Social care students explore career paths with graduate-led speed dating

Social care and health alumni came back to their University of Northampton roots to sign-post students to the career avenues open to them, as part of the University’s Changing Futures week.

Changing Futures is a five-day, University wide showcase of activities and industry speakers to help students explore skills and activities to develop their academic and personal lives.

Unlike other health and social care courses, there is no immediately identifiable, single career path for social care and social community and development students upon graduating.

Graduates from the University’s Social Care and Health and Social and Community Development courses came back to their old lecture theatres to talk about what they went on to do after completing their courses to illustrate the doors open to students.

Alumni talking with students, clockwise from top left: Aimee Luck, Danielle Reeves, Kornelia Klimowicz and Nyasha Nyaumwe.

Working their way around the alumni who have gone on to either Master’s degrees, research or working for local health authorities, students also had the chance to gear up for surviving their final year dissertations and how to maximise what they get out of their courses during their entire study period.

Victoria Boulton, Programme Lead for Social and Community Development Applied Social Studies at University of Northampton, said: “We are incredibly proud of the dedication our Social Care and Community Development students show to their studies during their time with us, but there can be a bit of head-scratching after graduation about what to do and where to go next.

“Having our alumni back to talk about the variety of job options after students’ receive their degrees has helped them navigate their way through the careers maze.”

Nana and Theresa are 3rd year students and added: “It was helpful to hear alumni’s experiences of dealing with assignment pressures and encouraging to know about the different paths open to us once we graduate.”

“Being able to share personal experience, give advice and encouragement and meet other alumni that are now colleagues has been extremely enjoyable”.