The Careers and Employability Service’s plan to support student and graduate employment during the coronavirus crisis is due to be highlighted in an Office for Students (OfS) briefing paper as a case study.
The plan covers remote working up to the end of June 2020, delivering all regular services and additional activities in response to the challenges posed by a global pandemic. Here’s a summary of the new services being offered to our students and graduates:
Caller Campaign to Final Year Students
We trialled a programme last year called the Final CountDown, which focused on supporting final year students into further study and/or work. We received really good feedback so we decided to scale it up and tailor it to the needs of our final year students, at this very challenging time. Phase One focused on a priority group of 688 out of a cohort of 5,510 final year students. They have been identified because they have never accessed their My Career account or used our services. We are now moving into Phase Two in June, which are students who have used our services but not in their final year. The overwhelming feedback is that the students do feel they are being supported by the University and they really appreciate that we are showing an interest though they may not be focused on their job hunting at the current time.
Opportunities Bulletin
Twice a month an Opportunities Bulletin is emailed to students and graduates – to reflect the truth of the current situation to counter misleading press activity. We are very well connected with professional bodies and have access to robust labour market information (LMI) and want to present an accurate picture of the job market and the opportunities available.
Opportunities Week
Beginning 22 June 2020, this week will include a virtual Jobs or Careers Fair aimed at the whole student body and will encompass volunteering, part-time opportunities, further study options and full time jobs. We already have a number of local and national employers signed up and a whole range of sessions planned, which will be delivered virtually by a range of staff on topics such as job hunting in the current climate, how to make the most of online resources and focusing on developing and maintaining personal resilience.