Academic Faculties - Keele University
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Careers and Employability

Services to Academic Faculties

Careers and Employability values its relationships with academic schools and departments. Mutual understanding and co-operation are the foundations upon which our work and new developments are built. Links are becoming increasingly important as the HEFCE, the QAA and other external forces drive the employability agenda forward.

The following guidelines may be helpful for all academic colleagues in understanding the role of Careers and Employability but will be particularly beneficial for the liaison officer.

 

Careers and Employability

Careers and Employability provides information and guidance, supporting students in the transition between Higher Education and employment, postgraduate study or alternative futures. The service offered is confidential and impartial. Our services extend to students unable to continue their studies at Keele and graduates of Keele up to three years after graduation.

Core activities comprise

  • Individual and group sessions with students (e.g. career choice/transition skills).
  • Information: paper and electronic (writing, maintaining, updating and disseminating).
  • Employer liaison (national and local networks e.g. Association of Graduate Recruiters).
  • Academic liaison (activities with schools/departments).

 

Services to students:

  • One-to-one. A drop-in service operates daily, typically, 10am - 12 noon and 2pm - 4pm. CV and application form checks can be dealt with via drop-in but more commonly this is the first encounter involving 'I don't know what I want to do' issues. 
  • One-to-one. In-depth guidance interviews (usually lasting around 45 minutes) are booked where necessary or when the student would prefer a longer interview.
  • Group sessions, e.g. effective applications and employers selection procedures.
    Sessions organised and presented in conjunction with academic colleagues, e.g. half day careers seminars.
  • The Events Calendar outlining visiting employers presentations and Careers and Employability events with online booking.
  • A vacancy and employer database showing immediate employment opportunities that we have been made aware of.

 

Delivery of services to students:

  • Shorter duty interviews have been introduced to cope with expanding student numbers and increase in demand stemming from a greater awareness of the importance of career planning prior to graduation; student demand for easy, immediate access to Careers Advisers is high. However, longer guidance interviews are still offered where appropriate.
  • IT developments are having a major impact on how careers-related information is made available. University Careers Service websites, along with Prospects, and Targetjobs, are now a major source of careers information to students, while email enquiries to Careers Advisers are increasing.
  • Changes in employer recruitment methods have led to a national decline in traditional milkround activity. Careers and Employability continues to develop relationships with employers. Careers Advisers visit major graduate recruiters.
  • Careers and Employability pre-empted the Dearing recommendation that "...institutions of higher education, over the medium term, integrate their careers services more fully into academic affairs" and has for a number of years been developing closer working links with departments. The activity depends to an extent on resources available and level of participation from the department/school link.
  • Quality Standards - Careers and Employability was awarded the Matrix Standard. This national standard was developed by the DfES and the Guidance Council, in consultation with IAG providers from a range of sectors, including higher education.