Employability approach earns Essex award shortlist place

Essex’s commitment to student career prospects has been recognised with a place on the shortlist for Best University Employability Strategy in the Target Jobs Awards 2018.

Over the last few years we’ve made careers skills part of every Essex degree, developed a programme of personalised, subject-specific support and designed several sector-leading schemes to give students more skills and experience.  

David Stanbury, Head of Employability, said: “At Essex, employability is about developing the whole person for their future lives, empowering them to make choices and to make a difference to the world. Students are supported by professionals who are absolutely committed to putting the individual first and empowering them to take control of their lives.”

Careers help is no longer offered solely by a traditional central office. Now we also have dedicated employability staff in every faculty so students are given specialist, subject-specific support. 

Every undergraduate degree includes an employability module, plus the option of a year abroad or placement year supported by preparatory workshops, giving our students unforgettable experiences and a wide range of transferable skills. 

We also run a range of unique schemes to give students even more experience to add to their CVs: 

• our Times Higher Education award-winning Frontrunners scheme offers students paid on-campus experiences working with University staff 
• our Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) sees students help researchers with their cutting-edge research projects 
• our Big Essex Award recognises all the extra-curricular and voluntary activities students do and helps them identify the skills they’ve developed so they can communicate them to employers 

David said: “Our students have access to a fantastic range of experiential learning opportunities including internships and start-up assistance, which they can evidence through our Big Essex Award and have recognised as part of their University transcript.

“And after students graduate, the personalised support continues for a further three years as they establish themselves in the labour market.”