Engage Aberdeen Students

There are many different ways that you can engage with an Aberdeen student.

If you would like to discuss these further, please contact the Work Placement Team.

Aberdeen Contributor

Employer participation is an important part of much of the Careers Service's provision. The University of Aberdeen Careers Service has diversified in recent times, moving towards increased involvement in the activities that complement the degree programmes, such as work placements, study abroad and volunteering activities.

Below are just some of the ways in which employers and the Careers Service can work together:

  • Become a member of the Employer Board
    The Employer Board comprises Careers Service staff and leading local, national and international employers.  The Board meets at least four times a year with the following remit:
  • Act as a Steering Group for the University Careers Service.
  • Provide a conduit for information from the board to other staff in the institution, to the student body, to graduate recruiters (both local and national) and to funding bodies.
  • Act as a discussion forum in which representatives of employer groups and the University can update each other on relevant trends in the employment and academic sectors.
  • Contribute ideas and constructive criticism in support of University Careers Service activities, encouraging innovative responses to external demands and changes.
  • Contribute ideas and constructive criticism in support of the University's Curriculum and Co-curriculum – especially with regard to 'employability'.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Employer Board or finding out more about its work, please contact the Careers Service.

  • Participate in the STAR Award
    The STAR (Students Taking Active Roles) Award is an exciting initiative offered to students which recognises and rewards co-curricular achievements (e.g. Students' Association or community volunteering roles), while supporting their skills development and achievement of Aberdeen Graduate Attributes. The STAR Award involves students attending a series of workshops and compiling a reflective ePortfolio, documenting their participation in their chosen activity and their skills development.  It also involves attending a short, competency-based interview at the end of the Academic Year. Employer participation in both the workshops and the competency-based interviews is invaluable – both to the students and to the quality of provision for the Award itself.  If you are interested in finding out more about the STAR Award or in participating in it, please contact the STAR Award Project Officer, Caroline Singer.
  • Participate in the Careers Education Course
    The Careers Education course (ED2550) is a Level II, second-half session 15 credit course which explores career planning, job applications, skills development, entrepreneurship and employability.  It is very practical in nature and involves students attending one lecture and one workshop per week.  Students prepare a Job Analysis report; compile their CV and also make one oral presentation, all of which are assessed. If you are interested in finding out more about the course or in participating in it, please contact the Course Co-ordinator, Dr Joy Perkins.

  • Run a Skills Workshop
    Running a workshop for students can be a great way of raising awareness of your organisation. Students are always keen to hear about employers' tips and practical advice on making applications, interview technique or assessment centres. Some employers also run business games or other work-based exercises to give students an insight into what a particular career would be like. If you are interested in offering a skills workshop, please contact our Support Staff for further information.

 

Careers Fairs

We offer a suite of Careers Fairs in the autumn which are visited by well over 2,000 students and, jointly with The Robert Gordon University, the North of Scotland Recruitment Fair in early summer. To find out more about our Fairs, dates and booking information (including discounts), please see our dedicated Fairs page.

 

Graduate Employer

There are several ways to promote your graduate vacancies to final year students. To find out more, please see our dedicated Advertising Vacancies section.

 

Mentors

Aberdeen Mentors work in a range of careers and industries and have variety of experience. Mentors meet their mentee(s) over an agreed period of time to help them develop an understanding of world of work, providing sector insights and career advice as appropriate.

 

Presentations

Presentations can be advertised to particular disciplines or to all students at the University through our events listing. The Careers Service can help you to find the right venue, date and time for your presentation. Costs for presentations will vary and depend on whether you would like to offer refreshments to students. Please contact our Support Staff for further information.

 

Scholarship

For further information about arranging a scholarship for students from the University of Aberdeen, please contact our colleague in the Development Trust, Jenny Styles.

 

Sponsorship

Sponsorship opportunities are usually available for Careers Service publication such as our popular leaflets, event sponsorship, eg Careers Fairs, and competition prizes.

 

Work Based Projects

Our final year undergraduates and taught postgraduate students welcome the opportunity to complete a relevant project of work with an employer, which is then assessed by the University and contributes to their final degree award.  Projects are arranged on an individual basis with the relevant academic School to ensure the correct expertise is available to support the student from the University. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss appropriate projects and to put you in touch with the relevant School.

There is a new initiative in the Careers Service, in collaboration with the Scottish Funding Council, and the universities of Edinburgh and Stirling, that is dedicated to bringing together Masters students and employers to undertake projects of mutual benefit.

The University would provide Masters students to undertake agreed projects on a salary free basis. If you have project ideas that might be suitable for Masters students, or simply want more information about this, please see the 'Work-Based Projects for Masters students' page.

Work Placements

We work with you to develop work experience opportunities, usually to penultimate year students over the summer. Offering a placement will not only raise your profile through advertising your vacancy but will also give you long-term benefits as students share their experience. To find out more, please see our dedicated Work Placement/Experience page.

If you simply want to advertise an existing placement, please see our dedicated Advertise Vacancies section.

 

Work Shadowing

Play host to a student and allow them to "shadow" you or one of your employees at work.

 

If you would like to discuss any of these further, please contact the Work Placement Team.