Graduating soon Heres what to do next University of Manchester Careers Blog

Graduating soon Heres what to do next You’re mixed with the feelings of sheer joy and absolute terror at the idea of finishing university;   you are purposefully ignoring the fact that you haven’t started thinking about your career despite your jammy housemate securing a graduate scheme way back in November; you feel a little bit sick at the mere idea of job hunting… sound familiar? If so, weve got the perfect antidote. The Grad Fair 2017 When? Were holding The Grad Fair earlier than ever this year. Having previously been in June each year, weve brought the Fair forward as we found a lot of students were missing it as they had finished their exams, and were off gallivanting around the country celebrating their new found freedom â€" we don’t blame them! So, just so you don’t miss out on this great opportunity, this year it will take place on Thursday 4th May. Swing by any time between 10:30am 4:00pm. Where? The Armitage Centre, Moseley Road, Fallowfield, M14 6HE. Who? From large international companies to small local businesses, there will be a whole range of employment opportunities available, spanning across many different sectors (including postgraduate study)! So far we have over 140 exhibitors confirmed so there really is something for everyone this year. Just to name drop a few, exhibitors will include Abercrombie, Aldi, City Year UK, Civil Service, Dyson, Explore Learning, Havas Lynx, Manchester Enterprise Centre, MediaCom, Teach First, and many more. There’ll also be a whole host of higher education institutions offering postgraduate opportunities. Why? A  hall full of employers, looking to hire graduates? Sounds pretty ideal for anyone who has not yet secured a job! In addition, there may well be opportunities for summer internships, working abroad and some part-time jobs. A few things to remember… Firstly, you are not defined by the degree that you did at university. If you studied Politics, there is no necessity for you to join the local government; if you studied Chemistry, you don’t have to go into Science. The world really is your oyster! The Grad Fair is the ideal place to get a feel for the different sectors and opportunities which are out there. Secondly, the first full-time job you do does not determine the rest of your life. I repeat, the first full-time job you do does not determine the rest of your life. More often than not, the most successful people will have done a series of different jobs which will have equipped them with key transferable skills. Try to attend The Grad Fair with an open mind and don’t be put off by opportunities if they aren’t exactly what you are looking for it may help you get to where you want to be in the end. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, it’s free! We do advise that you register in advance  to obtain a ticket to attend the Fair, although you can register on the day, too. Make sure to join the Facebook event to keep up-to-date with the Fair, and get some useful hints and tips on how to make the most of it. Once you’ve graduated, you might find that opportunities like these specifically tailored to you don’t come around all that often, so we strongly recommend you make the most of it. See you there! All Events and fairs Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted careers Careers fair graduate experience Graduate jobs graduate schemes jobs