How To Make The Most Out Of Your Time At University: Part 1

Hi I'm Victoria! I'm a Public Speaker, Mentor and Coach with 7 years worth of experience. I currently sit as the first Chair of the Career Ready Youth Advisory Board and was recently selected as?one of the newest members of the Sutton Trust Alumni Advisory Board. I first got involved with the Sutton Trust in 2016, taking part in their?Cambridge University?Geography Summer School at Queens’ College. 5 years later,?I graduated from Queens’ College,?Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography.

During my 3 years at university I was fortunate to have been the recipient of 5 awards as well as have had life-changing opportunities such as becoming a?Bloomberg LP?Scholar at 18, completing internships at?Accenture, the UK Government's?Department for Education?and securing a place on insight programmes with?McKinsey & Company,?Boston Consulting Group (BCG)?and the?Bain & Company?True North Scholarship programme.

How to make the most out of your time at university is a new series I am writing about to help: 1) Professionals who work with students e.g: teachers, parents, practitioners etc. 2) University students 3) School students who will soon be attending university.

The aim of this series is to share useful advice around navigating a range of topics that are really important for students right now and will assist them in making the most out of their time at university. These areas include navigating careers, relationships, tackling imposter syndrome, change, social media usage, fear, finding your passions and many other topics too. This blog post will provide you with some advice on how students can best make the most of employability support whilst at university and as a recent graduate. From networking, to internships and career fairs I’ll discuss it all. In part 1, the very first article of this series I'll be touching on navigating internships, graduate job applications and how to find career guidance (that is useful) whilst at university.

During my time in school, I had realised very early on that?taking initiative?was not only relevant?for?applying to university?but also regarding internship opportunities and finding what career path I might like to pursue after graduation.?Considering how competitive the graduate job market?is,?I was determined to gain a wide range of experience to?develop my skills and build my CV.?During school, I was very proactive and applied for career programmes with the Social Mobility Foundation, Career Ready and IntoUniversity.

Having?undertaken?a range of different internships and schemes,?I have?learnt?that it is?very important to?be proactive when conducting?your own research about career?pathways you may be potentially interested in as a student.?If there is any career path you are curious about?now is the time to explore that.?This can be through attending?national?career fairs, or career fairs?organised by your university, joining career?specific?societies?at your university to meet other like-minded individuals?and company insight days?or alumni panels?to start building a network with those in your desired industry.?During your first and second year at university, there are many opportunities to attend insight days and events, as well as to secure a place on?a?insight/spring?week. If successful at this stage, there is the possibility to be fast-tracked for a summer internship?and subsequently secure a position?on a graduate scheme.??

There’s?an abundance of careers websites which provide events, connect you directly to employers and provide advice. You?can?even?subscribe for emails with job updates. You?can also do research through?websites such as?Sutton Trust Alumni (STA) online,?Creative Access, Bright Network, and Target Jobs to name a few (a longer list can be found below). These organisations are a great starting point in learning about the fundamentals of?specific industries?e.g: Tech, Banking & Finance, Law and Consulting?and offer a plethora of information related to applications, interviews, and deadlines.?

Several?major graduate recruiters have policies and processes that are proactive in recruiting students and graduates from diverse backgrounds.?Promoting diversity and inclusion has become a priority across many professions and there are people who want to help?young people like you. There are a lot of resources available to help underprivileged students?and graduates?on securing internships and graduate jobs. Organisations such as the Sutton Trust, Creative Access,?upReach, SEO London and Rare?recruitment do a lot of work to help underrepresented students to get into their desired field. The training and advice they offer is vital in providing students?and recent graduates with?the best opportunity to gain internships and further employment. This is?done?through assistance with applications, interview preparation, offering industry insight days, work experience opportunities and developing your wider competencies and commercial awareness.?

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many?companies have partnered with organisations like Forage to now offer virtual?internships. By getting involved in these activities and making the most of career support, you?will not only boost your CV and enhance your employability. But you’ll also be able to build your network by meeting experienced and aspiring professionals gaining key insights and support on your career journey.?I’d definitely recommend?to make?the most of?the different opportunities available to you!?

Below is a list of organisations you may find helpful. This is not an exhaustive list, but a selection of opportunities you might want to explore to kick-start your job search and help you get inspired to start working towards your 'dream career'.

1. upReach
2. Sutton Trust
3. IntoUniversity
4. Creative Access
5. Bright Network
6. Rare Recruitment
7. Aspiring Solicitors
8. SEO London
9. My Plus Students Club
10. MyGWork
11. Taylor Bennett Foundation
12. Charity Works
13. Mama Youth Project
14. Helena Kennedy Foundation
15. Targetjobs

I'm a Public Speaker, Mentor and Coach with 7 years worth of experience. If you’re?a student or a professional that works with young people in any capacity and would like to work with me do reach out to me for some further information.