Helping postgraduates explore their employability and consider their career paths

The Graduate School is pleased to present a series of Postgraduate Careers Symposia in 2009/2010.

The Graduate School's highly successful programme of Postgraduate Careers Symposia will continue in 2009/2010 and is again proving extremely popular with delegates. The symposia provide postgraduate students nearing the end of their degree with a unique opportunity to consider their employability, explore the career paths open to them, and network with some of the major employers in their field including:

• AstraZeneca
• Cancer Research UK
• Defence Science & Technology Laboratory
• Forensic Science Service
• Microsoft
• Natural History Museum
• Oxford University Press
• Thales
• Unilever
• Wellcome Trust

See more of the employers who have taken part - click here.

A postgraduate qualification from the University of Leicester is career changing. It can be the spring board to promotion with your current employer, the platform from which to launch a new career, or simply an aid to becoming more effective in your current role. A postgraduate qualification is an investment in your future. Like you, we are keen that your investment pays off. Leicester graduates have a strong employment record. Our most recent survey of postgraduates revealed just 0.7% were seeking employment six months after completing their studies.

The Postgraduate Careers Symposia are a key part in our overall careers support for taught and research postgraduates. These daylong events bring students into direct contact with employers who themselves value the opportunity to meet and speak with future graduates of one of the UK's leading providers of postgraduate education.

Interactive workshops are a key part of the symposia and they provide delegates with a chance to discuss issues with their peers and careers professionals. They can also take part in role play and other practical exercises. This year's workshops will cover issues such as understanding recruitment and selection processes and using this understanding in finding a employment, enhancing personal and professional skills, learning how to be enterprising, and options available to students who want to pursue a career in academia.

Less formally the symposia are a wonderful opportunity to network. Alongside the participatory sessions, delegates are invited to a networking lunch and a post-event reception. Both give students a chance to speak informally with employers and careers professionals, build contacts, and identify future opportunities.

Staff from the University's Career Development team are also on hand to help students plan their career or fellowship finding strategies and hone their CV writing and interview techniques. The symposia are just one part of our overall careers support and postgraduate students can access Career Development services at any time in their studies including:

Careers Advisors

Trained careers advisors are available to discuss ideas and plans; advising you on how to make use of your knowledge, both within and outside the academic environment to your advantage. Short appointments of up to twenty minutes are available five days a week for discussions on a range of careers issues including CV or application form feedback, where and how to look for work, and options with your qualifications. Longer appointments are available for practice interviews or a more in-depth discussion. You can also access advice services over the phone or by email.

Online Resources

Career Development has a number of online resources to help you develop your career management skills. These cover areas such as career planning, job hunting, applications, interviews, employability, equal opportunities, and many others. There are also interactive resources covering writing a CV/preparing an application form and interview techniques.

JOBSonline

JOBSonline works to promote graduate jobs, work experience placements, and graduate training schemes to current students and graduates of the University. Over 3,000 local, national, and international employers are registered on the employer database. Last year Career Development advertised over 2,200 vacancies.

Volunteering Opportunities

The University's student volunteering project, Contact, provides opportunities for students to get involved in a range of volunteering activities in the local community. Volunteering can help you develop transferable skills and experience, enhance your employability, and become more involved in the local community.

Careers Surgery Drop-In Sessions

These new drop-in sessions are open to postgraduate research students at any stage of the doctoral journey. Feel free to drop in at the advertised times to discuss any aspect of your career plans and career management strategies.

2009/2010 Symposia Dates

Individual symposia are organised for each of the University's Colleges, helping students access the employers most relevant to them:

• College of Arts, Humanities, and Law 27 November 2009

• College of Medicine, Biological Sciences, and Psychology 07 January 2010

• College of Science and Engineering 23 March 2010

• College of Social Science 27 November 2009

Bookings and Further Information

To book your place at any of the Postgraduate Careers Symposia, click here. For further advice on attending the Symposia, please contact Student Development:

• Tel. - 0116 223 1889
• Email - pgevents@le.ac.uk

Images from the 2008/2009 symposia series can be found here. See more of the employers who have taken part - click here.

Postgraduate Research at the University of Leicester

The University of Leicester is one of the UK's leading providers of postgraduate education - offering an extensive range of masters level programmes and research degrees. Our winning combination is based on an international research record, high standards of teaching, and the accumulated expertise and range of programmes that can be offered by one of the country’s largest Graduate Schools. Find out more about research degree opportunities available now - click here.