CASE STUDIES
Read student and graduate case studies from the School of Humanities and Social Science
I literally would not have my job as a Counsellor without my postgraduate qualification. Ryan Paden Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice
ENGLISH, MEDIA AND CULTURAL STUDIES
INTERNSHIP CASE STUDY
CAITLIN ALLAN GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN ENGLISH. SHE COMPLETED AN LJMU-FUNDED INTERNSHIP WITH LIIGHT LTD AS A SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN DURING HER STUDIES
What did your internship involve?
As a Social Media Intern, my role involved creating content for the company’s social media accounts on Twitter and Instagram, alongside writing blogs for their website and engaging with followers on the relevant social media accounts.
What did the application/selection process involve?
I became aware of the internship through an email from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team. After submitting a copy of my CV, I was then contacted by the company directly to organise an informal interview that I attended in February. In preparation for this interview, I was asked to conduct some research about companies that I know utilise social media for the benefit of their company. My performance at this interview ultimately secured my position with the company and I completed my internship in a four-week block from the end of May after my final exams.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
How do you feel that the internship has benefited you?
I have gained new skills and improved skills that I already had. Once I completed my internship I felt more confident knowing that I have more skills to add to my CV, which I hope will increase my future employability.
What advice would you give other students to improve their employability?
Make the most of the careers opportunities that are recommended to them by the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team, as it is through their advertisements and notifications that I secured this internship. I urge students to try hard to get as much work experience as they can, even if they’re just first-year students, as it’ll make them feel more prepared for the daunting future once they finish their final year! Until my internship I had not really accessed any help or support from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team, but I think that all students should take advantage of the careers support available at LJMU.
JOANNE KELLY HAS A DEGREE IN MEDIA AND CULTURAL STUDIES AND RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM THE COVETED CIVIL SERVICE FAST STREAM (FINANCE) PROGRAMME
What did your graduate scheme involve?
I was on the Finance Civil Service Fast Stream, which involved three 12-month finance postings across Government, and a 6-month secondment to a charity.
If applicable, why did you decide to apply for a graduate scheme?
The Civil Service Fast Stream provides a lot of learning and development, to ensure you have the best opportunity to gain promotion on graduation from the scheme. As a career changer, this was particularly attractive to me, along with the opportunity to study for a recognised accountancy qualification.
Three things you like about your job/are looking forward to about your job:
❙ The breadth of work – I can honestly say no two days are ever the same.
❙ The visible impact of the work – it really brings home the impact of the work that I am carrying out when I see Ministers discussing an area of policy that I have been involved with. It makes the work very real, and reminds me of the important work that we, the Civil Service do.
❙ The support that is available to aid my development as a Civil Servant. I really feel stretched and feel that there is clear path of career progression for me to aspire to.
What relevant work experience / skills / volunteering / Student Union activities did you use during the selection process?
I used evidence from several previous jobs, including an example from when I was working part-time in bar. I was able to demonstrate problem-solving and finding a solution in a scenario that occurred in this role.
Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?
Get more involved in volunteering within the wider Liverpool community. I was actively involved in Student Union societies, but with Liverpool being such a vibrant, creative hub, if I had my time again, I would have embraced more of the opportunities that Liverpool the city has to offer too.
Any other advice you would give to students about their employability?
To both document and reflect on your experiences from your studies, work, and volunteering. Having a record of what you have done, what you achieved and how, and crucially what you learnt from those experiences will pay dividends when it comes to writing job applications and having examples to use in interviews.
MEDIA, CULTURE, COMMUNICATION
PLACEMENT CASE STUDY
LEWIS RIDLEY IS A MEDIA, CULTURE, COMMUNICATION GRADUATE WHO UNDERTOOK AN INTERNSHIP AS A STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES OFFICER AT LJMU
Why did you want to do an internship?
After graduating from LJMU, I was really keen to stay in Liverpool and this internship seemed like the perfect bridge between study and full-time work.
Where did you find out about the internship?
I found out about this role on the LJMU Connect alumni network.
Describe the role you are undertaking and your main duties: My main duties involve day-to-day engagement with students on campus, and digitally on social media. We promote exclusive offers available to LJMU students, including hosting City Social events for students to get together and take advantage of free and discounted tickets to cultural events in Liverpool.
What did the application / selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?
The process was a two-stage application with an online application form and an interview. I have lots of experience with application forms, however the interview was slightly different in that I had to prepare a presentation of ideas of how I would innovatively engage students if selected for the role.
What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones? I have accessed career support from LJMU both while studying and following graduation, including attending some CV and application workshops, which have been beneficial.
What relevant work experience / skills / volunteering / Student Union activities did you use during the selection process? I used relevant experience that I gained during my year out of study, as well as voluntary work in journalism and music,
which were great reference points for the questions section of my interview with regard to interpersonal and organisational skills.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
The main bit of advice I would give is to try to take on as much experience while studying as possible. I am thankful I did many things on the side in addition to my degree, which put me in a good position when I graduated.
Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?
If I were a first-year student again, I would worry less about finding a job following graduation, and know that if I spend my time well gaining good experience then opportunities will arise.
What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
The entire work-based learning module was a real asset to the course, especially the reflective elements such as CV writing and critical thinking. Guest lectures during the Popular Journalism module were also particularly interesting considering my interests.
Any other advice you would give to students about their employability?
Take as much from the careers service as possible - their lifetime support pledge is worth taking advantage of even after you have graduated.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
KRIS ROBERTS GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN MCC IN 2020, HE THEN COMPLETED AN MSC IN DIGITAL MARKETING. HE IS NOW THE ASSOCIATE & DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER AT JACKSON LEES GROUP. WHEN STUDYING AT LJMU HE TOLD US ABOUT HOW HE TOOK MATTERS INTO HIS OWN HANDS TO GAIN WRITING EXPERIENCE WHEN HE FOUND LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PR/MARKETING SECTORS.
When I first started the Media and Cultural Industries Work Based Learning and Career Planning module at Level 6, I had my heart set on securing a lucrative, highly beneficial work placement at some highprofile PR firm or digital marketing agency. This was far from my reality. I emailed every possible agency in the Merseyside area and most didn’t reply, those who did offered their ‘sincerest regrets’. I was then made aware through University Careers of some opportunities to write for digital platforms, including Mindless Mag, which I’m certain are still accepting interns this year, and another music platform where I ended up writing and editing for just short of a year.
They weren’t the internships I was initial hoping for, and I had never even considered writing as a career, but they have arguably been more beneficial for growing my skills and experience than anything else could have. I was able to contribute in my spare time, I was able to grow my network massively, and eventually it led me to start my own platform. It opened me up to an entirely new career path that I previously didn’t know existed and opened my mind to options outside of PR.
I now have a portfolio of over 50 pieces of published content, and while I’m still on the job hunt, my portfolio has been incredibly useful for getting my foot through the door. My advice to all new MCC students
INTERNSHIP CASE STUDY
is simple: consider every opportunity, and if there aren’t any, create your own. I was lucky to take on multiple placements, and it was hard work balancing them with work and university, but the benefits you can reap from these experiences are totally worth it. I can’t stress that enough. Any opportunity that you can gain a new skillset from is worth considering, and they don’t all have to be in a fancy office working under high-powered execs. If nothing else, taking on any kind of work experience will show your enthusiasm and proactive nature when you enter the job market.
In some ways, creating your own experience can look even better on your CV. It shows your creativity, your motivation, and you get to practice all of the skills you’re hoping to build on your own terms. For example, you can write your own content which allows you to build you content writing skills. You can start an Instagram account and practice social media marketing. You can research SEO (an incredibly useful skill for aspiring marketers) and learn how to appropriately optimise content for search engines. You get to pick and choose what you want to learn while showing potential employers that you’re a self-starting go-getter. I started my blog in March, and one thing I realised is that I could have started it at the start of the course. The blog is a legacy of the skills I gained on MCC but it is also my future – see fitforaqueer.com
MEDIA, CULTURE, COMMUNICATION STUDENT CHARLIE GREGORY UNDERTOOK AN LJMU-FUNDED MARKETING INTERNSHIP WITH AGNES MARKETING
Why did you want to do an LJMU-funded internship?
I believed that doing an internship would give me vital experience going forward into a potential career and would also give me a bit of extra money to spend as a student because of the fact it was paid.
Where did you find out about the internship?
I was sent an email with a list of the internships on it and this particular marketing one caught my eye when I clicked on the link. It sounded interesting and seemed like a decent platform for me to be able to improve my skillset and get that experience.
Describe the role you are undertaking and your main duties: My role at the company was to create copy for Agnes Marketing’s clients. They have a number of companies working with them to get copy to use when recruiting new clients or to give to existing ones and to help them to better market themselves. I had to create certain blogs, articles and e-books for these companies to then use and distribute.
What did the application / selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?
It started out with an application through Unitemps, which then led into me speaking to Marnie from Unitemps about moving to the next step of the process which was an interview with my boss at Agnes Marketing. After a Zoom interview, I was then accepted! It’s always nervy to prepare for interviews but I knew my application was strong because of Marnie and it gave me more confidence that I was what Agnes Marketing might have been looking for – that chilled me out for the interview.
What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team?
They were helpful all along the way from the beginning welcome lecture to all the way along. Thanks to regular email contact with the team and then the whole section on Canvas, I was easily able to wrap my head around what was required of me on the internship. Personally, I had an issue with submitting some timesheets and what I needed to do but speaking to the team quickly sorted it for me.
What relevant work experience / skills / volunteering / Student Union activities did you use during the selection process?
I had some prior experience of writing articles and doing journalism from before university so that helped me out and I had to condense
and refine my CV for the whole process and tailored it to match the role I was applying for, which helped me out.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
I’d say try to gather as much voluntary and even free experience as you can while you can. Since being at university and asking for experience – some paid and some unpaid – it’s opened a lot more doors. After getting some of this experience, I was able to put it on my CV and use it in my interview which then landed me the internship. I’ve been able to get some writing experience at a newspaper and on some websites and I think it’s invaluable to get as much as you can. I’d say utilise the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team for any help and advice while you have it too and there’s the skills page you can access and use too.
What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
I feel everything that I learned and am learning has helped me out so far. To be able to say that I’m studying certain modules (in my case professional writing) and then refer to some of the skills I’ve picked up through it did stand me in good stead. To be able to draw upon lecture notes and learn certain ideas, phrases and theories that I could then use to land a similar internship definitely helped.
What advice would you give to students starting a degree now about how to succeed with an economic downturn potentially on the horizon? Again, I’d say get the experience even if it’s free or voluntary. Get your name out there now, send emails, get in touch with the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team at LJMU if you need any advice about a potential career that you might be interested in or for help with where to look for potential experience and just get yourself out there. Having as much experience under your belt when looking for jobs in the future can only be beneficial and I’ve already been aided by my experience and experiences so far. My experience helped me land the internship and now I have the internship to refer to in future too. It’s worth doing.
POSTGRADUATE CASE STUDY
MEDIA, CULTURE, COMMUNICATION GRADUATE ROSIE STEELE HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED AN MA IN MASS COMMUNICATION AND US DUE TO START A PHD IN JANUARY
Why did you decide to apply for your postgraduate course?
I loved my undergraduate course and knew I wasn’t finished learning so decided to continue onto Masters level. I chose to stay at LJMU due to the alumni fees reduction and also that I knew the staff and how they could really help me to achieve during my postgraduate course. The modules were similar in topic to the undergraduate degree but taken a step further so I really solidified and expanded my knowledge of communications ready for PhD.
What did the application process involve for the programme?
The application was really easy, I just had to submit a personal statement and references but as it was the same department for both undergraduate and postgraduate it was processed quickly. I applied on the Tuesday and on the Wednesday, I had an offer.
What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones or from the LJMU Student Futures Team?
Unfortunately, not enough, other than the lectures that were built into the course. As I knew I wanted to continue in academia I was extremely focused on achieving first class grades across all modules and found more support from my course leaders. However, I was extremely lucky to undertake a LJMU internship in the library special collections and archives which helped set me apart on my PhD applications due to the wide range of skills I gained which complemented my research perfectly!
How have you benefited from previous work experience, career research, membership of professional bodies, involvement in Student Union activities?
In my third year I decided to start a society affiliated with the student mental health charity Student Minds. Starting this group from scratch was extremely challenging yet so rewarding. Moreover, the social media campaigning, fundraising and events planning tied in with my degree allowing me to put theory into practice and the society is my main form of work experience. Alongside this I also created written content for charities including Time to Change and Student Minds on the topic of student mental health as well as blogging on a personal
account allowing me to create a portfolio of writing. I think blogging is a really good way to gain experience in your own time, as you can perfect your writing ability as well as other skills such as social media, marketing and web design. You can also network with charities and other organisations by initially writing for them and then seeing if other opportunities arise. Throughout university and beyond I have worked in hospitality and asked if I could run the social media pages for the site, this was another easy way to get experience!
Would you do anything differently in terms of career planning if you were a first-year undergraduate student again?
I think I would worry less about post-graduation and focus on what I could do in the moment that would enhance my CV but also have fun, such as getting involved in societies earlier than my final year. I would also maybe have less of an all my eggs in one basket approach with an academic career and speak to the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team about other ways I could use my interests in research and analysis into a more traditional graduate career in case the PhD didn’t work out.
What are you your plans after finishing your postgraduate programme / what are you doing since finishing?
I’ve been set on continuing my studies to PhD level since my final year of undergraduate so after graduating my Masters I gave myself a year to receive funding. In May I found out that I start my PhD in January at the university of Northumbria continuing the research I started in my Master’s dissertation using the Femorabilia archive at LJMU. In terms of paid work, I have been working as a team leader in the hospitality industry, which I feel is often frowned upon post-graduation but I am so proud of the skills I’ve gained in this role and how they are transferable into my research; such as organisation, leadership and time management. These soft skills should never be looked down upon for how they enhance a CV alongside a degree.
CATRIN HOLDEN GRADUATED IN 2019 WITH A DEGREE IN MEDIA, CULTURE AND COMMUNICATIONS. SHE IS NOW A STUDIO RESEARCHER FOR THE BBC ONE SHOW. WHEN STUDYING AT LJMU SHE TOLD US ABOUT THE PLACEMENT SHE UNDERTOOK AS A PRODUCTION RUNNER AT ITV STUDIOS PLACEMENT CASE STUDY
Why did you want to do a placement?
I wanted to gain an insight into the industry and develop new and existing skills. I thought it would be a good way to see whether or not the TV industry was for me. My course lecturers expressed how important work experience was in my first year, so it was always something I wanted to do!
Where did you find out about the placement?
I found the work experience through expressing my interest for the industry on LinkedIn and I was lucky enough to have someone pick up on that and call me!
Describe the role you are undertaking and your main duties: Locating and calling stores to confirm stock and collecting props for the production team. Keeping note of all the props and returning them if they weren't needed. Ensuring the production team and talent had talkbacks, call sheets, scripts, cue card etc. on time before the show. General administration, including keeping the props sheet and budget sheet up to date using Excel and applications on Google Drive. Producing the end credits.
What did the application / selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?
In order to be considered for the work experience I had to apply for the "Insight Programme". I believe they take applications twice a year. I applied in April. I remember the application being quite straight forward.
I prepared by looking at the questions presented to me and bullet pointing what I wanted to get across in each question before writing it out in a paragraph.
What relevant work experience/Student Union activities did you use during the selection process?
Working for the Student Union has definitely made me become more confident when speaking to people, something that certainly helped!
What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
Because we cover such a broad range of topics on my course I felt like I had a vast amount of knowledge when applying for roles. I think skills audits are super helpful too, as it helps you identify your strongest skills and the ones you need to work one. Once you know what skills you need to work on you can take steps to enhance them.
Any other advice you would give to students about their employability?
Don't be disappointed if you can't get the placement you want straight away. Sometimes it takes a while to get your foot in the door. Just keep positive and keep applying for things and you'll get there in the end!
Don't put too much pressure on yourself.
DURING THE FINAL YEAR OF HER MEDIA, CULTURE, COMMUNICATION DEGREE, JADE MAYERS COMPLETED A PLACEMENT IN THE MARKETING TEAM AT SMALLER EARTH
Why did you want to do a placement?
I chose to do the Media and Cultural Industries module over a dissertation in my final year as I believed that reviewing the employability process, and undertaking a placement, would allow me to understand the world of work that I would soon be entering. I wanted to do a placement within this module so that I could effectively reflect on my experiences in the workplace while having the comfortability to relax in the university setting. I was afraid of entering a workplace and not liking it, only to be forced into staying due to financial obligations. A placement throughout university was my way of experimenting in the workplace.
Where did you find out about the placement?
My placement with Smaller Earth was found within one of the university’s careers fairs. I walked around talking to some people but found the positions on offer focused on graduate schemes rather than placements. I then got talking to someone who was reaching out to engage students in the activities Smaller Earth had to offer. After telling him what I was looking for at the event, he said that he would speak to his manager to see what he could do. We exchanged emails and I, luckily, got an email later on asking me to attend an interview!
Describe the role you were undertaking and your main duties: The role at Smaller Earth was a placement allowing me to act as a temporary member of the marketing department. I worked directly under the sole copywriter who set small and large tasks for me to complete throughout the duration. I was also asked by other members of the team to help with their tasks, which I happily obliged, allowing me to be able to manage multiple tasks at once. My main duty was to write SEO (search engine optimisation) blogs for various branches of the company, including Camp Canada, Camp Leaders and Adventure China. I found new software to help with these tasks such as Keyword, which really opened my eyes to how this type of job is completed day-to-day.
What did the application / selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?
As mentioned, it was a very informal meeting with a member of the Smaller Earth team along with word-of-mouth that helped me gain the placement. This can be very beneficial as the team member is able to get to know your personality before deciding if you are a good fit for the team. When I was emailed to attend an interview, I was asked to bring examples of copy that demonstrate my copywriting skills and that I researched the company. As well as this, I brushed up my CV. In the interview, I met my team leader and the main copywriter who were very keen to get me on the team to help out. They were very accommodating and flexible for the working hours, days and overall duration, allowing me to feel relaxed as I could also place focus on university tasks. After the interview was over, they said that I was very welcome to start, meaning I had a very short and informal recruitment process.
What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones?
As I began my final year, I wanted to access the help offered by the Careers Zone before they became booked up. I arrived at the library asking if a member of the Careers Zone was free to consult with me regarding my CV. Luckily, there was. We discussed different types of CVs, and which would be most suited to my employment history, and the area of work I wish to go into. Since speaking with the team, I have made three separate CVs: a skills-based CV that is most beneficial with my short employment history, a marketing CV and a copywriting CV. As well as this, they helped me with the editing process, advising me on the words and phrases that would professionally convey my message.
What relevant work experience/ skills did you use during the selection process?
During my selection process, I was very confident with my CV and the skills that I had to offer from my time at university as well as past work experience. I had previously undertaken a summer internship at the university whereby I worked alongside a colleague to produce an exhibition and learning materials for students: we used Microsoft Office as well as the Adobe Suite and Wordpress for our various marketing methods. I familiarised myself with the art of blogging and writing for the audience, which was the main discussion point during my interview for Smaller Earth. Although these things might seem like normal abilities, they are skills valued by employers!
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
If you are stuck, and believe that you might not have the skills that are required for a job, or even if you just want to improve on this area, then there are many avenues of support. Sites that allow you to take free short courses such as Future Learn (I learned of this site in a meeting with Janine Melvin, Work-Related Learning Coordinator in the John Foster Building). The site allows you to take small courses, in your own time, to improve various skills such as computer literacy or learning about different ways food can be utilised as a medicine. As well as this, I suggest undertaking a placement in your free time, so that you can gain valuable time and experience in a work environment, focusing on building the skills that are looked for by employers such as how you work as a team member.
Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?
If I were to enter first year again, I would most definitely tell myself to relax more. I would also go to the Careers Zone and meet the team so that I could effectively sort out my CV at an earlier date as well as improving my interviewing skills: it is another way the Careers Zone can help students, by offering mock interviews, tips and tricks. Otherwise, I am very happy with the university experience and I would not change a thing!
What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
There were many group projects throughout university, which allowed me to work with a range of people, personality types and group sizes. These opportunities also allowed me to experiment with different levels of management. For example, I was once the editor for a project, allowing me to set deadlines for other members and create a portfolio from many people that looked like it came from one person. This could be valued by your future employer, as there is generally a team that you work with and a brand identity that is strived to be met as a collective. Other than this, the second year of the course included a module that included a guest lecture from the writing industry. She gave us a considerable amount of tips on how to refine our writing as well as how to write for different occasions.
Any other advice you would give to students about their employability?
One small piece of advice given to me by a great lecturer called Clare Horrocks was that just because you do not meet every point on a job application, it does not mean that you are not very capable of doing the job and should not apply.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
AHMED ANSAR IS A MEDIA, CULTURE, COMMUNICATION GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS A SELF-EMPLOYED SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
What does your current job involve?
My current job consists of regularly posting for businesses across social media platforms, monitoring their growth, replying to comments and creating content. Simultaneously, training my junior up to excel in the industry.
How did you get to where you are today?
In 2020, I ran an events company with some friends finding a gap in the market for rap music in Liverpool. COVID disrupted this and it fell down. In 2020, I landed my first client freelancing for £1200 p/m. I then landed my second client for £800 p/m whilst in my third year at uni. I then went on to set up a marketing agency which failed. From this I networked in the industry and found a role at a property marketing agency to which I would be the ‘B’ man. At this current stage I am still at this agency and we are working towards making this a 7 figure business in the next three years.
Three things that I like about my Job:
❙ The freedom I have in terms of hours as a result of having a ‘hybrid’ work model.
❙ Unlimited holidays as I can take my laptop to any destination in the world!
❙ Being a big part in a small business. You feel more fulfilled and part of the team in comparison to a corporation.
What skills are important in your job?
❙ Understanding the consumer
❙ Digital marketing pitches
❙ Liaising with clients
❙ Social Media knowledge
❙ Monitoring current trends
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
How did your degree help you? My course helped guide me with all of these. From having a topic on consumer culture and studying the theory teaches you how to understand your audience. We also made mock marketing campaigns. This helped guide me into my role and made me understand what I am GENUINELY interested in. Starting off with MCC, I knew I had an interest in media, however I did not know what industry I wanted to be in. From the help of my lecturers (Claire especially) I got guidance of where I want to go. It’s more than being taught theory. It’s also advice, mentoring and learning the practical elements of the industry; even if that is more covertly.
What work experience / volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?
Work experience wise, I barely got any. I worked with a small agency in Bradford which did not treat their staff well. This taught me how to treat a business and people. As a child I freelanced in graphic design however, I believe I turned my own passions and interests into my career.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
Find what you love and give it your all. If you don’t succeed the first time around, that’s okay. There’s always the next try, and the next try, and the next try. Times can get hard but you’ve got to picture your end goal and take all the necessary steps to get there. You will.
JAMIE HARRIS GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN MEDIA, CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION FROM LJMU IN 2019 AND THEN WENT ON TO GET A MASTERS IN DIGITAL MARKETING. HE IS CURRENTLY WORKING AS A SOCIAL MEDIA EXECUTIVE AT THG.
What does your current job involve?
My job involves a range of things including - managing social activities and conceptualising ideas; briefing ideas and assets to designers; running awareness and engagement ads for FB & IG; writing and proofing copy; reporting and tracking and activating brand partnerships and competitions. I also collaboratively working with Influencers, Paid Media and Studio teams supporting wider marketing campaigns and manage apprentices and provide structured development to enable their growth.
How did you get to where you are today?
I used connections from LJMU and my LJMU internships to build recommendations on my LinkedIn profile. The LJMU paid internship during my 2nd year summer provided me with hands on experience that I could talk about in interviews in the future. I built a great relationship with my manager who wrote me an excellent reference on my LinkedIn.
I also had a Social Media freelance job alongside my studies for a Manchester-based company managing all their socials. I was able to implement Mailchimp into their eco-system to allow for additional tracking and revenue.
Three things that I like about my Job:
❙ The creativity - I get to plan, create and animate assets for client’s social media platforms and this is probably the best part.
❙ Every day is different, I could be working on a campaign in a foreign language editing assets, activating competitions on socials or
shooting mobile first reactive content for TikTok or IG reels.
❙ It’s a global company, I get to work with many well-known companies like Nestle and Campari! I’ve managed accounts in Japan, Australia, Germany, America and Jamaica. This definitely changes how and the way that you work as you’re exposed to many issues or regulations that you wouldn’t expect in the UK. It is great experience from a global perspective.
What skills are important in your job?
Being able to conduct yourself professionally with clients (client relations and management), good presentation and time keeping skills. My degree and masters gave me the building blocks to get to where I am today.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
As important as the degree(s) is, work experience is vital and will take you so much further. If possible, volunteer at a company or complete an LJMU internships or placement. I would highly recommend creating a LinkedIn profile and working on personal branding especially if you don’t have that much work experience. I would also suggest having a great selection of connections and staying up to date with your area of speciality updates – social media marketing evolves hourly!
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HISTORY
GRADUATE
CASE STUDY
AFTER GRADUATING WITH A HISTORY DEGREE, GEORGE LANDALE GAINED A PLACE ON THE NATIONAL GRADUATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (NGDP) AS A NATIONAL MANAGEMENT TRAINEE.
Tell us about the Graduate Scheme you are on?
The Graduate Scheme I am on trains and supports graduates to provide Local Authorities with high-calibre managers. They provide me with training, development and a qualification so once I finish my 2 years I can apply for management positions. The scheme fast tracks my career in the public sector and gives me the opportunity to have placements in key strategic areas across the council, such as policy, social care, transformation or human resources. Councils across the country are involved in the scheme giving you the ability to choose where you want to work.
Why did you decide to apply for a Graduate Training Scheme?
A number of reasons! I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do after university but knew that many of the graduate schemes accept any degree subject and so would allow me to apply for a variety of positions. You can also climb the career ladder very quickly on graduate schemes and most have some form of qualification to complete at the same time, this puts you in a good position to advance your career quickly. Finally, the competitive starting salarya perk for a first job after university
What does your job involve? Typical day:
I’m currently working as a Project Manager looking at ways to make a service more efficient by discovering issues and trying to find the best solution to solve these. I attend meetings, have objectives set, write reports and move to different service teams every four months depending on the project.
Three things I like about my job:
❙ Variety. I get the opportunity to work with a wide range of people in different roles and different departments so I can get the whole experience of Local Government.
❙ Exposure. I have a senior director as my personal mentor, my Chief Executive is very aware of the work I do and takes interest in my time on the scheme. There is a real desire for graduates to come and work in departments due to their track record of work.
❙ Trust. It’s not just a graduate scheme, it is a full-time job, and as
a graduate I am trusted to manage some very high profile projects and have the support in order to actually complete them and make a difference.
What was the recruitment process like? Tops tips for students?
The application process took about 6 months in total from it’s closing date to the final interview. During this time I had to register my interest and eligibility, then complete four online tests (verbal, numerical, and logical reasoning skills along with my understanding of the NGDP key behaviours), after this I did a video interview, then a half day assessment centre and then finally I undertook my interviews at my chosen councils. My top tips for applying for a Graduate Scheme are;
❙ Don’t apply unless you can see yourself doing the job, do some research about the scheme - if you’re not really bothered it really shows in interviews.
❙ Practice the online tests it can make all the difference.
❙ Don’t be dismayed by how long it takes between each stage, they need to know they’re getting the right candidates.
❙ Don’t get disheartened if you’re not successful, it took me being rejected for 9 different schemes before I got my job.
What I wish I’d known as a student:
How much help the university can offer in relation to employability such as CV support, careers advice, work experience opportunities etc. I regret not making the most of the resources that were there. It’s also okay not to know what you want to do, I never thought I’d end up working for the Local Government, don’t rush just because you think it’s expected, take it at your own pace. Finally make the most of the time that’s available whilst youre at university, network and experience different job types, it can really help having a variety of experience during the application process.
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EMMA MARSHALL IS A HISTORY GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS AN ANTI-TRAFFICKING OUTREACH CASEWORKER FOR A CHARITY
What does your job involve?
As a Caseworker, I provide outreach support for women who have been victims of human trafficking and modern slavery. Outreach service involves travelling to visit clients on a weekly basis and assessing their current level of support and to resolve any outstanding problems for that individual. I ensure my client's ECAT needs are being met, for example ensuring clients have safe and suitable accommodation, access to health care, access to education, access to interpretation services, providing information and signposting to services such as counselling. This involves regular liaising with professionals in the field. I also provide practical assistance and attend support services or solicitor and medical appointments with my clients, as I am often the closest thing they have to a friend or family member, albeit, I have to ensure I maintain a professional and confidential boundary. Essentially, I am the advocate for my clients and the ultimate aim of my role is to empower these women towards a level of independence so that they can support themselves in their future.
What do you like most about your job:
It is extremely unpredictable and diverse so I am constantly challenging myself. I can see my client's progress that I find extremely rewarding, and I feel a huge sense of satisfaction, especially when I know that I have been a key player in their progress. I also enjoy the sense of responsibility and I like to be an important figure in someone's life and journey to recovery. I love the fact my job is different. I have casual hours and no fixed place of work so I travel a lot and spend each day in a different place. I think this type of working environment allows me to thrive because I am not office based engaging in the same type of work each day.
What did the application / selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?
I completed an online application that was not too demanding, and I was able to draw upon my volunteering experiences and transferable skills. To prepare for the interview I researched the organisation and discovered how it began, what its values were, who the key people in the charity were and other general information. I researched further into the sector of human trafficking, so I had knowledge about what it is and how it occurs. I also watched some documentaries and read articles but mostly because I was fascinated by it. Furthermore, I made some connections on LinkedIn to people who worked at the charity and I messaged them to ask for anything that could help me in the selection process. This was certainly helpful and I would recommend this to other people. Finally, I ensured that I had memorised a lot of the information and I had a mock interview with my dad. This was perhaps the best thing I could have done to prepare, as my dad orientated questions around my skills and asked how I would transfer them into work, and asked for examples. This helped me prepare because my
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interview involved a considerable amount of personal questions, rather than knowledge of the sector. Most importantly, the interviewers wanted me to present evidence to the claims I was making about myself. Therefore, I think a practice interview served me best because it prepared me for self-reflection that was something I wanted to avoid.
What relevant work experience / skills / volunteering / Student Union activities did you use during the selection process?
I completed a work-based learning placement module in my third year. I chose to volunteer for a charity that works with refugee women and this experience that led me to work in this sector. Work-based learning provided me with different skills to those I gained during my degree and it provided me with an insight into the charitable sector, in which I now work. Most importantly however, volunteering offered me experiences and coping mechanisms that have been invaluable for my current job. I was able to draw on these experiences and use them as examples during my interview, which certainly helped me pass the selection process, as I was able to support the statements that I was making about myself. Furthermore, during the selection process I talked a lot about my History degree and transferable skills. My potential employers were interested in my degree and particularly, in my communication skills. I talked about my written, reading and oral communications skills and demonstrated these skills with experiences I had at university. For example, I was able to back up my claim of good oral skills with the marks I had achieved in presentations and, similarly written skills with my dissertation. I also explained how historians learn to develop research skills, developing concise arguments, to be critical and diligent, and significantly, to work alone. The fact that a lot of a History degree is selflearning is a positive as I was able to prove to an employer that I can work independently and as part of a team.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
I would certainly recommend volunteering in order to improve your employability because you can back up statements you make about yourself with experience that you have gained. Volunteering may also broaden a person's ideas of what different sectors and jobs are available. In my experience, I did not know that my current job existed until I volunteered and gained an insight into the charitable sector. I would suggest that students engage in some self-reflection and think about their strengths and weaknesses. This will help you to understand what type of environment you may or may not wish to work in after graduation. Self-reflection will also prepare you for an interview.
HISTORY GRADUATE JEREMY ARON AQUINO IS NOW UNDERTAKING A POSTGRADUATE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE QUALIFIED TEACHING STATUS GRADUATE CASE
Why did you decide to apply for teacher training?
I have decided to do teacher training as I have an interest in becoming a teacher in the future. This is because I believe in creating a positive impact on young individuals intellectually as well as turning them into bright citizens.
What did the application process involve for the programme?
The application for the Teacher Training programme involved a personal statement. Once your personal statement was accepted, an interview is required after the applicant day. During the applicant day, you would have to impress your interviewer and show your knowledge, experience and passion for teaching.
What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones?
I had an amazing help from the staff in the Careers Zone. They were very helpful and supportive on what I needed to achieve after my final year in university. They have helped me through my teacher training application such as my personal statement for it to be successful. How have you benefited from previous work experience?
I have gained recent work experience in my former high school, in which I worked alongside my former teachers and gained experience in working with younger people and experience what a classroom environment is like from the teacher's perspective.
Would you do anything differently in terms of career planning if you were a first-year undergraduate student again?
I would have planned more and gained more work experience in other high schools to experience different environments other than my former high school.
What are you your plans after finishing your postgraduate programme?
Hopefully, after I have achieved my Qualified Teaching Status (QTS), I can finally achieve to become a full-time teacher and start teaching history.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
AMBAR ENNIS GRADUATED FROM LJMU IN 2021 WITH A BA (HONS) DEGREE IN HISTORY; SHE WENT ON TO WORK AT THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNITY & WELLBEING FOR JOHN MOORES STUDENTS’ UNION (JMSU).
What does your current job involve?
The students of LJMU voted me in during my final year of study. I represent student interests and act as an advocate for the student voice with Executive Leadership of the university. I run campaigns to raise awareness and promote equality. My big objective for this year is to establish a permanent internal food pantry. I liaise with many students to gauge their experiences and feelings towards policy changes, and I can then present this data to lobby for change in LJMU.
How did you get to where you are today?
In my first year of study, I did a university internship where I curated a report on the benefits of having free period products across campus in LJMU. JMSU had been conducting a pilot trial of free products. I presented my findings to the university executive and they pledged a recurring fee to provide these products across campus and to actively work to dismantle stigma and negative discourse around menstruation. Being a part of something so positive and inspiring encouraged me to run in the part time liberation officer elections. In my second and third years, I was the women’s officer and ran campaigns on period positivity, women’s safety and gynaecological health conditions. This gave me a huge part to play in working to better things for the student experience and to champion marginalised voices. It also opened up lots of connections for me in the university and externally which I have maintained. When it came to running for the VP role, I had established myself firmly in the student community and this enabled me to feel confident that I could truly represent them.
Three things I like about my job:
❙ Making new connections all the time. One I made through work invited me to a women’s networking event in the House of Lords!
❙ Feeling like I am making a difference.
❙ The autonomy to design campaigns I’m passionate about.
What skills are important in your job? Did your degree help you? Confidence in speaking with new people, especially people who may feel more senior than you - and being clear on what you’re asking for (eg from the Vice-Chancellor), as opposed to leaving it open to interpretation.
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Researching issues so that your case is backed up by evidence. My history degree undoubtedly helped me develop this skill.
My degree definitely helped me find my passions for representing marginalised voices and empowering their stories. This has definitely led me to being so committed to representing all students in my current role.
Compromise and negotiation are imperative in doing well in this job. Not everyone is automatically inclined to your point of view and it can feel incredibly frustrating and disheartening. Being willing to compromise, you will encourage more people to come over to your side and endorse your cause.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
Find free courses on Harvard and Oxford university websites. They are reputable institutions, it doesn’t cost you anything, you learn something, and it clearly demonstrates your dedication to advancing your career and that you have an interest in being wellrounded.
Use LinkedIn to document everything you do. Even if it’s a quick post to tell people about an experience you had in a gallery and how much you enjoy and value accessible art exhibitions. Use this app to ask people questions about how they got to where they.
I would also ask about starting a blog in your department and getting it on the LJMU website so that you can then link all your posts to your LinkedIn profile and show your dedication to your field.
Use LJMU’s Student Futures Team. They have such brilliant experience and knowledge they want to share with you and it can really make the difference in how your application stands out.
JOHN FINNEGAN GRADUATED WITH A HISTORY DEGREE FROM LJMU AND HAS JUST SECURED A NEW ROLE AS AN NHS GENERAL MANAGER FOR THE CHIEF NURSE CLINICAL SERVICE UNIT IN LEEDS
After completing his studies, John went on to do a number of different roles ranging from sales to project management across various sectors including technology, education and healthcare. He then went on to work as the Senior Manager for the Attraction and Recruitment function of the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, one of the top graduate schemes in the country according to the Times Top 100. He has recently secured a new role at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust as a General Manager for the Chief Nurse Clinical Service Unit supporting the nursing operation within a £1.3bn funded NHS organisation.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
TOM TOWARD GRADUATED FROM LJMU WITH A DEGREE IN HISTORY. HE THEN WENT ON TO DO A MASTERS IN DEFENCE, DIPLOMACY AND DEVELOPMENT AT DURHAM UNIVERSITY. HE SECURED A PLACE ON A 2-YEAR GRADUATE SCHEME WITH THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AS A CORPORATE SERVICE GROUP (CSG) GRADUATE IN DEFENCE, EQUIPMENT & SUPPORT (DES). THE CSG GRADUATE SCHEME IS A TWO-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOCUSED AROUND CORPORATE SERVICES ROLES ACROSS DIFFERENT AREAS OF DES.
How did you get to where you are today?
Whilst at university I consistently volunteered in opportunities that seemed interesting, which helped me refine my career choice as well as strengthen my CV. I found part-time work gave me significant confidence in the workplace and up-to-date experiences to relay to employers. When applying for my current role I tailored my CV specifically and spent a significant amount of time learning about Defence, Equipment and Support at the Civil Service so that I could develop my interview strategy, ask relevant questions, and be ready for the questions that were asked.
Three things I like about my job:
❙ Opportunities to work across the business to gain experience.
❙ Integrated formal learning and continuous development.
❙ Clear and varied pathways for progression.
What skills are important in your job? Did your degree help you? My job requires full use of a repertoire of soft skills on a daily basis, which my degree helped build. While it might seem too obvious to suggest working in a team, managing your own workload and time, and being an effective communicator, these are things employers want evidence of, which my degree enabled me to provide. I also frequently perform research and formal writing, and a degree in history has few equals in that regard.
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What work experience / volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?
As part of Erasmus+, I volunteered with the Malta Red Cross for two months in my second year. As part of a third-year work-based module, I interned for a charity in Liverpool for a year. As my degree concluded I was awarded funding for an internship in Vietnam for two months. Each of these experiences, which were facilitated and funded by LJMU, gave me great life experience, a realistic view of what working would look like, and looked great on paper. While I was applying for relevant work I also maintained a job in retail, which gave me significant example of soft skills and behaviours to use in interviews.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
If you’re able, I would suggest utilising every volunteering opportunity you can, or any other form of work, and always be thinking about how you talk about what you’ve experienced. In my experience, employers aren’t interested in your job titles, just skills or behaviours you can talk about in a STAR format. I also found volunteering and working gave me more confidence which translates well across employment.
MARIAN BICHARA GAINED A FIRST-CLASS HISTORY DEGREE FROM LJMU IN 2012 AND THEN WENT ON TO DO AN MA IN SCREENWRITING AT LJMU AND NOW WORKS AS A STORYLINER ON HOLLYOAKS FOR LIME PICTURES
Marian feels it was the smaller stories within the bigger stories that gained her interest whilst studying history and she wanted to explore them further and creatively by bringing them off the history textbook page and onto a screenplay. Marian spent her masters writing feature length screenplays on the Hitler Youth and the White Rose. Following her MA, Marian went to work on a documentary in Egypt and then on various feature films and short films in the UK. For the last 4 years Marian has been working at Hollyoaks Channel 4 as a production co-ordinator. Marian has a place to join the writing team in June this year. This will be her first official TV writing credit with the hopes of then obtaining a literacy agent and hopefully one day producing her own historical drama screenplays.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
EMMA MARSHALL GRADUATED FROM LJMU WITH A FIRST CLASS HISTORY DEGREE IN 2018 AND NOW WORKS AS AN HONOUR BASED ABUSE SUPPORT WORKER FOR SAVERA.
With over four years of experience working in the third sector, Emma has developed a thorough understanding of traumatic and life controlling issues facing Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Victims of Modern Slavery and how to aid their recovery. Emma is involved in advocating, supporting, motivating and signposting clients with an empowered approach. Emma is currently supporting survivors of “honour based” abuse, working alongside professionals in multi-agency setting to mitigate risks to safeguard the individuals. She is also involved in raising awareness and contributing towards valuable research. Emma is also a qualified Mental Health First Aider.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
BRIDIE SMITH GRADUATED WITH A BA (HONS) HISTORY DEGREE IN 2018. SHE THEN WENT ON TO COMPLETE HER GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN LAW AND HER LEGAL PRACTICE COURSE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF LAW AND NOW WORKS AS A PARALEGAL FOR DWF
What does your current job involve?
❙ Support various practice areas including commercial, real estate, employment and banking.
❙ Assist commercial solicitors on files by drafting legal documentation including letters of claim, witness statements, particulars of claim and instructions to counsel.
❙ Oversee residential sales for the real estate department through managing my own case load.
❙ Supervise other paralegal work as I am at the highest paralegal career level.
❙ Collate bundles for court and drafting indexes.
❙ Undertake data subject access reviews.
How did you get to where you are today?
I applied through the firm’s website – it is usually a straightforward process applying to be a paralegal. I had to upload my CV and the interview was competency based.
Three things I like about my job:
❙ Building rapport with internal and external clients
❙ The team environment
❙ Range of instructions varying from drafting exercises including letters of claim, witness statements to managing house sale transactions.
What skills are important in your job? Did your degree help you?
❙ Attention to detail
❙ Time management
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❙ Working in a team
❙ Working independently
❙ Working under pressure
Studying history helped me to build on these skills, particularly when writing my dissertation and managing deadlines in my final year.
What work experience / volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?
I carried out pro bono work whilst at the University of Law and I obtained work experience and mini pupillages at law firms and barristers’ chambers. This stood me in good stead to apply for paralegal jobs alongside the transferable skills I gained studying History at undergraduate level. I am currently applying for training contracts to become a solicitor.
What advice would you give to other history students to improve their employability?
Reach out to people – LinkedIn is a great way of connecting with others in the sector you’re looking to go into, and many will be willing to help. I reached out to an in-house lawyer at Everton Football Club as I am interested into going into contract law at a sports club and she invited me to go to the Everton office in the Liver Building for a chat.
HATTIE LOWE GRADUATED WITH A HISTORY DEGREE IN JULY 2019 AND THEN WENT ON TO DO A MASTERS AT CHESTER UNIVERSITY IN SUSTAINABLE HERITAGE. SHE NOW WORKS AS A PROGRAMMING AND PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER FOR THE NATIONAL TRUST.
What does your current job involve?
My role is very varied and includes planning spirit of place events, driving visitor numbers, working on the education programme and managing social media and the website. I also work closely with the archive and conservation teams to produce inspirational storytelling and /exhibitions interpretation of the site. I also work closely with volunteers, and community partners to develop a meaningful visitor experience, and solidify the significance of the property to both local and national/ international visitors.
How did you get to where you are today?
A large part of me getting this role was due to networking- I found out about this role through the connections I had made during other jobs.
The recruitment process for my current role was strange as it was done during the pandemic. A teams interview is very different and somehow more nerve wracking than a face to face interview.
Three things I like about my job:
1. The creativity
2. Working in living history
3. The variety
What skills are important in your job? Did your degree help you?
My degree has helped me massively in my career so far. The communications skills gained throughout my degree were invaluable.
The analytical skills built up through studying primary sources have
been key in helping develop my skills in working on exhibitions and interpretation. Working under pressure
Studying history helped me to build on these skills, particularly when writing my dissertation and managing deadlines in my final year.
What work experience / volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?
I have worked hard to achieve my current position, and it has been a long-term goal of mine. I started working for the National Trust as a Visitor Welcome Assistant when I was 18 and continued to do so throughout university. During this time, I also volunteered at the World Museum in Liverpool in their education department. Finally, I undertook an internship in social media, which aided me in getting invaluable experience outside of the museums and heritage industry. After leaving university I became the visitor experience assistant at Attingham Park. I was made redundant during the Covid-19 pandemic, however this led to achieving my new role, which is a real dream.
What advice would you give to other history students to improve their employability?
Don’t apply for random roles but rather pick roles which will aid in you achieving your next career goals. Tailor your CV and cover letter to the role.
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What does your job involve?
Managing television airtime for QVC TV Channels and analysing sales to improve customer engagement and experience.
How did you get to where you are today?
In the summers during my time at university, I worked at a print and design company as a part-time sales assistant. I also had work experience at the BBC and Daily Express newspaper.
Being completely honest coming out of university, I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do and I felt a little lost after graduating. I moved back home to London and started the job hunt. After about two months of constant interviews, I was able to get a marketing internship at a ski travel company working in a small team of 6. The internship was initially to help them over their busy Christmas period from October to November, but I ended up staying until February. As it was such a small team I was exposed to and involved in a lot of projects which proved to be invaluable experience. When I knew the internship was coming to an end, I started the job hunt again – as well as applying through normal job applications, I also signed up to temp agencies. Big companies use temp agencies and it is a good way to get your foot in the door. Through the temp agency I was able to get an interview at QVC to temp for them as a multi-channel programmer. After three months in the job, the opportunity came for me to interview to become a permanent employee at QVC. I was successful and have been there ever since!
Three things that I like about my job:
1. I like that I can see real time results from my actions and how the work I do is impacting the wider business.
2. Working collaboratively with all parts of the business.
3. Great and friendly atmosphere to work in – even during the pandemic. Everyone is approachable.
What skills are important in your job? Did your degree help you? Analysis is a key skill in my job, and I would say that studying history aided me to do this – sifting through sources, analysis of these sources
for evidence to back up your argument really contributes to the way I work now when looking at figures and metrics.
Another key skill is communication, both written and verbal. Essays as well as presentations I did at university helped me to become coherent in my communication when emailing or speaking to anyone in the business or externally.
What work experience / volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?
My marketing internship was key to getting me to where I am today. Having the new skills I had learned as well as knowledge of how a business works and how your role plays a part in it was key to my interview for my position today.
What advice would you give to other history students to improve their employability?
1. Use the LJMU Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team. I had numerous meetings with Anja where she guided me in writing my CV – from structuring it to the wording. It was a big help!
2. Do free online courses – many websites are available, I used FutureLearn. There are thousands of things to choose from and you can mention these in your CV.
3. If you have the capacity to be able to get an internship or some office experience, whether paid or unpaid, then do it. My current manager said she wanted a graduate who at least had some experience in an office environment and understood the basics of how a company works.
4. Sign up to a temp agency to get your foot in the door.
5. Big yourself up! Confidence is key.
Niamh saw an advert for the Wirral Graduate Scheme that was posted on the LJMU History Community CANVAS site and applied. She was successful getting through the recruitment process and is now a Graduate Officer at Wirral Council. The Wirral Graduate Schemes is a two-year programme during which graduates have the opportunity to develop their skills and experience ‘on the job’, whilst also undertaking a qualification. Click here to find out more about Wirral’s Graduate Programme
KATIE DOHERTY IS A HISTORY GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS A MULTI-CHANNEL PROGRAMMER AT QVC UK
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SAMUEL LAPPIN GRADUATED FROM LJMU WITH A BA (HONS) IN HISTORY IN 2019.
HE IS NOW A RISK AND CONTROL OVERSIGHT ANALYST IN THE PLANNING & PERFORMANCE TEAM FOR LLOYDS BANKING GROUP.
What does your job involve?
My role is varied and entails a mix of event project management when a risk to the bank is identified and stakeholder management. On a day-to-day basis, I am often handling up to 40 issues at once and jumping from meeting to meeting. I’m responsible for engaging the correct people and progressing the issue to closure as fast as possible so we can put customers and the bank back to the correct position. I also present high-level summaries in presentation form to senior management.
How did you get to where you are today?
I got a job as a telephone agent following university and thought it was just a stopgap. However, my degree proved very useful in terms of understanding complex issues, analytic thinking and written communication. I got to where I am today by gaining experience across a variety of departments across the bank and specifically my work on ‘Group Transformation’ where I designed and tested new processes and systems.
Three things that I like about my job:
1. It’s always different and you never know where the day will go, you can start with nothing planned and end the day feeling very satisfied when you’ve completed several time critical tasks.
2. I am now able to delegate work to other people and present results.
3. Working in a corporate environment can be stressful but it’s a great career and the transferrable skills I have developed will be useful in most industries for my future career.
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What skills are important in your job? Did your degree help you?
Stakeholder management, project management, time management and planning, being able to understand complex problems, delegation, understanding of Microsoft programmes and confidence to speak up. My degree definitely helped me develop these skills and demonstrate them in the workplace.
What work experience / volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?
My marketing internship was key to getting me to where I am today. Having the new skills I had learned as well as knowledge of how a business works and how your role plays a part in it was key to my interview for my position today.
What advice would you give to other history students to improve their employability?
Work hard on your degree and also having a student job can look great on your CV as well as improving your real world skills. I worked in retail both before and during university. Do not stress if you don’t have lots of volunteering experience, paid work is just as important and useful!
CHARLOTTE CLAYTON-HAYES GRADUATED WITH A FIRST CLASS HISTORY DEGREE IN 2021, AND SHE WENT ON TO SECURE A POSITION AS VICE PRESIDENT FOR EDUCATION FOR JMSU
In her current role, Charlotte is responsible for ensuring students at LJMU are represented. Charlotte attends university committee meetings and works to ensure students are getting the best quality education. She also organises and run campaigns on behalf of JMSU on educationrelated issues and topics she is passionate about. Charlotte’s top tip to current history students to boost their employability would be to engage with the Students Union as much as possible and to get involved with any opportunities the university and the union have to offer. For example, Charlotte travelled to Indonesia in her second year with Go Global. Charlotte also feels being a part of sports teams and societies are also a huge part of the University experience which can help you feel connected to other people and part of a team. She feels these kind of things really help to reveal your own passions and skills which you can draw on in the future.
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GRADUATE CASE STUDY
MACEY MAE READ IS A SOCIOLOGY GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS A THERAPY COORDINATOR FOR A LEADING ADOPTION SUPPORT AGENCY
It has been five years since I first moved to Liverpool to study for a Sociology degree at Liverpool John Moores University.
When I left university, I had no real idea of what I wanted to get into and was very anxious about needing a job so I applied, very randomly, to work as a customer service representative for a waste company (which I managed to stick at for six months before realising I hated it and therefore quit).
I then took some time out of work, to search for jobs that were perhaps degree-related and more in line with what I wanted to do long-term. I started to look for charity work, as this is what I was most interested in, at the time. I was lucky enough to have chosen the World of Work module at LJMU, whereby I volunteered at a food bank for nine months in Liverpool, and also did some casual volunteering at homeless shelters in London, whilst at home during the holidays.
This experience was most valuable when applying for charity jobs, as every single job I wanted to apply for required some kind of voluntary or paid work in the field. I therefore detailed my voluntary experience in all of my applications. I was then lucky enough to land an interview with Victim Support to be a support worker for their national Homicide Service. I thought this job was way out of my reach but the interview went well
and I got the job. They were most impressed with my voluntary experience whilst at university and were very interested in my degree in Sociology. In my interview, I was able to explain how my degree provided me with many useful transferable skills and how sociology teaches you to look at the world differently. Being able to understand equality and diversity was an essential requirement for my role, and this was something that I gained from studying Sociology at LJMU.
I very much enjoyed my job but unfortunately, I had to search for new roles as charity work is extremely demanding and sadly, also extremely underpaid if you are working at entry level like I was. Therefore, this led me to apply for my current job, where I am a therapy coordinator for a leading adoption support agency. My new role requires me to liaise with parents, therapists and social workers all over the country, to schedule therapy programmes for children who have been adopted and are experiencing trauma because of this. My degree was also useful in applying for this role, firstly because they wanted a graduate but, again, also because of the transferable skills that it provided me with.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
TOM BARNES GRADUATED FROM LJMU IN 2011 WITH A BA (HONS) IN SOCIOLOGY AND WENT ON TO DO AN MSC IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES AT SOAS (SCHOOL OF AFRICAN AND ORIENTAL STUDIES) IN LONDON. TOM IS NOW THE DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNICATIONS AT WAR ON WANT.
What does your current job involve?
War on Want is an International Human Rights and Anti-poverty charity who works in the UK and with partners around the world to fight poverty and defend human rights, as part of the movement for global justice. They are an organisation of about 25 and Tom leads a team of seven on the public engagement side.
He has been in this role for nearly 2 years after several years of working for various charities and NGOs of different sizes in addition to doing freelance writing and activism. He is also the co-founder and trustee of a small organization called Article 11 that works on police accountability and protest rights.
What does your job involve day-to-day?
All aspects of our public facing work so that might be looking at the stories and experiences of our partners in the global South and thinking how we can amplify these voices and experiences. This might involve getting placed media, writing blogs or often its writing petitions or other forms of digital online actions that we can push out to try to influence decision makers towards the change that we want in the world. I am also responsible for income generation for the charity so that ranges from sending out public appeals for support to working on large grant funded contracts for projects with particular aims and purposes.
What do you like about your role?
I really value that I’m working for a cause and a political purpose that I believe in. My interests in this developed during my time studying in Liverpool, a city with a rich political and cultural history. Alongside lecturers and staff who got us to think critically and think beyond just what needs to be done for the exams. But it wasn't necessarily smooth sailing getting to where I am today!
POSTGRADUATE CASE STUDY
What were the challenges you faced? How did you overcome them?
It is tough to get going in your career of choice. After university, I went straight onto a Masters. I struggled to fund this and had to get a loan and a live in job in a pub in London. I worked most weekends and after my masters, I thought I would walk straight into a job. However, that didn’t happen. I worked for another year running a bar in West London whilst trying to work out what to do next. During that time however, it was doing activism and networking in my spare time and lots of unpaid work for charities and NGOs that led to paid freelance work and then ultimately these converted into permanent positions.
What would be your advice or tips for students looking to get into political activism?
Get yourself known and fill your time getting to know people who work in the organisations you want to work in. Go to open days, workshops, protests etc. You get to know the work they do, what is important and then this improves the quality of job applications you start to submit.
I recruit people into our organisation and shortlist applications. You need to write targeted focused applications, look at the person specification and systematically think carefully about how you match all the criteria. You need to be strategic about how you write your applications; it’s better to send off fewer high quality applications than lots of badly written ones.
EMILY MUTTITT IS A SOCIOLOGY GRADUATE WHO IS NOW STUDYING FOR A MASTERS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Why did you decide to apply for your postgraduate course?
I decided to apply for postgraduate study having realised the career path I wish to go down and wanting to gain further knowledge within that field prior to exploring employment opportunities. I began volunteering with the Merseyside Offender Mentoring Programme and researching rehabilitation services during my final year module Work Placement 1 and discovered my previous desire for wanting to work within the Criminal Justice System was very much my desired option.
What did the application process involve for the programme?
The application process was rather simple. However, I would still recommend double- checking or having someone else check over the application. I applied directly through the link available online on the Criminal Justice MA page. The application requires a personal statement asking why you want to study this programme. I would recommend putting some time into this and giving considerable thought about the real reasons behind why your decision to choose postgraduate study, as you want to ensure it is the right one for you.
What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones or from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team?
I had a great support from Gary Douglas who works within the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team. We had discussions about why I wanted to continue to postgraduate study, how this would benefit my career path and to ensure I was applying for the right reasons. The support Gary has provided has been excellent and I shall continue to contact him throughout my postgraduate study and plan for future employment opportunities.
How have you benefited from previous work experience, career research, membership of professional bodies, involvement in Student Union?
I have benefited from volunteering at the Merseyside Offender Mentoring Programme and I will continue to volunteer with throughout my postgraduate study. It has provided a real eye- opener to potential career opportunities. The volunteering fair is a great opportunity to network and explore different options, as well as building a strong rapport with my personal tutor and lecturers.
Would you do anything differently in terms of career planning if you were a first-year undergraduate student again?
I would take advantage of the opportunities available to me. At the start of my third year, I felt this pressure of completing my degree, gaining experience and exploring my options. This opportunity is only available to you once therefore it is best to get involved with the University and explore the options that are available to you sooner. Whilst I am currently in a great place in terms of planning for my career, it came with a lot of stress having dealt with it in my third year and managing my studies.
What are you your plans after finishing your postgraduate programme / what are you doing since finishing?
After I complete my Masters in Criminal Justice, I would like to explore the option of continuing my education or I shall begin my career within the Criminal Justice Sector. Hopefully, working within a rehabilitation sector with current/ex-offenders.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
FRANKIE GORDON GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY AND NOW WORK AS AN HR ASSISTANT FOR VITAFLO INTERNATIONAL LTD
What does your current role involve?
As an HR Assistant, I am involved in the recruitment process of new staff, which includes assisting with reviewing CVs, shortlisting and arranging interviews, as well as reference and DBS checks, and some administration duties, such as managing the internal HR database. I will also be helping with a volunteering project with the head of HR, which I cannot wait to start!
What did the application and selection process involve?
The application process involved sending a CV and covering letter to the HR adviser. The first interview consisted of questions relating to my CV, my work experience and why I wanted to go into the HR sector, along with a few competency-based questions relating to communication and organisation. I was then offered a second interview where I had to give a short presentation on how I would go about creating a Vitaflo HR intranet page for internal staff members. As well as this, I was also given scenario-based questions relating specifically to an HR assistant role.
What help and support did you have from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team?
During the start of my third year, I met up with an Adviser to ensure I had a professional and up-to-date CV and for support on what types of questions to expect in interviews. I also had a mock interview to get a feel for a real interview setting. These meetings were extremely beneficial and I loved the fact they were all so supportive and involved with the process from start to finish. I definitely think other students should get as much help as possible from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team to improve their employability skills.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
How did you benefit from relevant work experience and volunteering?
I took a work-based learning module in my third year which was hugely beneficial for me in terms of gaining confidence, as I was working in an entirely new environment, getting out of my comfort zone and fundamentally gaining the relevant experience for the job I wanted. I volunteered at the LJMU Leadership and Development Team and completed some HR-related volunteering at the World Museum for around six months. As well as this, I worked for a charity which involved effective communication, organisation and prioritising. These skills were key on the job description for the HR assistant role and I ensured I sold my experience and skills effectively during the application and interview process.
What aspects of your degree did you find particularly useful? In HR, I need to understand the policies and procedures to follow. Taking a Sociology degree, I am able to link policies such as The Equality Act to my job, and it has also made me an openminded and less judgemental person, which is a key part in the HR profession, as you will be dealing with a variety of issues from questions on sickness leave, grievance and disciplinary procedures. My administration and MS Office skills are also hugely important for my role as an HR assistant. Having delivered presentations at university made the experience of giving a short presentation in front of the HR Adviser and the Head of HR a little less daunting.
Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?
I would consider looking at undergraduate internships that take place over the summer holidays or a year placement, as this increases your employability chances immensely.
CAITLIN PHILLIPS GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY AND NOW WORK A MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY PRACTITIONER AT IMAGINE INDEPENDENCE
What does your role involve on a day-to-day basis?
This role involves providing personalised support to a variety of individuals, to help them cope with their mental illnesses and encourage them to become as independent as possible. This is focused on a person-centred plan to assist people in the local community. Consistent support is vital for this role, acknowledging people's rights, choices and responsibilities. This is based in the same location where these individuals live, however, further support can be offered to take service users out for the day, to help with shopping etc.
What did the application and selection process involve?
The application process did not require a CV. Instead I completed an online application, which consisted of a series of questions, mostly focused on how and why you would be right for this role. I discussed my previous experience and skills and applied these to the job role and the questions being asked on the application. After being successful with my application, I was invited to an interview. This involved questions about myself, why I wanted this job and why I was a good fit for this role. The interviewers also discussed different scenarios and I was asked how I would react in certain situations.
What help and support did you have from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team while you studied at LJMU?
The team were amazing at offering support, including online resources. The most helpful thing was being able to book 1-2-1
meetings to fit around my schedule, and these allowed me to talk about anything I needed help with, including help to create a good CV, prepare for interviews etc. Even after graduating, I still had support from them, which is really amazing and has helped me be successful with my career.
What tips would you give other students to improve their employability?
For anyone trying to improve their employability, I suggest taking advantage of all the services the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team offers, especially 1-2-1 meetings. The most important thing for me was learning how to write a good CV and how to be successful during an interview. It is also helpful to get as much experience as possible so that you have relevant skills and experiences for certain job roles. If you feel like you don't have these skills or experiences, it would be really good to get involved with volunteering. Another thing to remember is to not put yourself down if you are not successful and to never give up. Before I secured this job, I was unsuccessful with two different job interviews, so it's important to understand you may not always get the job you want straightaway.
What are your plans for the future?
In the future, I hope to go back to university to use the skills and experience from being a mental health recovery practitioner to become a mental health nurse.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
CORA SHAFTO GRADUATED WITH A BA (HONS) SOCIOLOGY DEGREE IN 2013 AND NOW WORKS AS A COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER FOR CLAIRE HOUSE CHILDREN'S HOSPICE.
What does your current job involve?
The job is divided into several areas. One is stewarding individuals and Claire House families that fundraise for the hospice. I look after community groups who fundraise, like the Women Institutes, golf clubs etc. The other major part of my job is to manage and train speakers, who are specialised volunteers who go out into the community to tell people about what we do and how they can help.
How did you get to where you are today?
I originally worked in a solicitors firm as my first job out of university for around a year and then moved to a housing association. I helped people with their right to buy applications and did leasehold management. I always enjoyed the community side of the role, but not necessarily the role itself. So when the business underwent a restructure I decided to look at different roles and applied for my current role at Claire House.
Three things I like about my job:
❙ Variety. No two days are the same!
❙ Job satisfaction. I love going to work every day.
❙ Workplace. The people I work with in this role are everything I could ever ask for.
What skills are important in your job? Did your degree help you?
❙ Being a people person & being approachable
❙ Being able to multi task and think on your feet.
❙ Being kind! Always.
What work experience / volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?
During my time at university I was a student advocate which helped
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
me to develop strong communication and interpersonal skills.
I also volunteered for a few different charities throughout university & helped my mum at her care home when I was younger. All of this has meant that I have gathered ideas about what interests me!
In my third year I also went to Nepal & did studies there about female owned businesses. Whilst there, I got to experience so much I had never dreamed of & managed to cure my panic attacks on the trip. It really opened my eyes to the world!
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
Employers want to know what you have been up to outside of university studies as well. How do you fill your time? Do you volunteer? What makes you interesting? Do you have a cool hobby? They want to know what makes you, you!
How has studying sociology helped you in your career? Sociology has helped me in every realm of the workplace. I understand society deeper because of my studies and I have a greater grasp on why people do the things they do. From that, I think I have developed a much stronger sense of emotional intelligence & that is why I fit in my current team.
KELLY TEEBOON COMPLETED A SOCIOLOGY DEGREE AND THEN WENT ON TO STUDY FOR AN MRES IN CRITICAL SOCIAL SCIENCE. SHE NOW WORKS AS A FUNDRAISING & SUPPORT OFFICER AT THE WOMEN’S HEALTH INFORMATION & SUPPORT CENTRE (WHISC)
What does your current job involve?
I am currently responsible for the day to day fundraising at WHISC. This includes bid writing and community fundraising. I work with city region partners as well as local authorities, strategy groups and other third sector organisations across the city. I also monitor impact of the organisation, collecting and collating data and demographics to show the impact of the work we do as an organisation.
How did you get to where you are today?
Whilst at university I studied the work based learning module, where I was able to work alongside Kay Standing on the Tender project, where I later gained a graduate internship. In my second year I visited Nepal with Sara Parker, working with not for profit organisations. Alongside this I founded the Feminist Society at the Students Union and attended NUS conferences alongside my degree.
During my master’s degree, I worked as a Research Assistant looking at the prevalence of sexual violence at university. Alongside this I was an organiser for Reclaim the Night Liverpool. The extra activities I did alongside my degree helped me to realise that I wanted to work for the third sector.
During this time, I was employed at the student’s union and after graduation I went to work alongside a number of charity organisations
including RASA (Merseyside Rape and Sexual Abuse service) and LDAS (Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service) and the Directory for Social Change. I then began working at WHISC, where I have now been for 4 years.
Three things I like about my job:
❙ Working with partners across the city
❙ Researching impact
❙ Working with women from different backgrounds
What skills are important in your job? Did your degree help you?
❙ Research (MRes massively helped)
❙ Patience
❙ Empathy
❙ Social Awareness (Sociology)
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
Make sure you do extra activity alongside your degree, that is what will make you stand out from other graduates. Don’t worry if you don’t know exactly what you want to do yet, you will learn a lot of transferable skills that can be applied to so many different roles.
ENGLISH
DEGREE AND NOW WORKS AS AN AREA MANAGER FOR ALDI GRADUATE CASE STUDY
What does your graduate scheme involve?
My job involves managing an area of three stores in the Stoke / Newcastle-under-Lyme area. I am responsible for planning the targets of all three stores for sales, wastage, payroll and recruitment.
I am the personnel leader for all hourly paid employees in my three stores; this means I deal with anything related to recruitment, disciplinary, wages, grievances, contract changes etc. All Area Managers on the programme start in store and learn how to do every aspect of the role from working deliveries as a Store Assistant to running a store as the Store Manager.
Why did you decide to apply for a graduate scheme?
I applied for a graduate scheme as I liked the training structure that Aldi offered which enabled you to be given a lot of responsibility instantly but you learnt the necessary skills to be successful in the role over a period of time.
Three things you like about your job:
❙ People - whether leaders, colleagues and direct reports, they make the region!
❙ Flexibility - I am able to run my area like my own business and make my own decisions and plan my own time.
❙ Challenge - We work at a fast pace and the work can be challenging but you constantly strive to improve.
What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?
The application process has changed since my initial application; however I had four main stages:
❙ An online application including situational judgement tests.
❙ A group interview with the regional MD. I prepared by researching Aldi and the core values of the company. I visited stores in the region I lived in at the time to find out more information.
❙ An interview with the Regional MD and the Logistics Director. I
looked online for any tips about this stage. The interview covered a lot about my personal history.
❙ A one-to-one interview with a current trading Area Manager.
What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team?
When I was at LJMU I used the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team for some of the planned courses such as CV writing.
What relevant work experience did you use during the selection process?
Prior to Aldi I worked in a management role for a year. I was responsible for approximately 30 staff and therefore could relate that experience to Aldi during the recruitment process.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
Flexibility will help to improve employability as more options will be open. During my time at Aldi I have covered areas in North Wales and Warrington before coming back to Stoke.
What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
My English course had a programme to work in the USA for two months over the summer period. I left at very short notice (one week) from being placed by a summer camp. I could relate to this flexibility in my application process.
NAOMI WALKER GRADUATED WITH AN ENGLISH
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
OLIVIA COLES IS A VIDEO JOURNALIST AT THE TIMES AND THE SUNDAY TIMES IN LONDON. OLIVIA GRADUATED FROM LJMU WITH A BA (HONS) IN HISTORY AND ENGLISH IN 2015 AND THEN WENT ON TO DO AN MA IN BROADCAST JOURNALISM AT CITY UNIVERSITY, LONDON.
What does your current job involve?
As a video journalist working for The Times and The Sunday Times, no two days are the same. I either work for the website/ app where I will cover a wide range of domestic and international news. The rest of my time is spent pitching original stories, researching, filming and editing.
I specialise in politics so I am normally focused on UK political news. We have a weekly politics video series so I am often out and about filming for that. I can be interviewing MPs or going to interesting places like parliament, Downing Street or party conferences. I could also be planning for upcoming political events like elections.
Once I’ve been filming, it’s then my job to edit down the interview and extra shots into a video for the website and social media pages. For example, I was filming outside Downing Street for an original piece when Boris Johnson became prime minister, I attended the political party conferences and spoke with Conservative and Labour MPs and recently went filming with an ex-KGB officer about Putin and the war in Ukraine.
If I am working for the website/app, I will be following the daily news agenda. I attend The Times’ daily conference to liaise with other departments about our news agenda, check the news wires for new stories/ videos and speak with other reporters. It is my job to keep the website updated with the latest breaking news and also offer analysis through video on the day’s biggest stories.
How did you get to where you are today?
During university, I did a lot of work experience. It is great if you can get work experience locally in Liverpool or in your hometown. Lots of local papers, radio stations and broadcasters are keen to have people in. There are also opportunities within local journalism to get out and about with reporters, see how things work and even sometimes the chance to put your own story together.
After university, I had a short time doing freelance journalism work. This is great to try your hand at lots of different places and see what you like doing.
I would say to not be discouraged if you get rejected from jobs, keep going and the right thing will come along. Sometimes journalism is about being in the right place, at the right time. So make yourself available to lots of different opportunities and you never know where they could lead you.
In terms of connections, journalism is a small world. Your work experience should lead to connections and they might be able to put you in touch with other people in the industry or recommend you for a role.
Three things I like about my job:
1. No two days are the same. You work on a broad spectrum of domestic and international news.
2. You get to meet an array of people with lots of interesting stories to tell. This could be anyone from MPs, ministers, campaigners or everyday people with incredible stories.
3. It feels like you’re in the action when there is breaking news, it’s a very fast-paced environment and I thrive on that.
What skills are important in your job?
❙ Good verbal and written communication skills
❙ Being a people person - wanting to tell stories
❙ Having a creative eye
❙ Working collaboratively with a wide range of people in the newsroom
❙ Full of ideas for stories/ ways things could be done differently
What work experience / volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?
I was in the radio society at LJMU and had a weekly show on Looprevil student radio with a friend. It was great fun and a good way to learn the ropes of live radio. It’s also a good opportunity to meet other students with the same passions as you. I also did work experience in Liverpool at Radio City and BBC Radio Merseyside.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
Speak with your tutor, a lot of them are incredibly helpful. Use the LMJU Student Futures Team, I had several sessions in the library with an advisor who helped me with an application for work experience. Involve yourself in an LJMU society.
Reach out to as many people as you can in your desired field. You can normally find people online. You can reach out to them either to ask them about their role/company or even work experience. I managed to get a lot of work experience by emailing editors from various organisations.
Share your work online. It might feel a little cringey initially, but if you have a LinkedIn/ Twitter/ blog, you should showcase your work. You can then take this to employers and it's something to add to your CV.
SAMANTHA ELMES GRADUATED WITH A BA (HONS) DEGREE IN HISTORY AND ENGLISH IN 2013 AND IS NOW WORKING AS A DIPLOMAT FOR THE FOREIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (FCDO)
What does your current job involve?
I am currently the UK’s multilateral engagement lead for the Caribbean. Essentially this involves deepening the UK’s relationship with CARICOM, the regional multilateral, on areas of mutual importance. These issues can range from climate change, COVID19 recovery, improved access to finance, creating a positive environment for British Business, regional security, good governance and much more.
Working for the FCDO means that we change jobs roughly every 3 years. I have been in the office for 8 years now and have worked in Parliamentary Relations, Communications Department, Talent Management, Consular and now in the Caribbean. In consular, I headed the Murder and Manslaughter Team where I provided consular assistance to families who had been bereaved overseas – a tough but incredibly rewarding job.
We are often referred to as ‘generalists’ meaning that we should have the capability and skill set to turn our hand at just about anything. I will change jobs again this summer and who knows where I will go or what I will do!
How did you get to where you are today?
I applied to the FCDO through an internship. The internship lasted 11 months and whilst there was no guarantee of becoming permanent, I managed to secure a position and have been here ever since.
Three things I like about my job:
❙ That we change roles every three years, being able to do something different means that we are constantly learning and improving
❙ Opportunities to see the world! We can live in so many different places, learning and experiencing different cultures is fascinating
❙ We get to make a difference. Sometimes Foreign Policy can feel abstract and perhaps academic but in actuality on the ground, real difference is made. Whether that is through delivering projects
that improve a countries development or lobbying for human rights and equality in some difficult places.
What skills are important in your job?
GRADUATE CASE STUDY Looking for a career where you can make a difference?
Resilience and building influential relationships. Changing jobs and countries every few years can be tough. It sounds glamorous but when you miss family moments or the internet hasn’t worked in three weeks it can become tough and that’s being at a ‘nice’ post!
The ability to connect with people is vital. Ultimately, you can be the smartest person in the world but if you can’t get people to like you and trust what you have to say you’ll struggle to have an impact as a diplomat.
What work experience / volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?
I never intended to work for the FCDO. In all honestly, I didn’t know what it was or what it did before I got an internship.
However, the soft skills I learned through part time jobs and volunteering were invaluable. Working in retail, I learned how to speak to all kinds of people, volunteering for a magazine taught me the power and influence of language.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
Find opportunities to improve those soft skills. Being an effective communicator, being able to adapt in different circumstances is incredibly important.
Our MA Social Work programme is recognised by the Health and Care Professions Council and will qualify you as a social worker.
If you have a strong belief in human rights, social justice and a non-judgemental approach to working with individuals and communities in need, then social work could be the right career for you.
With a starting salary of over £25,000, good opportunities for progression to senior posts and the opportunity to work in a fulfilling job that aims to improve the lives of others, social work can be an excellent career choice. DID YOU KNOW THAT A DEGREE IN A SOCIAL SCIENCE SUBJECT GIVES YOU AN IDEAL BACKGROUND TO LEAD ONTO A SOCIAL WORK MASTERS DEGREE AND PURSUE A CAREER IN SOCIAL WORK?
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
CASSIE WALKER GRADUATED WITH AN ENGLISH DEGREE AND NOW WORKS AS A MARKETING ASSISTANT FOR WRANX WHILST ALSO STUDYING FOR AN MSC IN DIGITAL MARKETING
What does your job involve?
As a Marketing Assistant I report directly to the Marketing and Brand Manager. My main duties include maintaining the company’s social media (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn) and emails whilst monitoring competitor profiles. I develop internal documents and presentations, carrying out research and also complete admin tasks, such as checking for any new marketing leads that have come through on different platforms. I am also involved with upcoming campaigns for the company, giving feedback and opinions on what is being done. Finally, I also get to contribute to the company’s blog that revolves around the learning and development sector.
Three things you like about your job:
❙ I like that I get to use a range of different programmes and software every day, such as Hubspot, Intercom and Wordpress. This has really helped develop my skills and knowledge.
❙ Wranx is an SME – the work culture in the office has a good balance between professionalism and fun.
❙ I like that whilst I am learning new skills and taking on different responsibilities, there is still an element of English within my job role, especially when writing blogs or posts for social media.
What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?
I applied online and then was invited to an interview at Wranx’s office. I had to complete a pre-interview task which was a competitor analysis PowerPoint of one of Wranx’s main competitors. For this I ensured I did plenty of background reading about the company so I could make valid comparisons with their competitor. For my actual interview, I researched typical job interview questions and marketing-related ones that could potentially be asked and made sure I had answers prepared for each one. Finally, I had a written task that I had to complete at the end of my interview and for this I had made sure I had revised Wranx’s website and what services they offer. I really made sure I knew the company!
What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team?
GRADUATE ADVICE ...
If I were starting my degree programme again, I would definitely be more proactive in researching careers in my first year, as I think I would not have been so panic stricken after graduating if I had done that. I also would have been able to make a more informed decision with regards to selecting modules that aligned with my future goals. I know there were modules that I didn’t take that I now know would have supported my pursuits better.
GEMMA GRIFFITHS, ENGLISH GRADUATE
I found this job through the LJMU vacancy website, which from my experience posts really good job opportunities. I also found my internship through the same website which I completed in third year.
What relevant work experience and skills did you use during the selection process?
I had completed a marketing-related internship in my third year of LJMU at a recruitment agency (STEM Graduates). I developed many skills from this that could be transferred to the marketing assistant role, such as writing engaging online content, working in an office-based environment and developed communication skills. Then, from studying my Masters in Digital Marketing I gained experience in marketing campaign management and working in a team to deliver presentations.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
I found that my internship opened such a wide range of opportunities for me as I found that I had more relevant experience and skills to apply to a wider range of jobs. I would definitely recommend completing one whilst at university.
Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?
I would probably look for some sort of placement/ internship during my first year. I only completed mine in third year! I can’t imagine how much more employable and experienced I would be today if I had looked for something earlier during university.
What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
A social media module on the English course was particularly helpful, where you had to create and manage your own blog and promote it to my peers through social media. This linked perfectly with the marketing assistant job role.
Any other advice you would give to students about their employability?
Gain as much experience as you can, especially from earlier on in university. You never know what opportunities might present themselves to you and how your thoughts change in regards to your career ambitions.
ADVICE FROM AN ACADEMIC ...
Make the most of all the guidance LJMU has to offer you in thinking through your career options, so you can find a job that makes the most of everything you have to offer. Book an appointment with a Careers Adviser at Aldham Robarts Careers Zone and start to explore your options as early as possible.
ALICE FERREBE, PROGRAMME LEADER FOR ENGLISH
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