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Gain insight from ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº alumni on how to prepare for finding a job.

As a student, it’s never too early to start thinking about your future career and howÌýbest to prepare for it.ÌýFrom gaining an internship to actively participating in student-led societies, there are many steps you can take now that will help you to advance your future.Ìý

AtÌýa recentÌý‘Future ¹û¶³Ó°Ôºâ€™Ìýpanel event,Ìýjointly organised by ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº CareersÌý²¹²Ô»å the Alumni Relations Team, ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº graduates shared their first-hand experience ofÌýlife at universityÌý²¹²Ô»å their top tips on how toÌýuse your time at ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºÌýto make you stand out in a competitive jobs market.Ìý

Following the event, we caught up with three of our alumni panellists, Wei Yu Chan, Alisha Ciaffone and Sabelle Astrid AdjagboniÌýto learn more about their career journeys so far.ÌýÌý

Wei Yu Chan, Analyst at Citi

Wei Yu Chan is a 2nd year Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) Analyst at Citi in the EMEA regional office in London. He is currently part of the Client Experience and Billing team working on a global data-led cash management repricing initiative. Wei Yu graduated from ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº in 2020 with a BSc in Neuroscience.ÌýÌý

How did your degree benefit your career?Ìý

Having done a degree in Neuroscience, what I studied mightseem almost irrelevant to what I am doing now in Finance. Well, I can confidently say that is not true at all. A key part of my degree involved looking through numerous scientific papers and content,Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌýdrawing parallels and contrasts to form key themes. ThreeÌýyears of this equipped me with a deconstructive yet analytical approach to problem solving, which is a skill that I use every day.Ìý

On reflection, what do you wish you had done, or been told, before starting ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº?Ìý

Go out and get involved, do things and meet people! ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº is full of amazing societies, people and resources, and the only thing keeping you from that is taking the first step and getting involved. Personally, I only started doing so in my second year, and if I have any regrets, it would be to not have done so earlier.Ìý

A. Ciaffone, Crisis Management Officer at US Department of State

After studying her undergraduate degrees in economics and theatre from American University, Alisha pursued a master’s inÌýInternational Public Policy at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº, graduating in 2019. Currently, Alisha is a Crisis Management Officer in the Operations CenterÌýat the US Department of State in Washington DC.

How did you get your first graduate job?Ìý

I interned at an US embassy over the summer while working towards my dissertation. Working at the embassy helped me gain hands-on experience in international affairs and foreign policy.ÌýThisÌýexperience on my CVÌý²¹²Ô»å a recommendation letter from the embassyÌýallowed me to stand out when I applied for the position.Ìý

Is there any advice you would give to ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº students on how they can stand out in the jobs marketÌý²¹²Ô»å any tips for their first graduate role?Ìý

Whilst at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº, make sure you join societies, connect beyond your peer group, and build interpersonal relationships with your tutors and professors as well.Ìý

I would recommend that your first job is atÌýan organisation with a strong reputation so you canÌýbuildÌýsolidÌýcareer foundations.  Make sure you have great relationshipsÌýwith your first managers.ÌýThese individuals will be the ones writingÌýyour recommendation lettersÌýin the futureÌý²¹²Ô»å will facilitate pathways to more senior positions as your career advances.Ìý

Sabelle Astrid Adjagboni, Planning Officer at Haringey CouncilÌý

After graduating, Sabelle initially went on to work as an Assistant Planner with a private firm, Resi. She is now currently a Planning Officer for Haringey Council in London. After studying Architecture and Landscape at the University of Sheffield, she later came to ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº to study an MSc in Urban Development and Planning at The Bartlett Development Planning Unit, graduating in 2021.Ìý

What would be your top tip to give to ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº students on how they can use their time at the universityÌýto help with their employment prospects?Ìý

In terms of finding a job after you finish your studies at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº, I would recommend doing a bit of research every week so that you don’t get overwhelmedÌýby the whole process.ÌýUse all the resources available to you, particularly the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Careers Service.ÌýGoing to networking events and volunteering will really help to make you stand out and make you visible to employers. And make sure you start applying for roles as soon as you know whatÌýit isÌýyou want to do.Ìý

Keep improving your CV, send it to anyone you know with more experience than you and ask for their feedback. The better my cv became, the more interviews I secured! It’s really aboutÌýtelling the story of your academic and career journey in a succinct and captivating way.Ìý

How did you learn to network and do it well?Ìý

The only wayÌýto learnÌýis by simply doing it! Unfortunately,Ìýthere is no magic trick. What’s the worseÌýthat can really happen? What you’ll find in fact is that most people are very happy to share their knowledgeÌýtoÌýhelp younger and less-experienced people.ÌýIn your approach, just be very respectful and friendlyÌý– being authentic will allow you to connect on a personal and professional level.ÌýÌý