The pressure to balance degree demands with career planning can be daunting. As students, we often feel we lack the professional experience employers demand. However, the University of York’s Careers and Placement team is your perfect first stop. Being truly “career ready” is a journey, and fortunately, UoY has built a powerful, readily available infrastructure to guide us. Here are my top tips and tricks for leveraging these resources to secure internships, placements, and that all-important part-time job.
The University’s Career MVP: Handshake
The primary tool you need to install is Handshake. This platform is specifically designed as a career hub for Gen-Z students, where recruiters understand that you might not yet have an array of advanced skills. Unlike LinkedIn, Handshake focuses on potential, not just past experience, making it highly non-intimidating for those new to the job market.
On Handshake, you can immediately reach out to the UoY Careers team to book a Career Appointment. This is an essential experience. You’ll be connected with a career advisor who will help you thoroughly explore post-graduation options and, crucially, what you can do while pursuing your studies.
I personally found incredible value exploring beneficial resources like CareerSet through their guidance, which helped tailor my CV specifically for the tech industry. I learned that success isn’t just about grades; it’s about strategic preparation.
Actionable Career Readiness Checklist
The Careers Team will advise you to focus on three key areas:
- Industry Insight: Follow leading companies in your field (e.g., tech, finance, creative) to understand current trends and needs.
- Technical Proficiency: Actively learn and showcase proficiency in industry-standard software and tools relevant to your degree.
- Soft Skills Development: Communication, presentation, and teamwork are non-negotiable. Attend the specialized workshops offered by the Careers Team—they genuinely help you translate academic skills into job market assets.
Building Your Digital Brand: LinkedIn
While Handshake is your direct link to UoY opportunities, a polished LinkedIn profile is necessary for global networking. I highly recommend setting up an account and focusing on connecting with two groups: your current peers and potential future employers.
LinkedIn is vital for professional visibility, but use it strategically: engage with industry news, follow companies you admire, and, most importantly, learn how to send a concise, respectful connection request. The Careers Team often holds workshops on leveraging LinkedIn to transition from student to professional.
Immediate Income: Finding Part-Time Roles
As students, stiff budgets are the norm, and we are always on the lookout for flexible part-time jobs.
The best-kept secret for this is following the @uoycareers Instagram page. They post the most relevant, highly curated weekly round-ups of part-time jobs available both on and off campus. Let’s face it, we check Instagram far more often than we check dedicated job boards. Having verified job postings appear right on your feed is the quickest, most efficient way to land a flexible role that fits around your timetable.
The UoY Careers and Placement team are genuine professionals with direct connections to industry—use their knowledge to build the career foundation you need today.
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