5 things you can do in the first few weeks of term that'll help you develop personally and professionally
University of Glasgow Careers, Employability & Opportunity
By Hannah Vuozzo, Communications Manager
From settling into your living space, attending Welcome events and consuming loads of information, there’s a lot going on at the start of term.
Many, if not all, of those activities and others offer the opportunity to boost your employability and grow as a person. After all, that’s a lot of what university is about!
So, consider ticking off at least one of the following activities in the first few weeks of term.
Set goals for yourself
Setting goals is a good practice to have throughout your life, not just at the start of term.
A goal could be achieving certain marks, mastering a specific skill or trying something new.
Goals can help you acquire new skills, gain a deeper understanding of your strengths and weaknesses and become a more well-rounded individual, all of which enhance your employability.
Be sure to regularly review and revise your goals to further support your growth and development.
Join a club or society
Joining a club or society is a super fun way to enhance your employability and make friends at the same time (and it could be a goal you set for yourself)!
Say you want to a job doing business development for an environmental charity. It’s easy to tell the employer, ‘I love the planet.’ But being part of an environmental club or society not only shows them that you love the planet but also that you have valuable skills to do the job.
Being involved with a club or society can help you develop key transferable skills, including:
With over 300 clubs and societies and over 50 sports clubs , there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re an ogre enthusiast (see ‘Shrek Society’ ), impassioned activist, professional shower singer or film junkie, you can find a club or society to help you explore your interests or find new ones!
Attend careers events
Yes, this is a bit of a selfish plug, but I promise careers events are worth the hype.
To start, careers events aren’t all about finding a graduate job. If you want a part-time job or internship, careers fairs , like the Careers & Internship Marketplace , are one place where you can scope out opportunities and get advice directly from employers. And there are usually fun activities, like getting a free professional profile picture.
Besides careers fairs, we host employers and industry professionals on campus for other events, including pop-ups, presentations and skills workshops.
Careers events also allow you the opportunity to learn about different sectors. Think of it this way: If you wanted to travel somewhere you’d never been before, you’d be less likely to encounter challenges by researching ahead of time. Getting a sense of ‘who’s who’ in a sector can help you better plan and prepare for your future, and it’s never too early to start.
In addition, we offer Masterclasses to help you with figuring out what to do after university, finding part-time work and internships, writing CVs and cover letters, applying for further study and much more.
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All of our events are advertised on Glasgow Careers , so log in with your GUID to see what’s on and register. Plus, stay up to date on our Instagram and LinkedIn .
Speak to people
No, I don’t mean giving speeches or presentations (although those can be helpful too).
Whether it’s at classes, club or society activities, careers events or beyond, speaking to people will help you establish valuable connections and develop useful skills.
Asking questions is one good approach. After all, curiosity is a big part of being a student. It’s about learning and information seeking. The more you know, the more opportunities will be available to you—or, at least, the more opportunities you’ll know about.
If something is unclear in a lecture, ask. If you want to learn more about something, ask.
Even small talk can have big impact. Take your headphones out on the queue for a coffee and chat with the person in front of or behind you. These little but regular interactions are the reason ‘people make Glasgow’. And #TeamUofG is no exception!
There countless other ways to connect with others and make friends , and many of them are easy to do.
Get to know Glasgow
The University is just a small part of a big and vibrant city that worth exploring. And getting settled in Glasgow can support your professional and personal development.
If you’re not from Scotland—or even Glasgow, you’ll gain a better understanding of the unique culture here. This can help you adapt and thrive, not just here but beyond.
And as you navigate Glasgow, you’ll develop your skills in adaptability, independence, self-reliance and communication (eg intercultural communication).
You can also support your mental health and well-being by taking well-deserved breaks from your coursework. With over 90 parks and gardens , Glasgow’s greenspace is an ideal setting to relax and recharge. In fact, the name the Scottish Gaelic translation of Glasgow means ‘dear green place’.
And while you’re out and about in the city, be sure to strike up a conversation with locals. Gaun yersel’!
Other resources
‘5 ways engaging in a student club or society can take your CV to the next level and boost your employability’ : Get insight about why you should join and club or society from our former intern Abigail
Students’ Representative Council (SRC) club and society directory : Browse from over 300 SRC-affiliated clubs and societies
Glasgow University Sports Association (GUSA) website : Learn about and browse from over 50 GUSA-affiliated sports clubs
Student Life webpage : Learn about Student Life at UofG and all about the city of Glasgow
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Career Coach, Life Coach, Qualified MBTI Practitioner - Retired
1 年Good advice - get involved in things you like and use the help that’s under your nose ??