Blog

Have you just finished your exams and not feeling as good as you had expected? I have been struck by the number of finalists I interview who describe the experience of completing their exams as an anti-climax. Particularly so for those who are still looking for a job or don’t know what to do next. ‘I still don’t know what I want to do and I’m feeling quite anxious about it…’ is a common theme.

If you feeling apprehensive about life beyond graduation, you are not alone. Making a decision about your future may feel like a daunting prospect and you may not even be sure where to begin. How can you put things in perspective so that you can feel more positive?

It’s now been one year since I started working at Motive PR, after gaining a work experience opportunity which led to a three month internship, and then a full time role. Yet I still see friends and former classmates struggling to find career opportunities a year on from graduation.

Feeling left behind, anxious that you should be applying for an internship but don’t know what to apply for? Or did you make an unsuccessful application and now believe that you are at a disadvantage compared to your peers who have been an intern? Does it really matter if you haven’t done an internship?

Student Opportunity have run numerous events over the Autumn and Spring Term here at Warwick – from the flagship careers fairs to the ‘meet the professionals’ series. But at a time when student timetables are jammed full of lectures, seminars and socials, is it worth finding the time to attend and what are the true benefits?

Many students and recent graduates may think graduate schemes are the only career options available to them, they aren’t! It is a popular misconception. There are also graduate entry level jobs which also remain highly popular and even oversubscribed. Understanding what a graduate scheme is and what it offers can help you make a better decision about whether you want to apply for one.

The graduate recruitment process can be challenging and competitive. Such is the focus on making successful applications that preparing for the reality of the workplace in your first graduate job can often be overlooked. How can you be successful and create a good impression?

Graduate schemes represent an important sector of the graduate job market, but SMEs offer exciting opportunities too. If you’re a savvy student you’ll consider both options and give yourself the best chance of securing a challenging role post-graduation.

Grad schemes have much to recommend them and can be a great way to start your professional career. They’re just not the only way. Increasingly students and grads are starting to tap into the SME sector, finding exciting jobs and challenging projects in the process.