A Year Out, Is Worth Two On Your CV
Add value to you and
your CV with a year away from university
Graduates are always told they don’t have enough work
experience. Many leave interviews or find their inbox filling with messages akin
to “sorry, you just don’t have enough
experience compared to the other candidates...” It can become demoralising.
It is often not the amount of experience; but the relevant, professional and
therefore credible work experience that eludes many graduate CV’s.
Most students can rustle up some cashier work at the nearby
supermarket or bar work at the local pub, but how do you accrue experience that
sets you apart from your peers and makes employers want to hire you? The Internet
is littered with forums of frustrated students/graduates posing what has become
the million-dollar question for any ambitious undergraduate; how do I gain
credible work experience?
I am keen to pose an often overlooked way of gaining significant
work experience, whilst remaining in the safe arms of student life. Have you
heard of A Year In Industry? It’s what your really motivated friend probably
rambles on about whilst you try to decide just which drinking game is best for
that evening. It is something I never considered, because I never knew about
the opportunity and Beer Pong was simply too big a distraction. However, I
missed a trick and in my job I see many others who would have really benefited
from a year’s worth of experience.
A Year In Industry does exactly what it says on the tin. It
gives you a year (or typically 8-10 months away from university) in a career of
your choice. Most wisely pick an industry/job that relates to their course and
future career aspirations. Many students studying languages are often required
or opt to spend a Year Aboard, in what is a very similar scheme. This sees them
either working, studying at a university or teaching aboard, with the obvious
aim to put their language skills to the test and immerse themselves in a
foreign culture.
Both options extend your degree by a year, yet, compared to your
peers, a year in the workplace or the sunshine gives you a fantastic
opportunity to build up an unparalleled level of commercial experience or
improve your language skills. When you graduate you already have the best part
of a year of work experience and its not going to be in the local supermarket or
watering hole.
The list of advantages of postponing your graduation by a year
is longer than you think. Spend your year out impressing the socks off your
manager and once graduated there is a good chance you will be asked back to
join the firm as a proper, full time employee. I have seen it happen. As
graduation approaches and the inevitable job search starts, you can sit back
rest assured that you are already sorted in what can be one of the most
stressful times in your life.
Should they not ask you back, you still have a solid year's
experience and normally a handful of great dinner party stories to boot! Only
the best graduates will able to compete with you in the work experience stakes,
but they never had time to play Ring of Fire. Moreover, your year away from
university should further your personal development, particularly if you spend
it abroad, polishing your language skills, experiencing new cultures and
learning a few life lessons. It can have a positive impact on more than just
your CV.
These are just the most notable benefits of opting to spend a
year away from university. The Placement Officer is the ideal point of contact
to help you find your placement. In this especially tough graduate market, a
Year in Industry could prove priceless when it comes to finding a great graduate
job! Take a closer look!
By Sam Popham-Holloway from http://goodgradguide.blogspot.co.uk/ Check it out
for chat about articles about graduates and job hunting!
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