University Services: Careers and Employability Service

One of the scariest things about being a third year is thinking about the future. It can sometimes be hard to see yourself in a career after so much time spent in education, and you might even need some direction as to what you would like to do as a career.

The Careers and Employability Service at the University of Cumbria are there to help! Whether it’s throughout your course to assist you with a long term plan or to help you find part-time work whilst you study – the careers service even offer help to students for up to three years after they graduate.

They are available online, by email, by phone and in person – and it really is very easy to get in touch. They use a number of social networks and online media sites to communicate and engage with students, staff and general public. You can find the links to these on the website, http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/StudentLife/Support/Careers/Home.aspx.

The website also offers a job search facility, for both long term careers and part-time jobs. You can also find links on careers, courses and finding jobs at www.diigo.com/user/uoccareers

The Careers Service (like LiSS) offer 30 minutes appointments with an adviser. The adviser will discuss your requirements and may suggest that a follow-up appointment might be useful. You can make these appointments via the library front desk, or by emailing careers@cumbria.ac.uk (allow up to 5 working days for a response). You can find the opening times for the library via this link; http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/StudentLife/Learning/Resources/Libraries/LancasterCampus.aspx.

It is also easy for students to get help finding part-time work – something which can make a big difference to a student. Having a part-time job not only increases your income, but it increases your skills and experience in the work place, allows you to meet new people and could even open some doors for your career after you graduate.

You can search for part time jobs in the local area at various places, including the Lancaster Guardian at www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/jobs.

All full and part time job vacancies and placements that the careers service think students would be interested in are advertised on the University’s Virtual Job Shop: http://cumbria.prospects.ac.uk/. If you register to this website you will receive regular emails about all types of work and placement opportunities including part time and summer holiday work as well as graduate opportunities locally, nationally and internationally.

If you would like to get involved on campus, Student Ambassadors help the university with marketing activities and outreach work – i.e. open days, Higher Education fairs etc – you can contact Louise Gray for more information on Louise.gray@cumbria.ac.uk.

You can email jobsandplacements@cumbria.ac.uk to receive their weekly Opportunities Knock Bulletin.

If you are looking to volunteer rather than gain employment, you can also get advice and links on the Careers website. To find out more about voluntary positions, and the roles available contact Emma at the University of Cumbria Students Union, emma.egglestone@cumbria.ac.uk or you can phone 01524 590 810. There are also helpful websites like www.ucsu.me and www.do-it.org.uk.

There is so much available on the Careers Service website, and it is a very helpful tool for all students, from first years to three years following graduation. The website is so easy to navigate, and everything you need is available, even if you cannot find what you are looking for there are contact details available, which make it even easier for you to find what you need. 

Just go to http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/StudentLife/Support/Careers/Home.aspx to find out more.