Summer student jobs could be the key to career success.
In the current challenging economic climate, anything you can do to stand out from the crowd is vital. And getting relevant summer working experience could be a major advantage.
According to Jonathan Shackleton, Head of Communications at Robert Gordon’s University in Aberdeen, there’s no question that having summer work experience geared to your professional ambitions makes your CV stand out.
‘When we advertise posts we frequently get sixty or more applications, many from new graduates who have good degrees in relevant subjects. What really makes a candidate stand out from the crowd is relevant work experience they have gained with a local newspaper, radio station, TV station, PR company, charity or business. This shows me they have initiative and are passionate about working as a communications professional. It also gives them practical examples they can use to tell me why they’d be the perfect employee for my team.’
And Aberdeen based Thorpe Molloy Recruitment says it’s no longer enough to be working in a café or a bar if you have aspirations to enter professions such as law, engineering or finance.
Managing Director, Amanda McCulloch says, “In recent years, many companies have reduced the number of graduate places available. With competition for employment tougher than ever, we can help by providing temporary work opportunities which, in addition to gaining work experience, can be a valuable first step on the employment ladder, as a candidate who makes a great impression could be offered a permanent job upon graduation or could use the placement as a great referee.”
“Relevant work experience helps develop the type of skills employers are looking for in addition to academic aptitude, such as working well within a team, taking responsibility for your own work and working to deadlines. You can also get a better understanding of what you’re looking for as a career. Often expectations and reality don’t match, so relevant work experience could help you make future career decisions based on first hand personal experience.”
‘Work experience can also improve your studies because students can see the benefit of applying course work to real life situations, making their learning relevant.’ continues John Shackleton.
Thorpe Molloy Recruitment suggests students could also consider international summer work.
“Another way to differentiate yourself is by gaining some life experience or personal development. One way to do this, and travel during the summer, is to find work abroad. This way you could make friends from across the world; share experiences with likeminded people; learn transferable skills or participate in a volunteer programme with a charity.”
Former Robert Gordon University student, Katie Greig, now a mum of 2 working for an energy and technology company, spent a summer as a Camp Counsellor at Timber Ridge in Georgia, USA looking after groups of young girls. She says this volunteering activity gave her a valuable life experience:
“It was an amazing summer and I met many life long friends. It was great to experience different cultures and at the same time live in the outdoors and learn new skills. I would always encourage others to do something similar if they ever get the opportunity.”
Why Is Relevant Work Experience So Important?
Taking a job in bar over the summer if you want to be an accountant just won’t give you relevant work experience so when you go to interview for a job, it won’t look as impressive as the next candidate who may have gained work experience relevant to the industry they want to build a career in.
What Are The Benefits of Work Experience?
Relevant work experience on your CV can make it easier to gain employment as, along with a successful interview, it will differentiate you from other candidates. It’s also a way to find out more about a career you think you might be interested, to be sure it really is the type of career you want. You can also learn a lot too – probably being asked to do things you’ve never done before.
When Should I Start Looking For Work?
As soon as you can. There are roles out there for school leavers and students, you don’t have to be part way through a university degree to be a suitable choice for an employer.
I’d Prefer To Travel During My Holidays
Getting summer employment doesn’t mean you have to stay in your home town. International work could provide you with a way to earn money, gain experience and see a bit of the world. Life experience is highly regarded by employers.
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