Scottish Careers Week: Celebrating higher education careers services in Scotland

Happy Scottish Careers Week! This week we are celebrating the work of AGCAS Scotland careers services. In the first of two blogs, read about a fantastic range of initiatives and activities from all over Scotland to support students and graduates with their career planning. Today's blog features 英国斯特拉斯克莱德大学 , Glasgow Caledonian University , Abertay University , University of St Andrews , University of Aberdeen and Edinburgh Napier University .

Spotlight on careers service events this week

University of Strathclyde

At 英国斯特拉斯克莱德大学 , a range of events are taking place this week to support students and graduates.

On Tuesday, the Careers and Employability Service are running a session for disabled students and graduates. Find out about the resources and support available and how to access them, including links with inclusive employers. More information: https://careers.strath.ac.uk/Events

On Wednesday, don’t miss a lunchtime drop-in session with the Strath Union’s Mature Students Association

On Thursday, an information session on Looking for a Graduate Job in the UK . Led by a Careers Consultant, learn about job search strategies, employer expectations, and top tips on how to research the UK job market and navigate the recruitment process as an international student.

Glasgow Caledonian University

All through this week, the careers service at Glasgow Caledonian University are running a programme of activities to engage students, including the very popular CV pong, career chat and drinks and a drop-in event to support students to find part-time work. They will also be highlighting some recent activities, including Raising Your Career Aspirations, which ran as part of Black History Month. This collaboration between the careers service and student’s association featured three excellent speakers discussing their career journeys, and answering a wide range of questions from students.

Abertay University

Abertay University are joining Scottish Careers Week with two events run by Student Career Ambassadors.

Monday 11 November: Careers pop-up

As part of Scottish Careers Week, our Student Career Ambassadors are hosting a pop-up stand at Kydd Building Reception to share how they have been involved with the Abertay careers service and the opportunities that exist.

Tuesday 12 November: Careers Café, 12:30-2

Careers café and quiz, with prizes available.? Chat with the Careers Ambassadors and find out how they have been involved with the careers service.

Inspiring careers initiatives from Scottish AGCAS members

University of St Andrews

The Employability Bursary is an initiative at the University of St Andrews designed to support students, particularly widening participation students, to engage in activities and opportunities which will develop their employability skills and support their future career ambitions. The fund is open to all students but there is more support available to those who self-identify as having additional barriers or within the widening participation category.

The aim of the funding is to support students to participate in internships, to attend interviews and insight days, to participate in volunteering and similar opportunities. The Employability Bursary can help mitigate the costs of travel, professional clothing, accommodation, additional qualifications, entry requirements and even support the cost of caring responsibilities. Part of the Employability Bursary is provided by the University’s budget but a significant portion comes from donations. The support it offers to students is invaluable. https://careers.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/category/employability-bursary/

University of Aberdeen: Internships

A current focus at the University of Aberdeen is on creating opportunities to connect students with organisations in sectors of interest through flexible, part-time paid internships. Priority is placed on creating funded internship opportunities in areas of work and sectors which are often limited in their ability to offer paid opportunities, such as in arts/culture and nature, and the third and public sectors.

This approach is introducing organisations to the amazing talent of University of Aberdeen students who can make a real difference in the time they are with them whilst giving students career-changing experiences in areas of work they are passionate about. Many of the internships are leading to longer term relationships through further part time employment, volunteering and graduate opportunities. Further information, including a video showcasing some recent internships is available here: ?ABDN Internships | Careers and Employability Service | The University of Aberdeen

Edinburgh Napier University

At Edinburgh Napier University , we know the world is changing fast, and the challenges keep coming.? We believe that students need a range of core, soft and human skills to face these challenges, both now and in the future.? We created the Resilient Skills Programme so Napier students can build these skills. Our training platform is permanently available to students, so they can build skills whenever they need them, and at their own pace.? We are also working with academic colleagues to integrate and embed this skills development into academic programmes.

?“This was really interesting. It can be used in any aspect of life no matter what the circumstance is.”

“I've learned a lot of new and useful things from this training.

Doors an English degree can open

We are a Top Three Modern University for English (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024) and have developed a fully integrated programme of employability support for English students to enable them to understand their strengths and skills and explore the varied career paths open to them.?

We run career events within the academic curriculum, including career planning, exploring the labour market and application skills development to prepare the students for their next steps after graduation.? One of the highlights is our “Doors an English Degree Can Open” panel event where some of our exceptional alumni return to inspire the next generation of ENU English graduates with tales of their varied career journeys. English BA (Hons) | Edinburgh Napier University

Look out for part 2 of this blog series later this week, sharing further initiatives and activities from across Scottish higher education careers services.

#ScotCareersWeek24 #ShapeTheFuture #careers #employability #students #graduates Skills Development Scotland