Getting Active and Getting Involved

You probably already know that you need to get a good degree, complete some work experience and improve your skills in order to benefit fully from your investment in higher education. To benefit from other students’ experiences read ‘If Only I’d Known’. You need to be active from the first year onwards.

To see what employers value, there are interesting articles and case studies on the Target Jobs and Real World Magazine websites.

The information below will help get you started and will also link into your personal development planning.

• Part time work

  Part-time Work

  Any of the ideas below will develop skills such as time management, teamwork, communication and self confidence and will generate new friends as well as cash. You will find out more about your strengths and build a bank of work experience for your CV. Research has shown that working more than 15 hours a week might have an effect on your studies, so try to limit your commitment if you can.

  • Jobs4Students is MMU’s own service for employment on campus, which can include Student Ambassadors who help with visit days, taster days and work with schools and also temporary admin work around the campus. Email jobs4students@mmu.ac.uk to register. In Cheshire, this work is handled by the Student Union Job Shop
  • Jobs in campus sport and leisure facilities e. pool lifeguard
  • Jobs with the Students’ Union, e.g. bar work, security, shop work
  • The Student Union Job Shop has part-time and temporary work with outside employers
  • The Employability & Careers Service online vacancy bulletin also carries opportunities
  • You could use recruitment agencies or approach employers directly
• Volunteering

  Volunteering

  Employers agree that they are interested in graduates who have undertaken voluntary work and it is an excellent way for you to gain skills and experience. It is often the only way to try out a career idea or gain an insight into a particular area of work, and you can also participate in committee work or advocacy if you wish. These ideas will help you find something suitable:

  • Communi – CoMMUni is MMU’s volunteering service and holds information on hundreds of local volunteering and work experience opportunities. These cover every type of volunteering available, from working with children to marketing. Register on the website and search the database. Occasional volunteering action days such as beach-cleans are also on offer in case you can’t commit regularly. CoMMuni also offer training workshops for employability from project planning to child protection and teaching techniques. You can also call CoMMUni on 0161 247 2211/5326.

  • Do-it – National database of opportunities from Volunteer Bureaux across the country – search by postcode.

  To gain more insight into how volunteering can enhance your employability, see ‘The Art of Crazy Paving’ on the Volunteering England website.

• Extra-Curricular Activity

  Extra-Curricular Activity

  • Student societies offer a chance to make new friends and try new activities, but helping to run one or setting up a new one, offers an opportunity to develop teamwork, administrative and leadership skills. Don’t worry about your lack of experience; it is an ideal way to gain some, and help is available. Find out more from the Students' Union.
  • Become a hall rep, course rep or student rep on an academic committee – your contribution will be valued.
  • Sport or physical activity such as dance helps to keep you physically and mentally fit, but can also offer you opportunity to prove your teamwork and leadership skills or provide evidence of your determination to achieve goals. You may have the chance to gain new qualifications such as coaching certificates or undertake paid or voluntary work to add to your CV. Scholarships may be available for outstanding performers. See these links for more information:
    • Sport at MMU
    • Sport Development Unit, Cheshire
• Vacation Work

  Vacation Work

  It is a good idea to try and plan your vacation work well in advance; being proactive will help you to make the best use of your time, build your skills and experience and try something new. You will need to apply for some summer opportunities from February or March onwards.

  Here are some ideas for you to consider:

  • Summer camps abroad which employ large numbers of students, e.g. Camp America, Camp Counselling, BUNAC. You won’t get rich, but are likely to have a great time, improve your self-confidence and may get some travelling too.
  • Summer seasons in Europe, e.g. with large camping or tour operators. Opportunities are available for general workers, activity instructors and children’s play assistants.
  • Summer camps in Britain, e.g. King’s Camps, Camp Beaumont, PGL
  • Work with children on holiday play schemes in Britain, often run by local authorities.
  • Living-in jobs for the season with hotels in tourist areas.
  • Seasonal jobs at tourist attractions, e.g. Alton Towers.
  • Doing your ‘usual’ job, but combining it with voluntary work or work shadowing to build your CV.

  If you need help with your search, contact the Employability & Careers Service.

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