Students prepare themselves for life after graduation

With social media now playing a key role in job recruitment, students from the University of Northampton were able to find out directly from employers about how to market themselves for the job market.

The Student Conference took place at Kings Park Conference Centre on 13 December and gave students from the Faculty of Business and Law the opportunity to explore their future career options, how they can prepare for life after graduation and the different ways companies recruit potential job candidates.

The panel consisted of:

·         Paul Beesely, Chair of the Northamptonshire Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) branch and employee engagement specialist

·         Karen Sanders, Freelance Executive HR Director

·         Peter Heffron, Managing Director of recruiters Hunter Maclean

·         Margaret Berrill, HR and Organisational Behavioural Consultant

One student who attended said: “The conference allowed us to explore future opportunities and helped us to prepare for our future careers.”

Lydia Selby, Senior Lecturer in Human Resources Management and Organisational Behaviours, commented: “It was a great day. The students were engaged and asked a range of questions of our guests from CIPD, industry and commerce.

“The breakout sessions and lunch were lively with the conversations buzzing. Two of the students received a bronze certificate for achieving employability awards and this was also something to celebrate. The teaching team as always were fantastic. We are looking forward to the 2018 student conference already.”