What to do now: Your timeline
Make the most of your time at University, find out what you could be doing now. (Don't worry you don't have to do everything!)
First year
Give yourself some time to settle in, join student societies and sports teams, to get to know people and feel at home. When you feel ready here are some activities that will help you kick start your employability journey.
Semester 1
- Volunteer first If you have no work experience to put on your CV, why not to build up some skills to talk about.
- Get a part time job Earn money and build skills.
- Start on the Stellify Award Volunteering, leadership roles and challenges, take action to help causes you care about and prepare for life after university.
- Complete the Skills Audit Understand your current skills level and learn about activities here at UoM where you can gain more.
Semester 2
- Consider spring weeks and insight days They often take place around Easter.
- Find a summer job Not all official internship schemes will accept 1st year students but other opportunities are available.
- Explore virtual work experience See if you could do something different this summer?
Second year
It's time to take stock. Your university workload is likely to take up more time from now on and you may already have a part-time job or other commitments, think about which activities will best help you gain skills and insights before your final year.
Semester 1
Get involved in student societies or sports, join committees arrange fixtures and events, make a difference!
- Summer internships Big companies open opportnities now. Its time to start applying.
- Get a career mentor Talk to an alumni or employer mentor to get insights into a sector, job role or career pathway.
- Apply for 1 year placement opportunities Some companies will open applications in semester 2.
Semester 2
- Student Experience Internship applications open
- Apply for a Work Experience Bursary If your planned work experience is unpaid or low paid.
- Apply for Global Graduates (Worldwide experiences - Travel in June)
- Explore virtual work experience Opportunities to gain skills remotely around your other committments.
Summer
- Graduate schemes opening If you want to apply to a big corporate, expecially financial institutions these may open in summer.
- Review your skills audit Are you on track with the skills you want to build. Its not too late to take action.
- Update your CV ready for making applications for graduate jobs in final year.
Placement year or year abroad
- Make the most of your opportunity, consider the skills and knowledge you are building. Add key achievements to your CV.
- Review your skills audit Are you on track with the skills you want to build. It's not too late to take action.
- Make connections, friends, colleagues, academics, managers. Discuss plans for the future and possible jobs and careers, gain ideas and inspiration. Build your LinkedIn Network,
Final year
It's going to be a busy year, and you will need to start taking some decisions about what to do next after University. Don't worry there is lots of support available.
Semester 1
- Graduate schemes open, get ready to apply.
- Attend the Autumn / STEM Fair and employer presentations Talk to employers to understand which companies and roles are right for you.
- Apply for Postgraduate study Evaluate your options, explore funding and don't forget to talk to your academic advisor!
- Apply for a career mentor Insights and support with your career planning.
Semester 2
- Plan your jobsearch strategy More graduate entry level jobs come online throughout the semester.
- Manchester Graduate Talent MGT Internships open for applications
- Global Graduates Last chance to apply
