FIRSTPOINT’S FIVE POINTS ABOUT MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SUMMER… 

Every Monday, firstpoint publishes five points about a topic related to life at university. This week, the summer months are an excellent chance to prepare yourself for future opportunities…

POINT ONE:  PART-TIME JOBS & VOLUNTEERING… 

Work experience is invaluable in helping you understand certain job sectors, develop your skills, and build important networks.  Work experience relevant to your chosen career area is ideal but don’t forget that most employers are looking for evidence of transferable skills, and so any work experience or project can provide excellent evidence of communication skills, teamwork, numeracy or problem solving. For example: 

• Volunteering through the Student’s Union 

• Search by postcode to see voluntary opportunities in your area  

• Part-time jobs can be found advertised in the myCareer portal. 

• Speak to your course leaders/lecturers – they might be able to inform you of any opportunities particularly relevant to your studies. 

Evidence of a student’s previous work roles can prove to potential employers that they have relevant knowledge, are motivated and that they are reliable. 
 
The Careers & Employability Service lists current part–time vacancies in the local area. To find out more, log into the myCareer portal. 

POINT TWO:  INTERNSHIPS… 

Internships provide a structured way to gain experience in a particular industry or job role and some opportunities are paid. They are a great way to build professional networks and help you decide if a career is for you. 

Internships often last for a fixed period, anywhere from a week to 3 months, often during the holiday periods and opportunities can exist in the UK, abroad and even online! Always make sure that you’re choosing an opportunity you will genuinely get value from, and not just to add to your CV. 

Find opportunities on myCareer, Prospects and targetjobs and via networking with local employers. 

POINT THREE:  UPDATE YOUR CV AND WORK ON YOUR INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES… 

Whether you’re applying for a part-time job, gap year experience or graduate role, you need to make sure that you get your application right. A good CV or application form can increase your chances of getting an interview, and a strong interview will help you secure the job.  

The Careers & Employability Service have provided information and guidance on the entire recruitment process, from help writing your best CV and application, to tips for excelling at interview.  Leaflets and publications can be found in firstpoint on the St John’s Campus or downloaded from the Careers & Employability website  

If you would like to discuss any of these options with a Careers Adviser, go to myCareer to book an appointment. 

POINT FOUR:  RE-FOCUS YOUR GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS… 

The end of an academic year is not only a good chance to rest but is an opportunity to refocus and think about your aspirations and goals during your degree.  Remember what attracted you to your chosen subject, chat to people who inspire you and perhaps create a focus list or visual to help you work towards achieving this goal! 

Why not consider accessing our wide range of Study Skills support to help you feel study-ready again in September and build your confidence across your academic work. With helpful tips and links to maximise your study, you can start the new year feeling prepared and focused. 

It’s also a good time to think about how you plan your study for the new academic year, and a weekly planner can ensure you feel comfortable in managing your time and achieving a healthy study-life balance. 

POINT FIVE: BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS… 

If you’d like to spend your summer travelling, meeting new people, learning skills, gaining experience AND earning some money, there are lots of opportunities available within summer camps – have a look on the myCareer portal.