It is never too early to think about your employability!
Employability is not necessarily the first thing you think about on your first day at university. Finding your accommodation and meeting your flatmates is top of the list; followed by getting your timetable and not sleeping through your morning alarms.
Yet it is never too early to begin thinking about your employment journey. University and university activities plays a huge role in this.
There are a few things you can take part in during your first few weeks which will go a long way to starting you on the road to employment:
- Societies and Sports Teams
Societies and sports teams are invaluable ways to meet new friends, learn new skills and share hobbies and interests. There is something for everyone at Kent with over 200 societies and over 50 sports teams.
New societies are formed every year and they vary from special interest groups, like salsa and scuba, to academic or political groups.
Fresher’s Fayre is held on 21st and 22nd September and is a chance to see the full selection of groups on offer. It is something we recommend every student takes a look at as there really is something for everyone.
- Part-time Work
Student budgets are tight. It is common to get a part-time job while studying to earn money and gain some work place skills. Kent Union’s Jobshop is a service that helps students find part-time or temporary work on and around campus.
Soft skills that are gained through tangible experiences of work are sought after entries on your CV. The university encourages students to gain this experience and you can pop into the Jobshop building on campus for advice when it suits you.
- Volunteering
Kent has a variety of volunteering societies. Kent Raise and Give is the official fundraising society of Kent Union and they run activities such as sponsored cycle rides, the Colour Run, Lip Sync Battles and the annual RAG Ball. Kent also has an Enactus group which are a student led social enterprise society who empower students to take part in entrepreneurial action to improve their world.
As well as meeting new people and having new experiences, you can give back to the local community!
We know there is a lot to take in during Fresher’s Week. We try to make increasing your employability as fun and easy as possible.
Every activity outlined above earns you Employability Points. You might not realise but taking part in any co-curricular activities helps to hone your soft skills and gains you experience for your CV. Points can be cashed in for rewards later in the term, which include internships, work experiences, skills sessions and much more.
For more information on points and rewards, please see here.
Get Involved and Get Rewarded!