The Careers and Employability Service are excited to announce details of Employability Festival 2016. The four week festival was a success last year and will continue with the same format this year, taking place on the Medway campus from 10 October to 21 October and continuing at the Canterbury Campus from 24 October to 4 November. This year’s programme is packed with industry professionals offering advice on etiquette, networking, interviews, presentations and more. The Academic Schools and Professional Services have also kindly offered their expertise with information on topics such as self-employment, volunteering, and working as an international student. As usual the Festival is home to the Employability Fair, taking place on Wednesday 12 October from 12.00 – 15.00 in the Pilkington Open Space. Exhibitors this year include Enterprise Rent-A-Car, IBM, SEO London, Nuffield Health, Civil Service Fast Stream, Young Lives Foundation and many more.
For a full list of events please see below:
Monday 10 October 11:00-16:00 G0-06
Individual appointments with Justin Penney from EmployAbility: Justin Penney from EmployAbility will be offering individual appointments to students with disabilities. He can offer advice on gaining employment and getting any support needed in the recruitment process, as well as in the workplace.
Monday 10 October 12:00-13:00 R2-09
Starting your employment journey: Enterprise Rent-A-Car will be offering industry advice about Employability Fair etiquette, recruitment, interview skills, networking, dress codes and more.
Monday 10 October 13:00-14:00 R2-09
Presentation skills: Presentations can vary dependant on your audience. You could be presenting your ideas to your peers or at a job interview. At this session Teach First will provide you with top tips to master your presentation style.
Tuesday 11 October 11:00-12:00 SCLGLR
The Employability Points scheme: What is it all about? This bitesize interactive session will give you the chance to find out further information about the University’s unique Employability Points scheme. This will include information on how to earn points, log points and ultimately, get rewarded!
Tuesday 11 October 12:00-13:00 SCLGLR
Employability through volunteering: Gain an understanding of how volunteering whilst at university can enhance your employability and how GK Unions rewards volunteers.
Tuesday 11 October 13:00-14:00 SCLGLR
Opportunities in risk management: Looking for a career that is well-paid, globally portable and with a good work-life balance, in a people-focused profession? Put aside any preconceptions about insurance and learn about B2B risk management. Get insight from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic graduates and the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Wednesday 12 October 10:00-11:00 Room tbc
Find out more about life as a Civil Servant: The Civil Service has so many different opportunities, and this is your chance to speak to current Civil Service Fast Streamers about what they do, and how you can be a part of the largest organisation in the UK.
Wednesday 12 October 11:00-12:00 Room tbc
How to tackle the Fast Stream Assessments: So you want to apply to the Civil Service Fast Stream, but are completely put off by all those tests and assessment centres? Let current Fast Streamers bust a few myths and help prepare you to get onto one of the top graduate programmes in the UK.
Wednesday 12 October 12:00-15:00 Pilkington Open Space
Employability Fair: A range of organisations will be providing information on graduate careers, placements, work experience, part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities and postgraduate study options. No need to book, just come along!
Wednesday 12 October 14:00-15:00 Room tbc
Working in the prison service: Two members of staff from HMYOI Cookham Wood will give their perspectives on employment in the prison service. The areas covered will be social work and forensic psychology.
Wednesday 12 October 15:00-16:00 Room tbc
How to run a business successfully as a student: Businesses don’t necessarily cost a lot to start and don’t have to take up all your time. In a competitive labour market, starting a business gives you the edge over other candidates – you’ll demonstrate just how self-motivated you are.
Thursday 13 October 13:00-14:00 R2-09
Interview skills: Develop your interview skills with this workshop hosted by South East Water.
Thursday 13 October 13:00-14:00 R2-09
Strength and conditioning career pathway: Creating Athletes deliver strength and conditioning services to academies and individuals in elite sport. This workshop will provide information about their 6 month scheme, which includes qualifications, innovative workshops and field experience.
Friday 14 October 12:00-13:00 R2-09
Psychometric testing: Many employers use psychometric tests as part of their recruitment processes. Dr Yvonne Pendry from the University of Greenwich will be explaining what you can expect from a psychometric test and how to prepare. Information on practice tests will also be available.
Friday 14 October 14:00-16:00 G0-06
CV and application form clinic: Careers advisers will be available to provide tips on CVs, covering letters and application forms. Please bring printed copies of any documents you would like feedback on.
Monday 17 October 13:00-14:00 Room tbc
Video interviews: Whichever career path you decide to embark on after university it is possible that you’ll be asked to complete a video interview. FDM Group’s video interview workshop is your chance to discover what to expect, how to prepare and excel.
Tuesday 18 October 12:00-13:00 Room tbc
Self-employment and freelancing: How does self-employment and freelancing work? What can you do? How can you get into it? Gain valuable information from this workshop and get the chance to have your business idea reviewed and your questions answered.
Tuesday 18 October 13:00-14:00 Room tbc
Starting up an online business and how to sell online: This workshop will cover an overview of the different kinds of online business as well as guides on how to set up in online marketplaces, such as eBay and Amazon Marketplace and some top tips for starting an online business.
Wednesday 19 October 11:00-13:00 Room tbc
Mock assessment centre: Join Enterprise Rent-A-Car for an interactive workshop on what you can expect to experience at an assessment centre. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Wednesday 19 October 13:30-15:00 Room tbc
Meet the professionals: Would you like to find out more about careers in the financial services sector and how to succeed? Applicants are invited with any degree background, but willingness to study for a professional qualification is a must. This event brings together the main professional bodies ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA and ICAEW (ACA qualification) who will give a short presentation each followed by Q&As.
Wednesday 19 October 14:00-15:00 Room tbc
Taking a Year in Professional Practice: If you are studying BSc Social Sciences or BA Criminal Justice and Criminology you have the option of taking a Year in Professional Practice. You would spend your third year on a work placement relevant to your course, offering an exceptional opportunity to enhance your employability skills and experience. This presentation will cover what is involved and how to apply.
(Open to students (stage 1 or 2) studying BSc Social Sciences or BA Criminal Justice and Criminology at the Medway campus.)
Thursday 20 October 12:00-13:00 Room tbc
Speed networking: This business take on speed dating is the perfect place to start filling your book of contacts, extend your LinkedIn network and meet like-minded students. After an introduction to networking, you’ll take part in an intensive session of two-minute meetings.
Thursday 20 October 13:00-14:00 Room tbc
International students and working: Are you an international student looking to work in the UK? GK Unions Advice Centre present a workshop focusing on international students, their work restrictions, what work you can and can’t do etc. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
Friday 21 October 13:00-16:00 G0-06
Placement drop-in: Thinking about doing a year in industry or finding a summer internship? Come to our drop-in session to speak to a careers adviser for tips on searching and applying for roles.