Category Archives: Featured

Featured, Placement Year, Post graduate, Skills development

Alfa Fellowship Program – Deadline 15 November

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The Alfa Fellowship Program is a distinguished international initiative that each year offers up to 18 accomplished young Americans, Britons, and Germans the opportunity to complete a high-level professional development program in Russia. Over the course of the program, fellows complete work placements at leading institutions, attend professional seminars, and receive intensive language training.

The fellowship provides a monthly stipend, accommodation, insurance, all program-related travel costs, language training in Russia, and private tutoring in the U.S., U.K., or Germany.

Key goals of the Alfa Fellowship Program are to expand networks of American, British, German, and Russian professionals, develop greater intercultural understanding, and advance knowledge of Russian affairs in the West.

Participant Profile

Fellows have a demonstrated interest in Russian and European and Eurasian affairs, exceptional academic and professional credentials, proven personal initiative, and clear goals and expectations for their professional assignments.

Fellows are between the ages of 25 and 35 with graduate degrees and professional experience in business, economics, journalism, law, public policy, or related fields.

Fellows possess leadership potential and are active in community or public service.

While Russian language skills vary, most fellows have studied Russian for at least two years at the post-secondary level.

Eligibility Requirements

U.S., U.K., or German citizen between the ages of 25 and 35 (Russian citizens are ineligible to apply, including individuals who are also citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, or Germany)
Bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years of relevant professional experience in business, economics, journalism, law, public policy, or a related field

Desired Qualifications

  • Outstanding professional achievement and academic qualifications
  • Active involvement in community or public service
  • Russian language experience is preferred, however not required, at the time of application. If an applicant does not speak Russian, he or she will need to demonstrate proficiency in another foreign language to qualify for the program
  • Graduate degree in business, economics, journalism, law, public policy, international relations, or a related field
  • Evidence of leadership potential

The Alfa Fellowship Program is a professional-level initiative focused on the fellows’ assignments in Russia. The Alfa Fellowship Program will not sponsor independent or academic research.

The Alfa Fellowship Program includes the following benefits:

  • Round-trip transportation to New York City or London and accommodation (if needed) for selection interviews
  • Orientation seminar in Washington, D.C., including speakers, activities, travel, and accommodation
  • Program-related transportation between U.S./U.K./Germany and Russia
  • Pre-departure and Russia-based language training
  • Moscow Seminar Program, including briefings, assignment planning, and excursions
  • A generous monthly stipend during the program in Russia
  • All program-related travel within Russia
  • Accommodation in Moscow
  • Limited international health, accident, and liability insurance during the program in Russia

Application Deadline:

The deadline to apply for the 2019-2020 program year is:

November 15, 2019

For details regarding the application process and to access the online application, please visit the How to Apply section.

Selection Interviews 2020:

Interviews for candidates based in the U.S. take place in late January in NYC, and interviews for candidates based in Europe take place in mid-February in London.

Please note: if selected to interview, you will be required to attend the interview in person on the day it is scheduled in order to be considered for the fellowship.

If you are offered and choose to accept the fellowship, the program begins in March. For more information and to apply please visit:

https://culturalvistas.org/programs/abroad/alfa-fellowship-program

 

Alumni, Employability Points, Events, Featured, Graduate Jobs

POLIR Alumni Careers Panel on 16th October 2019

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For EMPFEST 2019 hear from a panel of School alumni who will share the secrets of their career success in Politics and International Relations.

Date: Wednesday 16th October 2019
Time:  2pm – 4pm
Location: KLT3
Please signup at https://careers.kent.ac.uk/

You will gain first-hand information and practical advice on various careers paths. Our alumni are able to share invaluable career tips through open, honest dialogue with the students who attend.

At this event, we aim to highlight unique career possibilities that exist for School of Politics degree holders, helping you envision possibilities for yourself you may never have considered. The event wraps up with a networking session where attendees can mix and mingle with all of the panellists.

Alumni Speaker Biography’s

Kami Asamani
Business Manager Arts Sub-Saharan Africa, British Council
Kami was appointed as Head Business Management Arts SSA at the British Council in February 2018. Prior to this, Kami worked as Programmes Manager Ethiopia and from 2009-2015 as a Project Delivery Manager in the British Council’s Education and Society business unit. Kami has long been associated with and interested in the creative sector and is excited by seeing young people gain access to new skills. Kami has a BA in Politics and International Relations and an LLM in International Law and International Relations, both from the University of Kent at Canterbury. Kami is passionate about learning about other cultures, especially African countries and Japan. She loves cooking and eating healthy food whilst sharing creative food ideas @kamiasamani.

Joseph Dutton
Policy Adviser at E3G
Joseph Dutton is a Policy Adviser at energy and climate change think-thank E3G, working on UK and EU energy, infrastructure, and climate change policy. He previously worked as an Associate Research Fellow at the University of Exeter Energy Policy Group on the politics of UK and European energy policy and renewable energy development. He has held a number of roles in the energy, including in academic research, market analysis, and consultancy. He completed his undergraduate in Conflict, Peace and Security (2008) and MA in International Relations and European Studies (2010).

Kevin McNamara
Freelance Digital Communications and Campaigns Expert
Since graduating from the University of Kent, Kevin has been a parliamentary candidate on several occasions and worked on a number of campaigns, including being one of the organisers who got Catherine Bearder re-elected in 2014, as well as playing leading roles in successful Liberal Democrat campaigns in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Kevin has since turned his attention to working on other projects with social good at their heart, supporting projects like Nature 2030 and Empower as well as volunteering as a governor for his local NHS Trust which has a budget of over £300m.

Tom Spare
Executive Officer for Transitions and Engagement with Student Support Services, Cardiff University
I graduated from University of Kent in 2013, studying a BA in Politics. My career, thus far, has been in Universities, working at two Students’ Unions in student representation, education and policy, and now at Cardiff University as Executive Officer (Transitions and Engagement). I help oversee International Arrivals for around 750 international students and run events to help integrate international students in the wider university community. I also engage with vulnerable groups such as estranged students, student carers and care leavers, asylum seekers and Armed Forces Veterans. I work within the Student Support and Wellbeing Division that assists in every element of student life, from careers to counselling, from money advice to study abroad. Ask me questions If you are interested in a non-academic career in HE or want to understand what it’s like working for a University/Students’ Union.

Misha Upadhyaya
Stakeholder and Engagement Officer at Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime
After completing her undergraduate degree and Masters at Kent, Misha left to join Thames Valley Police as a Civilian Counter Terrorism Officer. For over two years Misha led on Police work for the Government’s Prevent programme which aims to safeguarding vulnerable people away from radicalisation and extremism in the Thames Valley area. She worked extensively with the community to safeguard individuals from a myriad of risks. After this, Misha joined NHS England as the London and South of England’s Regional Prevent Coordinator where she oversaw the implementation and safeguarding legislation in the form of the Prevent statutory duty in over 150 health care organisations. Misha now works for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime where she leads on engagement and policy for the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan’s, Countering Violent Extremism programme. In her free time Misha volunteers as a co-opted School Governor for safeguarding for at her local primary school.

 

 

 

Employability Points, Events, Featured, Skills development

Upcoming Careers Events for POLIR Students

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As part of EMPFEST 2019 there are a number of careers & employabilty events for POLIR students.

Civil Service Fast Stream: Meet the Fast Streamers
Wednesday 9th October, 3pm
Three current Fast Streamers on the Civil Service Fast Stream graduate programme will be coming to the University of Kent to give a talk about their experiences both applying for and being on the Fast Stream.

How to Get a Job in International Development
Thursday 10 October, 10am, room tbc
Webinar on how to get a job in international development. I’ll discuss the following: 1) What skills / background are required 2) How to know where you have a chance and where you don’t 3) How to get informational interviews / network 4) Where to focus your attention in your job search 5) The basic application. Plus Q&A

Careers in Law for non-Law Students
Thursday 10 October, 17.00 in CW SE LT2
For any students considering a law conversion, our team will talk them through the practicalities of the courses but also highlight the career options ahead and how to achieve this.

Fast Stream Skills Session
Tuesday 15 October, 11.15 and 1.45 time slots
This will be a taster of a half-day assessment centre that selects graduates with the calibre and potential to join the Fast Stream. Research shows that assessment centres make more accurate predictions about how you will perform at work than other recruitment methods. Fast Stream standards are high and to have reached the assessment centre is a significant achievement. You now have the chance to show that you have the skills and personal qualities to be a successful Fast Streamer.

POLIR Alumni Careers Panels for EMPFEST
Listen to POLIR Alumni talk about their careers since graduation followed by a Q&A and networking
Wednesday 16th October 2019, 2pm – 4pm, Location: TBC

Crown Prosecution Service Careers
Wednesday 16th October, 1pm in KLT6
Find out what it is like to work for Crown Prosecution Service, career paths and the range of opportunities available for graduates.

Unlocked Graduates – Leading Change on the Inside
Wednesday 16th October, 2pm

Please visit the careers service website to sign up. 

Featured, Mentoring

Fabian Womens Network MENTORING PROGRAMME

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Applications for the next cohort (2019/20) are now open
Following the astounding success of the first eight years of the Fabian Women’s Network mentoring and political education programme, we are now recruiting our ninth cohort of aspiring women. If you are a woman looking to develop or further a career in politics or public life then this could be the scheme for you.

Taking part will enable you to develop your political skills and increase the impact and influence you can have on political and public life through mentoring from one of a number of highly influential women along with bespoke training and peer group support.

The scheme launched in 2011 on International Women’s Day and since then has gone from strength to strength. Nearly 200 women have now completed the scheme and each of the seven cohorts over ten months, has received mentoring as well as taking part in organised training and networking activities. The scheme includes time spent in Parliament in London, what will be the final trip to the European Parliament, a series of networking and other events and a residential weekend where mentees will take part in training and further development in the core skills required to be effective in public or parliamentary life.

The programme has already delivered some incredible results for its participants and the Fabian Women’s Network. Mentees have been selected or shortlisted as Parliamentary candidates, and as candidates for the London and Welsh Assembly with brilliant support from other mentees. Many others were shortlisted. 42 women have been elected into local government positions and subsequently promoted into cabinet positions, and a large number of women have gone on to become school governors and trustees on the boards of charities. Some have formed their own charities. The majority of mentees have gained promotion, been nominated for awards and written for or spoken in national media.

How to apply
From 24 May, the Fabian Women’s Network will be inviting applications for the next cohort of the mentoring scheme from Fabian women.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate a clear interest in politics and public life and a commitment to their own and others’ development in their application. The scheme will run from 9 September 2019 to June 2020. Applicants must be free to attend induction on 9 September 2019.

The deadline for applications to be a participant on the scheme is midnight 23 June 2019.

To apply for the ninth cohort of the FWN mentoring scheme, you must submit a completed Application Form 2019, a concise CV and a Diversity Monitoring form by email to FWNmentoring@fabians.org.uk

The deadline for applications to be a participant on the scheme is midnight 23 June 2019.

For queries please contact the scheme Coordinator Christine Megson at christine.megson2@ntlworld.com

Careers Service, Events, Featured

Exciting Upcoming Careers Events

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Government Operational Research Service (GORS)
Thursday 14 February 2019, KLT5 13:00 – 14:00
GORS is offering Year-Long and Summer Operational Research placements in a number of government departments. You will have the opportunity to gain professional and technical skills whilst working on some of the most interesting and pertinent problems currently facing the country. For further details & to book visit https://careers.kent.ac.uk/

PwC Insight Day (Gatwick Office)
25th February, 10.45 – 17:30
Whether you’re an undergraduate, postgraduate, graduate or ready for your second job, you can pick up loads of information about our work and decide which of our career options interests you most at our office based event. You’ll have the opportunity to spend some time in our Gatwick office discovering what we do, how, why and where we do it, and who we do it for. You’ll find out where a career with PwC can take you – and how far you could go – and you’ll be able to ask us questions face-to-face and get a better grasp of our business. Suitable for all degree streams. Event booking link: https://careers.kent.ac.uk/events/event.html?execution=e3s1

Your degree can take you anywhere!
Discover your skills with PwC!
27th February 2019, 13:15 in Keynes Seminar Room 11
This session will focus on how you can utilise the transferable skills you have gained from your studies and apply these to the workforce. Irrespective of your degree, all students will have acquired soft and technical skills from their studies that are relevant to a career in professional services. PwC, a multinational professional services network, will provide some suggestions on other ways you can develop your employability skills, as well as practice some interview questions and discuss the PwC application process. Register here: https://careers.kent.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3617&service=Careers+Service

Master your Video Interview Skills
27th February 2019, 14:30 in Keynes Seminar Room 11
This session will cover what you should expect from a video interview and how you should approach this stage of the application process. We will discuss how to prepare in advance, common mistakes, the importance of body language and tips for a successful interview. You will have the chance to review real life good and bad example case studies, and have the opportunity to practice filming yourselves and observe how you come across on camera. A great opportunity to practice your interview technique with expert advice from a Recruitment Officer at PwC! Register here: https://careers.kent.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3619&service=Careers+Service

BVE Expo coach trip (The UK’s leading broadcast, production and media tech event)
28th February, 08:00 – 18:30
BVE is the largest broadcast, production and media and tech exhibition in the UK attracting over 12,000 creative professionals, business leaders and tech professionals every year. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about all of the careers in Media and Production, network with employers and attend accredited seminars. Suitable for all degree streams, of special interest to Media, Production and Tech. Event booking link: https://careers.kent.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3733&service=Careers+Service

Events, Featured

Civil Service Fast Stream – Application and Assessment Centre Workshop

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Civil Service Fast Stream: drop-in session
Monday 3rd December from 11.30 – 14.30
Keynes Seminar Room 4

Have you applied to the Civil Service Fast Stream? Are you currently going through the recruitment process? Or are you thinking of applying in the future, but have questions about their schemes or working for the Civil Service? 

Join Elliot and Sophie, current Fast Streamers, who will be on hand to answer any questions you may have regarding your application, the recruitment stages (including the assessment centre and final selection boards) and working for the Civil Service! They’ll be on campus on Monday 3rd December from 11.30am – 2.30pm, so drop by, no appointment needed! If you have any questions about the Fast Stream, come along and have a chat!

The Civil Service Fast Stream is an accelerated career path to leadership with supported development. They are a graduate employer that is consistently ranked in the top five of The Times Top 100.

The Civil Service is looking for graduates with the potential to progress to the most senior levels of the Civil Service and become our future leaders.  By ‘potential’ we mean graduates who have the motivation and ability to progress to the highest levels of our organisation. We are seeking the widest range of people, who can bring differing life experiences to their roles, enriching our organisation and helping us to better represent the whole of the society that we serve.  There is no typical Fast Streamer. We believe that people perform their best when they can be themselves at work.  We value who you are before you join the Fast Stream and ensure that through flexible working you will still have time for the things that matter the most to you outside work.

Event link: https://careers.kent.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3597&service=Careers+Service

Alumni, Employability Points, Events, Featured, Final Year, First Year, Graduate Jobs

EMPFEST 2018 Alumni Careers Panel Event

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 As part of EMPFEST 2018, the School of Politics and International Relations is bringing Alumni back to campus.

Hear from a panel of 5 alumni speakers who will share the secrets of their career success in Politics and International Relations…

Date: Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Time:  2pm – 4pm
Location: COLT3 – Cornwallis South East (Octagon)
SIGNUP

FEATURING:

Annette Fisher
Freelance Social Accountability Practitioner &
Participatory Action Researcher

Jonathan Millins
Head of Office for the East of England European Partnership

Mitchell Adams
Content Manager, Dods Parliamentary Communications

Scott Macdonald
Deputy Head of the Iraq Team at the
Department for International Development

Sulmaan Hanif
Regional Manager, Middle East and Africa,
The Economist Intelligence Unit

Our alumni’s career experiences include the Civil Service; European Government; International Research and Global Public Affairs.

You will gain first-hand information and practical advice on various careers paths. Our alumni are able to share invaluable information through open, honest dialogue with the students who attend.

At this event, we aim to highlight unique career possibilities that exist for School of Politics degree holders, helping you envision possibilities for yourself you may never have considered. The event wraps up with a networking session where attendees can mix and mingle with all of the panellists.

Featured, Graduate Jobs, Welcome

What to do with my degree in Politics and IR?

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If you are undecided about where you would like your degree to take you, it may be worth spending some time to really explore your career options. As a non-vocational course, a degree in Politics and International Relations provides a broad range of careers you could go into. This varies from teaching, Public Affairs and Lobbying, Journalism, social and political researcher to working with a non-governmental organisation and many more!

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

A degree in Politics and IR gives you many useful transferable skills including:

  • the ability to research, source and examine information thoroughly;
  • the capacity to critically analyse evidence and construct coherent arguments;
  • excellent written and oratory skills;
  • intellectual independence and autonomy;
  • team working skills;
  • a flexible and open-minded approach to work.

Useful links
To find out more about the different careers your degree could take you into, try the following sites:

If you are unsure about your career path, or you would like advice, the Careers and Employability Service offer careers guidance interviews. Full details or to book an appointment.