In The Zone - Summer 2015 by University of Exeter

IN THE

ONE

ISSUE 5 SUMMER 2015

YOUR CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY MAGAZINE

INTERVIEW

AND APPLICATIONS

PAID INTERNSHIP

E STUDENT CAMPUS PARTNERSHIP SCHEM CAREER EXPERIENCE

VOLUNTEERING

INSIDE Don’t worry; be happy

HEAR – your new degree transcript

Students Past and Present

5, 11, 15

Careers in the South West

9–10

Santander Grants

13–14

E H T N 1

NEWelcome

IN THE ZONE

CONTENTS

Welcome 1 What’s on at Exeter and Penryn

Don’t worry; be happy

HEAR – your new degree transcript

Students past and present

5, 11, 15

Career Timeline

Careers in the South West

Students adding value around the globe

Researcher Development

Grand Challenges – The Get Fit Challenge

IN THE ZONE

WHAT ’S ON L AL EXETER / CORNW

Welcome to the summer edition of In The Zone. The theme for this issue focuses on helping to inspire, support and provide you with ideas for the next step in your career planning and progression. Whether you are looking for work experience, activity to bolster your CV or moving into a graduate job or further study, there is something for everyone. For those looking to stay or gain work experience in the region, check out our campaign ‘Careers in the South West’. For those thinking about opportunities further afield, take a look at some of the overseas destinations where Exeter students have worked.

Streatham Campus Events – Summer Term 7 May

Unilever Showcase

8 May Understanding Psychometric Testing 11 May Introduction to Entrepreneurship 13 May Summer Recruitment Fair 20 May Writing for film and the stage Finally, if you are feeling stressed that opportunities are passing you by, then read our article on page 3 to help reassure you that its ‘never too late’. There is plenty of support to help you take the next step. Our career timeline is included in this issue to help guide you to your ideal career. Don’t forget that we are always here through the summer and you can get help, vacancies and up to the minute updates via My Career Zone and our social media channels.

20 May Teacher Training Open Day (St Luke’s) 21 May Corporate Social Responsibility 1–5 June Grand Challenges 9 June

Effective Presentation Skills

17 June ‘Meet the Experts’ – Researcher Development Careers Panel Day

Penryn Campus Events – Summer Term Mock Interviews – by appointment 27 May Effective Application Forms

If you are a research student, we have a neat reminder for you of the wide range of services available specifically for you.

Paul Blackmore, Head of Employability and Graduate Development

27 May Leadership Skills 27 May ‘I don’t know what I want to do’ session 28 May Interview techniques 28 May–3 June Drop in CV clinics 1 June

O PE

N�TO�ALL�ST

Corporate Social Responsibility

1-3 June Internships and summer work drop-ins

S UDENT

3 June

The Interview Experience

Don’t forget, this is just a small selection of events and activities open to you during the Summer term. To find out more and to sign up, visit our website www.exeter.ac.uk/careers WEDNESDAY 13 MAY 2015 11AM–1.30PM THE FORUM, STREATHAM CAMPUS Graduate vacancies, casual and summer jobs, internships, placements, training opportunities.

Sponsored by

www.exeter.ac.uk/summerfair

IN THE ZONE

y p p a h e b ; y r Don’t wor te job/8 week eir £50k gradua th t go e’s on y er ev cept you. eryone, that is, ex ear it can feel like y Ev . of e ed rt m ti so is se th ur t co A postgraduate s/ fully-funded ri Pa in t en em ac pl y for? courses left to appl or bs jo y an ly al goes away? tu hole ‘career’ thing o late? Are there ac w to is ly th al pe re ho it d is an ut B ything at all better not to do an be ld r. No, ou w it be ay M hemes to apply fo sc t ea gr e m so l il es, there are st day starts it’s not too late. Y our summer holi o, y N l ti s: er un ’ sw la an la la ck Qui d shouting ‘la rs in your ears an ge n fi r ou y g n ki stic rry. you any good, so do e’ thing ly al tu ac ’t won fe sorted, except m li r ei th t go e’s on ery Term. the whole ‘every ices throughout ev ear, we know that rv y se of e of m ge ti n r ra ve ll te Wha we run our fu e time to act. a myth; that’s why of t bi a ised yet, now is th ly n al ga tu or g is ac in th y an n’t got tical; if you have But let’s get prac oyers ost graduate empl m n he w is rm Te panies The Autumn although some com t bu f, af st w ne r start looking fo their s and many fill te da g in os cl y rl do have very ea e are t hired’ basis, ther rs fi d, ie pl ap t rs places on a ‘fi oyers out, so some empl g n pi op dr s te da r. There always candi at this time of yea es m he sc r ei th se round will re-adverti ve moved to yearha ho w s er oy pl em are also some while you ns for you is that ea m is th t ha W recruitment. heme, every graduate sc to y pl ap to le ab might not be ntact of companies to co ge n ra od go a ve you’ll still ha begins. before the vacation r pick be able to have you ot n ht ig m ou y ; aduate course tting onto a postgr ge r fo s ie pl ap e es available. The sam ses will have plac ur co y an m t bu , ty with one of of every Universi lk your ideas over ta d an in e m co apply for, things you’re sure about what to about the kinds of at ch th ep -d If you’re still un in an Having real world can ers Consultants. our ideas into the y e ov m to =our team of Care ke ta s you can d the practical step interested in, an fference. really make a di m of that first ice crea d an , ow n re tu fu our Take control of y r, we promise. l taste even sweete il w y da li ho er m your sum carr Jenny Woolacott-S rmation Officer Career Zone Info

Higher Education Achievement Report:

the new degree transcript

Your experience at Exeter summarised in a few words; that thing we call a degree transcript? Not anymore. From this year, the University has signed up to offer the HEAR to you. Think an extended version of a degree transcript. The HEAR provides information on students’ achievements and activities in addition to details of their academic achievement. This means that you’ll be able to provide evidence of achievements during your time at university in a way that a degree transcript doesn’t. So now there’s even more of a reason to add another string to your bow.

Why has the University of Exeter chosen to provide the HEAR? Benefits to you n The HEAR provides a formative document and an ongoing record of achievement which will help you with career planning n Exit documents are often required prior to graduation – if you are applying for internships and work placements, you will have a formal document recording your achievements thus far

Timescales n If you’re an UNDERGRADUATE FINALIST, from April 2015 onwards you will be given the opportunity to view and deselect any activities/achievements that you do not wish to have published in your HEAR. You’ll be able to access your HEAR in July 2015 and you will be sent a registration email to log on and access the service once your HEAR is ready n For all OTHER STUDENTS, from 2015/16 onwards the HEAR will be rolled out to all our undergraduates and taught postgraduate students

IN THE ZONE

STUDENTS PAST AND PRESENT

PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH A BRIEF BACKGROUND HISTORY… I’m a 19 year old student from Essex, with an interest in Magazine Journalism. I’m the current Online Editor of Exeposé Lifestyle and trying my best to get as much experience as possible within the industry. I wrote a summer column for my local newspaper at home a few years ago, and last year I went to Reading Festival as a reporter for StudentCom. This Easter I have completed a two week internship at The Sun on Sunday’s Fabulous Magazine.

WHY EXETER? I really loved the English course available at Exeter when I read it in the prospectus, in comparison to the other Universities I had looked at Exeter offered a lot more choice with regards to modules. When I got to look round the campus I knew it was the right place for me. The campus itself is beautiful and I really loved the city as well.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT STUDYING AT EXETER? Probably the location. I love the city; it’s not too big but has loads of great shops and cute independent shops and coffee shops. You can jump on a train and be on the beach in under an hour, you can visit Bristol and

STUDENTS PAST AND PRESENT

IN THE ZONE

PROFILE – CURRENT HUMANITIES STUDENT

PROFILE – ALUMNI HUMANITIES STUDENT

Name: Harriette Casey

Name: Megan Hallinan

Age: 19

Age: 27

Degree programme: English

Degree programme: Creative Writing with French and Film Studies

Year of Study: Second Year

Year of Study: 2006–2009

Goal: To work for a magazine, doing some kind of lifestyle or features writing

Current role: Director of PR and Comms at Inkly

Bath, and you can go to the Cathedral and the Quay. There’s so much to do especially in the summer, and it’s great having people to stay. I love showing them round all of the places I love to go.

WHY THIS PARTICULAR DEGREE PROGRAMME? I’ve always been quite good at English, so it seemed natural to take it, although I did have a little panic just before I arrived in first year of whether I was going to enjoy studying it for the next three years. But it was absolutely fine! In fact, enjoying my course was really helpful in getting through the first term of first year because it gave me something to focus on and enjoy.

WHAT EMPLOYABILITY SCHEMES HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN? I took the Humanities in the Workplace module last term because I really wanted to sort of force myself to start thinking about what I want to do, and actively start looking into it properly. So far the module has been really great, the staff were really helpful in helping me get my placement at Fabulous Magazine and along the way I got a lot of help with my CV and setting up my LinkedIn profile.

WHAT WORK HAVE YOU DONE WITH SOCIETIES SINCE BEING AT EXETER? I got involved with Exeposé pretty late in first year, just before the elections for editors. I knew that I would love to run for editor and have the chance of running my own section and although it was nerveracking being only a first year it definitely paid off. It’s so much fun, I really enjoy it - writing, editing, emailing writers, finding columnists etc. A lot of the time it feels like a proper job, and I’m so proud with what we have done with the section this year and all of the great articles and writers we have had. It’s a fun distraction from my degree and will hopefully really help my CV in the long run.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS UPON GRADUATION? At the moment I’m just trying to get a lot of magazine internships under my belt, as I’d really love to potentially work for one in the future, so I’m applying for a lot at the moment. I’d probably look into interning at a one or a few magazines for a year to see if that gets me anywhere, I’d like to apply for the Telegraph Grad Scheme ,or, failing that, I would possibly look into doing a MA in Magazine Journalism.

PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH A BRIEF BACKGROUND HISTORY OF YOUR DEGREE - WHY EXETER? WHY THAT PARTICULAR DISCIPLINE? I applied to Exeter because it ranked highly for both English and French, the subjects I wanted to study. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do after university, but I hoped it would involve a combination of writing, the media and languages. And when I visited the campus and the town, I just fell in love with it!

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH YOUR DEGREE? I recently became Director of PR & Comms at a new mobile app start-up called Inkly. I previously worked for the video games publisher 2K Games as their International PR Manager, and at a couple of PR agencies prior to that. I found working in PR to be the perfect fit for me, as I was able to use my writing, selling and language skills, while working with the media.

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHILST STUDYING? I wish I’d been a bit more realistic about what to expect after university. I loved the idea of becoming a writer, in films or

television. However, after moving to London and experiencing ‘the real world’, I soon realised I wanted something a bit more stable, with a regular, decent income. As such, I wish I had included some business modules somewhere in my degree that would have been more practical than some of the more academic modules.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO CURRENT STUDENTS IN LIGHT OF YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE? Send out your CV as soon as possible - the earlier the better! I started sending mine out in the second year and got a phone call the week of my graduation offering me work experience, which kick-started my whole career. There is huge competition for work experience, and sometimes it’s sadly just a case of reaching the top of the pile.

ON REFLECTION, WERE THERE ANY MISSED OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU DIDN’T TAKE UP WHILST STUDYING? I tried to make the most of any opportunities I could while I was at Exeter, but my advice would be to hold on to any important contacts that you make during your time there. You never know how valuable they might be.

e n i l e m i T r Caree 7

APPLY FOR IN TER VIE

IN THE ZONE

RESEARCH

nd how

INTERNSHIP

your career a g, when to plan

should be doin u o y t a h w u o y eline tells â&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at university. u o y ile Our Career Tim h w r le b a ore employ nces - this is ou m re lf fe e re rs p u r o y u o e y k t a to m nd se ard progress; Career Zone a w y A M rs e to d a in e g L lo r , te e Exe anything els ips eter Award and x E r u o Before you do y rk; find internsh o ck w a e tr im to -t u rt o a y p s d w al an at allo s. ns; look for casu io online system th ss se s ill sk d n a sources and FAQ ts re n , e ts v e e e k o sh o ct b fa d r n ou browse a ities; and explore n u rt o p p o l e v e and graduate-l

Year 1

Year 2

IN THE ZONE

A LEARNUAGE L ANG

EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONS

A YE ABROAR AD

GAIN WORK EXPERIENCE ENGAGE

EXETER AWARD

Year 2

Year 3

Engage with employability opportunities delivered through your course Complete the Exeter Award Begin exploring career options Join clubs and societies Gain work experience, paid or voluntary work Develop your employability and career management skills Consider picking up a language or a year abroad Enhance personal and professional skills Research graduate level employment

and further study

Apply for internships Apply and attend interviews for graduate level employment

IN THE ZONE

Careers in the South West

IN THE ZONE

THE STATS n Of

The University of Exeter’s 2012/13 cohort only 12.9% of graduates stayed in the South West, whilst 102,538 graduate jobs remained unfilled due to a lack of suitably skilled graduates in the area. n 90% of South West businesses perceive university leavers to be either very well or well prepared for work. n Between 2012 and 2013 the South West enjoyed the second highest regional employee growth in the UK, exceeded only by the South East.

Have you thought about beginning your graduate career in the South West? You might be surprised at how many opportunities there are. There has never been a better time to start your career in the South West: it is one of England’s healthiest economic regions, with employment seven per cent higher than the national average. In the next few years Devon and Cornwall is projected to experience growth in the legal, financial management, environment and science sectors. A graduate role in the South West is an opportunity to live a twenty-minute train journey from the beach and enjoy an excellent quality of life, but this doesn’t mean losing out on a challenging start to your career. Glenn Woodcock, founder of Exeter-based education technology company Sparx, writes: We need smart people who get things done, because we can move from idea to implementation in hours, not months. We want to work with the brightest, the best and the enduringly enthusiastic. Glenn Woodcock, Sparx

THE BEST NEWS IS: We advertise graduate internships available in the South West all year round! We work with local organisations to create paid graduate roles which are usually 12 months long. In the past three years the scheme has appointed over 240 graduates to internship positions in South West organisations. Jo McCreedie, Employer Liaison Officer, offers one-toone appointments in Exeter and Josie Turner offers appointments at the Penryn Campus to discuss careers in South West organisations; these can be booked online through My Career Zone. Following on from our networking launch event in March we are also hosting a Careers in the South West mini fair at the Penryn Campus on 12 May with a range of employers offering graduate jobs, internships and advice 2012 Politics graduate Rebecca Kelly undertook a GBP internship at South West Water as an Organisation Development Consultant the year after she graduated.

At the end of her internship Rebecca said, This has been an invaluable experience, significantly boosting my employability, and has been vital in focusing my career aspirations. I have gained significant knowledge and experience of project and programme management, and recently obtained a PRINCE 2 qualification, something which is widely recognised in the UK and internationally. Rebecca Kelly GBP intern at South West Water

Other graduates have interned successfully with a range of organisations including the Fair Energy Ltd. (renewables), Mallory International Ltd (book supplier), The Reward Practice (HR), Wheelers (accountancy) Norbord Ltd. (manufacturers), Exeter Northcott Theatre, and at the University itself in roles such as Laboratory Assistant and Sports Participation Coordinator.

Learn more To find out more about careers in the South West, visit www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/ research/careersinthesw/

IN THE ZONE

STUDENTS PAST AND PRESENT

PROFILE – GRADUATE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

PROFILE – ALUMNI GBP

Name: Rachel Sloan

Name: Katie Fennell

Degree programme: Critical Global Politics

Degree programme: Business Management

Year of Graduation: 2013

Year of Graduation: 2014

Goal/Aim: Ultimately I want to work for a charity supporting girls and women

Company: University of Exeter

PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH A BRIEF BACKGROUND HISTORY… I completed my Masters in Critical Global Politics in 2013 and was fortunate enough to secure my GBP position as Work-Related Learning Assistant before I graduated. I am an active volunteer with Girlguiding and have had lots of great work experience this way (including taking part in international service projects and working with the UN on the post-2015 development agenda). I worked part time for the majority of my Master before applying for the GBP role.

WHY DID YOU APPLY FOR THE GBP PROGRAMME? WHAT DREW YOU TO THE ROLE YOU UNDERTOOK? Before starting my Masters, the Careers Consultants in Penryn mentioned the GBP programme to me. I had already worked for the Career Zone as a student and I was interested to see if there were any graduate opportunities available as well. I had seen my friends from other universities struggle to find work after graduating, so the WorkRelated Learning Assistant role appealed to me because it meant I could be part of helping current students improve their graduate prospects as well as developing my own skills and work experience.

WHAT KIND OF CHALLENGES DID YOU ENCOUNTER? I found it daunting starting the role and not knowing anything. However, I received a lot of support from team members and a handy guide to abbreviations used within the department!

HOW DID THE ROLE CONTRIBUTE TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW? My own specific (ongoing) project to work on as well as supporting the team. I was able to make the role my own and therefore take on additional responsibility as appropriate. The opportunity to do this has doubtless meant I am where I am now.

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN BEFORE GRADUATING? You will know very little when you first start at an organisation – and that’s OK – just be willing to learn and develop in the role. I also wish I had completed the Exeter Leaders Award. Working in the team that deliver it, I can now see it wasn’t as scary as I thought!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO CURRENT GBPS IN LIGHT OF YOUR EXPERIENCES? Seek out ways to make the role your own and take on additional responsibility where appropriate, it’s all good experience. I was able to add to my LinkedIn profile throughout my time as the Work-Related Learning Assistant with new projects I was involved with and it really helped me see what I was achieving in the role.

PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH A WHY THIS BRIEF BACKGROUND HISTORY PARTICULAR ROLE? I attended Exeter University from Sept 2013-July 2014 to complete a top up year for my Foundation Degree in Business Management. I graduated in July 2014 with a 2.1 Business Management Degree. I had returned to education after many years of working and also being a mother to two children under 5 years.

WHY DID YOU APPLY FOR THE GBP PROGRAMME? I had been sent information regarding this role by members of the Career Zone. At first I wasn’t sure if being a GBP was the correct path for me, having already many years of work experience. However through gaining more information I believe that it will update my skills ready for a place in the very competitive job market and give me greater potential.

I have a strong interest in the eXfactor and Exeter award programmes as I feel that when I first started at university, 9 years ago, I would have massively benefited from gaining the skills and realising the importance of being proactive and career planning at an early stage. As I am passionate about these programmes it makes the role of supporting the running of them rewarding and interesting.

WHAT IMPACT WILL THIS HAVE ON YOUR CHOSEN PATHWAY/GOAL? I will be given the opportunity to develop skills through formal and informal training within the GBP. Also I will have many networking opportunities that I am sure will be beneficial after my year as a GBP has ended.

WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO STUDENTS? Make use of all the opportunities and resources open to you at Exeter, to enhance your CV, your self-awareness and your confidence in order to achieve.

IN THE ZONE

Name: Amanda Jane Hill Placement location: Buenos Aires, Argentina Job role: I was working as a Marketing Assistant. I helped create and execute creative new ways to communicate the Oasis brand to a niche global audience. I also managed and produced content across all social media platforms to promote the company. My main achievement was increasing the following on social media platform Pinterest by over 30% during my placement. One of the best ways to learn is to throw yourself into an unfamiliar situation, at the deep end and I gained valuable experience in a workplace where the culture is completely different, as well as valuable insight into how to present a company to a particular clientele, and how to adapt to different audiences. The Santander grant helped towards my general living costs, as well as giving me the opportunity to do many more things in and around Buenos Aires, to explore the culture and experience new things. So, it’s down to you. Put yourself out there as much as possible…if you are happy in your work environment and feel relaxed you will inevitably work better.

STUDENTS ADDING VALUE AROUND THE GLOBE THIS YEAR THE GLOBAL EMPLOYABILITY TEAM WAS AWARDED TWO SANTANDER GRANTS FOR STUDENTS WORKING OR RESEARCHING OVERSEAS, AS WELL AS A GRANT TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH. SO FAR THIS HAS SUPPORTED NINE STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKING PLACEMENTS IN CHILE, ARGENTINA, COLOMBIA, MEXICO, SINGAPORE AND SOUTH KOREA.

Name: Thomas Harris Placement location: Australia Job role: I worked as a Field Assistant at the long running Chestnut Crowned Babbler project. This included helping to locate active nests and helping with the various experiments being conducted. My main achievement on a personal level was becoming more organised and responsible, as well as vastly improving my field work skills and skills associated with working with birds, including mist netting, locating and identifying various species and working with birds in hand. It shows I can adapt to different situations as well as allowing me to gain more relevant transferrable skills that I can use in a future career. I think the placement reaffirmed my desire to pursue a career in research science and has certainly opened my eyes to the positives of field work. Other than the 4am wake ups, it has to be mist netting for birds the morning after the lunar eclipse, the moon was huge and close and set on one side of us as the sun was rising on the other side. One of the most perfect things I have ever seen.

Name: Madeleine Meacher Placement location: Buenos Aires, Argentina Job role: I was responsible for social networks, blogging and other online marketing for the school. I also edited the 2015 brochure and prepared marketing leaflets that were sent to agencies and universities to promote the school. By the end of the placement, I felt comfortable communicating on both an informal and a formal level depending on the situation I found myself in. A placement abroad was the perfect opportunity to practice and learn the language in a more formal environment, as well as the chance to experience a foreign working environment. It has given me the chance to bring my Spanish to a level where I would be confident working in an international company and the whole experience helped me mature. My advice would be to keep focused on the positives and the opportunity the placement offers. If something goes wrong, then move forward and don’t let it knock your confidence.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH SOME OF THE LUCKY STUDENTS TO FIND OUT ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES ABROAD. Further information about our programmes, courses, competitions and initiatives can be found on our website: www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/global/

IN THE ZONE

STUDENTS PAST AND PRESENT

IN THE ZONE

PROFILE – CURRENT STUDENT AMBASSADOR

PROFILE – ALUMNI STUDENT AMBASSADOR

Name: Yasmin Coutinho

Name: Alexander Bennett

Degree programme: Drama and Psychology (Flexible Combined Honours)

Degree programme: Economics with International Study Graduated July 2014

PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH A BRIEF BACKGROUND HISTORY… After attending Sixth Form in London studying Psychology, French and Theatre Studies, I was initially set on going to Drama school and pursuing a path in Musical Theatre. However, after hearing about the flexibility in degrees that Exeter University offered, I instead decided to do a Flexible Combined Honours degree in Drama and Psychology here instead! This allowed me to pursue my love of performing whilst still getting a BA (Hons) in Psychology at the same time! I’m now in my second year of the course and currently preparing to go on a year abroad to Australia in July!

WHAT DREW YOU TO THE AMBASSADOR SCHEME? When I started University, I quickly began to love life at Exeter and the thought of helping others make decisions about their own futures really drew me in! There are two sides to the ESA scheme: jobs within student recruitment where we encourage students to consider coming to Exeter University, and widening participation work: showing young people from a diverse range of backgrounds what life as a University student is like and also inspiring them to consider higher education.

WHAT TYPES OF ROLES HAVE YOU UNDERTOOK? WHICH HAS BEEN THE BEST TO DATE? WHICH HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING? Considering the two aspects of being an ESA as mentioned above, no job in the scheme

is ever the same! For example, one day you might be going into schools running workshops about writing personal statements and getting into University. The next day you might be giving campus tours to prospective students encouraging them to choose Exeter. From tutoring Psychology in a school in Sidmouth to marshalling at an awards ceremony, I can safely say I’ve done a bit of all as an ESA. My favourite job however, has to be delivering student life presentations – you basically get paid to talk about your Uni life for 45 minutes. The most challenging job on the other hand, has to be working on open days or offer-holder visit days – although very fun, they sure are tiring!

WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS SCHEME? The best thing about the scheme is the flexibility: it is perfect if you’re looking for a part-time job that you can fit in around your studies and other University commitments. You can work as little or as much as you want in a month, and you apply to work only when you are free. I feel the scheme is very financially rewarding, as the hourly pay is £7.65 or £8.56 if you become a senior ambassador like I did. You can even work on holidays with school residentials that come to stay on campus.

HOW CAN YOUR PEERS TAKE PART? Every year, recruitment for new ESAs start around October where applications open. Firstly, students will need to fill an online application form (this can be found on www.exeter.ac.uk/esas) and from that, they can be invited to a group interview, which

takes place in early December. Every year, recruitment is quite competitive - there are roughly around 1000 applications each year, with maybe 300-400 candidates invited to interview. The group interview takes form of a debate between 5-8 students about various aspects of University life and it’s relatively informal and not scary at all. I really enjoyed the interview part as I met some new people and also got thinking more about University life. Finally, from the interview 100 new ambassadors are chosen, and if successful, training and work starts in January.

HOW CAN THIS SCHEME HELP TOWARDS FUTURE EMPLOYABILITY? If you want something that will look incredibly good on your CV then the scheme is definitely recommended! Being a student ambassador will show employers that you have experience liaising and communicating with a diverse range of people (such as university staff, prospective students and their parents, school children, teachers, etc!). They can see you have been positively involved with your local community and have gained a plethora of transferable skills such as organisation, reliability and confidence amongst many others! In addition, the scheme has provided me with an extensive insight into the educational world; therefore it is recommended for anyone who may have an interest in that field (e.g. teaching) post – university. Overall being a student ambassador is a great chance to make friends, make money and gain wide-ranging professional experience all at the same time.

PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH A WHAT TYPES OF ROLES DID BRIEF BACKGROUND HISTORY YOU UNDERTAKE DURING ABOUT YOU… YOUR TIME ON THE STUDENT AMBASSADOR SCHEME? I am originally from East Sussex, where I took my A Levels in Maths, Economics, Geography and Geology. I then went on to take a four year programme at Exeter when I graduated last year, during this time I studied abroad in the United States as part of my third year of university. Whilst at Exeter I was the Economics Representative on the SSLC, a Senior Team-Member on the Welcome Team and also a Senior Student Ambassador to the university. Since leaving Exeter, I have joined Johnson and Johnson as a Financial Analyst. I absolutely love to travel, which is one the key reasons I applied for my graduate programme; it requires me to work in another country for a year, and travel to the USA every 5 months.

WHAT DREW YOU TO THE STUDENT AMBASSADOR SCHEME? The ambassadors at Exeter were incredible when I visited the University for my post-offer open day, and from then on all I wanted to do, was to give student life presentations and promote the university. When I arrived I wanted to get more involved within the university; the key factors when I applied were also the variety of jobs that one can do as an ambassador and the flexibility that the scheme has, allowing you to work around your studies and not having strict working hours.

The ambassador scheme provides you with the opportunity to get involved in a considerable amount of different roles. For the first year as a Student Ambassador, I was involved in undertaking Campus Tours, accommodation tours, student life presentations, whilst also visiting schools throughout the South West to give students insights in University life, providing students with information and support that have the ability to go to university, but currently believe that it’s not a possibility for them. During the summer, I had the opportunity to be part of the residentials, where 50 students would come and stay at the university in halls for 2/3/4 nights, and we would provide them with a true insight into university life. However during my second year of University I was promoted to Senior Ambassador, as part of this role, I would travel around the UK, attending both Higher education fairs and UCAS conventions to promote the university, alongside taking the lead on the wide variety of jobs I undertook as a Student Ambassador.

HOW CAN THIS SCHEME HELP TOWARDS FUTURE EMPLOYABILITY? The ambassador scheme was actually the biggest factor that resulted in me being offered my current job. My interviewers (one of which is now my Director) were

thoroughly impressed with the role of an ambassador at Exeter, the way they connect with pre-university students, providing them with the tools and support they need to view university as an option for them. The scheme also provides you with those critical skills, including the organisation skills that are required to create each event, being able to communicate with a variety of people both on an individual basis and in presentations whilst also the ability to adapt quickly as a situation changes.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH YOUR DEGREE(S) AND STUDENT AMBASSADOR EXPERIENCE? TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE WORKPLACE. For the first 7 months of my job, I was responsible for working with our 30 markets throughout Europe, Middle-East and Africa (EMEA), and to communicate back to Corporate in the USA on where our region was in relation to our targets, providing reviews on where we were falling short, then providing support to the markets. I have now moved into a Business Partner role, this involves providing finance support to the IT, HR, Procurement and Finance functions and their respective projects. The biggest project I’m supporting is a $20m project to completely reorganise how the sales force use technology when they are in the field, I am required to lead monthly reviews on our 12 projects.

IN THE ZONE

RESEARCHER DEVELOPMENT ARE YOU A POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENT OR EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER?

LISTEN UP! OVER HERE IN RESEARCHER DEVELOPMENT, WE HAVE OVER 350 COURSES SCHEDULED ON OUR PGR AND ECR PROGRAMMES IN EXETER AND CORNWALL, WITH TOPICS ADDRESSING ALL FOUR OF THE MAIN DOMAINS IDENTIFIED IN THE NATIONAL RCUK-ENDORSED VITAE RESEARCHER DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK.

2015

Grand Challenges The Get Fit Challenge Grand Challenges is an annual University of Exeter programme in which undergraduate students work together in interdisciplinary research groups, alongside some of our top academics, to address some of the greatest challenges of the 21st century.

Grand Challenges offers a fun and inspiring experience. This year’s topics include the obesity crisis, population pressures and gender equality. Previously students have created apps, built robots, performed plays, run social media campaigns, lobbied politicians and gone on to work with the Guild and University to implement real change.

The Get Fit for your Challenge sessions provide training in Team Dynamics, Networking, Project

Grand Challenges 2015:

Planning, LinkedIn Lab and Stress Management,

What impact will you make?

among others – and Grand Challenges week itself giving you the chance to put the training into

www.exeter.ac.uk/grandchallenges

practice and be part of a real project which will take you outside the classroom and gives you the experience and understanding of global issues which many graduate employers are looking for.

n Santander Postgraduate Research Awards

n PGR Research Showcase – An annual

– 16 Awards of £1,000 have been made this year to PGRs to enable them to undertake research-related opportunities to support their studies (http://as.exeter.ac.uk/rdp/funding/ santanderpostgraduateresearchaward/)

poster competition that offers PGRs the chance to demonstrate the value of their research. Posters will be displayed in the Forum, Streatham Campus 27th-29th April and in The Compass area, Penryn Campus 7th – 12th May. £750 of prizes will be awarded to winners (http://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/events/ postgraduateresearchshowcase2015/)

n Researcher Development Researcher-Led

Initiative Awards – 7 Awards of £1,000 and 9 Awards of £500 have been made to ECRs and PGRs to initiate, design, manage, and deliver new professional development activities for their peers (http://as.exeter.ac.uk/rdp/funding/ awards/)

n ECR Images of Research Competition

– This competition provides ECRs with an opportunity highlight the wide range of research within the university though images that to look at that research in a new and exciting way. Entries will be displayed will be displayed in the Forum,

Further information about our programmes, courses, competitions and initiatives can be found on our website: www.exeter.ac.uk/erdp/

Streatham Campus 5 – 10 June and in The Compass area, Penryn Campus 15 – 19 June (http://as.exeter.ac.uk/rdp/funding/ imagesofresearch/) n Researcher Development PGR Cornwall

Conference: Exploring Research in Corn wall (ERIC), 27th March 2015 – The Conference, now in its second year, celebrates the quality and diversity of research carried out by Exeter’s PGRs in Cornwall through paper and poster presentations (http://as.exeter.ac.uk/rdp/ postgraduateresearchers/pgr-cornwall/ pgrcornwallconference2015/)

@uoe_challenges facebook.com/grandchallenges

APPLY FOR IN TER VIE

W S

RESEARCH

INTERNSHIP

EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONS

A YE ABROAR AD

EXETER AWARD

GAIN WORK EXPERIENCE ENGAGE

2014 ASC075

A LEARNUAGE L ANG