As a service we play a key role in supporting the achievement of the University 10 year plan, specifically in optimising the further study and employment outcomes of our students, but also, in enhancing their experience whilst at the University. To achieve this we have developed a relevant and diverse offer to students.
Our Strategy
It is our aim to provide a varied, comprehensive and transformative offering to support our students in their journey towards success. In doing this we will facilitate the delivery of an excellent and exemplary student experience that enables every student to effectively design their own future and reach their full potential.
In order to meet this aim, our strategy has a number of guiding principles. Those principles, based on research**, show that successful strategies focused on improving the employability of students include:
- Embedding employability in the curriculum and ensuring that students are able to make a connection between employability outcomes and their discipline.
- Encouraging reflection and increasing students’ capacity to articulate and communicate their learning to employers
- Supporting students to increase their confidence, self-belief and self- efficacy through their studies
- Providing a range of co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities for students to enhance their employability.
- Building links with the labour market and encouraging students to do the same.
- Providing students with real connections to employers and actual experience of the labour market.
- Encouraging student mobility and fostering a global perspective
**Hooley, T (2017). Climbing the employability mountain. Graduate Market Trends, Spring, pp.10-11
We promote the Graduate Outcomes survey (previously the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education); data obtained directly influences the ‘Career Prospects’ marker in the higher education league tables. Through our services and partnership working we are seeking to help the University achieve a top 10 ranking in the Guardian league tables and top 100 national and international rankings by 2022.
Our full strategy document can be viewed here.
Awards
As the service has grown, we have developed excellent practice in several key areas, including the provision of experience opportunities, the development of robust partnership working and quality assurance.
We are proud that this progress has been marked and acknowledged through the following awards:
- Award for Most Collaborative Careers Service of the Year - Shortlisted, 2019 Bright Futures Annual Awards
- Award for Best Collaboration between a University and Employer - Shortlisted, 2018 NUE (National Undergraduate Employability)
- Award for Most Improved Commitment to Employability - Winner, 2017 NUE (National Undergraduate Employability)
- Award for Best Higher Education Preparation for Work Initiative - Winner, 2017 AGR (Association of Graduate Recruiters)