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Careers programmes

Sustainable Idea Exchanges at Real-World Challenge Climate Change

staff and students standing together on a roof terrace

Careers, Employability & Skills were recently joined by Northern Ireland climate and business leaders for a student focused Real-World Challenge Climate Change event held at PwC’s Merchant Square Offices in Belfast.

There were over 40 students on the day keen to take up the challenge of examining how industry leaders can use the ecological crisis to inform decision-making and prompt action.

The students heard from representatives from PwC, as well as guest speakers from other organisations, and the event’s Keynote Speaker was Professor John Barry, Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action (SECA) at Queen’s University Belfast.

Students from a range of disciplines were asked to present their ideas to drive sustainability transformation to leaders from the public, private and not-for-profit organisations, while developing key employability skills in the process.

Our students spent the day immersed in this real-life challenge faced by leaders from a wide range of sectors. This experiential programme helps students explore change and innovation, allowing them to develop better problem-solving skills and the ability to work in diverse groups and is an invaluable component of the work we do in shaping the development of future-ready graduates.

Climate change affects us all, so it is essential for people to be able to work across diverse teams and to develop the critical thinking skills needed to tackle these big picture challenges.

The event attendees gave some really positive feedback on the day via LinkedIn, you can read some of the feedback below:

“Along with a diverse group of students from Queen’s University Belfast, we looked at ways in which we could tackle issues ranging from climate justice, to urban planning, to carbon free futures. We had interdisciplinary and collaborative discussions based on creating more liveable futures. This experience was both humbling and empowering.”

Elisa Jimenez, Queen’s University Belfast BA Anthropology, International Relations

Attending the #Realworldchallenge on Climate Change and the Ecological Crisis was an enlightening experience, one that has reshaped my perspective on leadership, decision-making, and action within this critical context. Organized by Queen’s University Belfast and PwC UK, this event was a masterclass in collaborative learning and forward-thinking.

Kevin Philip, Queen’s University Belfast, MBA Candidate

“I was able to collaborate with people from different backgrounds to discuss innovative solutions to help solve the problem of climate change. It was inspiring and informative to learn more about the different challenges climate change poses in various sectors. I am grateful for this opportunity and the people I met along the way.”

Cheryl Watson, Second Year History and Spanish Student at Queen’s University Belfast.

“I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the ‘Real-World Challenge: Climate Change’ event in Belfast.

This event featured engaging discussions and activities led by both students and industry experts, covering all topics related to environment, climate change, and sustainability.
With such a diverse demographic, it was great to hear the opinions and perspectives from my peers of different backgrounds on how we can progress in this world.

A quote I would like to take from this event was spoken by Professor John Barry “We will not have a green version of the present”—a truly inspirational speaker.

Kieran Robertson, PhD Student Queen’s University Belfast

Visit the Real-World Challenge webpage

Categories
Career Options Career planning Careers programmes EY Graduate jobs Graduate recruitment Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair Graduate success graduate training schemes

EY Northern Ireland Recruits for Summer Interns, Industrial Placements, and Graduates.

EY

The Student Recruitment Journey Unveiled

Entering the professional world after graduation is a new adventure waiting to unfold. Understanding the recruitment process can often seem daunting!

But don’t worry: Let’s explore the student recruitment journey together.

Your Adventure Awaits:

Your professional journey is all about finding your path to the right opportunity. If you’re not sure what’s next, why not check out EY’s interactive quiz, the EY Pathfinder, that matches your strengths to our business areas to find a role that’s right for you.

Understanding the Recruitment Process:

Now that you’ve identified the programme/role that’s right for you, let’s look at the stages in EY’s student recruitment process, which is similar to other organisations, which involves:

Stage 1: Online Application – after you’ve created your account, you’ll need to choose your programme. During this stage, you will need to entre your personal details so we can learn more about you.

Stage 2 – Online Assessment – these online immersive assessments have been designed for you so you can demonstrate your potential for the programme you have applied to. You’ll receive full instructions by email about the structure of the assessment and whether it needs to be completed in one sitting, including access to practices tests – so make sure you take the time to practice!

Stage 3 – Assessment Centre – in the assessment event, you’ll take part in a number of exercises. The event is designed to see if you have the strengths needed for your role at EY, but it’s also a chance to see if EY is right for you.  

Stage 4 – Final Interview – this is your opportunity to share your strengths and motivations for the role you’ve applied for. Before the interview why not check out EY’s LinkedIn, website, Facebook, X, and Instagram – and tell the interviewer something they haven’t heard before!  It is also your chance to ask any questions you have about the programme and business area you’ve applied for.

If you need support with any aspect of our recruitment process, we’ll work with you collaboratively in providing you with adjustments.  

To learn more about EY and our recruitment journey, why not check out the Adventure Awaits platform, and hear from members of our Student Recruitment team.

Celebrate Your Success:

After conquering the various stages of the recruitment journey, it’s time to celebrate your new role! Cherish your accomplishments and gear up for the exciting professional adventure awaiting you.

We hope this gave you a concise yet comprehensive idea of what to expect from the student recruitment process. Remember, keep an open mind, resilient spirit, prepare well, and get set to embark on your professional adventure.

Best of luck!

Learn more about taking the first step in your career through Adventure Awaits: Careers at EY in Northern Ireland | EY UK

EY are one of the sponsors for our 2024 Spring Careers Fair.

Find out more about Queen’s Careers Fairs.

Categories
surveys

Unlock Your Future: Share Your Aspirations and Win with Cibyl’s Survey

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of students across the nation while having the chance to win fantastic prizes? If so, you’re in luck!

At Queen’s University Belfast we’re excited to introduce you to an incredible opportunity offered by Cibyl, a leading student market research consultancy in the UK and Ireland. Cibyl plays a crucial role in providing employers and universities with invaluable insight into students’ career thinking, helping to bridge the gap between education and employment.

Why Should You Get Involved?

As a student or recent graduate, your experiences are invaluable. Here’s why you should get involved:

Influence the Future:

Cibyl conducts annual research to understand your experiences with graduate recruitment. Your participation empowers universities and employers to take meaningful steps to ensure your success in your first graduate role.

Win Amazing Prizes:

By taking part in Cibyl’s 15-minute survey, you could win incredible prizes, including:

–£500 gift cards of your choice (two given away at the close of the survey).

–A HP Pavilion x360 2 in 1 laptop (given away at the close of the survey).

–£100 gift cards of your choice (given away every week, with 14 to give away!).

Make a Positive Impact:

Every perspective matters, and together, students like you can make a meaningful change to student recruitment. Participating in this survey will contribute to creating a brighter future for students across the nation.

We encourage all Queen’s students and recent graduates to participate in this opportunity. Your responses are completely anonymous, so you can be candid about your university experiences and career aspirations.

Your voice matters, and your insight can drive positive change for future generations of students.

Start the survey now: Take the Cibyl Survey.

Read more: Unlock Your Future: Share Your Aspirations and Win with Cibyl’s Survey
Categories
Europe Go Global Student experience student success Student success stories

Study Exchange at Utrecht University, Netherlands

Flag of the netherlands flying

Grace McSorley is a final year student who had the opportunity to attend a placement at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Here is what she had to say about her time there!

“Recently I had the opportunity to complete a study abroad placement in Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and it was an amazing experience. The course, ‘Exploring Data through Culture’, was a great learning opportunity and it provided me with the chance to learn several new softwares, whilst equipping me with a range of new data skills and techniques.

One of the highlights was the chance to work alongside a brilliant group of students and lecturers from across the world. The team collaboration was fantastic, and together we presented a research project investigating the rise of Chat GPT and natural language processing AI within education. The insights, skills and experiences I have gained from the Summer School will be invaluable as I commence my final year of university.

A massive thank you to the Careers Queen’s University Belfast Global Opportunities Team for funding and organising the programme, and also to the team at Utrecht Data School for making this experience possible. #UtrechtSummerSchool“

Fancy studying in the Netherlands? We are offering up to £1,400 in funding for approx. 40 full time Queen’s Undergraduate students to complete a Utrecht Summer School Course in the Netherlands – closing date for applications for 2024 is 04 March 2024 at 12 noon.
Find our more about Utrecht Summer School courses places on our Utrecht Summer School web page.

Find out about Study Exchanges in Europe and Search for all global opportunities on our Go Global Search Tool

Categories
Careers programmes

LinkedIn post from Kieran McClorey

Kieran McClorey is a recent software engineering graduate who utilised the QUB Careers Department whilst at Queen’s

“Incoming Graduate Software Engineer at Citi

Thrilled to recently have graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a second class honours first division in BEng Software Engineering. Looking forward to starting my IT career in my graduate software engineering role at Citi Belfast.

Many thanks to Careers Queen’s University Belfast for helping me secure a placement opportunity with Citi during my time at university.”

Categories
Careers programmes

It’s not what you know, It’s who you know

Luckily for you, we have a hotline to powerful recruiters across a range of industries and sectors, and we are committed to helping you make key introductions.

Many employers hire graduates that they already know, and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to meet employers on campus through Careers Fairs, employer panels and industry workshops.

Find opportunities to suit you

Whether you are looking for a funded summer internship, a short-term, real-world work project, or to road test a career with work shadowing, we can help you put what you’ve learned on your course into practice, enhancing your CV and graduate prospects. We source and promote employer vacancies and work-related learning opportunities through MyFuture, Queen’s early career management platform. This intuitive system allows you to filter your job search by industry, job function and course. You can also set up job alerts which are sent directly to your student email. There is even a handy app – think of it as Tinder for jobs!

Careers Fairs on Campus

Our Careers Fairs take place on campus twice a year in October and February offering the opportunity to connect in-person with employers offering work experience, placement and graduate opportunities.

We also run the NI Graduate and Recruitment Fair in partnership with Ulster University once a year before summer graduation for final year students and recent graduates.

Ask us About

  • Careers Fairs
  • Employer Events
  • Business Games and Challenges
  • Funded Employer
  • Projects and Internships Opportunities.
  • Work Shadowing Opportunities
  • The Local Job Market
  • Student Mentoring
  • Student Enterprise and
  • Consultancy Opportunities
Categories
Careers programmes

Using the Future-Ready Roadmap

The Future-Ready Roadmap can help you to develop new skills, explore the right opportunities, build your support network and gain the confidence to realise your ambitions. It’s a framework designed to help you progress your employability throughout your time at Queen’s. Everything we offer is clearly linked to the Roadmap so you can see where your gaps are, chart your progress and plan your future.

DISCOVER

Understand what employability is and combine this understanding with self-awareness to identify your strengths and areas for development.

EXPLORE

Our events and programmes are designed to help you try new things, meet new people and build relevant skills and experience, both at home and overseas.

PREPARE

This phase is all about helping you recognise your potential and understanding how to promote yourself and your skills. Whether applying for part-time work, an internship or a graduate job, we support you through every stage of the recruitment process.

REALISE

Once you know a bit more about your goals, we help you plan how to achieve them. From connecting you with key employers to offering access to graduate and placement opportunities in your target sector, we’ll develop you into a future-ready graduate.

Categories
Careers programmes

Welcome to Careers, Employability and Skills

Did you know: Queen’s has the highest percentage (92%) of graduates in employment and further study among Russell Group Universities including Oxford and Cambridge.

As a Queen’s student, we are the secret weapon you need to reach your full potential. Why? Many students leave university assuming their degree certificate is enough to get them where they want to be. But employers want more than the right degree: they are looking for all-rounders with transferable skills like teamwork, communication and critical thinking. These skills can’t be learned in a textbook. This is where we come in.

Firstly, we know employers and the skills they are looking for. What’s more, we can help you develop the most in-demand skills that will unlock exciting opportunities for you. Whether it’s learning from leaders in Boston, completing an employer challenge in Belfast or networking with the tech community in Berlin, we can give you access to powerful experiences that will stay with you. Crucially, we will work with you to sell those skills effectively on your CV or in a future interview – turbo boosting your employability.

No idea where your future lies? We’ll teach you to lean into the power of uncertainty and of staying flexible. We’ll help you use your time at university. to road test a range of career opportunities and help you figure out which direction is right for you. If you challenge yourself to keep an open mind and look at fresh perspectives, we’ll help you improve, grow in confidence and be the best that you can be whatever success looks like for you.

Categories
Careers programmes

Future-Ready Award

The Future-ready Award is an employability award that allows you to gain formal recognition and a certificate for the extracurricular experience you gain during your time at Queen’s.

You can gain this award by completing an accredited activity.

Added to a CV, the award signals to a potential employer that you have worked hard to develop the skills you need to succeed in the workplace, and enables you to better articulate your skills and experience. In addition, the award gives you the opportunity to receive a certificate at graduation, on top of your degree, with the achievement verified on your QSIS Student Record.

Get Involved, Get Rewarded

We have over 100 accredited activities available.

These include extracurricular work experiences, community and voluntary work, Global Opportunities to work or study abroad, as well as early professional development activities.

Layer Your Skills

From trips to China and the USA to employer-led challenges, there are so many fun and rewarding activities for you to get involved in on campus.

Tailor Your Award

You can complete an activity (or more than one activity), at any time, fitting them in alongside your studies and tracking your Higher Education Achievement Record (HEAR) progress via QSIS.

Added Value

Taking part in the award is free of charge, (although some activities might have costs involved), and allows you to add valuable skills and experience to your CV all while having fun, making new friends or travelling abroad.

Categories
Careers programmes

Where Can You Find Us

Queens One Elmwood student centre

We’re located right at the heart of campus in One Elmwood Student Centre. We host a lot of our development workshops, information sessions and leadership programmes in The Cube, on the 1st floor (just take a right at the top of the first flight of stairs). Meanwhile our bigger events, such as our Spring and Autumn Recruitment Fairs, are held in the Mandela, Whitla and South Dining Halls. We also host pop-up events in the Foyer of One Elmwood throughout the academic year. Stop by our stand and meet our guest employers, or chat to our team about what’s coming up this semester.

On the University website

We have lots of self-help resources on our website. From personality tests to our free work values tests, get online and find out what truly motivates you. You can research careers options by School or sector, get interview and CV tips and get inspired by alumni career advice. You can also browse and book our broad range of events and programmes.

On the MyFuture app

Every Queen’s student has free access to MyFuture, our early career management platform which has its own app. There are loads of free tools in there.

Use it to:

  • Search and apply for jobs • Discover employers
  • Access 1-2-1 careers guidance
  • Book events
  • Check your CV

Online

You can opt to have an online careers consultation. Just select the online option when you are booking your appointment via MyFuture and you’ll be sent joining details for your online appointment. Alternatively, you can book a 15-minute online appointment with one of the Global Opportunities Team to hear more about study and work abroad opportunities. The drops ins take place every Tuesday and Thursday, 12-1pm.

In person

You can book a 1-2-1 appointment to speak to one of our team in confidence. Our consultations take place in the guidance rooms at the rear of the 1st floor of One Elmwood, opposite the Student Information Point. Book your appointment via MyFuture, then check in for your appointment via the Student Information Point.

In your School

We deliver workshops in your School to help you discover career options relevant to your degree. We also bring employers into your School for bespoke talks and events. Our annual Stock Market Challenge and the Accountancy Business Games are just some of the exciting games and challenges we run in Schools across campus. You’ll also find us on Canvas, the University’s virtual learning platform. Our free Future- Ready Skills Course will help you develop the personal and professional skills that major employers are looking for.

On location

Fancy a tour of top law firms in Belfast? How about a visit to leading public sector and not-for-profit organisations? We organise workplace visits to employers’ offices in Belfast and beyond. We also host challenges off-campus, such as the annual Real-World Challenge: Inside the Prison System, held at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and Prison.