www.abdn.ac.uk/careers

Careers ServiceUniversity of AberdeenThe Hub (second floor)

Elphinstone RoadAberdeen AB24 3TU

+44 (0)1224 273601 www.abdn.ac.uk/careers

twitter: @AbdnUniCareers

nUnitwitter: @Abdnc.uk.abdn.ac

224 www

+44 (0)1

n AB Aberdeen nston Elphin

econ The Hub (s of AbUniversity o eers Care

twitter: @AbdnUniCareers.abdn.ac.uk/careers+44 (0)1224 273601

Aberdeen AB24 3TUElphinstone Road

The Hub (second floor)University of Aberdeen

viceCareers Ser

Co-Curriculum

Co-Curriculum

Additional OpportunitiesThere are a wide range of other activities that you can get involved in during your time at university todevelop your skills and attributes.

Go AbroadUndertaking study abroad demonstrates initiative and independence to employers. Two schemes that areon offer to University of Aberdeen students are:

> Erasmus Exchange Programme – for study in Europe.> International Exchange Programme – for study in USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

Find out more at www.abdn.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/study-abroad-and-exchanges.php

Opportunities with Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA)> Representation – become an Academic Representative or a member of the Students’ Association Council or Executive Committee.

> Societies and sport – join a society or sports club, or set-up your own one!Find out more at www.ausa.org.uk

VolunteeringThis is an excellent way to gain valuable skills and experience. It will also look great on your CV.

> Local volunteering – visit the AUSA website to find current opportunities:www.ausa.org.uk/volunteer/

> International volunteering – the Careers Service website has links to organisations offering a wide range of voluntary projects throughout the world. www.abdn.ac.uk/careers/resources/tags/122/

The Co-curriculumWhat is it, and how can it work for you?

The co-curriculum offers you a chance to maximise your employability by developing your skills andAberdeen Graduate Attributes (www.abdn.ac.uk/graduateattributes/) while participating in activitiesoutside your taught courses.

Selected co-curricular activities are also recorded on your Enhanced Transcript(www.abdn.ac.uk/infohub/life/enhanced-transcript-623.php) which is a formal University document.You will receive it when you complete your studies to supplement your degree certificate. The EnhancedTranscript can help you identify and articulate your skills and attributes for future applications.

This leaflet provides a brief overview of selected co-curricular activities delivered by the Careers Service.For more detailed information visit our website: www.abdn.ac.uk/careers/skills-attributes.

The STAR (Students Taking Active Roles) Award This initiative rewards the contribution that many students make to the wider University community. Itrecognises the transferable skills and competencies that you develop during your involvement inStudents’ Association sports clubs or societies or during volunteering activities. In order to participate inthe STAR Award you need to hold a STAR-approved role.

Benefits of being involved:> Develop your transferable skills through participation in a series of workshops.> Gain University recognition for your skills and attribute development (the STAR Award is recorded on your Enhanced Transcript).

> Meet new people and network with employers.

Enterprise & EntrepreneurshipBeing involved with enterprising activities gives you an opportunity to develop innovative thinking andcreative problem solving and make a contribution to your wider community. If you want to take enterprisefurther and think about setting up your own business, the Careers Service works with organisations, suchas the Scottish Institute for Enterprise and Business Gateway, to get you the help and advice you need.

Examples of enterprising activities you can get involved in include:> Raising funds for charities.> Being involved in social action projects.> Taking part in enterprise competitions.> Introducing innovative ways of doing things in your course or workplace.

BP Student Tutoring SchemeThis initiative gives you the opportunity to volunteer in a local primary or secondary school in Aberdeen orAberdeenshire and act as an ambassador for Higher Education. Student tutors work alongside the

classroom teacher for one half-day per week for eight weeks.

Benefits of being involved:> Gain valuable work experience in a classroom to include on your CV.

> Enhance your self-confidence and communication skills.> Receive a Certificate of Participation at an awards ceremony.

Careers Subject RepresentativesThis is your opportunity to spread the word about upcoming careers events and encourage your peers tostart thinking about their futures. Having representatives is of huge importance to the Service and wewant students like you to take on this responsibility.

Benefits of being involved:> Develop a wide range of skills and attributes valued by graduate employers.> Participate in the “bronze” level of the STAR Award.> Meet a wide range of people from a variety of degree programmes and year levels.

Career MentoringThis programme is a six month partnership, from November to April, between a current student and agraduate. You are matched with a professional who will share their experience and expertise and mentoryou in developing your own career ideas.

Benefits of being involved:> Learn about a particular profession, employment area or postgraduate opportunity.> Develop your professional networks.> Gain an “insider’s guide” to job hunting or further study.

Work PlacementsThe Careers Service sources placements for penultimate year undergraduate students. Placements arehosted by a wide range of organisations in a variety of work sectors. They vary in length from a few weeksduring the summer vacation to a full year “sandwich placement”. The University of Aberdeen hasdeveloped its own award-winning “Aberdeen Internship” programme which allows students to undertakea 10 week summer placement with the University.

Benefits of being involved:> Develop essential skills for success in the workplace.> Increase your business awareness of your chosen field.> Gain an insight into a particular role and organisation – see if you like it!

Making the Most of MastersThis initiative offers Taught Postgraduate Masters students the opportunity to undertake a work-basedproject (WBP) in place of the University-based dissertation. The WBP is undertaken in collaboration withan external organisation.

Benefits of being involved:> WBPs address a real need within the organisation providing you with an opportunity to place your learning in a “live” setting.

> Enhance your career development and broaden your own networks. > Gain experience of the workplace and project management.

The Co-curriculumWhat is it, and how can it work for you?

The co-curriculum offers you a chance to maximise your employability by developing your skills andAberdeen Graduate Attributes (www.abdn.ac.uk/graduateattributes/) while participating in activitiesoutside your taught courses.

Selected co-curricular activities are also recorded on your Enhanced Transcript(www.abdn.ac.uk/infohub/life/enhanced-transcript-623.php) which is a formal University document.You will receive it when you complete your studies to supplement your degree certificate. The EnhancedTranscript can help you identify and articulate your skills and attributes for future applications.

This leaflet provides a brief overview of selected co-curricular activities delivered by the Careers Service.For more detailed information visit our website: www.abdn.ac.uk/careers/skills-attributes.

The STAR (Students Taking Active Roles) Award This initiative rewards the contribution that many students make to the wider University community. Itrecognises the transferable skills and competencies that you develop during your involvement inStudents’ Association sports clubs or societies or during volunteering activities. In order to participate inthe STAR Award you need to hold a STAR-approved role.

Benefits of being involved:> Develop your transferable skills through participation in a series of workshops.> Gain University recognition for your skills and attribute development (the STAR Award is recorded on your Enhanced Transcript).

> Meet new people and network with employers.

Enterprise & EntrepreneurshipBeing involved with enterprising activities gives you an opportunity to develop innovative thinking andcreative problem solving and make a contribution to your wider community. If you want to take enterprisefurther and think about setting up your own business, the Careers Service works with organisations, suchas the Scottish Institute for Enterprise and Business Gateway, to get you the help and advice you need.

Examples of enterprising activities you can get involved in include:> Raising funds for charities.> Being involved in social action projects.> Taking part in enterprise competitions.> Introducing innovative ways of doing things in your course or workplace.

BP Student Tutoring SchemeThis initiative gives you the opportunity to volunteer in a local primary or secondary school in Aberdeen orAberdeenshire and act as an ambassador for Higher Education. Student tutors work alongside the

classroom teacher for one half-day per week for eight weeks.

Benefits of being involved:> Gain valuable work experience in a classroom to include on your CV.

> Enhance your self-confidence and communication skills.> Receive a Certificate of Participation at an awards ceremony.

Careers Subject RepresentativesThis is your opportunity to spread the word about upcoming careers events and encourage your peers tostart thinking about their futures. Having representatives is of huge importance to the Service and wewant students like you to take on this responsibility.

Benefits of being involved:> Develop a wide range of skills and attributes valued by graduate employers.> Participate in the “bronze” level of the STAR Award.> Meet a wide range of people from a variety of degree programmes and year levels.

Career MentoringThis programme is a six month partnership, from November to April, between a current student and agraduate. You are matched with a professional who will share their experience and expertise and mentoryou in developing your own career ideas.

Benefits of being involved:> Learn about a particular profession, employment area or postgraduate opportunity.> Develop your professional networks.> Gain an “insider’s guide” to job hunting or further study.

Work PlacementsThe Careers Service sources placements for penultimate year undergraduate students. Placements arehosted by a wide range of organisations in a variety of work sectors. They vary in length from a few weeksduring the summer vacation to a full year “sandwich placement”. The University of Aberdeen hasdeveloped its own award-winning “Aberdeen Internship” programme which allows students to undertakea 10 week summer placement with the University.

Benefits of being involved:> Develop essential skills for success in the workplace.> Increase your business awareness of your chosen field.> Gain an insight into a particular role and organisation – see if you like it!

Making the Most of MastersThis initiative offers Taught Postgraduate Masters students the opportunity to undertake a work-basedproject (WBP) in place of the University-based dissertation. The WBP is undertaken in collaboration withan external organisation.

Benefits of being involved:> WBPs address a real need within the organisation providing you with an opportunity to place your learning in a “live” setting.

> Enhance your career development and broaden your own networks. > Gain experience of the workplace and project management.

www.abdn.ac.uk/careers

Careers ServiceUniversity of AberdeenThe Hub (second floor)

Elphinstone RoadAberdeen AB24 3TU

+44 (0)1224 273601 www.abdn.ac.uk/careers

twitter: @AbdnUniCareers

nUnitwitter: @Abdnc.uk.abdn.ac

224 www

+44 (0)1

n AB Aberdeen nston Elphin

econ The Hub (s of AbUniversity o eers Care

twitter: @AbdnUniCareers.abdn.ac.uk/careers+44 (0)1224 273601

Aberdeen AB24 3TUElphinstone Road

The Hub (second floor)University of Aberdeen

viceCareers Ser

Co-Curriculum

Co-Curriculum

Additional OpportunitiesThere are a wide range of other activities that you can get involved in during your time at university todevelop your skills and attributes.

Go AbroadUndertaking study abroad demonstrates initiative and independence to employers. Two schemes that areon offer to University of Aberdeen students are:

> Erasmus Exchange Programme – for study in Europe.> International Exchange Programme – for study in USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

Find out more at www.abdn.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/study-abroad-and-exchanges.php

Opportunities with Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA)> Representation – become an Academic Representative or a member of the Students’ Association Council or Executive Committee.

> Societies and sport – join a society or sports club, or set-up your own one!Find out more at www.ausa.org.uk

VolunteeringThis is an excellent way to gain valuable skills and experience. It will also look great on your CV.

> Local volunteering – visit the AUSA website to find current opportunities:www.ausa.org.uk/volunteer/

> International volunteering – the Careers Service website has links to organisations offering a wide range of voluntary projects throughout the world. www.abdn.ac.uk/careers/resources/tags/122/