Categories
CVs Graduate jobs Graduate success placements Scholarships STEM student success work experience

Get Future-ready with The Defence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship Scheme

Is it right for you?

Do you want to be an integral part of maintaining national security now and in the future, whilst developing your skills and career within the Nuclear industry? Would you like the opportunity to have an exciting and varied career working with the most cutting edge technology? Then this Defence STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) Undergraduate Sponsorship (DSUS) Scheme could be the opportunity you are looking for! This is a genuinely exciting time to join the Ministry of Defence (MOD) if you want to be at the heart of real Defence issues. You will get to work on a high profile and distinctive portfolio which is rarely out of the news and have a unique insight into the captivating world of nuclear. You will require an eagerness to learn, an inquisitive mind with a logical approach to problem solving, self-motivation, and the ability to learn from practical and theoretical studies. The scheme requires dedication from you to complete the remainder of your STEM degree and commit to work in the DNE for a minimum of 3 years after you graduate. If this sounds like you, then we want to hear from you!

During your studies:

If you are accepted onto this sponsorship scheme, whilst you study for your degree, we will:

  • Pay your tuition fees (up to £9,250 each year for the remainder of your studies, to a maximum of 3 years).
  • Pay you a bursary of £5,000 each year for the remainder of your studies.
  • Organise paid work placements for you in a variety of locations across the UK – these placements are crafted to give you experience of the DNE that will be of value to your future career and to your development

Upon graduation:

On successful completion of your degree, we will appoint you to a permanent job within the DNE. Your contracted hours will be 37 hours per week. You will initially start as an Executive Officer (EO) (current minimum £27,080). At the 2-year point there may be an opportunity for you to re-grade (promote) to Higher Executive Officer (HEO) (current minimum £33,830). Roles are available in a variety of locations across the UK. We will continue to support you with professional development in order to maintain your skills and professional accreditations.

Who is eligible?

You must be studying for a degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) approved by the Engineering Council (engc.org.uk) OR be studying a degree from the list in the relevant advert. You can apply for this scheme at any stage of your studies from first to final year. You must be able to undertake paid work placements for up to 45 days during the summer. You must commit to work within the DNE on graduation and for a minimum of three years. Please note that this is an undergraduate scheme – so if you have already graduated, you will not be eligible.

Where are the opportunities?

The Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) is made up of several government and industry organisations that sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent. This includes the organisations, programmes, and people within government and industry that help deliver the UK’s nuclear capability. There are opportunities in Portsmouth, Bristol and Reading, each advertised under a separate reference number.

How to apply

Civil Service Jobs: civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk

Portsmouth: Navy Command Ref: 295665

Bristol: Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) Ref: 295582

Reading: Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Ref: 295643

Closing date for applications: 23:55 Monday 14th August For further information, contact DNO-DNE-Talent@mod.gov.uk

Categories
Dentistry Elective Global Opportunities Go Global Go Global Week international careers international experience international students placements Work the World

My Eye-Opening Dentistry Elective in Kathmandu

Queen’s Dentistry graduate, Leo Sims travelled to Kathmandu in Nepal on a three-week dentistry elective during his fourth year to see the differences between healthcare in the UK and the developing world. 

Why Queen’s?

Leo Sim with fellow students in Nepal

I chose to study at Queen’s University Belfast because it’s part of the Russell Group of universities with high research intensity. 

Furthermore, they’re also well-known for their dentistry course and they have a large international student community, which adds to the vibrancy of the student life! 

Student life at Queen’s

Leo enjoying the sights of Nepal

My five years at QUB were amazing. I had the opportunity to get involved with different roles and responsibilities within clubs and societies – where I made friends for life. 

I particularly enjoyed my time when I was President of the International Student’s Society where I worked with people from all walks of life and provided a home away from home for fellow international students in Belfast. 

Finding the right placement

Leo, pictured outside the teaching hospital in Nepal

I undertook my placement during my summer holiday at the end of my fourth year. My international elective was not a compulsory component of my dental course, but my clinical tutors provided me with advice on how to organise it.

I chose Nepal as the destination for my dental elective due to its unique blend of South Asian and East Asian culture, its geographical beauty and the positive feedback I’d received from friends who had been there before. I thought it would be an eye-opening experience and it turned out to be more than that – it was an adventure of a lifetime.

Hands-on experience

Leo learned a lot from experiencing dentistry in another culture

Over the two weeks, I was given the opportunity to experience different departments (endodontics, restorative, periodontics and orthodontics) in the teaching hospital, as well as the chance to attend some lectures for the Nepali first-year dental students. 

There was a walk-in clinic where patients would be assessed and subsequently given immediate treatment or further appointments depending on availability.

Most practitioners were trained in English hence it was not uncommon for them to use a mixture of Nepali and English when explaining procedures and treatments to patients. 

To my surprise, for a hospital service, they put a lot of effort into saving a tooth, encouraging patients who have irreversible pulpitis to undergo root canal treatment. I had previously experienced a dental service in a hospital back in Malaysia, where extraction is the norm and the preferred option among patients.

Challenges in the developing world

Leo looking over Kathmandu

While we often try to emulate the best clinical practice according to the latest literature, the lack of resources can prove to be a big hurdle in the developing world. 

Disposable consumables and equipment are kept to a bare minimum. Burs, dental probes, dental mirrors and forceps were immersed in disinfectant and washed with soap water before being reused. 

There was also limited restorative options – selection of composite shade was restricted to whichever was available at the time, a lack of disposable composite capsules meant it had to be scooped out from a common dispenser for all patients, a lack of matrix bands, transparent strips and finishing burs (only diamond burs were available in the clinic).

During my elective, there was a patient who presented with a class II cavity and required composite restoration. ‘Matrix band and wooden wedges in?’, I asked. The dentist whom I was shadowing at that time, told me ‘Yes we would use them, if we had them’, before proceeding to pack the restoration free-hand.

Insights from practicing in another country

Leo will treasure his time in Nepal

I noticed that orthodontics in Nepal was very technical and particular when it came to measurements. Incisal length at smile, vertical and horizontal facial height, and the length between pupil were all measured and noted. Taking orthopantomogram and lateral cephalometric radiograph for angle measurement was part of the protocol for all cases.

For endodontics, due to the lack of resources, rubber dams and rotary instruments were not readily available. Sodium chloride irrigant and stainless steel hand files were used instead. 

In Nepal, unlike the increasingly litigious society in the developed world, patient compliance was simply beyond exceptional. Local anaesthetics were not normally given for restorative and endodontic treatment as they were usually reserved for more invasive procedures such as an extraction (and only a minimal volume was given in these cases). Their pain tolerance certainly deserves credit.

Exploring the country

Sim, Leo

I did some exploring around Kathmandu during my free time and visited the main attractions including the Swayambhunath temple, Thamel region, and Durbar square. What’s better than having a pint while enjoying the majestic sight of Boudhanath temple at night? 

Over the weekend, myself and the others from the Work the World house went to Pokhara on a 7-hour bus journey which was definitely worthwhile. A highlight of the trip was paragliding over Phewa Lake at an altitude of 2500 meters whilst indulging in the lush greenery of the landscape. 

Memories to last a lifetime

Leo recognises how fortunate we are compared to developing nations

My two weeks in Nepal was an opportunity to reflect on how fortunate we are compared to other developing nations – what presents to us as an essential may well be a luxury to others.

My experience made me realize how fortunate we are to have vast amounts of resources available when providing care in a secondary setting compared to a developing country. It was definitely an eye-opening experience to shadow different complex treatments being carried out in Kathmandu.

For a future dental practitioner, it is definitely worth taking an overseas dental elective before graduating, it’s a trip you’ll remember for life.

Landing a graduate role

Since graduation, I’ve worked as a foundation dentist based in Berkshire. Compared to previous years, my cohort had less clinical experience due to Covid-19 forcing my final year of dental school to end prematurely. 

It was a very steep learning curve in the beginning but I would say it is the year I’ve progressed the most in dentistry thus far. 

My experience overseas with Work the World added a different perspective of how dental care is provided in another country. I learnt a lot of transferable skills from my experience, such as communication and adaptability. It has helped with transitioning into different working environments and making the best out of them. 

In the future, I hope to undertake further training in restorative dentistry but life is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you will get!

Work the World specialise in creating overseas dentistry electives in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Their destinations provide eye-opening insight into the challenges associated with delivering healthcare in the developing world.

For more information about Global Opportunities at Queen’s, visit the Global Opportunities site.

Categories
Discover EY Employer Engagement Employer events Employer Insight Employers EY First years Graduate recruitment Graduate success graduate training schemes placements Second years Social Media Takeover

Inside the Discover EY Insight Programme

I took part in the Discover EY programme in June 2018 and for me, the highlight was getting to meet and interact with different people across all the departments within EY. The Discover EY experience provided the opportunity to really understand the individual service lines within EY and what their main roles are. This was a huge insight to me as previously I wasn’t fully aware of the differences between each service line and what a typical day looks like working in each. 

Discovering options

The programme brought to my attention the scope of the work that EY carry out for big name clients and that there were so many more career paths and opportunities in varying departments, most of which I didn’t known EY even had. This was interesting to me as it showed how you can progress and try new things within your career at EY. The programme allowed me to see the differences between EY and its competitors through listening to some colleagues describing their career paths.

Discover EY Belfast

Finding mentors

Throughout Discover EY, each team had mentor leads, most of which were people completing their Graduate Training Programme. The networking and relaxed working environment made me feel at ease asking questions and getting to know the company better as I was speaking to people who were in my shoes a matter of years ago. We also had a BBQ one evening with some food and drinks which was very informal and allowed us to network with many different people within EY of all levels. The BBQ was enjoyable because it was outside of the office, and the new atmosphere made everyone feel relaxed and more confident to ask questions, as it can be intimidating asking questions in quiet room where there are a lot of people.

A Career launchpad

From the Discover EY programme, the talent team asked me to put forward service lines and choice of programme, i.e. summer internship or industrial placement, which I would be interested in. I interviewed for an Industrial Placement within Strategy and Transactions and was successful. I completed my Industrial Placement from July 2019 to September 2020 in the sub-service line Turnaround and Restructuring Strategy, from where I got an offer to complete my Graduate Training Programme from September 2021. Therefore, the Discover EY programme has made a huge impact on my career and has provided me with many opportunities and so I would advise anyone to give it a go.

Real challenges and skills development

From hearing of different career paths of those who worked in EY, I was inspired to learn more about Strategy and Transactions and work to secure a position within the service line. I had never understood or was aware of the different services provided in Turnaround and Restructuring Strategy and was interested in the tasks they carried out. 

Some of the tasks within the Discover EY programme included a case study of a hypothetical company. Each group had to interview some senior members of staff acting as the company directors, which helped develop skills that would be relevant if ever meeting clients. Reflecting real life situations showed what would be expected if I ever would work closely with clients in a career and provided me with application of client interview skills.

Start in first year

I was in first year when I applied for the Discover EY programme, and took part in it in the summer after first year. If I had completed it the year after I would not have had the opportunity to complete my placement with EY and then would not have been able to secure a Graduate role. It is important that in first year you seek information about companies that appeal to you and where you feel you would fit in well as it could open many doors for you.

The insight programme developed my network and made me feel more confident in what career path interested me most. It provided me with extent knowledge of the financial services industry and allowed me to develop skills in client scenarios which I could transfer to future interviews and further on in my career. 

About Discover EY

Find out more about EY Belfast by taking part in our Discover EY Insight Programme. 

Over the course of two and a half days you can expect to take part in:

  • Sessions that will help you understand what we do, our service lines and our client work
  • Interactive skills sessions and case study work
  • Networking events with EY staff and recent graduate joiners
  • Take part in assessed activities
  • Opportunity to hear from panels of EY staff 

You’ll learn lots about what we do – and about yourself. We want to help you understand how you can apply your strengths to your ideal career. If you show enthusiasm, make a positive impact and demonstrate strengths we look for in our teams, there is the possibility you will be fast tracked to a final interview for your chosen placement or internship with us. 

Discover EY is a learning experience aimed at first- year university students and those in their second year of a four year course. We welcome applications from students across all degree disciplines. 

A two-step application process includes filling in a basic application form followed by online assessments- including a numerical test. 

Apply now.

Categories
Advent Calendar Clubs and Societies DegreePlus Homework clubs placements

Careers Advent Calendar: Giving Back with Degree Plus

Ruth Cummings

The Degree Plus initiative at Queens means that you have the opportunity to earn an extra award alongside your degree. One of the biggest appeals of university for many people is the opportunities it gives you to meet new people and engage in activities which interest you and might help you make further decisions with your future career. And with Degree Plus you actually get credit for doing this!

There are numerous ways you can earn your Degree Plus, here are just a few;

Volunteering opportunities – something that always looks great on your CV, helping people for free! Within the university you will hear about many different volunteering opportunities, one of my personal favourites is Homework Club. Volunteering at Homework Club is the perfect activity if you are considering going into a career in education as it allows you to practise the skills needed to help other, younger students learn. And even if a career in education doesn’t interest you, Homework Club gives you skills in communication and is all round just a fun thing to do on a free afternoon!

Homework Clubs at Volunteer SU

Work experience – Any kind of career placement you do (as long as it’s not already part of your degree) can also earn you a Degree Plus. Personally, I can’t think of any reason why you wouldn’t do this. Placements are already great things to do as they give you an insight into your aspired career, give you skills that will make you stand out, and help you make contacts which will be highly valuable when you graduate. Once again, this is an activity that most people would want to do anyway and with Degree Plus you rewarded with more than just the experience!

Society Committees – Another example of activities that contribute towards a Degree Plus is joining a society committee! This is something which I highly recommend you do anyway, it’s a great way of meeting new people with similar interests and making friends, and much like everything else it helps you develop new skills to add onto that ever-growing CV. Joining a society committee is about as university as you can get, it’s something that you’ll never have the opportunity to do again, so go for it!

These really are just a few of the opportunities to earn your Degree Plus here at Queen’s. Hopefully it has given you some sort of idea as to what you can do here alongside your degree to make you stand out from the crowd. So, the bottom line is, go and discover a new adventure with Degree Plus! You never know what it might lead to.

You can check out the full activity lists and details of how you apply on the Degree Plus site

Categories
Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair internship placement placements

Ask the Employer: How can a student make an impact on a placement?

It’s peak season for placement applications. If you attended our Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair last week, you’ll know that a placement is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door at your dream company. But once you successfully secure a placement how can you make an impact that will lead to a potential job offer? We asked some top recruiters and here is what they had to say…

Be Enthusiastic

“The most successful placements are undertaken by students who appreciate the vast developmental opportunity that is presented to them via a work placement.  Enthusiasm, active listening and the willingness to learn will result in a successful placement experience for both student and host organisation. Depending upon business requirements, students who contribute effectively, learn from others and ultimately impress during their placement year with Almac, leave with a conditional offer of employment ahead of their final year of study.”

Kim McAllister, Talent Acquisition Manager, Almac Group

Go above and beyond

“A student always makes an impact if they go above and beyond to help others. It could be that they offer to help someone who is struggling to get a job finished for a deadline or just something as small as offering to make tea or coffee for your team. 

And ask questions! It shows you’re keen to learn and have a genuine interest in the role. 

We also love to see our new members get to know everyone in the office by chatting with them at lunch or attending our social events. We’re a tight knit office so it’s important that people feel part of the team and enjoy the culture at Muldoon & Co.”

Olivia Blundell, Trainee Accountant, Muldoon & Co

Be willing to learn

“Having recently had a Queen’s student on our team, we found that having the willingness to train and learn was a great benefit. Get involved in the team and don’t be afraid to put points and ideas forward.” 

Joelene Ridgill , Purchasing Manager at Seacoya Group Ltd

Get involved

“The best thing to do is to get involved in as much as possible. At Liberty IT, we have the opportunity to sign up for an unlimited amount of training and attend internal and external tech talks and conferences. Our past interns have participated in hackathons, talked at events and helped out with recruitment. There’s no limit to what you can get involved in.”

Birgitta Swanberg, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, Liberty IT

Ask questions

“Be eager and demonstrate a willingness to work by arriving on time and with a positive attitude. Look to develop your skills by communicating with employers within the business; ask questions and make sure you seek out those answers. Show interest in the work by keeping up with new technologies within the market.” 

Chloe Brown, Corporate Recruiter, MRP

Teach yourself along the way

“Speak up, ask questions, and research topics. We don’t expect you to know everything, but we want to see you proactively learning and engaging.”  

Jared Kearney, Senior Campus Recruiter, Citi UK and Citi Ireland

Categories
Employer Engagement Employer events Employers Graduate recruitment Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair Graduate success graduate training schemes graduateland Job Hunting job search placement placements postgraduate

Some of the 70+ Great Companies You Can Meet on Day Two of The Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair

(Psst! There are over 300 jobs on offer over the two days!)

Wow! What a jam-packed day of amazing exhibitors we had yesterday at the Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair. We have over 70+ more organisations coming today, so make sure you come back and check them out. The Day Two event lobby is already open, so you can pop in and check out employers and jobs, request interview slots with selected employers and follow employers to receive alerts.

Here are just some of the awesome companies signed up for Day Two – they are all hiring students just like you! If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so here:

https://virtualcareersfairs.qub.ac.uk/events

A&L Goodbody

A&L Goodbody is a leading Irish law firm

https://www.algoodbody.com/

Accenture

Accenture plc is a multinational professional services company and a Fortune Global 500 company.

https://www.accenture.com/gb-en

Alchemy Technology Services

Global centre of excellence for insurance software implementation 

https://www.alchemytechs.com/

Almac Group

The Almac Group is an established contract development and manufacturing organisation providing an extensive range of integrated services across the drug development lifecycle to the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors globally.

AquaQ Analytics

AquaQ provides consulting services to several top tier investment banks.

Bank of Ireland

Bank of Ireland Group plc is a commercial bank operation in Ireland and one of the traditional ‘Big Four‘ Irish banks.

https://www.bankofireland.com/

Belfast Health & Social Care Trust

The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) is a health organisation covering Belfast, Northern Ireland

Bombardier

Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains.

https://www.bombardier.com/en/home.html

British Army, The – Army Careers

The Army is always recruiting, and there are a wide range of roles available for both officers and soldiers.          

https://www.army.mod.uk/careers/

British Council – IAESTE

From electronics in Japan to earthquake detection technology in Colombia, an IAESTE placement is a guaranteed way to boost your career. 

https://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/outside-uk/iaeste

BSG Civil Engineering Ltd

BSG Civil Engineering Ltd is a Premier Civil Engineering Contractor, delivering all Multi Discipline Schemes.

Carson McDowell

Carson McDowell is Northern Ireland’s most dynamic law firm.

https://www.carson-mcdowell.com/

CDE Global Ltd

CDE Global is the world’s no 1 wet processing equipment company.

https://www.cdeglobal.com/

Citi

A global bank providing financial services.

https://www.citigroup.com/citi/

CK International              

CK International is one of the world’s leading waste baler manufacturers.

Clear Pharmacy

Clear Pharmacy is a family run group of community pharmacies

CME Group

The world’s leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace.

https://www.cmegroup.com/

CommScope

CommScope helps design, build and manage wired and wireless networks around the world.

https://www.commscope.com/

Cygilant UK Ltd

Cygilant provides Cybersecurity-as-a-Service.

Department for the Economy

The Department for the Economy is a devolved Northern Ireland government department in the Northern Ireland Executive.

https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/

DPS Group Global

DPS Group is a global consulting, engineering and construction management company.

https://www.dpsgroupglobal.com/

Dunbia         

Dunbia is a red meat processor that sources and manufactures beef, lamb and pork products for retail, commercial and foodservice markets locally, nationally and internationally.

ESO Solutions UK Ltd

ESO offers an integrated suite of software products for EMS agencies, fire departments, and hospitals.

https://www.eso.com/

EY (UK)

A multinational professional services network (Accountancy Firm).

https://www.ey.com/en_uk

Farrans

Farrans Construction is an established building and civil engineering contractor.

https://www.farrans.com/

fDi Intelligence

fDi Intelligence, a service from the Financial Times, is the largest FDI centre of excellence globally.

https://www.fdiintelligence.com/

FinTrU

Multi-award winning Financial Services company providing resourcing solutions for Global Investment Banks

https://www.fintru.com/

Fox Contracts

An award winning Northern Irish based Civil Engineering company

https://www.fox-contracts.com/

Graham Construction

A large award winning UK construction company. 

https://www.graham.co.uk/

Harbinson Mulholland

Award winning accountants rooted in Northern Ireland,

https://www.harbinson-mulholland.com/

HMRC

The Non-ministerial department of the UK Government responsible for the collection of taxes and other forms of support within the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs

IBM

American cloud platform and cognitive solutions multinational technology and consulting company

www.ibm.com

iManage

Large software company focused exclusively on professional work product management.

www.imanage.com

Infosys

Global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting.

www.infosys.com/

InterTradeIreland – Career Boost

Provider of practical cross-border business funding, intelligence and contacts.

www.intertradeireland.com/

Invest NI

www.investni.com/

Invest Northern Ireland is Northern Ireland’s regional economic development agency.

Jacobs UK Ltd

http://www.jacobs.com/

Jacobs is multidisciplinary engineering company that operates globally. 

Jameson Graduate Programme

Part of the Irish Distillers Company.  It is the largest distiller of Irish whiskey.

https://www.jamesongraduateprogramme.com/

Jones Day

Commercial Law Firm

https://www.jonesday.com/en

Kainos Software Ltd

Large NI & UK based software company.

www.kainos.com

Kingspan Group

Building Materials company based in Ireland.

https://www.kingspan.com/

KTP@QUB

Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) at Queen’s University Belfast

https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/graduate-support/employers/Knowledge-Transfer-Partnership-(KTP)-at-Queen’s/

Lakeland Dairies

Irish Dairy Co-operative and manufacturer of application specific food ingredients.

www.lakeland.ie/

Marks & Spencer

Large major multinational retailer.

www.marksandspencers.com/

Marsh and McLennan

Marsh & McLennan is the world’s leading professional services firm in the areas of risk, strategy and people.

https://www.mmc.com/

McAleer & Rushe

McAleer and Rushe is one of the UK’s largest design and build construction companies

McCann FitzGerald

Leading Irish Law firm

https://www.mccannfitzgerald.com/

MCL InsureTech Ltd

A high-quality provider of services to the insurance industry.

http://www.mclinsuretech.co.uk/

Mott MacDonald

Consultancy Firm

https://www.mottmac.com/

MRP

Sales & Marketing Innovation That Fosters Business Transformation.

Musgrave Limited

Irish Food Wholesaler

Options Technology

The leading provider of cloud-enabled managed services to the global capital markets.

PA Consulting Group

Consultancy Firm

https://www.paconsulting.com/

PAC GROUP

A UK-based leading provider of a diverse range of electrical and mechanical engineering applications and solutions.

https://www.pacgroup.co.uk/

Philip Morris Limited

An American multinational cigarette and tobacco manufacturing company, with products sold in over 180 countries.

https://www.pmi.com/

PM Group

International Project Delivery Firm    

https://www.pmgroup-global.com/

Puppet

Automation software development company

https://puppet.com/

PwC

Accountancy Firm

https://www.pwc.co.uk/

Randox Laboratories Ltd

Randox provides clinical diagnostic solutions to laboratories worldwide and is dedicated to improving health on a global scale.

Rapid7

Rapid7 powers the practice of SecOps by delivering shared visibility, analytics, and automation to unite security, IT, and DevOps teams.

https://www.rapid7.com/

Specialisterne

A socially innovative company where the majority of employees have a diagnosis on the autism spectrum.

Synergy Learning

Experts in creating learning with impact. Premium Certified Moodle Services Provider & Platinum Totara Partner.

Terex GB Ltd

Terex Corporation is a global manufacturer of lifting and material processing products and services delivering lifecycle solutions.

https://www.terex.com/

Thermo Fisher Scientific

An American provisioner of scientific instrumentation, reagents and consumables, and software and services to healthcare, life science, and other laboratories in academia, government, and industry.

https://www.thermofisher.com/uk/en/home.html

TLT NI LLP

Commercial Law Firm

https://www.tltsolicitors.com/locations/belfast/

TPICAP

TP ICAP plc is a global firm of professional intermediaries that operates in the world’s financial, energy and commodities markets

https://tpicap.com/tpicap/

TriMedika Ltd

Company developing innovative medical devices.

Version 1 Ltd

Version 1 proves that IT can make a real difference to our customers’ businesses.

WuXi Biologics

WuXi Biologics is a Chinese headquartered organization that provides open-access, integrated technology platforms for biologics drug development.

https://www.wuxibiologics.com/

Categories
Employer events Employers Graduate recruitment Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair Graduate success graduate training schemes graduateland placement placements

70+ Great Companies You Can Meet on Day One of The Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair

You may have heard that our Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair is going virtual on Oct 21 and 22. Did you know the event lobby is already open, so you can pop in and check out employers and jobs, request interview slots with selected employers and follow employers to receive alerts.

Here are just some of the awesome companies signed up for Day One – they are all hiring students just like you! If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so here:

https://virtualcareersfairs.qub.ac.uk/events

Abbvie

Pharmaceutical Research & Development

https://www.abbvie.co.uk

ACCA

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

https://www.accaglobal.com/in/en.html

AIB Group

Financial services group

https://group.aib.ie

Aiqudo

Artificial intelligence-based technology

Aldi Stores Ltd

Supermarket chain

https://www.aldi.co.uk

Allen & Overy LLP

International law firm

https://www.allenovery.com/en-gb/global

Allstate Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s largest IT Company

https://www.allstate.com/northern-ireland.aspx

Analog Devices

Semiconductor manufacturing company

https://www.analog.com/en/index.html

Andor Technology

Manufacturer

https://andor.oxinst.com

Arm Ltd

Semiconductor and software design company

https://www.arm.com

Arthur Cox

Legal Firm

Arup

An independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, architects, consultants and technical specialists

https://www.arup.com

ASM Chartered Accountants

Chartered Accountants

Avolon Aerospace Leasing

A Global leader in aircraft leasing

Baker McKenzie

Law firm

https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en

Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

Accountants & Business Advisers

British Council

Cultural relations and educational opportunities

https://www.britishcouncil.org

Cadence Design Systems

Computational software

https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home.html#

Cavanagh Kelly

Chartered Accountants

https://www.cavanaghkelly.com

Chartered Accountants Ireland

Membership body representing 26000 influential members throughout the globe.

https://www.charteredaccountants.ie

Colgate Palmolive

Global Household & Consumer Products

https://www.colgatepalmolive.com/en-us

Collins Aerospace

The Future of Aerospace and Defence

https://www.collinsaerospace.com/en

CyberSource, a Visa Solution

 E-commerce credit card payment system management company

https://www.cybersource.com/en-gb.html

DCC

International sales, marketing and support services group

https://www.dcc.ie

Deloitte UK

Audit, Consulting, Financial Advisory and Tax 

https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en.html

DLA Piper

A global law firm

https://www.dlapiper.com/en/uk/

Dynamic Signal

Trusted Employee Communication

https://dynamicsignal.com

Electricity Supply Board (ESB)

State owned electricity company operating in Ireland

https://esb.ie/who-we-are/about-esb

Energia Group Limited

A modern customer centric utility focusing on renewable energy and technology

https://energiagroup.com

Entekra Ltd

Off-Site Construction

https://www.entekra.com

EY (UK) EVENT SPONSOR!

Consulting, assurance, tax and transaction services.

https://www.ey.com/en_gl

First Derivative

A leading provider of products and consulting services to some of the world’s largest finance, technology and energy institution

https://firstderivative.com

Foods Connected Ltd

Offers all modules and tools connected on one cloud-based system for ultimate time and cost efficiency

https://www.foodsconnected.com

GEDA Construction

A leading Building, Civil Engineering and Property Development Company

Global Payments

Payment technology and software solutions

https://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/en-gb

GMcG Chartered Accountants

A leading professional services firm providing a range of strategic and practical Accounting, Taxation and Business Advisory solutions

https://gmcgca.com

Grant Thornton

Network of independent accounting and consulting member firms

https://www.grantthornton.co.uk

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Leading professional services businesses

https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com

Hutchinson Engineering

British made engineering of the highest quality

https://www.hutchinsonengineering.co.uk

Instil Software

Software products and learning experiences 

https://instil.co

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Promotes, develops and supports chartered accountants and students across the world

https://www.icaew.com

Intel Ireland

Advanced manufacturing, cutting edge research and design

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/jobs/locations/ireland.html

Kerry Group

A public food company headquartered in Ireland

https://www.kerrygroup.com

KPMG (NI & ROI)

A wide range of audit, tax and advisory service

https://home.kpmg/ie/en/home/insights/2020/04/kpmg-in-northern-ireland.html

Liberty Information Technology

Innovative technology solutions

https://www.liberty-it.co.uk

Lidl Ireland

Supermarket chain.

https://www.lidl.ie

Metaswitch Networks

A pioneering network software provider.

https://www.metaswitch.com

Mills Selig

Corporate and commercial law firm.

https://www.millsselig.com

Moy Park Ltd

One of Europe’s leading poultry producers

https://moypark.com

Muldoon & Co

Firm of accountants in Belfast

https://www.muldoon-accountants.co.uk

NantHealth

Precision medicine and software

National Treasury Management Agency

Asset and liability management services to Government

https://www.ntma.ie

Nikon Precision Europe GmbH

A leading global supplier of Semiconductor lithography systems

Northern Ireland Audit Office

The Local Government Auditor

https://www.niauditoffice.gov.uk

Olenick

Software Quality Engineering services

PayPal EMEA

Online payment solutions

https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/country-worldwide

PepsiCo

Multinational food, snack and beverage corporation 

https://www.pepsico.com

Pinsent Masons

International professional services business

https://www.pinsentmasons.com

PKF-FPM Accountants

A leading accountancy and business advisory practice

Proofpoint

Cybersecurity solutions

https://www.proofpoint.com/uk

Royal Air Force

Aerial warfare force

https://www.raf.mod.uk

Ryobi Ltd

Manufacturer of components for automobiles, electronics, and telecommunications industries.

https://www.ryobi-group.co.jp/en/

Signifyd

Industry leader in fraud prevention

SONI

The electricity system operator for Northern Ireland

http://www.soni.ltd.uk

SpotX

Video advertising platform

https://www.spotx.tv

Susquehanna

Trading and technology firm

https://sig.com

Synopsys

Electronic design automation company 

https://www.synopsys.com

Teach First

A charity that develops and supports teachers and leaders

https://www.teachfirst.org.uk

Telestack Limited

Bulk material handling solutions

https://www.telestack.com

Tracey Concrete

One of the largest precast concrete manufacturers

Categories
Global Opportunities Go Global Go Global ambassadors internship J1 Visa New York placement placements student success Student success stories Work abroad

From QUB to NYC: My Placement Year Diary

Meet Michael Downey, one of our Go Global Ambassadors 2020. If you are thinking of following in his footsteps and spending a year or a semester abroad, he’s here to share his tips, tricks and wisdom with you. 

“New York City has an energy like no other – it’s fast-paced and full of life! Certainly, when you compare it to the countryside in Dromore, Co. Down.” 

As a Business Information Technology student, I made the decision to do a placement in one of the greatest cities in the world, New York City. The experience of living and working on NYC was a rollercoaster (and included a 4-month quarantine in Miami) but it’s been a life-changing experience. Here are just some of the reasons why….

The placement

I worked as a Software Developer for a SaaS start-up called On The Stage, and I joined at a time when the company was experiencing high growth – this was super exciting! My office was located on Broadway & W 54th St and my apartment in Amsterdam Ave & W 107th St, both in Manhattan so this was only a 20-minute subway ride which was super convenient.

The city

What can I say about the concrete jungle of NYC? The energy of the city is like no other – it’s fast-paced and full of life! Certainly, when you compare it to the countryside in Dromore, Co. Down. There’s too much to do in NYC and it never stops. Luckily, if you’re on an intern budget NYC has tons of FREE events to offer, I mean 100’s each day and it can be overwhelming deciding which event to go to. 

If you’re worried about surviving financially on an intern salary in NYC, I’d advise you to create a budget and stick to it and you’ll be fine – this is actually a great learning experience as you learn how to manage your personal finances.

Part of my routine involved running around the 1.58-mile Reservoir Loop in Central Park before work. This run at 7.30 am in the morning was a beautiful start to the day as you could escape the mayhem, relax and enjoy the ambience. There were always thousands of people running and this really fueled my motivation to push harder and improve my run time

Sporting events

The beauty of living in a major city is that historic events are commonplace. Luckily, I was able to attend two notable sporting events: the 2019 US Open Tennis – Women’s Singles finals (Serena Williams was playing) and the PGA Tour National Trust Tournament (Rory McIlroy was playing) 

On two occasions I also travelled to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to watch the Brooklyn Nets vs Miami Heat play in the NBA . An NBA game is an awesome experience, they really know how to put on a show. The game comprises 4 quarters with each quarter lasting 12 minutes but the whole show lasts 2 hours!

Escaping the city

In the winter, I travelled to Hunter Mountain Ski Resort with a group of friends for a weekend of snowboarding. This was just over a 2-hour drive from Manhattan which is like driving from Dublin to Belfast, so it’s not far, at least for American standards.

Food 

New York City is among the world’s most dynamic culinary capitals. 

Sampling new cuisines became a weekly routine. After trying Peruvian at a restaurant named Pio Pio on the Upper West Side I quickly fell in love with this amazing cuisine! Another favourite would have to be Japanese, the ramen from Totto Ramen in Midtown East and the sushi from Sugarfish in Soho were hands down my favorite. Totto Ramen was located within walking distance of my office which was perfect, especially on a chilly winter’s day, the warm broth was an excellent meal to get the blood flowing.

Culture

One of the J1-IWT visa requirements is to experience American culture and I believe this was fulfilled by attending a variety of iconic Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Fortunately, the CEO of On The Stage is also a Broadway producer so one of the perks of the job is to occasionally be offered free or discounted tickets. In 7-months I attended nine shows including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hamilton, Slava Snowshow, The Rockettes, The Lion King, Tina The Musical, The Inheritance, Little Shop of Horrors and Riverdance.

Exploring the States

The United States is a huge and diverse place, every state is like its own country in terms of legislation, culture, people and the way of life – that’s what makes the country so special! I experienced this firsthand by travelling to multiple US cities, for example, Miami, Marco Island, Naples, Orlando and Tampa, FL, Houston, TX and Chicago, IL. Each city has a different flavour, culturally, Miami and Houston are extremely different compared to New York and Chicago – it’s interesting to visit and experience these diverse cities. Another fascinating comparison is the political views of the majority; Miami (Republican) vs New York City (Democratic). Here are just a few of my highlights:

Speaking Spanish in Miami

During quarantine, I spent 4-months living in Miami, so I truly experienced the Latin culture. The majority of people speak Spanish so if you want to practice your speaking and listening skills make a trip to Miami. Since 1st year I’ve been taking Spanish classes at Queen’s, so this was the perfect opportunity to improve my skills. I also enjoyed exploring the Latin cuisines; Cuban, Venezuela and Colombian. Miami is a cool city and its growing at a fast rate.

I also got the opportunity to visit Marco Island on the west coast of Florida, it is situated right on the Gulf of Mexico, so the ocean is beautiful as it is calm and warm – just a few degrees hotter than Portrush. 

Visiting NASA

Houston is a modern city in terms of infrastructure and buildings. Everything is BIG, the houses, the cars, the food portion sizes etc. The locals are super friendly, you receive pleasant greetings when out and about. In Houston there is a huge Indian and Vietnamese community, so you see a lot of these restaurants around the city. 

The highlight of this trip was visiting the NASA Johnson Space Center, which is home to Mission Control and astronaut training. The behind-the-scenes Tram Tour was amazing, I saw the Saturn V rocket, which is the tallest, heaviest and most powerful rocket ever flown. NASA used the Saturn V rockets during the Apollo program to send Americans to the Moon. 

Chicago

Chicago is a pretty city and the most significant characteristic for me was the architecture. It’s like a mini, cleaner New York City. The three days in the city were crammed with tourist activities, these include; the Architectural Boat Tour, Navy Pier, Riverwalk Walking Tour, 360 Skydeck & The Tilt, Deep Dish Pizza and Portillo’s Hot Dog. I loved learning about the history of Chicago.

Fairytale ending

During my last week in the US, I spent some time at Disney World Orlando which was amazing! I visited Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Highlights were Star Wars land, Avatar Land and Toy Storyland. The new Star Wars and Avatar attractions are so immersive, you truly feel like you’re in the movie – Disney has created an incredible experience.

Michael was supported with obtaining a visa and moving to the US by the Rian Immigrant Center. More details here:

Meet Michael at our Go Global Canada/USA info session on October 12.

Register here 

https://event.webinarjam.com/register/116/kr7r7sv8

Categories
Employers Events Fairs Graduate recruitment Graduate success placements

Five advantages of virtual recruitment fairs for employers

Queen’s Graduate Placement and Recruitment Fair is going virtual on 21 and 22 October 2020. And while that means no campus buzz and no free cupcakes (sob!), there are plenty of advantages to going digital. Here are just five of them. 

  1. It’s fast and easy to set up

Forgot dressing a stall with company branding, Graduateland, our event host platform, will do all your selling for you. Once you’ve registered via MyFuture, you can set up your online stall with just a few easy clicks, preloading videos, company details and FAQs. 

2.You can pre-record the most relevant info

With the online presentation function, you can record a presentation for candidates to watch in real time. Beats talking yourself hoarse on a stand all day. What’s more, candidates can upvote each other’s questions so you can ensure you are answering the most important FAQs. 

3. You can hone in on the right candidates

Using filters to sort candidates, you can read student profiles and invite the candidates with the skills you are looking for to engage in a live chat or video call. This is arguably a much more efficient and strategic way to engage with our students. 

4. There are no queues

The logistics of a traditional fair dictate that only a certain number of students can get near you at any one time. With our virtual fair, an unlimited number of students can see your online stall. Candidates can even view your profile in advance of the event, along with your relevant job opportunities. What’s more, the number of representatives at your stall is also unlimited, meaning you can select the right representative to speak to a candidate. 

5. It’s cost effective

You don’t need to spend money on branded pens to compete for attention. Our virtual event means you have a captive audience of top talent at your fingertips. This generation have grown up with tech and are digitally savvy, so it’s easier than ever to communicate and engage with candidates. Meanwhile you’ll save time on branding, travel and time out of office.

To register for Queen’s Graduate Placement and Recruitment Fair on 21 and 22 of October, visit MyFuture today.

From August 31, you can set up your online stall via the GraduateIreland platform.

Watch: