Use your degree
Though many of the large graduate recruiters will have closed the doors to their summer placement schemes some months ago there are still plenty of opportunities for those students looking to gain career-related work experience over the summer.
Neil Lindon, a software development student at the University of Liverpool, found a paid computing placement through Business Bridge North West, a service which aims to place students in relevant paid placements with local businesses.
I work for a company called Help – Huyton Education Learning Project,’ explains Neil. ‘My work covers all aspects of computing, but mainly focuses on developing a database. I have been able to use the skills, which I have learnt on my course, in a real world situation. This job has enabled me to put the theory into practice through working rather than just learning.’
Do it yourself
Another option for those looking for a last-minute placement, is to go it alone in the quest for relevant work experience and it’s an approach that can lead to some interesting opportunities, as law student Ben Parks found out.
‘I contacted family and friends to see if they had any contacts with anybody in the legal profession. I then sent speculative applications to every contact I could find with a legal connection.
This approach proved to be successful and Ben completed four short placements with a number of different legal firms. Ben believes it was this experience that helped to secure his training contract with law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer where he now works as a practising solicitor.
‘I think that my work experience proved to employers that I was serious about practising law. Having discussed the issue of work experience with the partner responsible for recruiting, I am confident that my work experience was considered when I was initially offered an interview. It also provided me with greater understanding of the realities of legal work and real examples to discuss at interview,’ explains Ben.
Give something back
Last, but by no means least in our list of summer activities is taking time out to undertake some voluntary experience. Though it may be unpaid, volunteering can allow you to develop vital skills that employers will be looking for post-graduation.
For Paul Rowden, a student volunteer with the Lancaster University Volunteering Uni, his involvement in COMIT, a community IT project, has allowed him to develop his skills whilst also doing something worthwhile. And for Paul, like many volunteers, the project has been about more than just topping up his CV.
‘I know that there are a lot of people with financial pressures now, but if you can get some volunteering in, it really is a good idea. It has certainly been a good experience for me and I think it does add a lot to your CV. It also helps other people, which is probably the most important thing.’