Tapping into the talent and enthusiasm of Southampton students
Leading employers got the chance to find out how they could work with talented students from Business, Law and Winchester School of Art at a special employability, enterprise and engagement reception at the Southampton Boat Show.
The Faculty’s guests discovered more about the wide range of opportunities to meet and recruit undergraduates and postgraduates from all three Schools. They include careers talks and fairs, project sponsorship, employability events, work placements and exhibitions. Academic staff encourage students to get involved with companies and organisations during their time at University so they can put their knowledge into practice and hone the soft skills they will need in the world of work.
City MP and Southampton alumnus John Denham and Dean of Business and Law Professor Jeremy Howells spoke at the event. “We were pleased to meet business leaders from regional, national and international companies, who wanted to know more about establishing or developing links with us,” says Professor Howells. “We have many enthusiastic students starting out on their careers with much to contribute.”
Representatives at the reception said they found the evening worthwhile. James Robins, a partner at lawyers Bond Dickinson LLP says: “It was very encouraging to see the willingness of the University, and the Faculty in particular, to engage with law firms and other businesses in the region. We at Bond Dickinson look forward to continuing to work with you closely on your employability skills programme.”
Alison Coulter from the Winchester business consultancy firm Artesian adds: “It was good to meet new people and to catch up with old friends, to make business links and to share common challenges and ideas. I sometimes think of business as a dry ‘desk’ thing, but it’s really all about relationships, and so inviting people together for conversations is what makes business happen.”
