Careers skills

• Career Appointments

  You can talk to us about any career-related question, no matter how big or small, and you do not need to know what you want to do before you come to see us – we see students at every stage and level of their time at university. 

  We offer a range of appointments where you can discuss career-related issues with one of our professionally trained team of advisers: 

  ·       Careers Appointments – to discuss any career topic (15 minutes) 

  ·       Careers Guidance Appointments (with a referral) – where more detailed and in-depth support is offered (30 minutes) 

  ·       CV and application checking Appointments - feedback on CVs, cover letters, applications, and LinkedIn profiles (15 minutes) 

  ·       Practice Interviews – to help you prepare for any upcoming interview through one-to-one practice and feedback (45 minutes) 

  ·       Research Staff Appointments – to discuss any career topic, specifically for research staff (45 minutes) 

  These can be booked online on Career Connect from 6pm (UK time) the day before.  When booking an appointment, you can specify a Microsoft Teams appointment or an in-person appointment at the Careers Centre. 

• Events

  We collaborate with employers and alumni locally and globally to provide a comprehensive programme of events to help you:  

  ·       Develop your professional network.  

  ·       Gain an insight into graduate jobs and internships. 

  ·       Benefit from expertise on topics such as applications, psychometric tests, or interview skills.  

  Our events include: 

  ·       Careers Fairs. 

  ·       Employer presentations and insight days. 

  ·       Career skills workshops. 

  You can engage with these events throughout your time at St Andrews. Keep up to date with the latest range of events led by employers, alumni, and careers advisers.  

• Saints Skills Award

  All matriculated students can participate in the Saints Skills Spotlight Award which is awarded to students who participate in a mock recruitment process to: 

  ·       Analyse job/further study adverts to identify skills sought for specific              

  opportunities.  

  ·       Identify examples of how you have demonstrated those skills.  

  ·       Present your examples in the most effective way. 

  Students begin their participation by submitting a CV and cover letter for an opportunity of their own choosing. Providing both documents meet the required standard, they are then invited to a recorded video interview.  Students who successfully pass this stage receive the Saints Skills Spotlight Award.  Based on interview performance, shortlisted applicants are invited to an assessment centre led by a visiting graduate employer who awards prizes to the best performing student(s).   

  As well as offering an authentic learning experience, all students who pass the first stage of the award receive a mention on their Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR).  Assessment centre participants receive an enhanced award and prizes are awarded to top performing students. 

  Those entering the mock recruitment process can access support from the Careers Centre including appointments, seminars, and a suite of tailored self-directed learning materials. 

  Further details are available by emailing skillsspotlight@st-andrews.ac.uk

• Explore Networking

  Evidence suggests that 7 out of 10 jobs are not advertised but filled through professional networks.  Aside from uncovering hidden job opportunities, networks also help us to gain rich insights into career options.   

  As a student at St Andrews, you are part of a fantastic support network – even if you don’t yet know it!  Saint Connect is your very own platform to help you connect with other students, alumni and friends of the University who are eager to help you navigate your journey at university and beyond. 

  Get Started: Joining Saint Connect  takes a few minutes. Simply register online through your web browser or through our app. Once you have done this, get started by creating your personal profile. 

  Have Conversations: Do you want to hear from others who have been where you are now?    Perhaps you want to find out how you can make the most of your university experience, or maybe you have some career ideas that you are keen to explore. Our community on Saint Connect  is ready to meet you and help you – log on and start saying ‘hello’! 

  Be Involved: On Saint Connect , you can stay up to date with the latest St Andrews news and share your own updates with others.  Join a group based on location or school and stay connected with your community. 

• Work experience

  Gaining work experience will help you develop transferable skills which are valued by employers and will allow you to assess your own abilities and suitability for a particular career path. There is a wide range of work experience you could complete, for example:

  Work shadowing

  During the winter and summer vacations, the Careers Centre organises a work shadowing programme in which alumni, friends and staff of the University of St Andrews offer their time for you to shadow them at their place of work.

  Volunteering

  Starting early will allow you to experience a variety of environments and develop a broad skill set to reflect on in future internship or job applications.

  There are many opportunities to volunteer at St Andrews. This could range from writing for one of the University's newspapers, volunteering as a student rep, or captaining a sports team. You can also volunteer with the wider community through St Andrews Voluntary Service. Some positions you could take on include working with disabled adults, befriending children with additional needs, or taking part in one-off events such as beach clean-ups.

  Part-time jobs

  Would you like to find part-time work to fit alongside your studies? There are certainly lots of benefits in doing so.

  Aside from the additional income, it helps you to:

  • grow your network
  • find new referees for your CV
  • develop the kinds of skills that are highly sought after in the graduate job market.

  Have a look at our part-time jobs page for lots of great advice on where to find opportunities, how to apply, how to obtain a National Insurance number and tips for international students.

  It’s worth remembering that some employers may have jobs available, but not advertise them anywhere. If there is an employer in St Andrews you would like to work for that is not advertising, consider making a speculative application.

  Internships

  An internship is a form of work experience most commonly completed in the summer after your third year of university.

  Many internships are based around completing a project, which may be an independent research project or an assignment within an established business. You may receive ongoing advice and training throughout your internship, or perhaps even secure a permanent job with the company upon graduating.

  Although internships are typically aimed at Honours students, some have more flexible criteria, such as the St Andrews Research Internship Scheme, which allocates funding to students to complete an academic research project. You can find more opportunities through the Careers Centre or by doing independent research.