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.
- 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/