With more and more students going to university, a degree alone is not always enough to get you the job of your dreams. Lots of employers are interested in what else you’ve been doing during your time at university and, unfortunately, excessive partying and drinking will not be ticking any boxes. But don’t fear! University is great place and the perfect time, not only to bulk up your CV, but to have a cracking time doing it.
As a fresher you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to joining societies. From a sports team to a political group, joining a society is a great subject to talk about in an interview. Being a member of a society allows you to get involved organizing events, forging new friendships, and developing niche skills. This shows a potential employer that you have interests outside your degree, and that you’re a committed, sociable, outgoing individual. So be sure you don’t miss Freshers’ Fair, where all York’s great societies will be baying for your attention.
Now, one of the perks of being a student is the luxuriously long breaks between terms, so take advantage and make the most out of your free time! Work experience makes up a crucial part of any CV, and as well as increasing your employability, it’s a great way to narrow down your career choices. After all, you wouldn’t buy a car with taking it for a test drive first, and the same applies to a career. So make sure you gain some valuable work experience in your chosen sector. You’ll be surprised how many companies will take on work experience staff, so send out letters, make some calls, call in some favours and ask around. Just don’t expect to be paid for your time.
However, somewhere you can expect to get paid is – surprise, surprise – work. A part-time job, even if it’s utterly unrelated to your future career path, shows a good work ethic and a level of dedication. Fitting a job around your degree can be tricky at times, so make sure you get the most out of it; be a model employee at all times, because a good reference from your boss could be a great leg-up in the future.