Experience employability.

Previously, I spoke about partaking in the Employability Award - a scheme which helps students to increase their employability skills through mock interviews, case studies, projects and networks. It also provided a chance to meet with top employers such as Accenture and TeachFirst who sponsored the award. The end result appears on your transcript and is reflected by your increased employable skills. Therefore furthering your ability to be successful in your future career. The award also appears on your degree transcript.

What did I get out of it?
For me, I felt I really benefited from the scheme. Although I already knew the general direction of how to attain employable skills, the scheme provided a means of focus, testing your ability whilst providing feedback and helping to build your confidence.

I particularly benefited from a lecture on networking and valued all feedback we received from project appraisals. Most importantly the focus it provided has helped me to find and develop my career path!

I would really recommend this to anybody who is floundering on the edge of where to go and what to do!

Would I have done it if I knew what I know now?
Of course! I feel I wouldn't be where I am today without the guidance of the scheme. It's easy to fit around your degree with relatively simple assignments and also a great way to meet like minded people who can inspire each other.

I've recommended it to everybody who is in a similar position, so much so that, we (The History Committee), are currently trying to link the leadership award to our mentoring scheme, in order to enhance the employability of our students!

How might I do it differently?
To get the most from the award you need to make the most of its facilities. That means try to attend everything, get involved with everything and be enthusiastic. Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend some of the networking evenings or fairs last year, which I will certainly be attending this coming year.

I hope to partake in the volunteering award this year via my involvement with the Youth Offending Service and if we are successful, with the leadership award via the History Committees mentoring scheme.

If you are interested, enquire at your university's career service or find it on their website.

http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/careers/la/


I hope you have as much fun as I did!