To the post….

So maybe becoming a caped crusader is a little far fetched. That is unless your local neighbourhood watch scheme has gone militant or you’ve watched the film “Kick ass” one too many times. There is however a mystery surrounding what international students go on to do. Well that is, until now!

Every year a survey is carried out of all students leaving university, 6 months after they graduate. It’s called the DLHE report (Destination of leavers in higher education) and its results are often surprising. For full details of where international students end up  see the destinations page at International Futures.

Did you know that half of international students find employment straight out of University and of that number 62% stay in England while 29% find work in their home country.

Those that landed their first job said that the top tip to securing employment was personal contacts and previous work experience in the company. A massive 24% landed jobs through Networking and 21% said they found their current role because they had completed a summer placement or internship for their employer. For current vacancies check out job online or international job online if working over seas is your dream destination.

The top employers were the NHS and UCL itself it seems, however this is likely due to the large number of Medics trained at UCL. Other big employers were Ernst and Young and Tesco. Almost 60% of students worked for employers with 250 or more employees; however the second largest group of students worked for companies with 1 to 49 employees. The figures show that when applying for job roles it is vitality important to include SME (Small to medium size enterprises) in your search.

So what about those that didn’t go on to employment? Well; about a quarter of student go onto further study after they graduate, while a further 6% combine work and study, 6% were still looking for work and 14% were doing something that didn’t fall neatly into a particular category and classed as “other”.

So there you have it, while many students go on to work in England or sign up for another round of academia, 14% remain men and women of mystery, so when Commissioner Gordon puts up the Bat Call, it could be one of your cohort that answers. Just maybe…..

Thanks to our friends at International futures for the number crunching.

For the full destination break down and more surprising facts click here

AW

Teach For India

In the first 3 years of existence, Teach For India has attracted Fellows from top universities such as Indian Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Management, Harvard, St.Stephen’s College, St. Xavier’s College, and many more top-notch colleges in India and across the globe. The Fellowship also attracts young professionals from reputed companies such as Accenture, McKinsey, Schlumberger, Tata Group and several more international and Indian companies. The first batch of 80 alumni who graduated in April 2011 are today spread across India and the world, working with organizations such as McKinsey, Leader’s Quest, NIIT Foundation, Akanksha etc. and some are even studying at universities such as Harvard, Chicago Booth, Kellogg and Cornell. To know more, please visit www.teachforindia.org

You could also get in touch with Abishek Maroli who works with the Fellowship Recruitment team at Teach For India and assists applicants from universities outside India. His email address is abishek.maroli@teachforindia.org.

UCL Careers Service are hosting the Marketing & FMCG Fair, which is aimed at students considering careers in industries areas like: Marketing, PR, Advertising and New Media.

What? UCL Marketing & FMCG Fair

When? Thursday 27th October from 5.30 to 8.00 pm

Where? Old Refectory and Jeremy Bentham Room, Wilkins Building

There’s a diverse mix of exhibitors on show including some of the world’s biggest brands such as Google, Ogilvy, Trip Advisor, Proctor & Gamble, Ketchum Pleon and Unilever.

Many have never been on campus before and are keen to recruit from UCL, so don’t miss out on this unique opportunity. The fair is open to students and graduates from any degree background.  No booking required – just turn up with your UCL ID card!

To find out more please see: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/careers/students/events/fairs/fmcg/

The China Employability workshop will give Chinese students an insight into
career opportunities available to them; help Chinese students to better
understand employer’s needs as well as the current job market in China, and
how to get ahead of the competition by enhancing their understanding of the
job market.

HR executives from major employers in China have been invited to give an
overview of the competitive job market in China, talk about various aspects
of recruitment from the employer’s side and share job opportunities with
Chinese students. Students will also have opportunities to raise questions
they might have about job hunting and career development in China.

Companies attending

. Microsoft
. 58.com
. Nokia Siemens Network
. Nestle
. Deloitte
. Hay Group

Event Details

London Session
Time: 14:00-16:30, October 22nd 2011, Saturday
Address: Lecture Hall, Central Hall Westminster, Storey’s Gate, Westminster,
London SW1H 9NH

Manchester Session – nearly full!
Time: 14:00-16:30, October 23rd 2011, Sunday
Address: Lecture Theatre B, University Place, The University of Manchester,
Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL

Workshop registration
The workshop is open to all Chinese students currently studying in the UK.
Due to limited venue capacity, RSVP will be required. Interested students
are required to choose one session from the below itinerary and fill in the
registration form online. Registration will be closed after capacity is met
or the stated closing date, whichever comes first.
Students who have registered successfully will receive a confirmation by
email after the registration is closed.

Please visit below link for more event details or to sign up to attend this
workshop:
http://www.educationuk.org/China/Article/China-Employability-Workshop?

Sign up for these events at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/careers/students/events/presentations

Employer Presentations

◊ Ernst & Young,  – Tues 11^th October, 6.00pm

◊ Qedis,  – Thurs 13th October, 5.30 pm

◊ Linklaters, – Thurs 13^th October, 6.00pm

◊ Evercore,  – Thurs 13^th October, 6.00pm

◊ Grant Thornton,  – Thurs 13^th October, 7.00pm

◊ Cushman & Wakefield,  – Mon 17th October, 6.00 pm

◊ BLP Law, – Tues 18^th October, 1.00pm

◊ Herbert Smith,  – Tues 18^th October, 6.00pm

◊ KPMG,  – Tues 18^th October, 6.30pm

◊ Moelis & Co,  – Thurs 20th October, 1.00 pm

◊ Jones Day, – Thurs 20^th October, 6.00pm

◊ Oliver Wyman,  – Thurs 20^th October, 6.30pm

To help you on your way the UCL careers service has a jam-packed programme over the next few weeks including our specialized International programme, the Masters Quickfix events, 7 fantastic fairs, loads of employer events and some great skills for work forums.  Don’t miss out as many of the events you will need to book for so get familiar with your “My Careers Service” account.

Next week our talk topic is Application Forms where you can get a better understanding of what an employer wants you to write when your applying for job.  To find our more information, or to book, please visit the International Students Programme page at the careers service website.

All the best for this Autumn term everyone, and remember, we’re here if you need us – all you have to do is call for a one-to-one appointment!

So you’ve considered investment banking, but you aren’t sure it’s the career for you. What else can you do in finance? Assess. Advise. Comment. Investigate. Regulate. Report.

Financial Alternatives is your opportunity to find out more about your options.

With a small group of other students, you will have a few minutes with each professional. They will tell you about their job and how they got there then you can ask them your own questions.

Employers involved include:

• Financial Times
• Allianz
• Factset
• Burns Anderson
• Tesco Finance Scheme

Venue
This event will be held in Beveridge Hall, South Block, Senate House, University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HU. 20 October 2011. It runs from 5.00pm – 7.00pm.

If you require any special assistance (including induction loops or large print materials) please let us know in advance and we will do our utmost to facilitate your access to this event. Contact us at cs@careers.lon.ac.uk or on 020 7863 6042 to discuss arrangements.

Cost
£16 – current students from colleges within The Careers Group, University of London Consortium and members of GradClub.
£20 – for all other participants.

You should be informed within two working days from receipt of your application whether you have been given a place on the course. All applicants who are not successful will be given a full refund. PLEASE NOTE: There is an administration charge of 10% of the total booking on all cancellations and refunds cannot be given after 5pm on 14 October.

How to apply

To register please click here and set up an account.

Important: Once you have set up an account you need to search the calendar for 20 October and select the Financial Alternatives event.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a current student at any of the following colleges: Goldsmiths, King’s College London, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway, SOAS, St Mary’s or UCL or you have signed up to receive JobAlert, you will already have an account. Sign in using your College Careers Service or JobOnline username and password and then search the events section for Financial Alternatives.

NB you will not be given a place on the course until we receive payment. After you have registered for the event, please pay online using the link given in the event description.

Please register before making payment.

For general enquiries, call 020 7863 6042.

My view is to be upfront about this… Remember an employer will read your CV and may well work out you are from overseas by simply looking at your previous education.

So if you are from outside the UK, be clear about your nationality on your CV whilst clarifying how this impacts your eligibility to work in the UK. For example, if applying for a part-time job whilst studying put something like:
Nationality: Indian, eligible to work part-time in the UK for up to X hours.

(Make sure you know the current position by always keeping up to date with information on the UK Borders website)

If you are looking for work in the UK after you have finished your studies, try something like
Nationality: Indian, Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) Migrant, eligible to work in the UK for 2 years.

Again there are excellent guidance notes from UKCISA

For specific question relating to your right to work in the UK contact UCL Rights and Advice.

The Volunteering Services Unit or VSU helps students and staff make the most of volunteering opportunities within the local community.

There’s a world of possibilities out there, right on your doorstep. London is the most diverse city in the world, and the best way to discover it is by getting involved in volunteering. UCL’s Volunteering Services Unit have 250 different projects to choose from, so there’s something for everyone, and you’ll make new friends and improve your chances of getting decent paid work too. But most of all, you’ll be making a difference right here in this exciting city!

You’ll get loads of support and advice from both the Volunteering Services Unit and the student-run Volunteering Society.

For more details and to check out the projects you could get involved with, follow the link

http://uclu.org/volunteers/

or visit the VSU at:
1st Floor
Lewis Building
Corner of Gower Street and Gower Place
WC1E 6BP

020 7679 2512

volunteering@ucl.ac.uk

Car hire giant Enterprise Rent-A-Car, one of the UK’s ten biggest graduate recruiters, has set out some hints and tips for graduates looking to make themselves more appealing to potential employers.

1. Experience matters

Work experience and internships will often make you stand out. Employers know that a taste of the commercial world will sharply reduce the learning curve when you join the workforce full-time.

2. Volunteering

Unpaid volunteering highlights graduates with a social conscience and proactive work ethic.

3. On-campus activities

Make the most of clubs, sports teams and social groups on your CV, particularly in positions of responsibility. Remember to show how they  helped build teamwork and leadership skills.

4. The academics isn’t everything!

Unless you’re going down a route where you need explicit technical skills, it’s often good to position yourself as a well-rounded individual. A good degree matters but so does everything else you did at university.

5. Confidence shows

Some people are great at writing CVs but lack interpersonal skills. How well do you communicate what’s on your CV? How well do you sell yourself? Do you say “I’m afraid I’ve only done this…” or “Actually, I’ve achieved this…”?

6. Have you done your research?

Ensure you know at least something about the business where you’re applying for a job. A question that begins “I was looking at your website and wondered…” is a good sign to employers. Also, it’s often worth calling the company up before the interview to ask for more details about the job on offer.

7. Professionalism

It’s amazing how many new graduates don’t turn up on time for their interview or dress appropriately. Not every company expects a suit, but you should at least make the effort to find out about its dress code.

8. Using your initiative

For employers, the most promising recruits are usually those who really made an effort. That can mean everything from entering undergraduate awards and competitions while at university, to making the best use of your contacts afterwards.

9. Networking skills

Business is a social environment, so you will often have to demonstrate your skills at listening, making small talk and putting other people at their ease.

10. Motivation

If you get asked “Why do you want to work here?” you should have a real answer and not just a pat response. You might not yet be thinking in terms of a lifelong career, but you should at least know why you’ve chosen that company.

With thanks to Enterprise Rent-a-car