The resilience of the students that I have seen over this term has been really impressive and they have made the most of their employability research and planning. The Aspire Team report that their business start-up workshops are being well received by students.
Suspension of all overseas placements for the 2020-21 academic year
The University has made this decision because of the continued uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The volatility and fluctuation of the current situation across the world significantly increases the health and financial risks attached to your overseas placement. There is also an associated impairment of our capacity to provide insurance cover. This means that currently the University cannot be sufficiently assured that the risks associated with overseas travel and study placements can be safely managed. This renders University-supported study abroad temporarily unsustainable.
TARGETjobs are excited to announce that the 2021 Undergraduate of the Year Awards have been launched!
The awards are a fantastic way for students to win valuable experience in the form of internships and placements, as well as gaining insight into the graduate job application process. With numerous awards on offer, there is an opportunity for every student regardless of university, course, or year of study. Each award is partnered by big-name organisations (such as L’Oréal, Rolls-Royce and HSBC) who are keen to offer unique work opportunities and various prizes to successful candidates. This year there are 9 awards running, and 3 of the awards in particular are looking for applicants studying a STEM degree
- Female Undergraduate of the Year
- Undergraduate of the Year for Excellence Through Adversity
- Undergraduate of the Year for Sustainable Thinking
You may also be eligible for our other awards and may choose to apply for one of those instead! Find out more about the information about the other awards.
How do students apply?
To enter the awards, students must put themselves forward and apply online via the Undergraduate of the Year Awards website. The application process includes essay-style questions and psychometric tests, not unlike those that you may experience in the graduate job application process. Successful undergraduates will be invited to an interview and/or assessment centre with the award partner, and the shortlisted students will be invited to a prestigious award ceremony taking place either in person or virtually in April 2021. The deadline for applications is 1 February 2021.
Careers in Banking and Finance
HSBC
Ever thought about a career in banking and finance? If you have then there are various Internships at HSBC closing on the 5 January 2021
FDM
Our people are our passion at FDM. That’s why we make your training and career growth a priority. Our vibrant and diverse workforce of talented professionals is what makes FDM such a dynamic and exciting place to work.
FDM Group are a Global Professional Services Provider with a focus on technology. We currently have Technical Consultancy roles available on our Graduate Programme. The FDM Technical Graduate Programme offers you the opportunity to launch your successful career in tech.
Our training programme will equip you with everything you need to get started on breakthrough projects with our leading clients and make your mark. This could see you using next generation security tools to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber-security threats, leveraging machine learning to predict and solve urgent issues affecting healthcare or climate change, as well as creating innovative digital experiences across a range of industries, including travel, finance and broadcast media.
We are looking for people who have a real passion for tech and innovation and you don’t need any prior technical experience to apply.
Here is a list of the Technical Consultancy roles on our Graduate Programme:
- Software Developer
- Software Testing
- Business Intelligence
- Technical Operations
- Robotic Process Automation
Our requirements:
- Educated to degree level (2:2 or higher)
- An excellent communicator
- Passionate about a career in IT
- Eligible to work in the UK or EU
How do I apply?
- Email your CV and role interest to: Michaela.Hall@fdmgroup.com
- Or, you can register your interest through our website (2021 Graduates): https://www.fdmgroup.com/2021-programme-register-interest/
Further reading:
- Events we are hosting: https://www.fdmgroup.com/careers/graduates/graduate-events-2/
- More information on our Graduate Programme roles: https://www.fdmgroup.com/careers/graduates/technical-graduate-programme/
Professional Societies
Make sure that you engage with professional societies as their undergraduate memberships are great and there are opportunities to attend skills events, network and find out more about how your subjects is applied out and beyond the lecture theatre.
- Physics: Institute of Physics
- Chemistry: Royal Society of Chemistry
- Forensic Science: Chartered Society of Forensic Science
Gradcracker and Target Connect
Register with or update Gradcracker and Target Connect to find out more about STEM specific employers and industries.
The Careers and Employability Centre have moved a lot of services online. They are still offering our 1-2-1 guidance appointments for all students – see booking link. You can also access their full programme of weekly online events here.
You can access the introduction to the service booklet here.
Spotlight – Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
What is a MOOC?
MOOC stands for ‘massive open online course’. They are free, easily accessible, completely online courses. MOOCs are offered by top universities around the world and come in a number of languages. MOOCs don’t always lead to formal qualifications, but help you to gain knowledge in new areas. You might use one to develop career skills or explore a new interest entirely. MOOCs usually do not have entry requirements in order for users to enrol.
Teach First Training Programme
The Teach First Training Programme offers you a wide range of benefits to kick start your career, including a fully-funded qualification and access to further professional development opportunities with partner organisations.
The current global crisis has proven what many have known all along: teaching is a vital profession for the future of our country. A child’s future should be decided by their potential, not their postcode. Help Teach First break the cycle of inequality, by becoming an inspirational leader and teacher in schools that need your skills the most.
Have any questions about the programme? Contact the recruiter for Kent, Abi, on abush@teachfirst.org.uk.
The Teach First STEM Online Experience
Are you considering teaching after university?
Try out the Teach First – STEM Online Experience for (STEM) students. In the STEM Online Experience, you’ll develop skills in teaching, leadership, teamwork, decision-making and public speaking. Along the way, you could discover a real passion for helping children fulfil their potential, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Teach First hold four experiences: one in June, two in July and one in September. Applications are open now.
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All Subjects: Foundation Stage Students
Next term, I will be focusing on items to help you consolidate what you have learned since starting in the autumn and how you can progress even further from January to Easter.
Take some time to reflect now that the term is drawing to a close. What did you find useful? What do you need to improve at? Are there any additional skills that you would like to acquire or perfect?
The summer term of your foundation year will be a great time to start thinking about summer internships at the end of stage one and the need to start polishing those CV and application skills. There are lots of resources to assist you on the CES website. Make a start on this in the spring.
Message from Teach First and open to foundation and stage one students!!
Get a taste for the classroom and a head start on your career with the two-day Teach First – Student Taster Online. Get practical experience in things like presenting and problem-solving whilst also building the skills we look for in our teachers. You’ll take part in skills-based workshops, networking opportunities and have the chance to plan and teach a real mini lesson. Apply here.
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Chemistry
Keep applying for summer internships and the year in industry, employers continue to advertise throughout the year.
Teach First Student Taster Online (open to all first year students)
Get a taste for the classroom and a head start on your career with the two-day Teach First – Student Taster Online. Get practical experience in things like presenting and problem-solving whilst also building the skills we look for in our teachers. You’ll take part in skills-based workshops, networking opportunities and have the chance to plan and teach a real mini lesson. Apply here.
The RSC produces an online magazine called Chemistry World. You can register for free and it is a great publication!
Chemistry Stage 1
Time to start looking for an applying for summer internships.
Getting some paid work experience at the end of stage one will give you a taste of industry etc. and some great skills development. Don’t worry too much about getting something absolutely subject specific but concentrate on the skills and experience that you want to gain and how this can be transferred elsewhere in the future. Gradcracker advertise opportunities open to stage one students make sure that you get online and have a browse!
Chemistry Stage 2 – Juicy Jobs. It is time to apply for placements!
As per last month’s newsletter, I have included some Juicy Jobs for you to apply for. They are all year in industry placements but you can look for summer internships too if that is your preference. Each of the vacancies below are seeking applications from students of chemistry/
Cummins
42 Work Placements/Internships – Deadlines are ongoing.
Our people, our products, our impact – look closely and you’ll see Cummins everywhere you look. You’ll also see why the world’s best engineers, IT professionals and scientists choose a career with Cummins. Our Board of Directors even includes an astronaut who went to space seven times and started a rocket company.
Roche
Clinical Operations Industrial Placement – Deadlines are ongoing.
We’re about innovation, curiosity and diversity. As a global leader in research-focused healthcare, we’re constantly learning and growing – and seeking people who share these goals.
Sellafield Ltd
12 Work Placements/Internships – Deadlines are ongoing.
At Sellafield, we’re true pioneers. We led the world in nuclear power production; now we’re the world’s first movers into environmental remediation. Building on our rich history, we’re striding into an era where we’ll transform the environment, local society, the regional economy and the global nuclear industry.
Stage 3 Continuing Students
There are opportunities still out there if you have yet to get or wish to supplement your work experience. The additional academic content that you have covered will be advantageous and you have, hopefully, had some application experience already. Look at Gradcracker for summer opportunities, also try out Targetjobs and RateMyPlacement.
Information for all Chemistry Finalists – Stage 3 and 4
As finalists, you have a lot on in the run up to your final exams and graduation. It is really important that you are thinking about and taking action with respect to your next steps now. The Careers and Employability Service can provide Guidance Interviews, CV Help and Mock Interviews. For those of you committed to the idea of PhD study here is a useful article for you to peruse.
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Forensic Science
Company research is important for students at all levels of their study. It informs you about the labour market, developments and opportunities within it and information and news. To this end I thought that I would pass you on a link to a company, DNA Legal, their home page contains Forensics industry specific news and blog posts that you can read. Use this as a starting point, as you broaden your knowledge of the skills and experience required in the labour market you will be able to make better informed decisions regrading your ongoing career development.
Teach First Student Taster Online (open to all first year students)
Get a taste for the classroom and a head start on your career with the two-day Teach First – Student Taster Online. Get practical experience in things like presenting and problem-solving whilst also building the skills we look for in our teachers. You’ll take part in skills-based workshops, networking opportunities and have the chance to plan and teach a real mini lesson. Apply here.
Forensic Science Stage 1 – Time to start looking for and applying for summer internships
Getting some paid work experience at the end of stage one will give you a taste of industry etc. and some great skills development. Don’t worry too much about getting something absolutely subject specific but concentrate on the skills and experience that you want to gain and how this can be transferred elsewhere in the future. Gradcracker advertise opportunities open to stage one students make sure that you get online and have a browse!
Forensic Science Stage 2
All of the roles below are seeking applications from students of Forensic Science, not all of the roles on Gradcracker are science based. Many employers will value your numerical and analytical skills that you have developed over the course of your studies.
Roche
Clinical Operations Industrial Placement – Deadline Ongoing.
We’re about innovation, curiosity and diversity. As a global leader in research-focused healthcare, we’re constantly learning and growing – and seeking people who share these goals.
Internships at HSBC
HSBC are looking for new students who are collaborative and curious thinkers, with the courage to challenge the status quo and the motivation to make a positive impact for customers worldwide. There are many business focused roles available please click here to view the on RateMyPlacement. Deadline for applications January the 5th 2021
Forensic Science – Stage 3 Continuing Students
There are opportunities still out there if you have yet to get or wish to supplement your work experience. The additional academic content that you have covered will be advantageous and you have, hopefully, had some application experience already. Look at Gradcracker for summer opportunities, also try out Targetjobs and RateMyPlacement.
Forensic Science – Stage 3 and 4 Finalists
As finalists, you have a lot on in the run up to your final exams and graduation. It is really important that you are thinking about and taking action with respect to your next steps now. The Careers and Employability Service can provide Guidance Interviews, CV Help and Mock Interviews. For those of you committed to the idea of PhD study here is a useful article for you to peruse.
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Physics, Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics (ASSA)
Teach First Student Taster Online (open to all first year students)
Get a taste for the classroom and a head start on your career with the two-day Teach First – Student Taster Online. Get practical experience in things like presenting and problem-solving whilst also building the skills we look for in our teachers. You’ll take part in skills-based workshops, networking opportunities and have the chance to plan and teach a real mini lesson. Apply here.
Physics World, the publication by the IoP has made its 2020 Careers in Physics Guide available here. It is well worth taking the time to read.
Physics, Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics (ASSA) – Stage 1
Getting some paid work experience at the end of stage one will give you a taste of industry etc. and some great skills development. The time to start looking at opportunities for next summer is now! Gradcracker advertises some great, paid opportunities and you can try something out, even something different, and develop your skills and confidence too. Remember to consider anything at this stage, the transferable skills and experience of a workplace will be highly valued whatever you apply for at stage two.
Physics, Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics (ASSA) – Stage 2 Students
Spring Term 2021 – Advance Information
Keep an eye out for SEPnet!! These opportunities are paid summer placements , specific to students of Physics. The booklet is usually launched in March but you can get a head start by looking through the website for yourself. This year we had three students out on SEPnet summer placements and it would be great to see more of you go. Placements are paid and run in the summer. They are all applied for using a CV and a Cover letter so make sure that those skills are up to date from here on in.
Juicy Jobs
Roche
Clinical Operations Industrial Placement – Deadline Ongoing
We’re about innovation, curiosity and diversity. As a global leader in research-focused healthcare, we’re constantly learning and growing – and seeking people who share these goals.
Cummins
42 Work Placements/Internships – Deadlines Ongoing.
Our people, our products, our impact – look closely and you’ll see Cummins everywhere you look. You’ll also see why the world’s best engineers, IT professionals and scientists choose a career with Cummins. Our Board of Directors even includes an astronaut who went to space seven times and started a rocket company.
BAE
59 Work Placements/Internships – Deadline Ongoing
At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of 87,800 people in more than 40 countries. We help our customers to stay a step ahead when protecting people and national security, critical infrastructure and vital information. We also work closely with local partners to support economic development through the transfer of knowledge, skills and technology.
Physics, Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics (ASSA) – Stage 3 Continuing Students
There are opportunities still out there if you have yet to get or wish to supplement your work experience. The additional academic content that you have covered will be advantageous and you have, hopefully, had some application experience already. SEPnet!! These opportunities are paid summer placements , specific to students of Physics. The booklet is usually launched in March but you can get a head start by looking through the website for yourself. This year we had three students out on SEPnet summer placements and it would be great to see more of you go. Placements are paid and run in the summer. These are a good bet for stage three physics students as you have an additional year of subject knowledge under your belts! They are all applied for using a CV and a Cover letter so make sure that those skills are up to date from here on in.
Physics, Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics (ASSA) – Stage 3 and 4 Finalists
As finalists, you have a lot on in the run up to your final exams and graduation. It is really important that you are thinking about and taking action with respect to your next steps now. The Careers and Employability Service can provide Guidance Interviews, CV Help and Mock Interviews. For those of you committed to the idea of PhD study here is a useful article for you to peruse.
I want to wish you all the best over the last few weeks and into the holiday period beyond. It has been a very strange first term for us all and for you, the students, very trying. Hopefully, we will return in January refreshed and facing improved circumstances as a result of the ongoing pandemic.
Anna