Careers, Placement and Experience Centre
Headstart careers events
Autumn 2012  |  www.reading.ac.uk/careers/events
Welcome to the Autumn Term career guide Whether you are in the final year or penultimate year of your degree the autumn term is extremely important in the careers calendar. Why? It’s a time when many employers look to advertise and interview students for placements or graduate jobs. To help you make the most of your time this term this guide contains an enormous range of sessions through October and November to help you clarify your options, show you where to find the vacancies and then support you through the recruitment process. For example you will find sessions on where to start, how to improve your CV, to find out directly from employers how they interview and even sessions on handling tests and assessment centres. Please see our website for the full programme including the weekly CV workshops you can sign up for online. Please note that events may be cancelled if there are not enough students attending, so please sign up now.
Book your place using My Jobs Online, linked from our website: www.reading.ac.uk/careers/events We have colour coded the sessions in this guide to help you easily identify the ones most suitable for you: Pink These sessions will help you market yourself to future employers.
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October Thursday 11 Job finding made easy 1pm–1.40pm Carrington Building Room 101 Looking for a term-time job, a placement or a graduate job? Did you know that the University’s Careers Centre advertises over 5000 vacancies each year through its My Jobs Online website? Be the first to find out about opportunities as soon as they are posted and find out how My Jobs Online can give you the job hunting edge. This session is repeated, please see website for other times.
Friday 12 RED Award: information session 11am–11.30am Please see website for room details What is the RED Award? Find out how the RED Award can help you make the most of the extra-curricular activities at Reading and stand out from the crowd in today’s jobs market. This session is repeated please see website for other times.
Friday 12 Take a practice psychometric test (online) 1pm–2.30pm Sign up online to find out venue Employers are using online psychometric tests more frequently to assess candidates’ abilities and aptitudes in certain areas. Complete these verbal and numerical ability tests in a timed supportive environment. You must book your place online if you wish to attend.
Monday 15 Where to find term time and campus jobs 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 How many hours are you allowed to work? What jobs are available on Campus? Who can help you apply? Answers to all these questions and advice on where to find local work while you study will be provided at this session!
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Tuesday 16 Where do I start in the career hunt? 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 Confused about how to decide what’s the right job/career for you? This session will provide some useful starting points – and how the Careers Centre can support you on the journey.
Wednesday 17 Part-time Jobs Fair 12pm–4pm 3sixty, RUSU Want to find local, part-time work? Come along to this fair and find out what’s on offer.
Wednesday 17 Careers in teaching 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 Many students are interested in teaching. Come along to this session to find out the different routes open to you to train to be a teacher, important deadlines to be aware of and how to make yourself stand out as an excellent potential teacher.
Thursday 18 RED Award: information session 1pm–1.30pm Carrington Building Room 101 What is the RED Award? Find out how the RED Award can help you make the most of the extra-curricular activities at Reading and stand out from the crowd in today’s jobs market. This session is repeated, please see website for further details.
Wednesday 24 Alternative careers for Science and Life Sciences 1pm–2.30pm Please see website for room details Not everyone who studies science wants to work in a laboratory or apply their subject in a direct way. In this session we present a range of roles that require a love of science and yet may not be the most obvious choices for a science or life sciences graduate.
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Wednesday 24 Interviews skills – presented by Logica 1pm–1.50pm Sign up online to reserve your place and for room details Come along to this session to find out from a graduate recruiter what makes a graduate interview turn into a job offer.
Thursday 25 Microsoft skills session 1pm–1.50pm Sign up online to reserve your place and for room details Microsoft’s mission is to transform the world through technology: to change how people work, play and communicate. If you’d like to join us for an unforgettable skills session that will allow you to improve the quality of your applications as well as get a better understanding of what larger firms look for when recruiting new talent – then please come and meet us. Places are limited, so please sign up online.
Thursday 25 Careers in journalism – get advice from a professional journalist 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 Find out from someone working in the business, Matt Adams, what the job involves and why no two days are ever the same especially when working for local newspapers! Advice on how to get in, the qualifications and some case studies.
Monday 29 Winning application forms – presented by Deloitte 1pm–1.50pm Sign up online to reserve your place and for room details Want to know how to succeed through the recruitment process? Boost your chances by attending one of our helpful sessions to enhance your employability skills. We will give you the tools and tips to help you overcome common misconceptions, plus find out what graduate recruiters really look for when they assess your potential.
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Tuesday 30 How to market your non-business degree to business 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 Are you planning to work in business but concerned that your degree is not relevant? Come along to this session and find out exactly what employers are looking for and why you could be just what the business sector needs. It will also cover how to make the most of the Recruitment Fair later this week.
Tuesday 30 Working with animals 1pm–2.30pm Please check website for room details ‘I don’t know what I want to do, but I know I want to work with animals.’ If this sounds familiar, come along and meet people who currently work with animals and work out which role is right for you.
Tuesday 30 Spotlight on work experience: media 2pm–2.50pm Please check website for room details Such a competitive area and so many hopeful students! Come along to find out what you can do to stand out from the crowd and how to create your first big break. There will be an opportunity for one to one advice at the end of this session.
Wednesday 31
Commercial awareness for Science and Life Sciences 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 How does research and development within academia interact with research and development in the commercial world? Come along and find out more from researchers involved in Knowledge Transfer Partnership schemes and relevant commercial organizations. Will also cover how to make the most of the Recruitment Fair later this week.
Wednesday 31
Jobs for mathematicians 1pm–2.30pm Please check website for room details Few jobs have the title ‘mathematician’ and yet maths graduates work in a vast range of sectors. If you would like to find out more from the Institute of Mathematics and its applications, about the myriad of roles that you can potentially go into, don’t miss this event.
Wednesday 31 Spotlight on work experience: marketing, advertising and PR 2pm–2.50pm Please check website for room details These are some of the most popular graduate careers but what do they really involve and how do you get in? Come along to find out what opportunities exist and how you can get a foot in the door. There will be an opportunity for one to one advice at the end of this session.
November Thursday 1
Careers and Placements Fair 11am–4pm Palmer Building Whether you know what you want or are looking for ideas and inspiration come to the Careers and Placement Fair. • Meet over 70 graduate employers and gap year organisations in just one day. • Find out what’s on offer in terms of placements, work experience, graduate jobs and University of Reading postgraduate opportunities. • Visit the chat rooms and talk informally to alumni and employer reps about their careers and ask for advice on how to get in. • A must attend event for all students!
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Friday 2 Spotlight on work experience: charities and the voluntary sector 2pm–2.50pm Please check website for room details Ever wondered how people get paid to work in the voluntary sector? Come along to find out what you need to do to get started. There will be an opportunity for one to one advice at the end of this session.
Friday 2 Mock interviews with Logica 1pm–4pm Please book at Careers reception desk These are for penultimate or final year students and will be especially beneficial for those students applying for opportunities in IT or Science based careers. Please bring a copy of your CV to the Careers reception desk to book your place.
Friday 2 Practice psychometric test – with Bloomberg 1pm–5pm Sign up with the employer to book www.takethebat.com The Bloomberg Assessment Test (BAT) is a global, standardised online test developed by the Bloomberg Institute. The BAT allows students to measure their aptitude for a financial career, uncover their strengths relevant to the industry, and demonstrate value to hundreds of thousands of recruiters.
Monday 5 International students: want to work in the UK after your studies? 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 Interested in staying in the UK to work after you have completed your studies? Come along to find out about how to do this. This session is aimed at students from overseas (outside of the EU) who are subject to UK immigration control. Presented by RUSU Advisers.
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Wednesday 7
Postgraduate study for Science and Life Sciences students 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 Many science and life sciences students consider postgraduate study. Come along to learn more about what your further study options are, how to find them and how to fund them!
Wednesday 7 Law Careers Fair 2pm–4.30pm Palmer Building Want to find out more about a career in Law? The Law Fair is for both law and all other degree disciplines. Come and meet the recruiters and explore your options with law firms, course providers and advisory services all in one venue.
Thursday 8 Assessment centres 1pm–1.50pm Please sign up online for the session and to receive room details What happens at an assessment centre and what makes a good candidate stand out – for the right reasons!
Friday 9 Strengths session 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 Do you want to identify what you are good at and what energises you? Employers are increasingly looking at strengths as a way of assessing applicants. This seminar will help you identify and unlock the unique strengths you can bring to bear which will be a great help in clarifying your job choice, and improving your CV, applications and performance at interview.
Tuesday 13 Interview skills for the nervous! 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 This session is aimed at students in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences faculties. If the thought of an interview gives you sleepless nights then come to this session and get tips on how to manage your nerves.
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Tuesday 13 Application forms in practice for Science and Life Sciences students 1pm–1.50pm Check website for room details and to book your place This practical session provides you with the opportunity to complete an online application form questions for a placement or graduate job with a careers professional by your side. Get advice on how to structure application form answers and how to deal with those difficult questions.
Tuesday 13
Spotlight on work experience: political research and lobbying 2pm–2.50pm Please check website for room details Are you passionate about Public Affairs, do you want to be paid to persuade people? Come along to find out how you can get that all important work experience. There will be an opportunity for one to one advice at the end of this session.
Wednesday 14 Confident interviews for Science and Life Sciences students 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 Do you feel nervous at the thought of an interview? Packed with tips for controlling nerves, creating good impact and answering questions effectively this session will help you prepare confidently.
Thursday 15 Postgraduate study for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences students 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 Many students from the above faculties consider Postgraduate study. Come along to this session to learn more about your further study options, how to find them and how to fund them!
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Thursday 15 Spotlight on work experience: creative careers 2pm–2.50pm Please check website for room details Want to use your art degree but don’t know how to get started? Come along to see what opportunities are available and how to create them. There will be an opportunity for one to one advice at the end of this session.
Monday 19 Mock interviews with Logica 1pm–4pm Sign up at the Careers Centre reception desk These are for penultimate or final year students and will be especially beneficial for those students applying for opportunities in IT or Science based careers. Please bring a copy of your CV to the Careers Centre reception desk to book your place.
Thursday 22 Jobs in the Students’ Union, presented by RUSU 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 Want to work for students? They have 5, paid, one-year job roles which start in July 2013. There are also 3 part-time, unpaid, one year roles that you can do whilst studying. ALL students can put themselves forward including finalists. Come along to this session to find out more.
Thursday 29 International students: want to work in the UK? 1pm–1.50pm Carrington Building Room 101 Interested in staying in the UK to work after you have completed your studies? Come along to find out how to do this. This session is aimed at students from overseas (outside of the EU) who are subject to UK immigration control. Presented by RUSU Advisers.
Headstart is part of the Student Training and Experience Programme. CV workshops The Careers, Placement and Experience Centre runs CV workshops every week designed to improve your CV. You can attend either the finalist workshop if you are applying for a graduate job or the work experience/placement workshop if you are looking to improve your chances of getting an interview for a work experience. You must sign up online for one of these workshops and you must bring your CV with you to the session. 11
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Headstart careers events Autumn 2012 For more information, please contact: Careers, Placement and Experience Centre Student Services Centre Carrington Building University of Reading Whiteknights Reading RG6 6UA United Kingdom Open 10.00 am – 4.30 pm Monday to Friday careerscentre@reading.ac.uk Tel (0118) 378 8359
www.reading.ac.uk/careers
B05878 07.12