Looking for work experience this summer?

Exams have finally finished! After the sighs of relief and celebrations, the big question remains: what to do with all that free time between now and September? QM Projects may just have an answer for you.

QM Projects is a work experience scheme that places students into interesting projects within local charities. The goal is to offer you an opportunity to build your CV all the while helping out a charity in need of your skills. Projects last 3 months and although unpaid, are generally 1 day a week and flexible around your schedule (meaning you can fit that part-time job or free time in as well!). Travel expenses are covered too.

What’s on offer this summer?
Have a look at all of our current projects below. For full details about the project and how to apply, please click on the project title.

1. Communications Project Leader, StudentVoice: Assisting with the development and maintenance of the charity’s social networking and communications strategies.
2. Goverance Project Leader, Cardboard Citizens: Assisting with the review and upscale of the Cardboard Citizens’ current governance structure.
3. Gallery Assistant Project Leader, Bow Arts: Taking on a vareity tasks to support a new programme of summer art exhibitions, including answering the visitor questions and researching funding sources and future exhibitions.
4. Marketing & Events Project Leader, Benjamin Franklin House: Helping to plan and promote the annual Benjamin Franklin House Symposium put on in partnership with the British Library.
5. Website development Project Leader, St. Paul’s Way Medical Centre: Helping to manage the redevelopment, design and build of their website.
6. Health Advocacy Project Leader, St. Paul’s Way Medical Centre: Working with the current advocacy service at the practice to improve the understanding of patient needs. This includes helping patients communicate during consultations.
7. Cancer Screening Project Leader, St. Paul’s Way Medical Centre: Developing and implementing strategies to improve the practice’s uptake of cancer screenings (bowel, breast and cervical)
8. Sexual Health Screening Project Leader, St. Paul’s Way Medical Centre: Developing and implementing strategies to improve the uptake of sexual health screenings of the practice’s patients under age 25.
9. Community Health Project Leader, St. Paul’s Way Medical Centre: Helping to improve communications with the community regarding healthy lifestyle initiatives and collect relevant patient data around lifestyle.
10. Marketing Project Leader, Hackney Shares: Helping to create and implement a grass-roots marketing strategy targeting both businesses and residents in the local community.

Stay in the Loop!
Want to receive updates whenever a new QM Project comes available? Email your name, graduation year and email address to Lindsey at l.shirah@qmul.ac.uk.

Looking for Work This Summer?

If so, know that there is a wide range of opportunities available to help you gain new skills, as well as valuable work experience to make your CV shine. Whether it’s an internship or a volunteering position, summer or vacation work can play an important role in your career in a number of ways. Here’s how:

Why Do It?

• To gain work experience and improve your CV: many students have more free time during the summer, so vacation work is a great opportunity to fill in any gaps in your CV.
• To develop transferable skills: employers are looking for such skills as adaptability, teamwork and problem-solving, which you can gain by working in a shop or volunteering with a charity, for instance.
• To make informed career choices: by sampling a particular job or industry, you can find out what skills you have or what activities you enjoy, which can help you choose a career path tailored to your needs.
• To get an entry into certain sectors: for example, recruiters in the media or banking sector are typically looking for candidates with relevant work experience, while many graduate employers tend to recruit from their own intern pool. Alternatively, you can use your work experience to network and make contacts for later opportunities.

What’s Available

• Internships – work placements offered by companies often seeking to hire employees for permanent positions. They provide an insight into diverse industries and allow you to get firsthand experience of particular roles.
• Work Shadowing – observing the work and role of certain professionals to better understand the field. Work shadowing can land you a job offer if the employer is impressed with your performance and initiative.
• Temping – temporary placements are a great way to earn some extra cash or network with people from different fields. See The University of London Temp Agency website for more information.
• Working Abroad ­– not only can you get work experience, but you can also discover new cultures and even learn a new language to really stand out from the crowd. There are various career options abroad, one of the most popular being teaching English as a foreign language.
• Volunteering ­– tasks can be more diverse and less structured than with an internship, and they generally involve a greater degree of responsibility. Volunteering demonstrates commitment, initiative and social engagement – essential skills sought after by any employer!

These are just a few of the opportunities out there, so it’s worth doing some research to see what work experience schemes are available in your area of interest.

Where to Look

To find summer or vacation work placements, visit the websites of the organizations you’re interested in or contact them directly asking for information. The Prospects website is an excellent source of industry information, as well as vacancy listings.

JobOnline, our very own vacancy database, is an extremely useful tool for finding work experience. The current online vacancies run the gamut from summer placements with insurance companies, to technical internships within media corporations or temporary clerical and office-based positions with various institutions and firms. To apply for these and to access other work placements, visit JobOnline.

Raluca – Maria Chereji
2^nd Year French and Politics Student

Teaching English as a foreign language – find out more…

Whether you have a passion for teaching or want to travel abroad to discover new cultures, teaching English as a foreign language might be the perfect career choice for you. Since fluency in English is the main essential requirement for the job, why not think about kick-starting your career in an original way to really stand out from the crowd?

What Is It?
Teaching English means a bit more than just classroom experience. It involves a particular methodology designed for and targeted at a specific audience. If the plethora of acronyms in teaching confuses you, here’s a helpful guide:

• ELT – English Language Teaching; a widely-used teacher-centred term describing the overall teaching practice and methodology
• TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language; refers to teaching adults or children whose first language is not English but who choose to learn it for various purposes
• TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; often involves the same thing as TEFL but also describes teaching English to non-English speakers living in an English-speaking country
• TESL – Teaching English as a Second Language; teaching in countries where English has the official status of a second language. The term TEAL (Teaching English as an Additional Language) can also be used in this context.
• ESP – English for Specific Purposes, such as for business, tourism, the banking sector etc.
• EAP – English for Academic Purposes; refers to academic teaching for university study. Many such courses are run by the British Council.

Why Do It?
Teaching English abroad is a fantastic way to get the firsthand teaching experience necessary for a career in education, while the accreditations you will obtain can add to your CV and maximize your chances of getting a job.

Even if you don’t want to become a teacher, teaching English abroad can be extremely useful regardless of your career plans. You can gain valuable transferable skills such as project management or learning a new language, as well as work experience to get your foot in the door of the tough job market.

Before You Start
While the main requirement is proficiency in both written and spoken English, you might need to have additional qualifications depending on what you’re interested in. Think about who and where you would like to teach, whether you want a long-term engagement or just a summer placement, and what sort of skills you would like to develop. Also consider the financial aspects, e.g. paid work or volunteering, or the living costs and employment legislation of you chosen country.

Training
Once you’ve decided what you want to do, start looking at the relevant requirements and courses available for teaching English abroad. Here are some options:

• TEFL courses – offered by TEFL England, these courses vary from a basic 20-hour initial introduction to a complex 130-hour course preparing you for all aspects of teaching.
• CELT – Certificate in English Language Teaching, a 120-130 hour course validated by either University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations or Trinity College London. It is one of the most popular options for teaching English abroad.
• CELTA – Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults offered by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations at more than 280 centres worldwide. Very useful for teaching English overseas.
• certTESOL – Certificate for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages provided by Trinity College London, another principal training course of a minimum 130 hours on a weekly basis.
• TKT – Teaching Knowledge Test by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Refers to teaching English to speakers of other languages and it is generally more accessible than CELTA.
• certTEFL – Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, aimed mainly at teachers whose first language is not English. This course is offered by International House.
• DELTA – The Cambridge Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults aimed at experienced English language teachers.
• DipTESOL – The Trinity College London equivalent for the experienced English teachers diploma.

Although different companies expect different qualifications, most employers tend to favour courses of a minimum 100 hours ELT/TESOL input, especially for people looking for long-term commitments.

If you’re interested in short-term work or want less intensive training, look into distance learning, an option offered by some TESOL/TEFL centres. Though such courses are generally shorter and cheaper than others, they are not as widely recognized as longer courses. For more information about the types of courses available, see i-to-i TEFL Courses or English Language Centre (CIC).

What Next?
After completing a training course, you can start looking for jobs and work on your application. TEFL England provides a free job placement scheme for people enrolled on TEFL courses for vacancies across the globe, which is useful for finding both long-term and short-term opportunities. The British Council is also running its own recruitment scheme for TEFL teachers. Visit their website for more details on the programme, and on TEFL in general.

You can also have a look at the Prospects website for more information about the teaching industry, as well as for a list of vacancy sources.

We Can Help!
Whether you’re confused about choosing the right course or need help with your application, our team of career consultants can offer you guidance and support with your career. Just give us a call on 020 7882 8533 or drop by our office in room WG3 in the Queen’s Building to book an appointment or look through the resources in our Information library.

Raluca – Maria Chereji
2^nd Year French and Politics student

Work experience oppportunities on campus to help the environment

Want to help the environment? Want some work experience? Why not combine the two in an exciting new opportunity by becoming an Environmental Auditor!

You will take part in a project concerning the environmental impact of QM buldings.

No experience required, full training provided and an excellent chance to boost your CV, gain a fancy certificate and even attend the Green Impact Awards Ceremony!

Email your C.V. to: greenimpact@qmul.ac.uk or sarah.taylor@qmul.ac.uk
Deadline for applications: 9th March 2012

Sunny Kalyana
1st year QM English Literature and Linguistics

Work experience and volunteering for science students

Volunteering can be rewarding in many ways. It gives your CV or Job Application that extra factor which shows not only that you generously give up your time to help others, but that through doing so you have developed your skills and experience. Science related experience also shows that you have gained an understanding about what it is really like to work in that field.

These skills will be useful when it comes to applying for future jobs and even for postgraduate degrees and other courses.

Basically volunteering allows you to build up your experience and skills to kickstart your career AND gives you a chance to help others – so what’s to lose?

If you wish to gain experience in science communication or contribute academic expertise to Association events, the British science association are offering many different volunteering roles which could suit you.

The British Red Cross are looking for volunteers to help people in their homes by just helping out with tasks and keeping someone company for a few hours in their home.

How about trying something even more exciting like Volunteering abroad? There are projects across Asia, Africa and Latin America working on community development or environmental work.  Gain valuable work experience whilst travelling to exciting new countries in unique environments and make a positive impact on the world and your CV!

If you are looking for something that is closer to home, there are lots of activities on or near campus too.  If you’re looking to go into research, how about some hands on experience at your own university?  Approach an academic member of staff to see if they could offer you some voluntary work experience alongside PhD students over summer.

The Students’ Union volunteering service PROVIDE have the following roles available for QM students NOW!

UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre Welcomers and Guides:
You will support patients in understanding the services available in the Cancer Centre, how to access them and guide them around the centre.

Speaker Scheme Volunteer: Diabetes UK:
Give talks and presentations about diabetes to: local community groups, student clubs and societies, local businesses.

Electrical Workshop Volunteer: Bright Sparks:
To assist with the sorting, testing, distribution and cleaning of donated electrical goods.

Conservation Day Volunteer: BTCV:
The UK’s largest practical conservation charity is looking for volunteers to help on DAY projects across London. Activities include gardening, woodland work, pond work, a green gym and much more.

Residential Nurse Woodrow High House
Responsible for medical & personal care of all special needs guests. A very hands on role, working alongside our nurses.

Biodiversity Volunteer: Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
You’ll be responsible for helping them with conducting surveys, and keep an eye on the life of the Lee Valley Park!

Ranger Student: Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
As a volunteer student ranger, you will be responsible for site maintenance, liaising with visitors, as well as having the opportunity to contribute to any future plans and projects!

Substance Misuse Worker: Lifeline Project Ltd Hackney
Work with people affected substance misuse and support them in treatment and recovery.

Bittern Information Point Assistant: Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Enjoy birdwatching? You don’t have to be an expert to help us manage our Bittern Information Point in the Lee Valley Park, all you need is an interest and an enthusiasm to learn!

Farm Volunteer: Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Get up close and personal with all your favourite animals! There are lots of volunteer opportunities, ranging from feeding the animals to helping out with animal demonstrations!

Riding Centre Volunteer: Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Love horses? Come and help out at our fantastic riding centre! Various roles are available, from helping with stable duties, to assisting with events!

Looking for work experience?

Are you looking for challenging work experience to help you gain graduate level skills? The Queen Mary Volunteer Internship scheme aims to provide QM students with project-based internships at charitable organisations in the local area.

What do the QM Volunteer Internships involve?

Our internships vary greatly depending on the needs of the organisation. Past interns have led projects in areas such as marketing, fundraising, HR, IT and legal services. The Scheme aims to incorporate the development of graduate transferable skills into each placement. To ensure this, each internship must:

• Solve a problem for the organisation in some way, so that you have the opportunity to demonstrate initiative and give a clear, positive outcome of this work on your CV. This can be in the form of a project or series of mini projects.
• Take up a minimum of 40 hours of your time (this translates into a day or two half days per week, for 12 weeks).
• Take place in a localEast Londoncharitable organisation.
• Use and develop at least three transferable skills and competencies at graduate level (like planning, communication, networking, team working skills, etc.)

Stay in the loop!

If you have any questions or would like to sign up to receive weekly updates of our available internships email Lindsey Shirah: l.shirah@qmul.ac.uk

 If you are interested in other volunteering opportunities please visit the Queen Mary Volunteering Service, Provide Volunteering based in the Students’ Union or visit the Provide website at www.providevolunteering.org

Latest Vacation Opportunities Booklet Available Now

With Christmas around the corner,  it might seem strange to be thinking about the Summer.  But the long vacation is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen your CV and get some experience.

Whether you are thinking about internships in the City or volunteering abroad, there are a huge number of options available to help you make the most of your Summer.

To start you thinking and to get some ideas, download the latest Vacation_Opportunities guide. This is produced every year by The Careers Group, University of London.  As well as vacancies, it also contains helpful tips and advice on finding experience and lists useful websites to help you with your search.

If you would like to talk about your options, discuss your ideas or get feedback on an application, book an appointment with one of our Careers Consultants.  To arrange a session, come to Careers WG3 Queens’ Building or call 020 7882 8533.

2012 Jobs – Your chance to work at the Olympics

London 2012 is urging people to consider, research and apply for one of the tens of thousands of job opportunities that will become available between now and Games-time and not to miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime to be part of the London 2012 team.

With both paid work and volunteering positions available, it is a fantastic chance to get involved with the Olympics.

To find out more and to apply see:

http://www.podium.ac.uk/news/view/572/london-2012-officially-invites-people-to-apply-for-games-time-jobs

Student Stories: Volunteering with QM Provide

Today (27th October) there’s a volunteering fair taking place in the Octagon (Queens’ Building) from 11.30-2.30. To highlight the value of volunteering – how it is great for your CV AND your social life, as well as being rewarding, we got one of our student journalists to tell us about his experiences…

“With the employment market in a pretty dire state, I knew I needed “that something extra” which would make me stand out in the saturated graduate pool. Volunteering was the perfect way to do this.

The skills that employers look for can be gained through volunteering. Whether it is building on your team working skills through cleaning out the Regent’s Canal with a group of other volunteers, or improving your time management by working volunteering around your learning schedule, volunteering is a great way to prepare you for the world of work. AND it looks great on CVs and applications.  In my role at Team Provide, which is a group of students that lead QM’s volunteering service Provide, I have gained invaluable leadership and communication skills. This was mainly through leading groups on various volunteering events, and even recruiting volunteers on campus.

Networking is another highly important factor to consider when preparing for your life as a graduate. Volunteering may be seen as an unlikely way of networking, unless you want to work in the Charity sector. This couldn’t be further from the case. I have volunteered on events where I have met employees from the Bank of England, PwC, Standard Chartered, Shell, Balfour Beatty, and various public sector organisations. They were full of praise for student volunteers, and have reiterated how volunteering makes a candidate more desirable.

Throughout my time as a volunteer, I met so many different students that I would not have otherwise met. Today, some of my best friends I met through volunteering. The various volunteering activities that I participated in were also extremely fun; dashing through the Kensington Olympia with a trolley collecting as many toys as possible was a personal highlight. These toys were then donated to the children’s charity, Barnardos. To sum it up, I was having a laugh with my mates, and all for a good cause. What else can I say!

If you do anything this year, show that you can use your initiative and undertake some form of voluntary work. Provide is the best hub for you to begin exploring different volunteering opportunities in London. Check out the website at www.providevolunteering.org and sign up today. Go on, your CV needs you!”

Emmet McCallion
3rd year Business Management

QM YELP – volunteer to mentor secondary pupils

YELP Students is a student-led organisation that aims to address educational disadvantage by forming partnerships between secondary school pupils and university students through mentoring, tuition and enrichment activities.

We started in 2007 mentoring local secondary school children in an under-achieving school and have been growing since then. Last year nearly 200 students from 4 leading universities (LSE, King’s, Oxford University and Queen Mary) tutored and mentored disadvantaged secondary school pupils across Oxford and London. This year we are continuing to expand, reaching hundreds of secondary school pupils  in our mission to address educational disadvantage.

Benefits

All volunteers give one hour a week of their time over a 16- 20 week period. Within this time-bound period we offer you the opportunity to change the social chances of a local secondary school pupil by tutoring or mentoring them.

Our volunteers learn valuable skills in leadership, communication, teamwork and delivery. We provide the opportunity to demonstrate these transferable skills and secure future internships in the city (banking, consultancy, law, scientific research) through our sponsors. We also offer an insight into working for Teach First. Outstanding volunteers are invited to attend masterclasses, hosted by our partner firms and sponsors, to further develop your competencies and skills when addressing educational disadvantage, as well as prepare you for competitive graduate careers.

http://www.yelpstudents.org/

YELP@Queen Mary