Employers value your degree and the range of transferable or ‘employability’ skills you gain throughout your course. During your degree, you will develop a number of technical and job-specific skills, such as lab techniques and report writing. Alongside this, you will use soft skills, for example, time management to manage deadlines and critical analysis to complete assignments. Combined, all of these are important and can demonstrate to an employer your potential to be effective in the workplace.
We know that the graduate job market is competitive, so while you are studying for your degree and picking up this broad set of employability skills, consider what else you can do to enhance your employability and make yourself stand out from the crowd. There are many activities you can get involved with outside of your studies. Below you will find four suggestions of activities that can develop your employability:
Gain work experience
Work experience comes in many forms, such as an integrated placement, like the IBMS or a research placement, an internship, volunteering, or part-time employment. It could involve applying for positions of responsibility within the university, like a course or student representative role. Any experience you gain can be added to your CV and used in applications and interviews.
Engage with the support offered through your department and university
Throughout the year, many academic departments organise lab visits, industry speakers, and career festivals. Speak to your academic team to see what is on offer, as these are great CPD opportunities where you can enhance your knowledge about the sector and start to network with professionals. As well as departmental-specific support, seek out your Careers Service, as they usually offer workshops, events, and one-to-one advice and guidance appointments to help you explore your career options and develop job-seeking skills.
Become a student member of a professional body
Many courses are accredited by the leading professional body in that sector. The IBMS is a great example of this, and if you are studying an eligible degree, you can apply for student membership. This will give you access to industry updates, CPD webinars, and career resources. Membership shows your interest and commitment to keeping up to date with the sector and is a great addition to your CV.
Take up extra-curricular activities
Universities offer many different societies, sports, and clubs; there is something for everyone. What’s more, if you can’t find exactly what you want, you can use your initiative and entrepreneurial skills to start your own! Extra-curricular activities can be a great way to collaborate with peers, learn new skills, and show employers what interests you outside of your studies. University of Salford students and graduates can get in touch with the Careers & Enterprise Team for further information by visiting their website .