Graduates from the School of English at the University of Kent are among the most employable in the UK. 67% of English students that graduated in 2011 had already found graduate level employment or embarked upon postgraduate study within six months of graduation. The Guardian University Guide 2013 revealed that this places the School of English in the top five departments of the 45 in its peer-group (along with Durham, Leeds, Cambridge and York). Students develop a range of skills whilst studying for a degree in English Literature, all of which are highly desirable in a variety of industries. In the current tough economic climate our students are continuing to go into a diverse range of competitive industries including publishing, teaching, journalism, human resources and management. The School of English has made significant increases over the last few years to the level of support it offers its students in the areas of careers and employability and this on-going commitment to the future of our graduates is certainly showing in recent statistics.
The School of English offered a wide variety of careers and skills sessions last year that were aimed at increasing students’ career awareness and soft skills and which were developed to perfectly compliment and enhance the skills already learned in the thriving academic environment. Sessions offered included presentation skills, confidence sessions, careers for English Graduates, enhanced writing skills and CV workshops. The sessions proved very popular with students at all levels of study and the school is committed to increasing these events over the coming academic year. The focal point of last year was an employability and careers fair, which took place in the spring term. The event was developed specifically to raise awareness of career possibilities for English Literature students and introduced hundreds of students to assistance and support available within both the university and further afield. The event welcomed back several of the school’s successful alumni to inspire students with the story of their careers. The school is looking forward to hosting the successful event again next year and aims to double its size and scope.
The schools relationship with the Institute of Contemporary Arts and the local Herne Bay Duchamp Festival has provided exceptional internship opportunities for our students this year. Four of our students have been involved in three-month internships that have covered areas such as event management, arts heritage, public relations and curating. Two student were also awarded with internships at ‘The Writer’ after a rigorous workshop selection process. The school hopes to continue this trend over the coming years with the addition of a new member of the school administration team working specifically in the area of Employability and Careers.