Careers Session Sesiynau Gyrfaoedd

Work Experience Ideas for

International Students

Helping answer your questions Cymorth i ateb eich cwestiynau

AIM

To provide you with a sound understanding of the work experience possibilities and how you could identify and secure opportunities to help enhance your own employability

The session aims to provide a general overview and assumes no prior knowledge of this area

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this session you should be able to:

• Understand the range of different experiences and activities that constitute work experience

• Implement some tips on how to identify and secure your own work experience

DISCUSS IN PAIRS

In pairs, for 2 minutes:

Discuss:

What questions or concerns you have about getting work experience, as an international student?

WORK EXPERIENCE CHALLENGES

I want to find experience in my chosen career fieldEligibility for work experienceEmployers targeting penultimate year U/Gs for internshipsDo I need a NI Number before starting work?English Language Requirements of work experienceAdaptation to UK work cultureTime commitment in obtaining and doing work experienceValue of international experience in UK and vice versa

WORK EXPERIENCE BENEFITS

Add value to your UK study experienceIncrease your employability in the global job marketExperience UK work culturePractise general and business EnglishBoost your CV / ResumeEarn moneyBroaden your network of contactsDemonstrate key Employability Skills

EMPLOYABILITY ATTRIBUTES & SKILLS

Self managementTeamworkingBusiness and customer awareness Problem solving Communication and literacyApplication of numeracy Application of information technology

IT’S ALL WORK EXPERIENCE!

Graduate Placement Schemes

Work Shadowing

Entrepreneurial Activities

Volunteering

Project- BasedWork

Part-Time Work

Work/Study Abroad

Vacation Work

Skills Workshop

Student Societies

Internship / Vacaton

Placement

Tutoring

&

Mentoring

Work

Taster

Source: Making the most of work experience. The National Centre for Work Experience (NCWE)

IT’S ALL WORK EXPERIENCE @ CARDIFF!

Sandwich Placements

Work Shadowing

Student Enterprise

Student Volunteering Cardiff

Course Projects & Positions

Unistaff Job Shop

Global Opportunity Centre

UNA Exchange

ExperienceWorks Insights

Student Development Unit

CardiffStudent Union

GO Wales

Jobs

Classroom

Experience

Project

Careers Jobs Pages – Work Experience

SO, WHAT DID PREVIOUS STUDENTS DO?

SandwichPlacements

Language & Culture

Student Enterprise

Student Volunteering

CardiffCourse

Project & Positions

Unistaff Job Shop

Planned Vacations

International Exchange

Student Development

Unit Cardiff SU

Indian Society Treasurer

Pakistani Society Communications Secretary

Bollywood Dance Teacher, Riverside Community Centre

Bar Tender, Celtic Manor & Marriott via Blue Arrow Job Agency

Data Entry Operator, British Gas

Sales Advisor, Sky

Customer Adviser, Phones4U

Insurance Adviser, Cunningham Lindsey

Masters ‘Live’ Project dissertation

Postgrad Student Rep, Cardiff Law School

Finance Member, Business Society

Undertook Certified Personal Development Training with PwC in Time Management, Networking, Problem Solving etc.

3 day internship with Film Production company, London

Intern in Britain, BUNAC

Carer for the Elderly, Teaching Assistant projects with Cardiff SV

Cardiff AIESEC Committee members & Access Tier 5 internship

Language Exchange

Frontrunner Leadership course for Chinese & UK students

Live Project for Masters

Networking & Job hunting

in UK & back home

GO Wales Jobs

Sought advice on expansion of

Forever Healthcase businessCardiff Job

Agencies

Internship

What’s on Offer at Careers & Employability?www.cardiff.ac.uk/careers

Classroom Experience Project

What’s On offer at Cardiff Students Union?www.cardiffstudents.com

WORK EXPERIENCE TIPS FROM PREVIOUS

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

“I would suggest getting … work experience … even if it means volunteering without pay. Through this means you would get companies you volunteered with to give you references and it could possibly lead to a paying job. The UK work experience is important because it gives UK employers assurance that you understand the 'system' and work culture. UK employers also rely on opinion of your previous employers to aid their decision making. Hence the references from previous employers or volunteer companies”

Chioma Mbanugo, MBA (2006)Current employment: SOx Assistant ManagerLloyds Banking Group, UK

“ Get relevant work experience and be flexible. Don’t just apply for summer vacation internships but consider year long placements as well”

“Engage in many extra-curricular activities. This will show the interviewer that youare not a laid back person and are always on the front foot. You can do this by showing enthusiasm and using body language to show your interest during the interview. I believe it was my body language and enthusiasm at the interview that got me the job, obviously this was backed with different examples of extra-curricular activities, which gave me freedom in answering the questions” 

Kishan Patel, MEng Civil Eng (2012)Current employment: Assistant EngineerHalcrow Group, Cardiff office

TOP TIPS

Be focused in your career plans

Remember that a number of activities count as work experience

Your academic tutors may have contact with previous international students

Attend any school based guest lectures of interest to you and take contact details of speakers

If you are going home for the summer vacations try to gain some work experience or find out about the job market there

TOP TIPS contd

Don’t apply for everything

Make your CV stand out and tailor it to a job and employer

Identify UK companies that have links with your home country and vice versa via UK Trade Partners, UKIBC, CBBC, Chambers of Commerce etc.

Identify International Recruitment Agencies

Establish international alumni links via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter etc.

WORK EXPERIENCE LINKSCareers & Employability Work Experience web pages

http://cardiff.ac.uk/careers/students/get-work-experience/

Prospects Work Experience & Internships pages

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/work_experience.htm

International Job Online

http://jobs.thecareersgroup.co.uk/international -

Target Jobs Internships, Placement & Work Experience

http://targetjobs.co.uk/work-experience

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Employment Regulations talk for International Students at Business & Finance, Engineering & Technology and Law Careers Fairs (Various dates & times)

Supporting Global Recruitment through Tier 5, Room 1.30, Law Building, 6 Nov, 3 - 4pm

Work Experience & Volunteering Fair, Great Hall, Student Union, Feb 2015

Further details & bookings online:

www.cardiff.ac.uk/careers

International Career Appointments

UK Work visas

Job hunting strategies

Effective use of language in CVs, job applications and interviews

Identifying and approaching employers

Book online at: www.cardiff.ac.uk/careers

Thursdays 9:30-3:30

Careers & Employability

Any questions?

Come & see us!Careers & Employability

2nd floor Student Support Centre,50 Park Place

Opening hours 9am – 5pm

International appointments:Thursdays (semester time)

Book on-line:www.cardiff.ac.uk/careers

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