How I got my job: Design Engineer at International Nuclear Services (INS)

Sean Perry (centre)

Sean Perry graduated from Leeds with a Masters in Automotive Engineering in 2012. He now works as a Design Engineer for INS, a role he secured through the nucelargraduates scheme.  In this post he outlines how he got this job and shares his advice for other students and graduates.

The Role

Within INS I act as part of a team of engineers with specialist experience in the design and licencing of Transport Packages and supporting equipment that are used to transport radioactive material around the world. My day to day tasks include; producing 3D designs using CAD packages, transforming 3D CAD models to manufacturing drawings and performing structural calculations to substantiate the designs.

How I got a place on the NHS Scientist Training Programme 2017

Niamh Hall has just completed her BSc in Human Physiology at Leeds and successfully gained a place on this year’s NHS Scientist Training Programme.  In this post she shares her tips and advice for other students interested in this career.

If you are reading this it is most likely because you have an interest in science and healthcare. If so, you may have heard of the NHS Scientist training programme (STP) and you may have heard that it is extremely competitive. I am here to tell you that a first time applicant in their 3^rd year with no year in industry or previous experience can apply and can be successful in obtaining a place on the programme. I’ve been asked to write this article to give an insight into what my job will entail and to give a few hints and tips to anyone thinking of applying in the future.

What is the STP?

How I got my job: Corporate Partnerships Assistant at Leonard Cheshire Disability

Rhiann (2nd from right in second row) during her ICS placement in Senegal.

Rhiann has just completed her English & Sociology degree at Leeds and is now undertaking a graduate internship with Leonard Cheshire Disability.  In this post she discusses the value of taking a placement year and what she’s learnt about managing a health condition and choosing if and when to disclose a health condition or disability to an employer.

My current role

I work at the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability as a Corporate Partnerships Assistant. I am part of their Change100 internship scheme, which partners disabled students/graduates with top employers around the country. My job involves leading a proposal for £150,000 worth of funding to develop gardening programmes for the disabled people we support. I recently finished my English and Sociology degree at Leeds, which I combined with a placement year through the Careers Centre. I would really encourage students to make the most of the careers support available at Leeds. The range of opportunities they offer is fantastic, and this was how I discovered Change 100.

How I started my own business – Retrasafe

This week we have another SPARK business blog post. Leeds student Jumana talks about setting up her Retrasafe – an award winning ladder stabiliser business.

My Business Journey

I started my business with my partner two years ago after my first year at Leeds. This was my first business venture and so had no clue what to do. My partner had a problem trying to use his ladders safely in many places so we decided to tackle the problem that many others also struggled with. We had designed a retractable ladder stabiliser and set up Retrasafe to make and sell the stabiliser systems. We launched the product a year ago and the product has won British Safety Industry Federation Commended Award for Product Innovation in 2016 and was a finalist for Association for Project Safety Health and Safety Innovation Award 2016. We have done exhibitions both here and abroad and have got a lot of interest around the product from small and big companies. I also got to visit the House of Commons and meet the Duke of York when I won the Duke of York Young Entrepreneurs Award 2017. We have now got a couple of different products that we are marketing and selling.

3 Ways to Stand Out When Applying for Graduate Jobs

Photo from StockSnap

This week we’re discussing some simple steps you can take to stand out from the crowd when applying for graduate jobs/internships.

If you’re a soon-to-be graduate looking to give yourself nightmares, Stephen King has nothing on job hunting statistics. To snag any given graduate role, you’re going to have to fight off thirty-eight other applicants, and that number only rises if you’re applying for a particularly competitive industry or particularly prestigious employer.

Of course, some of these competitors may quickly rule themselves out of the running with low grades, sloppy professionalism or general incompetence. But many won’t. And while polishing your CV and honing your interview technique will certainly put you ahead of less dedicated job-seekers, it won’t elevate you above people as prepared as yourself.

Luckily, there are ways to stand out from even the most experienced, conscientious and competent crowd. Using the methods below won’t guarantee you a job, but it’ll definitely up your chances.

In Leeds: Mock interview and CV advice from employers

This week’s blog post is a summary of Leeds student Hristina’s In Leeds Day experience focusing on what she’s learned from mock interviews and CV coaching sessions with Leeds graduate employers.

I recently participated in the ‘In Leeds’ day organised by Leeds City Council, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and the three universities in Leeds. The day was an amazing opportunity to meet students and employers from Leeds and has convinced me that Leeds is a great place to stay after graduation.

As a part of teams of 8, we had to come up with an innovative way for companies to retain talent in Leeds. We then had to present our idea to a panel of professionals from companies such as PwC, Sagar Wright, FDM Group, Sky Betting and Leeds City Council. Presenting in front of over 70 people was a daunting experience but I’m more than pleased to say it went well and I was lucky enough to be on the winning team.

As a prize, employers offered CV checks, mock interviews and coaching sessions to the winning team which was amazing of them to do.

How I got my job – Financial services, Audit at Deloitte

Source: GotCredit

Economics and Politics student Tom talks about how he landed his position in Financial Services, Audit at Deloitte.

The Role

Working in Audit in the Financial Services industry means providing advice on financial reports of banks, insurance firms and investment managers. The purpose is to inform the senior management and other stakeholders on whether the information presented in their financial information is accurate and up to date.

Deciding a career path

After finishing second year I still didn’t have any great idea of what I wanted to do after graduating.