Last Wednesday the Engine Shed transformed itself into a more interactive version of the Job Centre for the ‘Find Your Feet’ Fair.
The event was set up by the university in order to assist students with ideas towards careers after study.
Mark Stow, Careers and Employability Services Manager, said: “Employability is now something that students need to think about throughout their degree studies in preparation for entry into what is, an incredibly competitive labour market.”
Stow said he recognised the need to cater for the widening interests of students at this year’s fair, which incorporated a vast range of options including Graduate Careers, Student Placements, Gap Year Opportunities, Post-Graduate Study, and Self Employment. The exhibitors were therefore chosen and sourced with these range of opportunities in mind.
Many third year students attended, worried that they will be left unemployed come June, to find out how can they be sure that employers will not put them at the bottom of the pile over other, more experienced, applicants.
Fiona Houghton from the youth voluntary organisation Off the Bench told us that approximately half of their apprenticeship and volunteer schemes were taken by students, using the experience to learn and develop new skills for their CVs.
Companies included well known brands such as the Co-Operative, who offer both part-time employment to students and the opportunity to partake in a graduate management scheme.
Mike Gibbs from NBV, who help people set up their own businesses, explained how they offer assistance writing business plans and offer a mentoring programme. This is a different alternative career option for graduates.
Throughout the event, the organisers offered pointers for the students passing through, including a guide from Prospects on career ideas and a CV Clinic where experienced members of staff could look through and offer advice on students current resumes.
Careers and Employability Services Manager, Mark Stow, claims the event was very successful, for opening student’s eyes to future prospects and for employers to see the willing approaches of these young people.
He said: “Employers passed comment throughout the day of how impressed they were with the attitude of our students. Likewise, students have commented that they were surprised at some of the opportunities available at organisations that they had never considered previously, or indeed, had never heard of.”
When asked what students should do to prepare themselves for full-time employment, Maco Bardino from Enterprise Rent-a-car recommended reccomended a wide range of inititives at the university.
These included the university’s ‘Lincoln Award’, taking part in extra curricular activities and obtaining work experience and volunteer opportunities to make your CV stand out as much as possible.
If you would like to book an appointment with the careers staff then you should contact the service on careers@lincoln.ac.uk specifying your details, year and subject of study.