10 things that all students should know
- What support is Student Futures providing during lockdown?
Despite the team not being based on campus Advisers are available throughout the week to talk to students by phone, Skype/Teams and to support via email. Make an appointment in the usual way by going to the Student Futures pages on the website and arrange an appointment. https://www.tees.ac.uk/depts/studentfutures/
Alternatively email us on studentfutures@tees.ac.uk
- What kind of support is provided?
There are 5 groups of staff available to support you with all the information and advice you will need to plan your career.
- Careers Advisers work with all students and can help with the full range of questions that you might have, including what careers might suit you.
- Work Experience and Placement Officers spend more time supporting students in their early years at University, including year two students who are looking to undertake a full placement year.
- Graduate Employment Officers work mainly with final years and recent graduates and provide support to get you a job or an internship.
- The Volunteering team is here to help all students gain voluntary experience that can make such a difference to your CV and career prospects.
- Student Enterprise and Launchpad staff are here to help students and graduates to develop their creativity and entrepreneurial skills whilst at University and to develop and launch new businesses. https://www.tees.ac.uk/depts/studentfutures/enterprise/
- Where is Student Futures based?
The team are based on the first floor of the new Student Life Building. As already mentioned above, just email us or go online and make an appointment. When we are all back on campus you can make an appointment in the same way or just drop-in. The enterprise staff and business start-up facility (Launchpad) are based in Victoria Road which is located behind the Olympia/Europa Buildings.
https://www.tees.ac.uk/depts/studentfutures/careers/advice.cfm
- Can the team get me a paid internship when I graduate?
Paid internships are normally available during the summer months and in the autumn. Because of the current lockdown situation it is unlikely that we will be able to run our June/July internships in the same way as usual. At the time of writing we are investigating possibilities for graduates to get involved in a virtual internship where you might work on projects from home. Subject to lockdown restrictions being eased we will be trying to support as many graduates as we can into an internship in the autumn (beginning on October 5th). If you are in your final year and interested in this option, register your interest as early as possible on Teesinterns@tees.ac.uk
- Can Student Futures continue to support me after graduation?
Yes, support remains available for as long as you need it. Make sure you keep your email account up to date when asked as this will give you to access to jobs and other opportunities that the team make available on the online jobs board.
https://www.tees.ac.uk/depts/studentfutures/careers/advice.cfm
- What Graduate Attributes are important to employers and how can I develop them during my time at University?
In order to be able to compete well in the graduate job market it is important that you are able to offer a broad set of knowledge, skills and experience and these can be developed in a number of different ways, i.e. through part time jobs, volunteering, clubs and societies, through your academic studies, hobbies, mentoring, PASS leader, being a Student Ambassador, internships and placements. There are a lot of transferable skills that are important, including teamwork, leadership, confidence, creativity, resilience, adaptability etc. Employers are also interested in your attitudes, behaviours and values and how you will fit into a team.
https://www.tees.ac.uk/depts/studentfutures/degree_plus.cfm
- Can the Student Futures Employability Award help me prepare for my career?
For the last two years Student Futures has offered a new form of training and award that will help all Teesside students to think about their skills, strengths and weaknesses and what should work on during your time at University. It will help you to develop your CV, understand how to complete application questions and to practise your interview technique. It will encourage you to reflect on where you are in your career journey, how to develop important graduate attributes and how to articulate these to employers when looking for placements and graduate jobs. For further information https://www.tees.ac.uk/depts/studentfutures/award.cfm
- If I have just started at the University or in year two of my course is it too early to get involved in careers related activity?
It is never too early to begin the process of thinking about your future. The earlier you start the clearer you can be about what you will need to do to enter and be successful in the career of your choice. Employers like to recruit graduates who have full CVs and who have been involved in a wide range of activities. Volunteering can make a big difference to how you are regarded by employers and it can be a lot of fun and a great way of meeting new people and getting involved in your local community. For further information https://www.tees.ac.uk/depts/studentfutures/voluntees/
- Are there opportunities for international internship and volunteering?
University is very keen to provide a more extensive rage of opportunities for students to gain experience overseas and these will be available next year in a number of different countries. They will be offered through the international office, your school and through Student Futures. These will last between 10 days and 5 weeks and cover options for study and cultural tours, volunteering and more traditional internships in companies. Watch out for messages that come out in the autumn.
- Looking ahead for students who will be back on campus next year what other activities will Student Futures be offering?
- Graduate Employment Fair with more than 50 employers on campus (Friday 30th October)
- School specific employability fairs and events (February and March 2021)
- A series of employer presentations on a wide range of careers and topics – throughout the year
- Employer mentoring – connecting you to alumni who do the job you are after
- A wide range of enterprise activities including Microbizacademy https://www.microbiz.academy/
For more FAQs go to https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/stud/careers.cfm