12 Things you Should be Doing at University to Make Employment Easier

Besides studying hard to aim for that first or 2.1, it's also crucial to keep an eye on the future – specifically, your future employment prospects. The decisions and actions you take during your university years can significantly impact your transition into the professional world.

1. Set up that LinkedIn page and start following pages of interest

This is an essential move in your own personal branding, make your profile photo professional, add your existing experiences onto your profile and start following companies that you would be interested to work at post-University.

Do not be afraid to contact people in your 'dream role' in the form of a friend request message expressing how much you admire their career and ask for advice. These connections are essential if you are applying for a role at their company as you can be recommended by them to HR which will majorly influence your chances of getting the job.

If your interested in a creative career, it's a great idea to set up social media pages and an online portfolio that you can share your hard work on and link to your LinkedIn and job applications. Building a strong following will likely open many new windows as well, whether it be photography/art commissions, to even being featured on popular pages and in magazines.

2. Online Courses and Internships

Statistics show that you are 4x more likely to land a job after completing a job simulation. This is a great way to bulk up your CV, which you should be updating with every new experience. I recommend attend workshops that focus on resume building, interview skills, and job search strategies to enhance your employability.

I recommend these sites for courses:

• Coursera

• Futurelearn

• Google Digital Garage

• Freecodecamp and Codecademy (to learn coding skills)

• edX

I recommend these sites for virtual internships:

• Forage

• Springpod

• Linklaters for UK commercial law

As well as In-person internships:

• Bright Network

• Creative Access

• General sites like Indeed

• RateMyPlacement

3. Take a hobby or interest and utilise it to stand out

Employers love when you bring unique cards to the table, whether you have e.g a passion for graphic design and going into marketing, your a book club moderator seeking an editorial Role, musician transitioning to event coordination, your showing that you excel in multiple fields and can bring more to the job because of it.

4. First-year schemes

First-year schemes are structured initiatives (for first year University students) designed specifically for university students who are in their first year of studies. These programs offer students the opportunity to gain practical work experience and exposure to a professional environment early in their academic journey. You can often find a lot of insight schemes/vacation schemes, which are normally over the span of a couple days up to a few weeks at a company (most are in sectors such as law, finance, operations, engineering and technology) where they provide you with a glimpse into the professional world (helping you to know if your choosing the right career path for you), whilst helping you develop essential skills that are highly valued in the job, essential networking and giving you a potential pipeline for becoming an interns or full-time employee in subsequent years.

5. Volunteer Work and Community Engagement

A great way to enrich your CV and great to talk about in an interview, Volunteering time to time is worth it. I recommend checking if your University is advertising any volunteering help as well as contacting e.g local food banks and charities. If you live in London, applying for The Transport for London Youth panel is a great opportunity if you want your voice to be heard, making an impact at TFL.

6. A Job alongside University

In all honesty, the best way to get a weekend or 1/2 workday job is usually asking who you know if they know of any opportunities. It is the most advantageous if you could get a role in something connected to your desired future career, such as (if you're studying marketing,) becoming a social media assistant or content creator. Similarly, if you're pursuing a degree in education, working as a tutor or a teacher's assistant can enhance your teaching skills.

I started a 2 day a week job alongside University that has set me up for a role post-university, giving me a true sense of security.

7. Language Proficiency

If applicable, improve your proficiency in a second or third language. Many employers value candidates who can communicate in multiple languages, especially in a globalised world. You could consider doing a summer school in another country and focus your efforts on learning the language whilst your there.

8. Join Clubs and Organisations

This is an opportunity to utilise/grow your organisation skills as these commitments alongside work takes a lot of time and dedication to fit around your busy schedule. But, it's a great add-on to your CV if you were the e.g "Vice President of Marketing Society" and you can add this onto your LinkedIn Underneath your degrees bio in the Education section.

9. Competitions

Engage in competitions, hackathons, case studies, or challenges related to your field. You could talk to your lecturers/course leaders if they know of any competitive opportunities you should pursue. Winning or even just participating in such events showcases your problem-solving skills, dedication to your subject of interest and creativity.

10. Build Confidence and soft skills that you can discuss in interviews

Work on soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, time management, and adaptability. These skills are often highly valued by employers. As you enter the world of work, it is truly hard to maintain high levels of confidence when your in a new environment and facing new tasks you have never faced and set-backs. Internships in-person and online where your receiving feedback and facing such situations is a great way to boost this confidence so you can face it with more ease in the future.

Practice for upcoming interviews on Google interview and with your friends and family - ChatGBT generates great questions based on the role your interested in.

Remember, employability is not just about getting a job; it's about building a foundation for a successful career. Each step you take during your university years can contribute to your long-term professional growth.

11. Professional Certifications

Depending on your field, earning relevant certifications (e.g., project management, coding languages, digital marketing) can make you stand out and demonstrate your commitment to ongoing learning.

12. Advanced Degree Consideration

If your career path requires an advanced degree (such as a master's or PhD), start researching and planning for these programs early in your university journey.