Author: Nicholas Saddler

Categories
Career Options Career planning employability Future-Ready Skills Graduate success

Are you Future-Ready?

As a student, you are on a journey to build a foundation for your future career. However, being future-ready is more than just getting good grades or completing a degree. It requires a set of skills and competencies that will prepare you to thrive in the workplace and make a positive impact in the world. Here are some tips to help you become future-ready while at Queen’s University Belfast.

Be curious

Curiosity is a key driver of learning and growth. It helps you to explore new possibilities, discover innovative solutions, and enhance your creativity. To nurture your curiosity, be open to new experiences and perspectives. Take advantage of opportunities to study abroad, attend workshops and conferences, or engage in extracurricular activities. Stay curious about the world around you, and never stop learning.

Be kind

Empathy is a fundamental human trait that is essential for building relationships, fostering collaboration, and creating positive change. To develop your empathy skills, practice active listening, express appreciation and gratitude, and show compassion towards others. Build a supportive network of peers, mentors, and advisors who can help you navigate the challenges of university life and beyond.

Develop resilience

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and overcome adversity. It is a critical skill for success in the workplace, where you will face numerous challenges and obstacles. To develop resilience, practice self-care, seek support from others, and learn from your failures. Challenge yourself to take on new tasks and responsibilities, and use them as opportunities for growth and learning.

Foster your creativity

Creativity is the ability to generate new and innovative ideas that can solve problems, inspire change, and create value. To foster your creativity, engage in activities that inspire you and allow you to express your unique talents and perspectives. Join clubs and societies that align with your interests and passions, and collaborate with others to develop new projects and initiatives.

Learn to work in teams

Teamwork is a fundamental skill that is essential for success in the workplace. To develop your teamwork skills, seek out opportunities to collaborate with others on projects, volunteer in your community, or participate in extracurricular activities. Learn to communicate effectively, listen actively, and contribute to a shared goal. Take on leadership roles where you can guide and support others towards a common objective.

Inspire action

Action is the ability to take initiative, make decisions, and achieve your goals. To inspire action, identify your passions, strengths, and values, and pursue them with purpose and determination. Take calculated risks, learn from your mistakes, and seek out opportunities to make a positive impact in your community and beyond. Be a role model for others by demonstrating integrity, honesty, and ethical behaviour.

Summary

In conclusion, being future-ready is a journey that requires continuous learning, growth, and development. By adopting these tips and strategies, you can prepare yourself to succeed in the workplace and make a meaningful contribution to society. Remember, your time at Queen’s University Belfast is an opportunity to build a strong foundation for your future, so make the most of it!

Read more: Go.qub.ac.uk/futurereadygraduates

Categories
communication skills Future-Ready Skills personal skills Skills transferrable skills

Work-Related Skills and Experiences

Students in the SU playing a game of chess.
Students in the SU playing a game of chess.

As a student at Queen’s University Belfast, you have a unique opportunity to develop work-related skills and gain valuable experience that will set you up for success in your future career. While it’s important to focus on your studies, it’s equally important to make time for extracurricular activities and work experience that will enhance your employability and make you stand out to potential employers.

In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 reasons why developing work-related skills and experience during your time at university is so important.

  1.  Improved Employability: Developing work-related skills and experience can significantly increase a student’s employability. Employers often look for candidates with relevant skills and experience in addition to their degree.

 2 Gaining Practical Experience: Work-related skills and experience can provide students with practical experience in their field of study. This hands-on experience can be valuable in applying what they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations.

3, Building Professional Networks: Working while studying can help students build professional networks and connections, which can lead to future job opportunities.

4. Learning Time Management: Balancing work and study can be challenging, but it can also help students develop time management skills that are essential in the workplace.

5. Developing Communication Skills: Working with colleagues, customers, and clients can help students improve their communication skills, which is a critical aspect of many professional roles.

6. Improving Problem-Solving Skills: Work-related experiences can challenge students to think critically and problem-solve in ways that classroom learning may not. These skills are highly valued by employers.

7. Demonstrating Initiative and Drive: Pursuing work-related experiences while at university demonstrates initiative and drive to potential employers, which can set students apart from their peers.

8. Gaining Confidence: Successfully managing work and study responsibilities can help students gain confidence in their abilities and increase their self-esteem.

9. Acquiring Industry Knowledge: Working in a specific industry can provide students with a deeper understanding of that industry, including trends, challenges, and opportunities.

10. Enhancing your CV: Work-related experiences can enhance a student’s CV and make them stand out to potential employers.

In conclusion, developing work-related skills and gaining experience during your time at Queen’s University Belfast is crucial for your future career success. Not only will it make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers, but it will also give you the practical skills and knowledge you need to excel in your chosen field. So take advantage of the opportunities available to you, whether that means joining a student society, completing an internship or work placement, or volunteering in your local community. With hard work and dedication, you can build a strong foundation for a fulfilling and rewarding career.

‘Discover’ is the first phase of our Future-Ready Roadmap – a framework designed to help you progress your employability throughout your time at Queen’s. Find out more here:

https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/future-ready-roadmap/

Categories
Confidence Mental Health motivation personal skills self-motivation

The Importance of Self-Discovery

Student smiling, looking out into the distance, on the rooftop of a university building.
A student enjoying the rooftop view.

As human beings, we are constantly evolving and growing. One of the most important journeys we can embark on is the journey of self-discovery. Here are ten reasons why self-discovery is so important:

  1. Clarify your values: Self-discovery helps you to identify and clarify your values, which are the guiding principles that influence your decisions and actions.
  2. Build self-awareness: Understanding yourself better can help you build self-awareness, which is the foundation for personal growth and development.
  3. Identify your strengths: Self-discovery can help you identify your strengths, which are the qualities and skills that come naturally to you and that you can leverage to achieve success.
  4. Uncover your passions: Discovering what you are passionate about can help you choose a career path that aligns with your interests and values.
  5. Recognize your weaknesses: Self-discovery can help you identify areas where you need to improve and develop a plan to address them.
  6. Build resilience: Knowing yourself better can help you build resilience and bounce back from setbacks more quickly.
  7. Improve relationships: Self-discovery can help you understand how you interact with others and how you can build better relationships.
  8. Make better decisions: Understanding yourself better can help you make better decisions that align with your values and goals.
  9. Develop a sense of purpose: Self-discovery can help you develop a sense of purpose, which can provide motivation and direction in your life.
  10. Enhance well-being: Finally, self-discovery can enhance your overall well-being by helping you build self-confidence, reduce stress, and improve your mental health.

In conclusion, self-discovery is a powerful tool for personal growth and development. By understanding ourselves better, we can make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and live more fulfilling lives. So take the time to explore who you are and what you want out of life – you won’t regret it!

‘Discover’ is the first phase of our Future-Ready Roadmap – a framework designed to help you progress your employability throughout your time at Queen’s. Find out more here:

https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/future-ready-roadmap/

Categories
work experience WORK EXPERIENCE AND PLACEMENT FAIR

Work Shadowing Week 2023

Group of students observing and learning at a work shadow event, wearing professional attire
Students at their work shadowing week 2023

During Work Shadowing Week 2023, Queen’s University Belfast students had the opportunity to experience a day in the life of professionals in various industries in Northern Ireland. Here are seven top takeaways from our student participants:

Great advice

  1. Criminology student Pamela Stewart had a great day with the British Army: “They were all very encouraging and I came away with great advice both for myself and my son who wants to join when he leaves school.”

Industry insight

2. Physics student Brian Rogers appreciated the preparation session beforehand and found it helpful in getting the most out of the experience: “I really enjoyed learning about Andor and speaking to the people there. It was a very useful experience as I move into my final year and begin to apply to graduate programmes.”

A warm welcome

3. Irma Umair, a Human Resource Management student, expressed her sincere gratitude for the wonderful opportunity provided by a visit to Finnebrogue Artisan: “The way we were welcomed and valued during your good company’s tour, gave me a clear indication that the foundation of the company was laid by great vision and values and it is the driving force behind the success of the organization. I appreciate all the efforts your good team made to make it happen successfully.”

An understanding of working life

4. Megan O’Hara, Law student, said: “I had the opportunity to hear from several of Baker McKenzie’s multi-disciplinary teams…I was able to gain an invaluable insight to the day-to-day workings of these professionals as well as their career pathways to these roles.”

Information on different roles available
5. Law student, Declan Gorman, said: “The day was packed with lots of information and insight into what working in a global law firm is like. I particularly enjoyed learning about the different roles outside the traditional ‘training contract’ route at Baker McKenzie.”

Networking opportunities
6. Sai Chintha, Construction and Project Management student said: “It provided an opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the day-to-day responsibilities of different roles within the firm, which included getting to know their service lines and projects…This is a valuable networking opportunity as well as a chance to gain insight into potential career paths and the company culture at Deloitte.”

Company background
7. Finance student, Xiaofei SHEN commented: “I learnt about the firm’s welcoming corporate culture, its history of growth, the primary duties of each department, and how the company makes its signature sausage…I would like to thank Finnebrogue Artisan for its warm hospitality and patient explanation.”

What our employer partners had to say

Additionally, here are some comments from the employers who hosted students during the work shadow week:

A varied day

  1. Andor Technology: “Feedback from the students was that they enjoyed the variety of the day seeing Research & Development, Engineering and Production and in particular specialists from their degree pathways.”

We hope we inspired them

2. McAdam Design Ltd: “Hopefully this will inspire them for the remainder of their course and we can see them all in a short period of time out within the workforce helping deliver for our communities.”

A well-structured and informative experience

3. Fibrus: We hosted Queen’s University Belfast students for a work shadowing day across our Marketing, Planning, and IT/Network Engineering departments. The students provided positive feedback, highlighting the well-structured day and informative experience. We’re proud to have given them a taste of life at Fibrus.

Overall, Work Shadowing Week 2023 was fantastic, and we are thrilled that so many students had such a positive experience. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the professionals who opened up their workplaces to our students and provided them with such valuable learning opportunities. We look forward to continuing working with such great employers who provide these kinds of opportunities to our students.

Read more on Work Shadowing Week on our website: https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/GainExperienceforyourCV/work-shadowing/

Categories
advice employability Employer Engagement Employer feedback Employer Insight job search

20 Ways to Develop Your Employability at Queen’s

  1. Volunteering with SU.
  2. Joining a campus club or society.
  3. Participating in an internship programme.
  4. Attending Careers fairs or employer networking event.
  5. Completing employability programmes.
  6. Seeking out mentorship or guidance from professionals in your field.
  7. Writing for a campus publication or blog.
  8. Conducting research with a professor or industry expert.
  9. Participating in study abroad programmes or exchange programs.
  10. Serving as a peer mentor or teaching assistant.
  11. Developing a personal brand and online presence through social media and blogging.
  12. Participating in business games and challenges.
  13. Attending professional development workshops and seminars.
  14. Contributing to group projects or community initiatives.
  15. Participating in design competitions or showcases.
  16. Organizing and hosting events on campus.
  17. Participating in problem-based learning projects or case studies.
  18. Joining a mentorship program or mentorship network.
  19. Attending conferences or industry events to network and learn about the latest trends in your field.
  20. Collaborating with classmates on group projects or research initiatives.
Categories
Go Global internship Working globally from NI

Working Globally from NI: My INTO Queen’s Internship

Queen's student on laptop in One Elmwood staircase
Student researching the "Working Globally from NI" programme

Queen’s student Claire McGurk completed an internship with INTO Queen’s as part of the Working Globally from NI programme. Read how she got on and apply here.


The global organisation felt like a family 

INTO QUB is part of a wider worldwide network, with many similar education centres across the world. It provides a stepping stone for students to attain the qualifications necessary for university, with classes delivered in a similar format to those in university. INTO also assists international students to develop their English language ability before commencing university. To me, INTO QUB has the same friendly atmosphere and community feeling as a school. As well as achieving academic goals, the students were provided with many opportunities to socialise and develop friendships. 

I boosted my CV 

The application process for the internship made me focus on improving my CV and developing my interview skills. This will be of great assistance when applying for placements next year in Spain. Ciaran McMullan in the Placement Office was particularly helpful and gave me some great tips on improving my CV.

I gained office experience

I gained useful experience of what an office based workplace will be like once I graduate from university. Key to this was regular communication with team members, with daily meetings and clarification of the tasks I was to complete. Of particular value was the regular use of Excel and Canva, allowing me to increase my skills in the practical use of these packages. Above all, I was made to feel very welcome and was given structured tasks to complete with both clear direction in advance and helpful feedback upon completion. I was very lucky to have had Ciara Murray as my mentor, as well as working alongside Javlan and Sulekchya. 

I got hands-on experience

 One of my main tasks during my internship was to organise a Graduation Reception for all the INTO students graduating from QUB this year. I drew up and issued the invitations; sourced and ordered decorations, food and merchandise for the event. We got a strong turnout, and everyone had a great day. It was clear that for the graduates, their time in INTO had been a key part of their QUB experience. I was really impressed with the teachers and the student support services staff. It was clear that there was a strong bond between the students and their teachers and support staff at INTO.

The work was fun

I was also fortunate to take part in in several other events at the centre, including a poster presentation day; bingo; a campus tour and a garden party. I really enjoyed working on a script for a ‘Day in the life’.

Joining INTO as an intern for a month was a very positive experience and I am grateful to both INTO and to the Global Opportunities Team for this fantastic opportunity. 

To find out more about Working Globally from NI.