Do you ever wish you could contact someone in your ideal career to gain an insight into what it's really like to work in a particular job or organisation? Graduate Connections allows you to do just that! It is an online networking tool that allows you to get in touch directly with graduates working in a diverse range of careers and organisations, helping you to discover what skills, experience and tactics are needed to get into your chosen career.
Amelia Wareing, final year English Literature student, has used Graduate Connections to learn more about her chosen career in the events sector: “Graduate Connections was really easy to use, and a quick search under the relevant tabs produced a handful of graduates that I had the opportunity to contact, who had direct experience working in the events sector.
“After reading through the various profiles, I decided to contact Maria Szpitun, an Events Officer for Newcastle University’s Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) based in King’s Gate, asking for suggestions and advice about how to gain experience and show future employers my capabilities. Maria responded quickly, and offered to meet me for an informal face-to-face chat to discuss my current CV and to give me some advice.”
Following her informal meeting, Amelia was offered work experience in January 2012, where she assisted DARO with Convocation Weekend, a large reunion event for past alumnus. Nine months later and Amelia is still working in the DARO office with Maria, which is now a paid role: “Not only has the work experience within DARO been invaluable, but the addition to my CV and the opportunity to show employers my skills has meant that I was accepted onto a Newcastle Work Experience Placement for a local company undertaking further paid events work.”
Amelia has been successful in being offered a freelance position for Oxfam, where she provides events support and manages a team of events interns. “I can’t recommend Graduate Connections enough; it has opened so many doors.”
Find out more: Graduate Connections
published on: 29th October 2012