Fitting in and Standing OutFitting in and Standing Out

D. Gregory EdwardsJune 2009

WelcomeWelcomeThank you for this opportunity to share with you what employers (and in particular UEL) could do better in terms of student experience to prepare students for their next steps.

I am happy to receive questions: but ……

◦ maybe you could hold the questions until the end unless there is something urgent that needs clarification, there will be time at the end to engage on the issues raised.

Plan for the presentationPlan for the presentation

Claim I’m an expert. Claim I have all the

answers. Unbiased. Try to avoid the

same old stuff.

Provide an employer perspective.

Address some elements of employability.

Propose some ideas, the execution of which I will leave to you.

Draw on my personal experience and share these with you.

Three broad parts to this session:◦ What employers want -

◦ Students -

◦ Ideas on employability of UEL grads.

I propose to I do not propose to

New research shows top employers will cut a sixth of graduate jobs in 2009.

The hardest hit sectors:

Law with a reduction in 95% new post for trainee solicitors Investment banking (entry-level vacancies have been cut by 44%

in 2008 and 2009); Retailing (where vacancies have dropped by 26%); Accountancy & professional services (training places have been

reduced by 15%); and Engineering & industrial employers (graduate vacancies have

been cut by 16%).

Good news: Public sector (increased 51%) and Armed Forces (+17%) are hiring!

High Fliers Research Limited published January 20094

MeMe

Summer ‘93, I came top of 98 students to get my first summer internship at an Investment Bank

Today the ratio is about the same

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Why employers hire Why employers hire graduates?graduates?

Enthusiasm and motivation.Opportunity to mold future

leaders of the organisation.New graduates provide fresh

ideas.

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What employers want?What employers want?Communications Skills.Analytical/Research Skills.Computer/Technical Literacy.Flexibility/Adaptability/Managing

Multiple Priorities.Interpersonal Abilities.Sense of humour.

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What employers want?What employers want?Leadership/Management Skills. Multicultural

Sensitivity/Awareness.Planning/Organising.Problem-Solving/Reasoning/

Creativity.Teamwork.Adaptability/Flexibility.Honesty/Integrity/Morality.

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What employers want?What employers want?Dependability/Reliability/

Responsibility.Loyalty.Positive

Attitude/Motivation/Energy/Passion.Professionalism.Self-Confidence.Self-Motivated/Ability to Work With

Little or No Supervision.Willingness to Learn.

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What employers want?What employers want?Relevant work experience.Internship experience.Any work experience.

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Employers top 3 Employers top 3 complaintscomplaints

Communication skills.

Lack of skills associated with conduct in the workplace.

Lack of work experience in new graduates.

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“The weak spot in our educational system is the lack of sound careers and course advice, which is often given by inexperience teachers.”

- Brian Heap writing in the Guardian 12/06/09. Career advisor and best selling author

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Employers past perception of Employers past perception of graduatesgraduates

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Above AverageAverageBelow Average

Today’s perceptionToday’s perception

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Above AverageAverageBelow Average

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How we screenHow we screenCV – Scan for key words.Assessment centres. Interviews (phone/face-to-face/video link).Aptitude tests.Presentations.‘Informal’ lunch.Taking up references.Regulated body checks.CRB.Social networking sites.

Transparency in the overall process

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UEL Students TodayUEL Students Today1 of 40 Universities/HE in London.12th largest university by student

body.High percentage of Black and

Ethnic Minority Students.First generation students to go to

University.

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UEL Students TodayUEL Students TodayHigher fees.High representation

from the working-classes.

Focus on extending access to HE.

20% Drop out rate.High percentage of

mature students.

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The UEL challengeThe UEL challengeWhat are UEL’s unique selling

points and do employers know about it?

Are you easy to use from an employers perspective?

Are you getting the word out?

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The UEL challengeThe UEL challengeCouncil of employers

◦To advise◦To guide◦To leverage

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It takes a village to raise a It takes a village to raise a childchildThe mentor the student never hadThe Father who works in their

son/daughters chosen career pathThe Grand-parent with the life

experienceThe confidence builderThe student championThe guardian angelThe friend

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Culture and attitudeCulture and attitudeCultural shift towards the focus goal

at hand.

From day one a new student walking on campus must feel the undercurrent of how to go about being successful.

Students must be confident & yet, stand apart from the crowd.

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Culture and attitudeCulture and attitudeFrom Day 1 of arrival on campus

(and continues through out University life) – mandatory (non credit) sessions on surviving life on the outside.

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Building professional Building professional awarenessawarenessThe language of the outside word, do

you prepare them to translate?◦UEL awards for dynamic student

Explain how the learning experiences translate to employers expectations.

Tie the learning experience into real life:◦Writing emails◦Presentation skills

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Building professional Building professional awarenessawareness

‘What can I do with my degree’ conversations.

Career planner – what to do and when.

Email for life greg.edwards@uel.ac.uk.

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Building professional Building professional awarenessawarenessSkills audit.

Expectations of students.

Mirror the real world … what do you do when a student fails to arrive on time.

Assessment centres.

Meet the experts.

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Building professional Building professional awarenessawarenessLecturers/Teachers, any one with

day to day contact with students should pro-actively engage with them.

Tutors should share a mix of practical and research experience with students.

Tutors should perhaps have contact throughout the entire time a student is at UEL.

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Building professional Building professional awarenessawarenessMentoring.Mandatory road map to get to

the destination (even if the ultimate destination is unknown).

Personal Development Plans.Provide and encourage

opportunities such as volunteering.

Feedback on performance.

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Building professional Building professional awarenessawareness

Networking opportunities for students.

Alumni network.

Do you have an active Alumni network supporting students via mentoring, being a buddy, advice, online communities?

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Open their eyes to the Open their eyes to the worldworldProvide a forum to expose your

students to new and exiting areas of culture, sport, life.

If they can’t go to the world, bring the world to them… this is London after all!

Social interaction which mirrors real world.

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To summariseTo summarise

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Remember to keep in Remember to keep in mindmind

Communication skills (verbal and written).

Lack of skills associated with conduct in the workplace.

Lack of work experience in new graduates.

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Creating the unexpectedCreating the unexpected

Talent – teach them how best to leverage what they possess

Opportunity – help them to create it

Luck – right place right time

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QuestionsQuestions

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