Your experiences will be what opens doors for you, both at
University and after graduating. They highlight to others (such as potential
employers) the breadth of your horizons and perceptions, the levels of
tolerance you have for difference, the scope of your learning, the skills you
have nurtured, and the motivations you have. They will help you start conversations
and add to others. Starting to gain experience in your first year is key, if
you are to build, develop and learn from these experiences to boost your
employability.
What experience you acquire need not be strenuous or
necessarily related to your degree discipline. Extra-curricular activities such
as playing for a University sports team, volunteering for a charity at the
weekend or undertaking a part time job are all sound experiences to help you
grow. As part of the delivery of some degree programmes, students can make use of
work-based learning and/or collaborative research opportunities with external
organisations and researchers. The following hopes to provide you with inspiration
on how to go about building experience:
Volunteer
in the local community – Your Students’ Union (UPSU) can connect you with
local charities, environmental projects, and community groups in need of
volunteers.
Get
a part time job – You can view a list of part time jobs available on campus
and in Plymouth in the vacancies section of myCareer, including roles such as a University Student Ambassador.
Join a student society – Supported by your Students’ Union (UPSU), student
societies are a great way to make new friends, try something new and broaden
your perspectives.
Undertake
an internship – These are a popular way of gaining experience during the
holidays. Currently available internships and micro-internships (around two
weeks in length) can be found in the vacancies section on myCareer.
Represent your fellow students – If you are passionate about enhancing yours and your
fellow students’ university experience, whilst standing up for those who struggle
to be heard, then a student representative role may be of interest to you.
Consider undertaking a placement year – Students do not tend to do a placement year
until their third year, but there is no harm in your first year exploring what
a placement year could entail.
Join a university sports club – Supported by your Students’ Union (UPSU),
student sports clubs are a great way to take a break from your studies and
enhance your team working abilities.
Talk to your lecturers – They will have a
fountain of knowledge and connections in industry to help you seek out
opportunities. Some may also have opportunities to assist them and other academics
with their research.
Whatever it is you end up engaging with, be sure to give
your time to one or two opportunities, rather than spready yourself thinly
across many roles and activities.