Published: January 27, 2020
For my latest blog, I want to give you an insight into my experience with Sunderland Futures, while also highlighting some of the services, events and opportunities on offer which can help you prepare for life after university.
Sunderland Futures provide:
CV and Application Appointments:
You can get feedback on how to improve a draft CV, covering letter, application form or personal statement.
1-2-1 Guidance Appointments:
Guidance appointments help you explore career options and/or postgraduate courses. The adviser can help you identify what you need to do to reach your goals.
Sunderland Professional Award:
The Sunderland Professional Award (SuPA) rewards you for your participation in activities such as work experience and volunteering and career-related events.
Interview Coaching:
Love them or loathe them, they’re a fundamental part of the job application process. Sunderland Futures can help you prepare by discussing potential questions or organising a mock interview.
Professional Mentoring Scheme:
The Professional Mentoring Scheme gives you the chance to link up with a relevant mentor currently working in a career sector/job role you’re interested in pursuing after graduation. You’ll have regular meetings with your mentor to learn from their experience and knowledge, as well as gain an insight into how they got there themselves. I meet up with my mentor from a local PR agency each month to find out more about public relations and communications.
My Experience:
I was in the process of applying for a work placement and the organisation asked for a copy of my CV. I noticed that my CV layout could be improved as it was around four pages long (which we all know is too much!) and contained a lot of irrelevant information. I decided to book a CV and Applications appointment for some assistance.
The adviser went through my entire CV, section by section, to edit certain parts and enhance the most important information. For example, I didn’t write enough about my past part-time job and work placements, meaning the skills I had developed from those experiences were not fully reflected on my CV. As I was applying for a media-related opportunity, the adviser helped me tailor it towards the specific role.The adviser was very approachable and answered all my questions. They didn’t just look at it briefly and send me away to make improvements in my own time at home - they gave me advice on how to improve it there and then.
As there’s a range of different appointment slots, you can attend whenever it is most convenient for you. If you want any advice regarding your CV, application form or cover letter, you can book an appointment by clicking here.
You can also search for the latest graduate jobs, internships, volunteering and placement opportunities on the Sunderland Futures website. Sunderland Futures is based at both St Peter’s (Prospect Building) and City Campus (Ground Floor, The Gateway). Appointments can be made at both campuses or you can pop-in and talk to an adviser at any time.
Finding Opportunities:
Sunderland Futures post regular updates regarding events and job opportunities on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. I have found several opportunities on their Twitter page, such as the chance to join New Writing North on a trip to Faber and Faber publishing house in London for the day in March 2019. As I was extremely busy with university work at the time and didn’t have much spare time to search for opportunities, I probably wouldn’t have found this trip as it just happened to appear on my Twitter timeline when I was scrolling through social media one afternoon.
After completing the application form, I received an email informing me that I had gained a place! The focus of the trip was to learn all about the publishing industry and the different roles and careers available. My favourite was the marketing and publicity department as I love anything creative. They are responsible for promoting and advertising the release of new books by creating campaigns and additional promotional aspects such as events and posters.
From my own experience, I would recommend making the most of Sunderland Futures while you’re here at university. It exists to help you enhance your CV and learn more about your strengths and interests.
Topic: Advice and tips