Careers advice

Prathyusha Viswanathan brings you advice from Salford Careers staff to help springboard your career.

The achievement of completing a university egree is especially felt when you secure a good job. Even a small opportunity, especially as an undergraduate, can be considered valuable, as work experience will boost your career. Initially, career planning can make you feel daunted, but just as building the foundation is crucial for constructing a building, taking the essential correct steps at university plays an incredibly significant role in your journey to a career. You will be able to feel yourself developing and progressing with each of these steps you take. To start, our university's experienced career enterprise leader, Anna-Marie Grayson, has detailed some of the important steps students should aim to take at each level of their study. Question? Email SEE- Placements-Industry@salford.ac.uk .

Year 1

1. Learn to develop a good rapport with your tutors or lecturers, their wide career network can help and guide you well.

2. Join societies related to your field – this will allow you to interact with other students and volunteering here will develop teamwork and leadership skills.

3. Draft a substantive C.V. and cover letter which can be updated when required.

Year 2

1. Consider joining a placement to gain work experience – apply with placement providers who would be essential to your programme of study and research the placement providers you are applying for.

2. Make sure to attend the career fairs and workshops conducted on campus.

3. Create and keep updating your LinkedIn profile.

Year 3

1. Ensure you have a PLANNER for the year.

2. Focus on applying for graduate/postgraduate schemes applicable to your course and make sure you note deadlines.

3. Update your CV.

4. Apply for Postgrad or PhD courses in good time, if you don’t wish to interrupt your studies.

5. Ensure you are balancing your University workload with applications.

Apart from these useful tips, I must definitely stress that our university not only conducts career fairs and workshops on campus, but also provides students with exceptional support and guidance in approaching their career goals. A C.V is the tool to start your career search, a document which must be perfectly presented to employers.

Our careers and employability team ensures students have an impressive C.V if you consult with them. Students can also book mock interviews with our career team experts via the platform Advantage, to help prepare them to exhibit a confident, professional attitude and overcome fear to ace any interview.

It is highly advisable students take the utmost advantage of such accessible support services set up for them. Remaining focused and vigilant always whilst pursuing your goals counts the most! I hope all of you ensure to adopt the right steps in your career search and wish you all the best to attain success in your desired career!