company? What’s career progression like? Then, make sure they remember you, and that you can get in contact with them in future. Ask the representative for their business cards, add them on LinkedIn and send a follow up thank you note. Also write down what they do in a bit more detail, so that you can refer back to it when you message them in the future. People remember people, so make yourself stand out (for the right reasons). Your newly gained contacts will likely come in handy when you want some help in the application process/ advice for interview.”
Careers Fairs are an integral part of the Careers Service calendar, and encompass a variety of sectors relevant to courses studied at Imperial. With a number of fairs held over the academic year, each event is a great opportunity to meet, either virtually or face to face, numerous employers all keen to recruit Imperial students. Finding out more from company representatives and developing awareness and interest in their organisations can be a great foundation for success in securing a job or internship in the future. For more information on Careers Fairs and any special booking requirements, please check Jobslive.
Spring Fair PhD Fair Summer Recruitment Fair
Monday 8 – Friday 12 February 2021 Summer 2021 Summer 2021
Careers Forums Careers Forums focus on specific sectors and give a platform to a panel of different company representatives who will give short presentations followed by a Q&A session which will give you a chance to engage with the presenters and find out more in a relaxed setting. All forums run from 18:30 - 20:00. For more information on forums and to book, please visit Jobslive.
Career Options in the Manufacturing Industry Career Options in SME’s/Start-Ups Career Options with a PhD Forum Career Options in Charity and Not for Profit Career Options in Data and Analytics Women’s Career Networking Career Options in Research Forum
Thursday 12 November 2020 Spring 2021 Spring 2021 Spring 2021 Spring 2021 Spring 2021 Summer 2021
Careers Forums
Nidhi Gandhi, MRes Diabetes and Obesity “The Imperial Careers service has been very helpful in preparing me for the professional world. There is a whole spectrum of services that one can take advantage of. The talk on Career Option with Science Forum gave me the opportunity to speak to experts in the field of science and figure out my way to my dream job. The seminar on Presentation skills helped me get over my fear of public speaking and learn tricks to give a good presentation and a Career consultation with an advisor helped me tailor my resume and cover letter for graduate programmes.”
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Events and Workshops - Talks and skills workshops Getting into Talks During the autumn and spring terms, the Careers Service hosts a series of Getting Into… talks given by a range of speakers which aim to give you an insight into different companies and career paths aroundthe sector. These talks last around an hour and booking opens two weeks prior to each talk.Topics for this years Getting Into...Talks include consultancy, tech, patent law and engineering. To see an updated list of events and to book your place visit Jobslive.
Employer Led Skills Workshops and Business Games Skills workshops have previously included ‘Approaching strategy consulting case studies’, ‘The beautiful science of data visualisation’ and ‘Approaching the Fast Stream assessment centre’.
Skills workshops for PhDs These are a series of employer led workshops, exclusively for Imperial PhD students. They aim to boost PhD employability by helping to develop skills through interactive exercises, developing your ability to present yourself effectively and improving your understanding the recruitment and selection process. They will enable you to identify key behavioral factors and gain greater awareness of your own skills. Each session will run for two hours and the work shop programme will be released in the spring term.Booking opens two weeks prior to each workshop; for further details on how to book see Jobslive.
Employer Presentations During the autumn term a significant number of employers host presentations/webinars. These sessions are an excellent way for Imperial students to gain an insight into the organisation and the opportunities they have available. Providing an insight into company culture and the type of people who work there, you will have the chance to hear from recent recruits and find the inside story. To attend these presentations/webinars you are usually required to register in advance. This might be with the Careers Service or through the employer. Check JobsLive for details. For full details and instructions on how to register please visit Jobslive.
Skills workshops for PhDs Amit Krishna Dwivedi PhD student in Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Circuits and Systems Research Group
"I and several other PhD students attended a one day careers workshop for EEE and Computing PhD students organised by my department and the Careers Service. I really enjoyed the course and learned a lot from the day. I found all the main aspects useful. We were given tips on researching our options, networking and CVs. We heard talks from a panel of speakers, all with PhDs in computing or EEE, who are now working out in industry and we had the chance to talk to them afterwards informally in a speed networking Q & A session. This allowed me to get a real sense of some of my options after my PhD and I came away with a lot of useful information to help with my future career choices. Also the 360 degree feedback was really useful for me and I learnt a lot from the mock interview practice what to expect and how to prepare. I now feel I have the resources I need and the contacts to go to for more careers support.”
Employer Presentations
PwC Student Recruitment Team
“Although academics are important to us, employability skills are just as vital in being successful in our recruitment process. That’s why flexibility, curiosity, leadership and commercial awareness, are just some of the core competencies we look for in our future people. Individuals who do their research, have experience outside of their academics and are prepared to demonstrate attributes like these are more likely to succeed.”
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Who’s recruiting and how to succeed
ALTEN LTD Company Profile ALTEN, the European leader in engineering and technology consulting, provides support for its clients’ development strategies in the fields of innovation, R&D and IT systems in over 29 countries. Its 37 000 top engineers carry out studies and conception projects for the technical and information systems divisions of large corporate clients in the industrial, telecommunications and services sectors. ALTEN Ltd holds the fastest growth of the ALTEN international perimeter and is currently involved in innovation development for the IT, Life Science, Financial Services, Ground Transportation, Energy and Aerospace with premium customers in the UK. The subsidiary has now a deep market-penetration ensuring solid foundations to guarantee fast and sustainable development.
Disciplines Recruiting From •Energy and Environment •Life-Science •Banking-Finance •Telecoms and Media •Public sector •Defence and Naval
•Aeronautics •Space •Security •Automotive •Rail
Alten LTD - UK
If you were to give Imperial Students a tip on how to make the most of a Careers Fair, what would it be? •Start talking to Alten representatives! It is a fantastic opportunity to chat with employees. Go up, give a firm handshake and introduce yourself •Make sure your CV is up to date •Don’t hesitate to ask direct questions such as the culture of the company, the possibilities of progression, the trainings offered etc. •Don’t be afraid to follow up on any contacts you’ve picked up
In addition to academic skills, which skills does Alten Ltd look for in its applicants?
We are looking for ambitious individuals with an entrepreneurial mind-set to join our team during this exciting period of growth to further assist in the development of the business. Being passionate about Engineering, being result oriented and having an entrepreneurial mind-set is crucial. Also, strong communication skills, attention to detail, ability to multi task are highly advantageous. Additionally, being open-minded is a fundamental aspect.
@Altenltd
www.alten.co.uk
Celonis Celonis is one of the world’s fastest growing technology companies and the global market leader in process mining technology. Our goal is simple: analyse today’s processes to make tomorrow’s world more efficient. Our Intelligent Business Cloud allows global organizations to guide action and drive change in the operational backbone of their business. It enables faster and more precise insights into companies and therefore better decisions towards customer experience, efficiency and cost reduction. In Nov. 2019 we received our series C funding and won the German Future Award, the most prestigious award in science and innovation given by the German President. With a tremendous revenue growth and an ever-growing global customer and employee base we no longer consider ourselves a start-up. Instead, we retain the dynamic, innovative atmosphere of a young company with the benefits of a mature enter¬prise. We are passionate about our vision and looking for people who are equally committed to transforming the way modern businesses operate – and having fun while doing it! Disciplines recruiting from All Subjects Deadlines for applications We are recruiting continuously throughout the whole year.
If you were to give Imperial Students a tip on how to make the most of a Careers Fair, what would it be? • Read the company descriptions – decide which company • might be relevant to you and why • Think about potential questions you want to ask • Try to make contacts and talk to company representatives • … maybe you can get some insights from the companies you’re interested in. Ask for instance about their application process or other relevant topics for you • Know about your hard and soft skills and the important steps of your CV In addition to academic skills, what skills do Celonis look for in its applicants? • Entrepreneurial spirit • Affinity for technology, digital transformation, and innovation • Interest in an international working environment • Out-of-the-box thinker • Hands-on-mentality • Passion for Process Mining and big data • Enthusiasm to be part in one of the fastest growing Software-Unicorns in the world Company website: www.celonis.com/careers/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/celonis/ Twitter: twitter.com/Celonis Instagram: www.instagram.com/celonauts/?hl=en
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Eclipse Trading Location: Hong Kong (Headquarters), Sydney, Shanghai Eclipse Trading is a leading equity derivatives proprietary trading firm, specialising in options market making. Since our founding in 2007, we have built up a strong and stable track record in a number of markets across Asia Pacific. Our trading is neutral to market direction and includes various arbitrage strategies. We have high performing teams working in a relaxed, casual environment. Our traders use our own electronic trading platform built and maintained by our development team. These two core teams work very closely together solving problems, improving our trading platform and refining our trading strategies. We have a strong commitment to training and supporting our graduates. As a graduate at Eclipse, you will benefit from structured hands-on training, regular feedback and the mentorship of experienced staff. The success of our graduate program has seen many graduates promoted to senior roles over the course of their careers at Eclipse. We are currently recruiting for the following positions: • Graduate Trainee Trader 2021 • Graduate Software Developer 2021 Disciplines recruiting from Bioengineering, Business School, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering, Computing, Dyson School of Design Engineering, Earth Science and Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medicine, Physics
Deadlines for applications 30th October 2020 (early submission is encouraged) If you were to give Imperial Students a tip on how to make the most of a Careers Fair, what would it be? • Research the companies you are interested in talking to at the Careers Fair prior to attending • Approach company representatives with confidence and be able to tell them a bit about yourself • Prepare a list of relevant questions to ask the company representatives that are relevant to the job you are keen to apply for In addition to academic skills, which skills do Eclipse Trading look for in its applicants? Apart from strong academics, there are many other skills we look for in applicants – fast-learner, confidence, excellent communication skills, ability to work in a team, ability to think on their feet, great analytical ability and an eagerness to join our Company and live and work abroad! Company website: www.eclipsetrading.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/eclipse-trading Instagram: @eclipsetrading
Eden McCallum LLP Eden McCallum is redefining management consulting. We support clients to resolve their most pressing issues of strategy, operations and organisation. Working with independent consultants of the highest calibre, we have pioneered a tailored approach that delivers tangible impact, client ownership, and deeper insight. We offer an outstanding training programme and developmental support for our analysts, as well as on-the-job professional coaching and mentoring by our senior team.
In addition to academic skills, which skills does Eden McCallum LLP look for in its applicants? • Highly curious and analytical minds. • Excellent interpersonal skills. • Strong business interests, in the UK and globally.
Please note we are unable to offer UK working permits/ sponsorships.
Company website: edenmccallum.com/join-us/analyst/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/eden-mccallum-llp/
Disciplines recruiting from All Subjects Deadlines for applications Sunday 3rd January 2021 If you were to give Imperial Students a tip on how to make Be yourself and keep all options open for opportunities within industries/sectors that you may not have considered initially.
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Herbert Smith Freehills LLP Herbert Smith Freehills – The future of law is here. We’re a leading, full-service, global law firm working on some of the world’s biggest cases and deals at the forefront of the world’s most exciting sectors. With an award-winning depth of expertise across a wide variety of sectors, geographies and legal specialisms, we’re the firm where you can build your future in law. By combining perspectives and potential from diverse backgrounds, we can offer our clients pioneering solutions. With our innovative and inclusive culture, we’re building a law firm ready to lead the future. Our progressive approach allows us to continually break new ground; whether it’s a complex international dispute or a billion-pound, crossborder deal. You’ll add your insight and expertise from day one. Disciplines recruiting from All Subjects Deadlines for applications Vacation Scheme Spring Vacation Scheme (Penultimate-year students, finalists and graduates) Applications open: 14 September – 14 December 2020 Scheme: 6-16 April 2021
Summer Vacation Scheme (Penultimate-year students, finalists and graduates) Applications open: 14 September – 16 December 2019 Scheme: 14 June – 2 July 2021 and 5 – 23 July 2021 If you were to give Imperial Students a tip on how to make the most of a Careers Fair, what would it be? Our top tip for Careers Fairs would be to research the firms attending in advance, to look at the kind of work they do so you know which opportunities you want to find out more about. Then think of some specific questions you would like to ask each firm, bearing in mind that there may be representatives from Graduate Recruitment and Trainees at the fair. It is important to have done your research before attending the fair to make the most of the opportunity. In addition to academic skills, which skills do Herbet Smith Freehills LLP look for in its applicants? You don’t need to have studied law to apply: we recruit from all disciplines. In fact, around half of our trainees didn’t study law as an undergraduate degree. We’re looking for a unique combination of skills and potential. That means more than a great academic record; it takes confidence, empathy, diligence, drive, and an international mind-set to succeed as a trainee at Herbert Smith Freehills Company website: careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/uk/ grads/ Twitter: twitter.com/HSFlegal Instagram: www.instagram.com/hsfgraduatesuk/
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Optiver Main Locations: Amsterdam, Chicago, Shanghai & Sydney About us: Over thirty years ago, Optiver started business as a single trader on the floor of Amsterdam’s European Options Exchange. Today, we are a leading global electronic market maker, focused on pricing, execution and risk management. We provide liquidity to financial markets using our own capital, at our own risk, trading a wide range of products: listed derivatives, cash equities, ETFs, bonds and foreign currencies. With over one thousand Optiverians globally, our mission to improve the market unites us. Thriving in a high performance environment, we pioneer our own trading strategies and systems using clean code and sophisticated technology. We achieve this by attracting, developing and empowering top talent, in order to sustain our future. Opportunities available: Insight Day for first year STEM students Summer Internship for penultimate year STEM students Graduate roles for Traders, Researchers, Graduate Software Engineers and Risk Managers Recruitment criteria: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in either Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, Economics, Computer Science or equivalent. Application advice: Apply online with CV and cover letter. Early application (before November 2020) is advised for all graduate and internship roles. For trading opportunities, we will host London test meetings in October and November 2020. All of our opportunities within Trading and Technology involve a final stage interview day in Amsterdam. The recruitment process differs according to the role applied to and more information can be found on the Optiver careers website. Email: recruitment@optiver.com
Disciplines recruiting from Aeronautics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Computing, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics Deadlines for applications Early application (before November 2020) is advised for all graduate and internship roles at Optiver. If you were to give Imperial Students a tip on how to make the most of a Careers Fair, what would it be? Be as inquisitive and open to career possibilities as possible. Whilst it is great if you are already clear on a particular career path, we’d recommend speaking to company representatives about what career opportunities they have and what specific tasks involve. Quite often we speak to students who had not necessarily considered a career in Trading or Software Engineering but upon hearing about what the roles entail and how exciting the industry can be, have been open to applying or learning more via a company presentation for instance. In addition to academic skills, what skills do Optiver look for in its applicants? Optiver values candidates who demonstrate a strong drive for both continuous improvement and entrepreneurial thinking. Being a true meritocracy with a strong performance culture, these skills can often be differentiators. Having the right blend of technical aptitude and commonly required softer skills such as strong communication and teamwork skills along with an inquisitive mind to challenge yourself and others around you can really set you apart in Optiver’s recruiting process. Company website: www.optiver.com instagram: @OptiverEurope
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Royal Air Force JIf you aspire to a fulfilling, diverse and rewarding medial career, the Royal Air Force could sponsor your Medical training, in the form of a bursary or a cadetship, leading to a career as a Royal Air Force Medical Officer. A career as a Doctor in the RAF is not simply a civilian career in a different uniform. It can be both challenging and very rewarding. You will receive the upmost professional support and training, a highly competitive salary, an excellent pension and the opportunity to excel in your medical speciality. RAF Medical Officers play a vital role in keeping our personnel fit and medically prepared for their operational role, at home and when deployed. All RAF Medical Officers receive basic training in aviation medicine and have the opportunity to train further to provide specialist medical support to the RAF and the UK Armed Forces, including aeromedical evacuation. You will deliver a high standard of care under demanding, but rewarding conditions, including the extra challenges of working in a field hospital or deployed medical centre, sometimes in austere settings; that’s why a career in the RAF as a Doctor is no ordinary job. Disciplines recruiting from Medicine
Deadlines for applications Applications must be submitted to an Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) or online by 31 October the year prior to the academic year in which you hope to be sponsored. Medical Officer Sponsorship is available from year 3 of Medical School. Successful applicants will be awarded sponsorship from the start of the following September term. If you were to give Imperial Students a tip on how to make the most of a Careers Fair, what would it be? Be open minded, consider career options that you may never have previously thought about; you will be surprised at what opportunities are out there. In addition to academic skills, which skills do the RAF look for in its applicants? The RAF recognises the value of a person’s ability no matter their ethnicity, nationality, national origins, social background, religion or belief, gender identity, sexual orientation or marital status or civil partnership. All we ask for, is someone that is flexible in approach, wants to commit to being a professional, and seeks to do something a bit different with their lives. Company website:www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/roles/ roles-finder/medical-and-medical-support/medical-officer Twitter: twitter.com/RAF_Recruitment Instagram: www.instagram.com/rafrecruitment/
Pall Europe Pall Corporation is a global leader in the high-tech filtration, separation and purification industry. We’ve become an industry leader by helping a diverse range of customers solve complex fluid management challenges. The company’s sophisticated filtration solutions are widely used by Biotech manufacturers, hospitals, laboratories, aircraft operators, energy producers and municipal water suppliers to help make products and processes better and safer. Pall solutions help customers:
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Engineer lifesaving vaccines and biotechnology drugs Ensure the purity of water and food Protect patients and caregivers Enhance manufacturing processes.
Our customers value us for our scientific knowledge and deep applications expertise. Pall has also been called “the original clean technology company” since many of our products deliver sustainable social benefits. Danaher Corporation and all Danaher Companies are equal opportunity employers that evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law. .
Disciplines recruiting from Aeronautical Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Dyson School of Design Engineering, Life Sciences, Materials, Mechanical Engineering If you were to give Imperial Students a tip on how to make the most of a Careers Fair, what would it be? Either you have a specific company or role in mind that you are going after or not, be prepared to explore new opportunities and discuss job roles that were not on your radar originally. You may end up finding out that there are roles that you have never heard of that would be ideal for your field and will match your personality. In addition to academic skills, which skills do PALL look for in its applicants? • Strong deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills • Strong interpersonal and communication skills • Highly computer literate (especially in Excel, PowerPoint, and SAP a plus) • Time management and organisation skills Company website: www.pall.co.uk
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Teach First Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are being let down by one of the most unfair education systems in the developed world. The knock-on effect of this injustice lasts a lifetime. It’s a cycle we’re determined to break. On our two-year programme, we’ll support you to become a qualified teacher through a fully-funded PGDE. By training on the job, you’ll have an immediate impact on the lives of the young people who need you the most. And, whether you choose to remain in the classroom or pursue another career after the programme, you’ll benefit from Teach First’s influential network of organisations who share our commitment to ending educational inequality and value the skills and experience our trainees gain. After the two years, more than half of our trainees continue teaching, many progressing into leadership positions. Others move into positions in government, industry and their own social enterprises, remaining connected to our goal of ending educational inequality. Since 2002 Teach First has been finding and developing talented people to teach and lead in schools facing the greatest challenges, helping to change the lives of more than one million disadvantaged children so far. Join us and help build a fair education for all.
Deadlines for applications We recruit on a rolling basis. Subjects and regions will close when they are full, so apply early! If you were to give Imperial Students a tip on how to make the most of a Careers Fair, what would it be? Come prepared! Find out who is attending in advance and decide who you want to talk to and what questions you need to ask. But, keep an open mind and try visiting one organisation you hadn’t necessarily considered, you never know what you might gain! In addition to academic skills, which skills do Teach First look for in its applicants? We know academic qualifications aren’t everything. Throughout the selection process we look for people with the characteristics to make a great teacher. We call these our ‘key competencies’ and they are: Humility, respect and empathy, interacting with others, leadership, planning and organising, problem solving, resilience and self-reflection. Company website: www.teachfirst.org.uk Twitter: @teachfirst Instagram: @teachfirst
Disciplines recruiting from All Subjects
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