5 ways to benefit from your institution's links

Enhance your employability skills by making valuable connections and working on real-life cases at university that can provide a huge boost to your career prospects

The Institute of Student Employers (ISE) Student recruitment survey 2023 revealed how graduate job vacancies increased by 16% in 2022/23, as the student labour market continued to grow. Despite this, recruiters from all sectors reported a rising need for a range of job-specific skills, such as those related to digital and accounting.

The report noted how institutions that equip their students with these sought-after skills, either as part of their degree or Masters course or through career development, will have given them an advantage over other jobseekers as they start to look for work.

If you're currently a student, or are considering postgraduate study, here are five ways to take advantage of your university's connections with industry.

Access to cutting edge equipment and facilities

When choosing a university to study at, the quality of its facilities will understandably be high on your list. This is especially true for those choosing a vocational and highly practical university course, such as those related to the science, engineering and construction industries.

'From power electronics and advanced manufacturing, to sustainable energy and healthcare technologies, our research facilities are shaping the future,' says professor Mark Gillott, faculty associate pro-vice chancellor for education and student experience at the University of Nottingham.

This strong commitment to research into key industry issues provides students with the resources to explore areas of interest within their course, as well as making it a more appealing prospect at PhD level.

Plus, studying at an institution that's renowned for its expertise in a specific area can also help you to stand out when it comes to applying for jobs.

For example, at the University of Bolton they host the National Centre for Motorsport Engineering, the Centre for Dental Sciences laboratories, plus the Athlete Development Centre and Sports and Spinal Injury Clinic - for students looking to enter the world of sport. It's about taking learning beyond the classroom and into real-world applications.

Support through mentoring

In addition to getting support for your mental health and wellbeing while at university, it's also beneficial to grasp any opportunity to learn from those who can guide you through the pitfalls of starting out in a particular industry.

For instance, the career mentoring programme at Cardiff University is an opportunity for students to be matched with a professional in their chosen sector to develop their knowledge and understanding of the workplace as they prepare to transition into employment.

Across five tailored mentoring sessions, students gain access to valuable information, advice and insights that help them to build confidence in themselves, their career choices and goals through the mentoring process.

The University of Bolton offers its students the services of a personal academic tutor (PAT) who is available to provide comprehensive academic support and guidance. The tutor assists students as they make plans for professional development and they empower students to navigate their career journey by succeeding in both short and medium-term goals while focusing on their overall career prospects.

Professor Lucelia Rodrigues, head of architecture and built environment at Nottingham reveals how each department in their faculty of engineering has several honorary professors, well-known and respected experts in their fields, that provide mentorship and support to students.

So not only will you be offered pearls of wisdom from individuals with vast experience in and knowledge of a particular topic, you'll get to develop your own understanding while gaining a valuable connection.

'Developing relationships through our industry network enables students to receive informal networking on skills and transferable qualities that will have long-term benefits through their careers,' says professor Chris Tuck, faculty associate pro-vice chancellor for research and knowledge exchange at Nottingham.

'Mentorship is a key element of any relationship where our students are working with businesses, enabling students to understand the needs of industry.'

Cardiff University also runs a 'Student Futures' mentoring programme, which has experienced a significant increase in demand from both students and employers since the pandemic, and it plays a crucial role in preparing students for the world of work.

The scheme has been particularly impactful in promoting diversity and inclusion by connecting students with mentors from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - helping to break down barriers that might hinder underrepresented groups going into certain industries. Read more about diversity in the workplace.

Opportunities to get work experience

Prospects Luminate's Early Careers Survey 2023 showed the importance of students undertaking some form of work experience or volunteering while still at university.

Any opportunity to demonstrate to employers that you're a well-rounded individual who's embraced university life will be viewed in a positive light. For example, you could get involved with extra-curricular activities, secure a part-time job or take up a position within your students' union.

However, if you're given the chance to do an internship, work placement, year in industry or job shadow someone in a related industry to your degree or Masters, this can give you give you a major advantage over other applicants once you start the job hunt.

For example, at Bolton they offer more than 30 professionally accredited courses through partnerships that include a number of chartered institutes, such as the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Their employment engagement consultants work with businesses to ensure each student placement is working the best that it can for both parties.

Professor Tuck describes how students at Nottingham can benefit from their institution's partnerships with the likes of Rolls-Royce, KPMG, Deloitte and PWC through the internships, placements, secondments and research projects they offer.

In Nottingham's faculty of engineering, industrial placements form an assessed and integrated part of many programmes and students remain fully registered during their year in industry, which is spent with leading employers such as BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Network Rail, Arup and AECOM.

'This enables them to develop their skills, improve their employment prospects, see the practical results of learning, earn money, make contacts and meet professionals, and get a real insight into the industry they're interested in,' adds professor Tuck.

Professor Gillott reveals how graduates can leave university with a range of skills which are highly marketable and sought after by industry, including:

• increased confidence
• excellent communication skills underpinned by critical thinking
• a solid foundation of technical ability and exceptional teamworking skills.

The local factor may play a part in where you can gain experience, but it's not always limiting, as professor Gillott explains how Nottingham is connected to more than 1,400 engineering employers at a local, national and international level.

'We're proud that nearly 93% of Masters graduates are in employment or further education 15 months after graduation (High Fliers' Graduates Outcomes Survey 2020-21). There's no doubt that the quality of the work experience placements we're connected to contribute towards this statistic,' says professor Gillott.

Cardiff also has strong links with local, national and global industry partners meaning they can offer a range of placement and internship schemes, lasting from one day up to a year, sourced through their Student Futures team - so students can be work-ready before they graduate.

Through the programme, students can get a first-hand insight into the working world, start building professional networks, boost their CV and find out what they're interested in.

The university's bespoke 'Career Confident' scheme is also available to support underrepresented students who may not feel confident about securing work experience or employment.

Students can benefit from one-on-one sessions to understand their career aims, commitments and availability, to create a tailored development plan, consisting of employability support and work experience tailored to meet their needs.

Collaboration on live projects

Live industry projects typically involve university researchers and industrial collaborators working together to solve real-life problems. 'Not only do these collaborations have technical benefits, they also enable students to develop their soft skills around networking, managing people and expectations of their work,' says professor Tuck.

Professor Rodrigues provides an example of how Nottingham's department of architecture and built environment has been building schools in South Africa since 2009 to improve pre-school conditions for thousands of children.

'We make this a part of the curriculum through our Design+Build Studio, offering architecture students an immersive, hands-on, learning experience focused on community projects with a net positive impact, which delivers against seven sustainable development goals,' she adds.

In Cardiff's school of computer science and informatics, their National Software Academy (NSA) degree programmes include extensive engagement with industry through client-facing projects, designed to immerse students in the types of issues and tasks required of them in the workplace. This can help to develop key employability skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication and problem solving.

'The NSA team has developed an innovative project-based learning approach that embeds realistic work experience throughout the degree to enhance the employability of our students,' says Dr Wendy Ivins, director of collaborative learning in industry at Cardiff.

'Our students benefit from collaborating in teams on projects for real clients within a teaching environment that mirrors the workplace. Our collaboration with a range of industry partners means that students get frequent and meaningful opportunities to engage with industry, including projects, workshops and visits to industry.'

Guest lectures that allow for networking

Making strong industry contacts is crucial at every stage of your career, but when you're starting out, it can open you up to opportunities you would otherwise have missed or may not have usually been qualified for.

As a student, it's advisable to attend all your lectures and seminars. However, any opportunity to hear from or meet experts in your field should never be missed.

By hearing from and connecting with industry leaders, this can open doors and provide you with a glimpse into different career paths, as well as discovering the latest industry trends. It's also an opportunity to ask questions and gain insight straight from the horse's mouth.

For example, the University of Bolton has previously hosted LEGO video game designer Arthur Parsons and BBC News presenter Clive Myrie, in addition to top psychology academics and mental health specialists who spoke with students about 'abnormal psychology'.

Professor Tuck explains that as a global university with a strong alumni community, both taught and research students at Nottingham have access to a range of experts and guests throughout the year. This is delivered through guest lectures from industry advisers and careers advisors, employability weeks, informal 'Lunch with the Leader' sessions with alumni or public lectures from industry bodies, such as one hosted by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

At Cardiff, their 'Pathways to Success in the Physics Workplace' module involves guest lectures, employer pitches and visits to careers fairs, with regular opportunities for students to meet employers and develop communication and networking skills.

As a student, the key thing is to get involved in your own learning and make use of the opportunities provided to you while at university. Your institution's connection with employers can really allow you to map out your own career route and further develop your employability skills.

This is highlighted by Julie Bateman, director of jobs for students at the University of Bolton, who says that 'Working in collaboration with our external industry links opens doors to wider knowledge and labour market insights, which provide students with the opportunity to share expertise, and perfect their business skills, translating theory to practice'.

'When key messages are reinforced by employers, this is compelling and has more significance for students. As representatives of employment and the world of work, they have a greater impact on the learning process.'

Find out more

• Discover the 7 ways to improve graduate employability.
• Read about the skills employers want.
• Explore how to choose a career.