Your first year of university is a lot of fun. A lot to take in, but everything is new. You’re in a new location, with new pals and new classes.

Although you might not be thinking about work experience right now, it’s actually really important! Why? Becuase employers often get in touch with past placement students and interns when hiring for graduate positions.

Getting work experience before you graduate will put you in a really good position when the time comes to find yourself a graduate scheme or a job after graduation. So we’ve put together a checklist to help you succeed.

You can download your first-year checklist below:

What’s in the checklist?

Think of this checklist as your very own cheatsheet for employability and to help you prepare for placements, internships and insights applications.

It covers a wide range of tips and actions for you to complete while you’re in first year. This includes:

• UPDATE YOUR CV: Have you updated your CV since going to university?
• CREATE A LINKEDIN PROFILE: Think social media, but for professionals. LinkedIn is a great platform for networking and discovering market trends.
• TRY YOUR BEST: Aim for a 2:1, but don’t feel bad if things don’t work out. There are plenty of employers out there who’ll offer you a placement or internship regardless of your grade. Take PwC – they’ve removed their entry requirements altogether as their hiring process is based on talent, not your academic background.

Insight days

What are insight days?

Insight days are work experience programmes that are specifically designed for 1st and 2nd year students. They can last anywhere between one and ten days and take place during the university holidays.

If you want to work in accounting, investment banking, engineering, finance or law, an insight day will give you a good idea of what it’s like to work in these industries.

When can you apply for one?

You can apply for an insight between September and March, but competition for places is fierce so we’d recommend looking for vacancies now and applying before the new year. 

To give yourself the best chance of getting onto an insight scheme, start completing the checklist ASAP! Then hop over to our jobs board to see what vacancies are available.

The post Your 1st Year Checklist appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

From dissertations to exams, planning a graduation fit and looking for a graduate job or scheme, we know there’s loads to think about. So to help you get on top of your applications and secure that all-important role, we’ve created your ultimate graduate job timeline.

Inside you’ll find all the key dates and top tips. Click below! It’s free.

Graduate Tips

Once you’ve downloaded your timeline check out all the advice below to help you slay the graduation application process like an absolute boss.

A Guide to Graduate Jobs

Find out everything there is to know about graduate jobs and schemes, the difference, who’s hiring and how to apply.

Writing a Graduate CV

Your staring point: a CV that shows off your skills and grabs an employer’s attention. We’ve also included a free template!

Writing a Graduate Cover Letter

A good CV comes with a great cover letter. Here’s how to write one.

Be Interview Ready

Have you been invited to an interview? That’s great! Here’s everything you should expect including commonly asked questions and how to answer them.

Feeling ready to jump in? We have over 300 graduate roles waiting for your application. Click below to get started.

The post The Ultimate Graduate Job Timeline appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

The best way to do this is by gaining relevant work experience before you graduate.

Whether it’s a placement, internship or even a vacation scheme, work experience is so important to have under your belt as it provides you with the practical skills and industry knowledge employers love to see.

Can an internship or placement really help you get a graduate job?

Absolutely! Work experience is there for you to try your hand at your chosen career before anything you take the career plunge IRL.

You’ll get to grips with relevant tasks, work on projects and meet industry professionals. It’s a game-changer.

Also, around 49% of interns and placement students hired by our Best Student Employers were offered full-time jobs.

There are 1001 reasons why work experience is the number one route to snapping up that all-important grad job. We’ve painstakingly picked four. Read on to find out more.

• Build your skillset practically
• Set you apart from other candidates
• Gain experience outside your role
• Meet industry professionals

Build your skillset practically

Picture it. You’re in a cool office, maybe there’s a ping-pong table and free pizza on a Friday. You’ve got a snazzy ID badge and are about to head into a project meeting. This isn’t just theory anymore. It’s real life.

Your work experience is an opportunity to build upon the skills you’ve learned at university while picking up new ones.

Make no mistake, everything you learn at university is 100% important, but you’ll learn so much more doing the actual thing as opposed to reading about it. There are a host of skills you’ll gain while working that you might not have learned at university, some of these can include:

• Dealing with difficult customers and clients
• Networking
• Budgeting

Employers expect you to come to an internship or placement not knowing everything about the role or industry you’re stepping into. The whole point is to give you that practical experience that’ll set you up for success when you either get onto a graduate scheme or a role after university.

“I have developed time management and prioritisation skills. This is especially important when outlining the week’s tasks: what is most critical and needs to be completed first? I have learnt new skills around setting boundaries, learning to say no when I cannot take on additional workload, but also setting aside dedicated time to prioritise my University work. I have also developed my confidence, working to lead monthly CSQ meetings with numerous stakeholders and contributing to both the charity project and business project.”

Commercial Executive, TUI UK

Set yourself apart from other candidates

You share something in common with thousands of other students – a degree! And while degrees are a huge achievement and look damn good on your CV, a Bachelor’s degree isn’t that special on its own.

The graduate market is huge but super competitive. And you’ll be up against plenty of students with similar degrees. In fact, the ISE reports that there are 86 applications per graduate role.

Having a good chunk of work experience to go alongside your formal education will show an employer that you have the theory and can use that IRL. That’ll put you miles ahead of someone who might not have that experience.

You’ll be able to demonstrate a range of skills that those who don’t take on work experience might not have.

Securing work experience before you graduate will show that you’re actively trying to upskill yourself in your chosen career. You’ll score major brownie points with employers when it comes to securing your graduate role.

Think of this formula: your degree + work experience = magic.

Not yet found a placement or internship? Hear from placement students and interns and find out what they say about their work experience.

Gain workplace culture experience

Employers love students with work experience because it also means you have an understanding of what it’s like to be part of a workplace. 

Just because you’re there for a short time, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get involved in activities and projects outside of your immediate tasks.

Being part of a workplace means you get to experience its culture. Whether that’s attending (or even helping to organise) work events and socials, being part of a D&I team, sharing your opinion on current processes or just being a really cool person to talk to at the water cooler makes a real difference.
It makes your experience much better and shows that you’re a team player. A graduate employer would be interested to know what else you did during your time at your placement or internship, so make the most of it.

“The organisation operates with a highly participative culture. I cannot recall the number of times I have been asked by upper senior members for my suggestions on how to improve the processes. The entire Finance Directorate is like a family; we take time to celebrate each other’s achievements every month, and we also look forward to meeting each other during our in-office days on Wednesdays.”

Finance Assistant, De Montfort University

Currently doing a summer internship? Good stuff, here’s how you can get the absolute best out of it.

Meet industry professionals

You may not think it, but the people you work with can be integral when it comes to snapping up a graduate role after university.

You’ll meet and work with a whole bunch of people during your work experience so much so that once you’re done, your contact list will be thick a f.

These contacts will be filled with everyone from colleagues to managers and maybe even clients.

If you haven’t already, get yourself on LinkedIn. Think of it as Facebook for professionals where you can connect with your colleagues as well as key figures within your chosen industry and beyond. Need a little inspiration? We have a full guide on how to get started, just click below.

The point is, any one of your colleagues could be the route to a potential graduate job when the time comes. So it pays to be kind and work hard during your internship or placement.

All-in-all, work experience can really be invaluable and will go a very long way in helping you secure a graduate job. It’s also a great way of learning some all-important life skills.

Whether it lasts two weeks or one year, work experience is a real job where you can make some real impacts and even some differences.

On top of that, it’ll look damn good on your CV. If you haven’t started it already, it’s a good day to start looking for some work experience. Get started by clicking below.

The post Why Work Experience Gets You a Graduate Job appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

While this isn’t CSI, forensic science is a real job requiring dedication, a sharp eye and plenty of patience.

Forensic chemistry is perfect for science students interested in the legal world. As a forensic chemist, you can help determine the key elements of an investigation.

Read on to find out more about the job and how you can get started.

• What does a forensic chemist do?
• Is a forensic scientist the same as a forensic chemist?
• How do I become a forensic chemist?
• What skills do you need to be a forensic chemist?
• How much does a forensic chemist get paid?

What does a forensic chemist do?

Forensics play a huge part in criminal investigations and a forensic chemist is responsible for analysing and processing evidence in a lab. These pieces of evidence are usually substances brought in from crime scenes and it’s a forensic chemist’s job to determine what they are. 

Substances can include;

• Explosives
• Poisons
• Hazardous chemicals.

A forensic chemist will spend the majority of their day-to-day based in a lab (snazzy coat in tow too). You’ll work mainly in a lab, but you’ll also have the odd occasion where you’ll have to attend a crime scene in person and testify in court.

Is forensic chemistry hard?

It’s hard, but it’s also super rewarding.

Working as a forensic chemist is exciting because you’ll come across complex cases every day. However, work can be repetitive and you’ll be dealing with highly sensitive information and substances that will require you to have a high level of detail and careful handling.

Is a forensic scientist the same as a forensic chemist?

It IS a forensic science. In fact, forensic chemistry comes under the forensic science umbrella.

As a forensic scientist, you’ll provide courts with scientific evidence in criminal and civil investigations. Your main area of concentration will be to examine materials found at crime scenes or that are connected to the case in question.

Forensic science can be split into three key areas;

• Biology. A forensic biologist will usually be involved in helping to solve crimes against people, such as murder and assault. Here, you’ll test DNA including hair, teeth and bodily fluids such as saliva and blood.
• Chemistry. You’ll test substances found at a crime scene. These can include paint, mud samples, poisons, burns, and acids. A forensic chemist’s services are usually needed for arson and burglary cases.
• Toxicology. Here you’ll test for drugs, poisons and alcohol. You’ll do this across a variety of cases including murder, drug charges and drunk driving.

Forensic scientists usually specialise in one of the above depending on your background, but there is always an option to take a general approach to the industry. A jack of all labs.

FUN FACT: The first written account of using medicine to solve criminal cases is attributed to Xi Luan Lu, written in China in 1248.

How do I become a forensic chemist?

All forensic chemist jobs require a degree in forensic chemistry, chemistry or similar. These degrees include;

• Forensic science (with a focus on chemistry and mathematics)
• Biological science
• Criminology with forensic science
• Physics 
• Medical science.

Always check to see if The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences accredits your course. These clever people set the standard when it comes to regulation, professionalism and reputation.

To be accepted on a typical forensic chemistry degree course, you should have the following;

• Three A Levels in chemistry and a second science subject
• Five GCSEs (including maths and science).

It’s worth noting that roles across forensic science are super competitive, so the more you do to get an edge over other students, the more likely you’ll secure that all-important job.

One way to do this is by taking higher education further and studying for a Master’s degree in forensic chemistry or similar. You can even decide to take on a PhD as your career progresses.

Another way is through an internship or placement. Read on.

Can I get work experience as a forensic chemist?

Employers are keen to hire students who have lab experience. Although placements and internships are very rare, the good news is there are plenty of work experience roles that offer lab time.

You could spend a year working as a chemist placement student for CooperVision or a chemistry science quality assurance placement student at BAT. There is plenty of opportunity.

“I developed knowledge and skills in the testing involved with material science based in an industrial lab. Most of the techniques and equipment were far removed from the academic teaching labs I had experienced prior. This experience was invaluable. Further to this I improved my soft skills, such as time management, communication and presentation skills. The professional environment nurtured and developed me to improve these necessary life skills to ready me for commercial work.”

Applications Chemist at Lubrizol

Read our Guide to Science and Research Internships, Placements and Graduate Jobs

What skills do you need to be a forensic chemist?

Skills are everything and as a budding forensic chemist, you will need a whole bacterial colony of soft and hard skills in your petri dish.

Soft Skills

• Eagle-eyed attention to detail
• Teamwork and being able to work alone
• Logical reasoning and critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Working under pressure
• Communication skills.

Hard Skills

• Legal knowledge of court procedures and regulations
• Data entry programs specifically for laboratory work
• Lab health and safety.

Ready to apply for a job or work experience in forensic chemistry? Read Skills to Add to Your CV.

How much does a forensic chemist get paid?

The entry salary for a forensic chemist is between £18,000 and £20,000 per year. As you progress in your career, this can move up to between £25,000 and £40,000 per year. An experienced forensic chemist can look to make a very tidy sum of £45,000 per year.

Think you’re about ready to get your lab on? We have a wide selection of science job for you to have a look at. Click below to start your journey.

The post What is a Forensic Chemist? appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

Master’s degrees can be extremely useful when navigating the world of work because they allow you to go into depth in your chosen field and give you more of an edge in the job hunt.

What should your next move be after your undergraduate degree? Read on to find out if a Master’s degree is the vibe for you.

• What are the benefits of a Master’s degree?
• What are the disadvantages of a Master’s degree?
• Will a Master’s degree get me a job?
• How do I choose a Master’s degree?

What are the benefits of a Master’s degree?

Master’s degrees are great, excellent even. They’re your opportunity to gain more academic knowledge in your chosen field and meet a brand new cohort of future talent. But what exactly are the benefits of doing a Master’s degree? Let’s have a look.

Boost employability and improve earning potential

A Master’s will give you an instant edge over the competition. Having a postgraduate degree in your arsenal shows an employer that you’re serious about the industry and have been trying to upskill yourself and expand your knowledge.

It can also affect how much money you can earn. According to the Government’s Graduate Labor Market Statistics, the average salary for grads was £38,500 per year, whereas postgrads earned an average of £45,000 per year. That’s a gigantic difference of £6,500.

Postgraduates were also hired slightly higher than graduates at 89.3%.

Change to a new career

That’s right! A Master’s degree is an opportunity to do something different. Many students use their postgraduate degrees to switch to an entirely new career. The trick here is to pay close attention to the entry requirements.

For example, if you studied drama at university, you might not be accepted into a science-based postgraduate program, unless you have some experience and proven passion within the field.

However, if you want to study an MA in applied linguistics, creative writing or even english literature – having a 2:1 or equivalent in drama is perfect.

Meet industry frontrunners

You’ll be invited to a barrage of events during your course. Some are not so relevant, and some are very relevant. Alums of your course who have gone on to become real Beyoncés of their industry are often invited back for guest lectures, seminars and networking mixers. It’s your chance to learn more about the industry and add contacts to your lil’ black book.

Not sure exactly what you’ll do after university, here are a few ideas to get you started.

What are the disadvantages of a Master’s degree?

While there are many upsides to studying for a Postgraduate degree, there are some aspects to consider before you take the leap.

Adding to your student debt

Another stint at university does mean additional student loans. While fees for Master’s degrees can vary, on average, you’re looking at an extra £11,000 for your course. The government now offers a Postgraduate loan of up to £12,167 to cover tuition fees and living costs. This does mean a heavy amount will be added to your overall student debt.

There are entry requirements

It’s not a disadvantage, but like all courses – there are entry requirements. This will ring especially true if you want to change to an entirely new subject.

For example, if you want to study for an MA in magazine journalism, you’ll need at least two weeks of work experience at a magazine or publishing house. Any medical course will require qualification from a medical undergraduate degree.

As a standard, all Master’s programmes expect you to hold a 2:1 in any subject. If you have a 2:2, that’s not an issue, but you’ll likely need to supplement that with work experience or other requirements. All-in-all, it’ll be a good idea to shop around.

You’re not guaranteed a job afterwards

While a Master’s degree rapidly increases your chances of post-study employment, it’s not a full guarantee. Job competition should be considered an Olympic sport. The ISE reported that there were 901,772 applications for graduate jobs last year, averaging around 89 applicants per role.

That shouldn’t be too much of a deterrent, though. There are ways to ensure you get even more of an edge over the competition. We’ll get into that next.

Will a Master’s degree get me a job?

While they’re not a requirement for all industries, a Master’s degree looks good on your CV, but it doesn’t automatically get you the job.

However, if you combine the perks of higher education alongside work experience…You’ll be unstoppable.

A placement year or an internship will allow you to put your career to the test while gaining invaluable experience before you graduate. Employers adore skills and want to see how you’ve used them, so work experience will be the best way to do that.

Some benefits include;

Improving graduate job prospects. When hunting for fresh graduate talent, companies often look within their student pool first. Work experience will get your name in their books.

Gaining practical experience. University tends to be very theory-based, so work experience will allow you to put everything you’ve learned into practice.

Building industry contacts. You’ll be working with industry giants and gain access to a breadth of knowledge and expertise.

Want to see what’s out there? We have hundreds of roles available now for you to get into.

How do I choose a Master’s degree?

There are plenty of ways to decide which course you want to take. At the forefront, you should always consider your career goals. Ask yourself some of the following questions…

• Do you have your eyes on a specific role?
• Do you see yourself becoming a manager?
• Are you going to learn something new?
• What are the requirements for working in your industry?
• Does my course already include a Master’s?

You’ll get a clearer idea of what postgraduate courses are out there. Also, speak to your career advisors or course leaders/lecturers. They’ll already have some idea of your experience and prospects.

If you’re already working, it might be a good idea to speak with your manager to see if they will sponsor you for a Master’s. This will only usually happen if it’s relevant to your work and benefits the company to do so. But there’s no harm in asking.

Whatever you decide to do, whether that’s a Master’s, some work experience or maybe even another undergraduate degree – it’ll all count towards helping you secure that all-important career.

Good luck!

The post Is a Master’s Degree Worth It? appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

While you probably won’t be sent into space to intercept an alien race heading for Earth (so sorry, Will), you’ll design and build some of the most important aircrafts and satellites with multiple uses, whether travel or defence.

Read on to learn more about what they do and how you can start a career as an aerospace engineer.

• What is aerospace engineering?
• What does an aerospace engineer do?
• How do I become an aerospace engineer?
• What skills do aerospace engineers need?
• How much do aerospace engineers get paid?

What is aerospace engineering?

If you’ve ever heard the expression ‘it’s not rocket science, you know’, this is! Aerospace engineering is a relatively modern branch of engineering that deals with the design and building of machines and crafts that fly or exist within the Earth’s atmosphere, including;

• Aeroplanes
• Gliders
• Helicopters
• Jets
• Spacesuits
• Satellites
• Weather prediction machines.

Types of Aerospace Engineering

While you’ll have a wide range of knowledge and expertise in aerospace engineering, there is plenty of opportunity to specialise. 

Aeronautical. These engineers focus their efforts on building and designing aeroplanes and rocket ships.

Astronautical. Here, engineers deal with the design, testing and development of spacecrafts.

Avionics. As an avionics engineer, you’ll design, test and maintain electrical systems found within aircraft.

Mechanical. These engineers focus solely on the mechanical aspects of aircraft design, usually engines.

What does an aerospace engineer do?

So now that you know what aerospace engineering is, what does an aerospace engineer do, and what does the typical day-to-day look like? Let’s get into it.

As an aerospace engineer, you design, build, and maintain various aircraft types. You’ll wear many hats, including developing parts and components, improving flight safety, and maximising fuel efficiency.

Meet Kat Voltage, a NASA engineer. In this video, she talks about her role and what it’s like to work for NASA.

Aerospace engineer responsibilities

The role is exciting on many levels. There’s no such thing as a dull day at the office in this job, as you’ll have several projects on the go. Your day-to-day responsibilities will vary, but some of them will include,

• Designing aircraft and propulsion systems
• Testing new designs to see if they meet customer requirements and safety standards
• Developing criteria for design methods
• Ensuring projects meet quality standards
• Inspecting malfunctioning or damaged products to identify sources of problems and possible solutions
• Investigating aircraft accidents
• Assessing the cost and reliability of projects.

How do I become an aerospace engineer?

Several routes are available to help you realise your dream of building a real-life USS Enterprise. Let’s look at what these are.

University degree

Having a degree will be a huge help, and there are loads of various subjects that’ll start you on your aerospace engineering path. Some of these include;

• Aeronautics
• Aerospace engineering
• Computing
• Design technology
• Mathematics
• Physics.

Employers usually ask for a 2:1 in aerospace engineering or a similar degree when you start looking for graduate or other roles.

Some aerospace engineering courses are accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), meaning you could work towards Chartered Engineering status during your career, giving you a considerable edge over others in your field.

If you’re not on an accredited course, you can still be a member of the RAeS. Membership is free for students if you’re in full-time education and intend on a career in aerospace. Some benefits include;

• Access to online training and podcasts
• One-to-one career guidance
• Help with CV and interview prep
• Dedicated scholarships, medals and award schemes
• Show off your membership on your LinkedIn profile.

If you’re studying and looking to gain some aerospace experience, the best way to do this is through an internship or placement. Read on to find out more.

Work experience

Why is work experience just so damn good? That’s a great question. Around 49% of students who take on a placement or internship are rehired by their employer. So it’s worth the effort to find one.

Getting work experience before you graduate will give you considerable bragging rights with employers. It will also look fantastic on your CV, and you’ll have extra cadet points over the competition.

Many employers are always looking for talented students like you to join them. Here are a few that offer aerospace engineering work experience.

Airbus

One of the world’s leading companies in space and aviation, Airbus provides the best in aerospace, defence, and connected services. They also run internships for students all over the world across several sectors, including;

• Engineering
• Finance
• HR
• IT
• Manufacturing
• Marketing
• PR
• Supply chain

“At Airbus, the atmosphere buzzes with innovation and collaboration. Teams united by a shared passion for aerospace excellence work seamlessly to tackle challenges. Open communication fosters creativity, nurturing talents and fostering a purposeful environment.”

Engineering Intern, Airbus.

BAE Systems

With a skilled workforce of over 93,000 people in around 40 countries, BAE Systems offers many work experience opportunities for students, including budding aerospace engineers.

“I very much enjoyed my Placement at BAE Systems in the Air Sector. Throughout the year I was able to experience a number of areas within engineering as the year-long industrial placement gives you the opportunity to take up three roles across the year. As the placement allowed me to change roles it meant that I was able to gauge what role I enjoyed most and what sort of discipline I would want to work in within the future.”

Aerospace Engineer, BAE Systems.

Want to know more about what aerospace engineering is like? Have a read of our expertly written student reviews.

What skills do aerospace engineers need?

To become the best aerospace engineer, you will need some skills. There are a ton of skills that you’ll already have and technical skills you’ll develop during your degree and work experience. Let’s have a look at some of these skills.

Are you looking to develop your skills? Here are eight skills you can pick up while at university.

How much do aerospace engineers get paid?

How much you earn as an aerospace engineer depends on various factors. This can be anything from level to years of experience.

If you’re at the work experience level, you could earn between £19,500 and £25,000 per year if you’re on an aerospace engineering placement, pro rata if you’re an intern.

Starting salaries range between £27,000 and £35,000 per year, and they can rise to up to £60,000+ per year as your expertise grows and you level up within your field.

If you’re ready to leap lightyears into a career in aerospace engineering or any other engineering role, we’ve got you covered.

The post What is an Aerospace Engineer? appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

Good on you for snapping up some cheeky work experience before the next academic year. It’ll go a long way in getting you prepped for a placement or graduate role and look great on your CV.

You’ve probably thought a bit about what your internship might be like, especially if it’s your first outing in the working world. No problem, that’s where we come in.

Here’s what to expect from a summer internship.

• Expect to be given responsibilities from day one
• Expect to be proactive
• Expect lots of summer fun
• Expect regular check-ins with your manager
• Expect not to be offered a full-time job at the end

Expect to be given responsibilities from day one

Usually, when people think of interns, they think of a very rushed and sweaty teen running around a city looking for two manuscripts of an unreleased book.

Whether your summer internship lasts one month or 12 weeks, you will get involved with various projects. This can either be one big project or a series of smaller ones. It’s very likely your name would’ve been put forward for projects before your start date.

“Most weeks I was mentoring one or several work experience students aged 16-18, giving them support in the tasks, Revit tutorials and watching their presentations. I calculated some beams and columns and was implementing them into the Revit model which I was working on most days to make it up to date and align with the architect’s model.”

Summer Student, Atkins

You’ll work on tasks that can range from small tasks to larger ones that’ll have a real impact on the business. Whether that’s scheduling appointments for the team you work on, shadowing a senior in a large meeting or sifting through and pinpointing data, you’ll have lots to do during your internship.

Expect to be proactive

Just because you find yourself twiddling your thumbs, doesn’t mean you should.

While there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of downtime, if you ever have a spare minute why not ask to help out? Employers adore interns who put themselves out there and actively look for tasks to get on with.

Speak to your manager and ask if there’s anything that needs doing or if there’s another department you could shadow for the day. It’s your internship, so you should do all you can to get the best out of it.

“I was really busy during my first rotation, did a lot of interesting work that also helped me a lot for my knowledge on the products and more administrative work at the second desk. This was less helpful for my skill set, but left some time to learn more about the products.”

Summer Analyst, Nomura

Expect lots of summer fun

It’s summer! Meaning there is much frolicking to be done. From BBQs to socials, the sunny season is a really good time to join a company.

Workplace summer parties are great because they give you a first-hand insight into the company culture. Plus, it’s a way to get to know your colleagues without the slightly awkward office chat.

Whether it’s a boat party, an afternoon at an escape room, or a very well-stocked picnic. Whatever the mode of celebration. GO! ATTEND! TAKE PART!

We love a summer social at RateMyPlacement, have a look at last year’s festivities at one of London’s many rooftop bars. The views were top-tier.

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A post shared by RMP Enterprise (@rmp_enterprise)

Expect regular check-ins with your manager

What’s any job without a good old one-to-one? These check-in meetings are SO important. They can last anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour.

Think of your one-to-one as your opportunity to bring up everything and anything with your manager. They can be as formal or informal as you both prefer, but ultimately they will be used to track progress during your summer internship.

During your catch-up meetings, you’ll do some or all of the following;

• Get feedback. This is a great way to get direct feedback on your work. Your manager will talk you through feedback and help you find ways to improve.
• Goal setting. Time is fleeting on a summer internship. So your manager will be on hand to help you meet any targets or personal goals while you’re there.
• Weekly actions. You’ll go through all the tasks you have for the week while going through last week’s tasks. This is to make sure you’re on task and if not, to help you prioritise.
• Your general well-being. These catch-ups aren’t all work. It’s also time to talk about yourself and how you’re doing, at work and outside.
• Team updates. While these likely happen during team or whole company meetings, you might get the heads up from your manager first.

Expect not to be offered a full-time job at the end

Summer internships are temporary. Meaning there’s no real promise of a full-time offer once your internship ends.

Sad as that may be, don’t look at it as a negative. During your internships, you will gain a wealth of knowledge and work experience that’s going to do you a lot of good when it comes to finding your dream job.

That’s not to say that your employer won’t forget you. Oftentimes, businesses will look at previous interns and placement students when it comes to hiring for graduate roles. So if you’ve made an impression, keep an eye on the phone.

There are some instances where you can be offered a full-time position. This is especially the case if you’re already out of university. Many employers use internships as a way to scope out and develop talent essentially making them role-ready.

No matter what, work hard and make the most of your summer internship. Want to know how?

Read How to make the most of your Summer Internship

A summer internship is a fantastic way of adding work experience notches to your CV. No matter what the role. Always put your best foot forward and be open to whatever happens during your internship. You never know where you’ll go.

Yet to find an internship? We have roles live right now for you to get stuck into. Apply now.

Good luck, and enjoy it.

The post What to Expect During Your Summer Internship appeared first on RateMyPlacement.

It takes some work, but thankfully, it is illegal to discriminate based on sexuality, gender expression and other characteristics in the UK. However, workplace discrimination can happen, and your safety should always be a priority.

There are a ton of employers, big and small, that have some incredible initiatives for LGBTQ+ people, but where to find them and how can you tell?

Here are five ways to tell if an employer is LGBTQ+-friendly.

• Check out their social media
• Speak to current employees
• Ask everything during your interview
• Check out Stonewall’s Top Employers
• Have a look at the employer’s policy
• Coming out at work

Check out their social media

Instagram and TikTok are really good sources of information, and you can use them to understand a company’s culture.

You’ll find that many employers will use social media to show off their achievements, the projects they’re working on and all the fun things they do in and out of the office. It’s the perfect opportunity to scope out whether they’ve ever done anything for the community or been involved in LGBTQ initiatives outside of using a rainbow flag during Pride.

Whether the company has speakers and educational leaders coming to lead workshops, marching at Pride every year or its own LGBTQ Network or society, these are fantastic indicators for an LGBTQ-friendly workplace.

Social media won’t tell you everything, so don’t be alarmed if nothing immediately stands out. You can always ask. How? Read on.

Speak to current employees

One of the best ways you’re going to find out if you’re joining a queer-friendly workplace is by talking to queer people who are already there. You might feel like a stalker, but trust us when we say this is a very common thing to do.

But where do you find them? LinkedIn will be your bestie. There are loads of LGBTQ networks you can join, and it will be a great place to start. 

For example, the LGBTQ Professional Network has over 80,000 members. You can look through the members list. Or even just using the search feature on LinkedIn.

Always give a quick introduction to who you are and ask permission before launching into a game of 20 questions. But they will be able to give you a candid look into what it’s like to be LGBTQ in a particular workplace.

Ask everything during your interview

An interview isn’t just for employers. It’s also your chance to find out more about the company and determine if they’re right for you. 

While you’re not obliged at any point to come out during the application process, it could be your earliest opportunity to ‘test the waters’ and directly ask about their D&I initiatives or general questions about leadership and current resources.

Some questions can be answered by doing your own company research. However, it’s good to talk to someone. Here are some examples of questions you can ask;

• What identities are represented in leadership?
• What do you do during and outside of Pride Month for LGBTQ+ employees?
• Do you participate in any community events throughout the year?

Remember, it’s not about trying to catch an employer out. By law, employers are supposed to be inclusive. So, if there isn’t much going on, at the very least, these questions will light a fire under their bonnets.

Check out Stonewalls’ Top Employers

Just like we have our Best Student Employers, the charity Stonewall has its very own list of 100 employers who have done fantastic work for LGBTQ+ employees.

The list is made up of submissions from companies all over the UK for Stonewall’s UK Equality Workplace Index. It allows employers to measure workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ people.

Companies such as Unilever, Sky UK, Clifford Chance and KPMG have made the list. Click below to find out who else made it and more about all the great initiatives these companies have in place.

Have a look at the employer’s policies

Although it’s not a strict legal requirement, many employers will have an Equal Opportunities Policy.

Think of this document as a promise to all current and future staff members that there are equal opportunities and fair treatment for all people regardless of;

• Age
• Disability
• Gender
• Marital Status
• Pregnancy
• Race
• Religion or Beliefs
• Sex.

The policy will also outline what procedures are in place to combat any discrimination that arises within a workplace.

Many companies have this document outlined on their company website, while others have made these available for employees through a handbook. You can always ask HR for a copy if you can’t find it on their website.

These are just five of them, but there are many other ways to vet companies. Including,

• Attending careers fairs
• Talking to your friends and family members
• Does the company include pronouns in their email signatures?
• Healthcare benefits that include cover from transitions.

Your workplace shouldn’t be somewhere you dread going, and it is 100% up to the employer to ensure that the working environment is safe, welcoming and encouraging.

No matter where you are in your career journey, whether on the job hunt or still on campus, there are loads of resources for LGBTQ students (and beyond) to help you.

The Be You Project

The Proud Trust

Switchboard

Stonewall

National Student Pride

Coming out at work

Coming out can be super affirming and liberating. It’s also extremely daunting if you’re not sure.

Hear a little bit from me (alright now, cameo) about coming out at work.

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The post 5 Ways To Tell If An Employer is LGBTQ+ Friendly appeared first on RateMyPlacement.