OXFORD

C
GAINING EXPERIENCE + DEVELOPING SKILLS
HOW RECRUITERS SUPPORT EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
Recruiters are very keen to raise their profile
with applicants from all backgrounds and to
dispel perceptions that may deter applications
(see page 16 and page 42). The best way to assess whether
their projected image is ‘reality or myth’ is to speak with
current employees. A useful starting point can be the ‘buddy
and mentor’ groups or forums (eg, LGBT and BAME forums)
which many organisations now promote.
An increasing variety of organisations are also establishing
internship programmes, Insight Days and networking events
and mentoring opportunities to encourage a greater diversity
of applications. These will be focused on groups that an
organisation feels is under-represented in their employee
profile, so check what is available in the industries that you
are most interested in. There may be opportunities for those
from lower socio-economic backgrounds or focused around
gender, ethnicity or sexuality.
You could also explore specialist organisations that support
candidates from under-represented groups such as Creative
Access, SEO London or Rare or look for programmes run by
a specific employers, such as the Civil Service Fast Stream’s
Summer Diversity Internship Programme.
INSIGHT DAYS / OPEN DAYS
Some organisations advertise Insight Days, giving students
talks and tours at their place of work. These are often offered
to help students who are interested in the industry make a
more informed application, but are not offered in all sectors.
In a similar vein, many major graduate recruiters will run
company presentations and host socials in Oxford (particularly
in Michaelmas Term), where you can learn about the
organisation, their recruitment processes and meet their staff
– very often recent Oxford alumni – who can offer valuable
insights from their experiences.
WORK SHADOWING
Shadowing is a short period of time spent observing in a
possible career might suit you, yet you don’t have to have
the skills needed to actively participate in the work. For this
reason, formal shadowing programmes are often offered in
participate, such as health professions or teaching.
industry. Contact the organisation or individual you’d like
to observe, and ask! If they aren’t able to help, you could
ask whether anyone might be willing to meet with you over
coffee to help you learn more about the work they do (see
Networking pp.18-20).
SPRING WEEKS / SPRING INSIGHT
PROGRAMMES
In an increasing range of sectors, organisations with
larger graduate intakes now run one- or two-week insight
on a four-year course. These discovery programmes often
happen around Easter and usually have their own application
process. In addition to offering participants industry insights
and the chance to meet recent graduate recruits, they
frequently include some skills development, advice on
applications and may lead directly to offers for summer
internships in your penultimate year of study. Some accept
applications in Michaelmas, so start looking early!
VACATION AND SEASONAL WORK
Seasonal jobs can provide money, an insight into an industry
and demonstrate your adaptability and skills. They are
often advertised in the few months preceding a vacation.
They might be found on local employment websites, the
organisations own website, through temping agencies, wordof-mouth
or by signs on organisation premises. You might
also be interested in organisations which offer seasonal work
abroad (such as Work Away or WWOOF), some of which run
on an accommodation-for-work (work exchange) basis.
PERSONAL PROJECT
Depending on your goals, you might want to generate your
own experience. It could be:
] Managing a ‘fantasy fund’ to demonstrate your passion for
] Creating a piece of work to add to your artistic portfolio.
] Starting an entrepreneurial or charitable endeavour.
] Using your technological skills to code a new website/app/
game.
See if there are any local organisations that might be
interested in using your project to help their work, or giving it
publicity. Working with other organisations will give you new
contacts and might lead toward referrals as well as increasing
the scope for your project. These could all be added to your
CV under ‘Relevant Experience’ or ‘Projects.
Clarissa Pabi
More information:
Senior Digital Marketing Executive,
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/tsc
Penguin Random House
"After graduating I secured a year-long
internship with Penguin Random House
via Creative Access, a charity that
provides talented young people from
under-represented Black, Asian and
Minority Ethnic backgrounds with paid
internships at the UK’s top media organisations. Aside
from all the great things I got directly from the company
during my internship, the supportive infrastructure
Creative Access provided me with has been, and
continues to be, invaluable.
Creative Access have given me the opportunity to meet
other interns and senior leaders in different creative
industries at monthly masterclasses: these gave me a
holistic experience of the creative industry. This has been
essential because the industry is becoming more and
more integrated, and the masterclasses have informed
the way I work and think in my roles at Penguin Random
House."
(See Clarissa’s career profile on p.155)
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www.careers.ox.ac.uk