As the beginning of exam season is on the horizon and students are feeling the end of the academic year approaching, the looming pressure of whether they have a graduate job or a placement secured is something that is felt within many student communities. This article highlights the importance of graduating with strong career prospects as well as being 'professionally ready' and it resonated with me and the kind of work that I do with my team at Henley Careers, with our students, in order to prepare them for the workplace. 

Whatever the degree is that a student does, ultimately finding a job is a high priority for the majority. We are in a fortunate and somewhat unique position in the UK whereby there are many different graduate roles that students can go into, with any degree discipline, as long as they meet the various grade requirements. Professional Services and Law are common examples of industry sectors that value and recognise transferable skills. So, how do the employers know that the student will be capable of the role, if they aren't required to have prior experience or knowledge? This is where the piece on being professionally ready comes in as well as knowing how to tackle the various recruitment processes, or should I say how to jump through the various hoops. But, how can students gain this knowledge and the skills to do this?

And who's job is it to ensure that students graduate being professionally ready, at the standard that employers expect? If employers complain that they can't recruit graduates with the skills that they need, then surely this is a niche to tap into for University careers' teams, to give their students the 'edge' above other students. This is what we are doing at Henley Careers. The article mentions about training elements being 'employer-led'. However, it doesn't need to be this necessarily. We are a Careers team made up of individuals who have been recruiters in top Professional Services and IT firms as well as banks, and we are trained Careers Coaches, so we can deliver up to date recruitment advice and facilitate preparation sessions, as well as provide careers coaching. 

By doing a Placement, be it a summer or a year long opportunity, and engaging with employers throughout the degree, students can gain the skills and experience required, in order to graduate ready to enter the workplace, and demonstrate to the employers that they are professionally ready, and why they should hire them.