Navigating my Career Path

Written by: Fariha Bham

Upon entering my second year, I was certain about pursuing a placement, especially after gaining experience through internships and volunteer work in Pakistan. During my first year at INTO (a pathway program for international students), I dedicated my time to attending classes, adjusting to life in the UK, and preparing for the upcoming year. I aimed to gain a variety of skills, both new and improved. For students who are unsure about their future, I recommend exploring the Making Career Choices page.  

Exploring opportunities and resources  

The business school promotes various experiences to develop a truly global perspective. You can explore opportunities to study abroad for a semester or a full academic year at one of their exchange partner universities, do a work placement, or engage in a short-term internship, summer school, or virtual exchange. It is typically pursued following the second stage. It can be extremely helpful to learn about new cultures, make connections with people around the world, and improve important skills.  

In September, I began my journey by using the MyCareer service, a website provided by Newcastle University for students to use for up to 3 years after graduation. It offers various features such as searching for vacancies, exploring the employer dictionary, booking appointments, signing up for workshops, finding employer events, and accessing career information and resources.

I have actively participated in CV and guidance appointments, both in-person and online. I have also taken part in workshops like Sage accountancy, explored volunteer opportunities at Oxfam, gained insights into banking through Jargon Busters from Barclays, and attended a placement application workshop at P&G.   

Make sure you sign up for the employability team's email and Canvas updates, so you do not miss any of the events happening throughout the semester. To stay up to date on all things relating to employment, follow relevant social media profiles. I find that following @ncl_business, @nclcareers, @libraryncl, and, of course, @newcastleuni on Instagram helps me stay up to date. Regular updates via email also keeps me informed of activities and events happening on campus which is helpful to avoid missing any good opportunities.   

Gaining insights and inspiration  

In October and November, I attended the Recruitment and Placements Fair, which helped me learn more about different companies, their mandates, and the opportunities they offer. I also attended a seminar discussing the placement and study abroad experiences of alumni during their undergraduate studies. I learned valuable tips for applying from employer perspectives, which helped me narrow down the career path I want to pursue. This was one of the most enlightening resources in my journey to discover my life goals.

Realising the importance of enhancing my CV and gaining practical experience in the UK, I decided to review the LinkedIn profiles of alumni to learn about their current positions and professional backgrounds. I searched by region, subject of study, and career to identify success stories of alumni who studied at the Newcastle University Business School.  You can also use NCL Spark to connect with alumni, seek career guidance, and build a professional network. I have only now discovered this platform and intend to use it in the future.  

Building experience and skills  

I began my search for opportunities on the Newcastle University website, where I discovered Jobs on Campus. It is a part of the careers service and gives students the chance to gain work experience on campus. However, my journey began at NEST where I started as a volunteer and my dedication to the engagement department eventually led to a marketing leadership position. Even though it was an unpaid opportunity, I saw it as a stepping stone to progress further in the business field.

Following that, I began applying for numerous opportunities, ensuring that I only applied if I was genuinely interested. This approach led me to secure roles as an EDI representative, Business Ambassador, and UniBuddy Ambassador. These roles helped me gain confidence, improve my communication skills, expand my network, and learn to be more patient.  

Challenges  

Peak placement times make it challenging to secure appointments, which is when I discovered the Employability Hub. I took advantage of the drop-in sessions for speedy CV and cover letter reviews, along with tips for interviews.  After applying for different campus opportunities and placements, I received multiple rejections and attended several interviews. Not only that, but it was also hard to balance my health, my social life, and my academic obligations with other activities.  

Achieving the dream placement  

It took a lot of hard work and determination, but I finally got my dream placement in Manchester, which is one of the biggest cities in the UK. Alongside my role, I also became a Brand Ambassador for the well-known company Sage. Now that I have secured these, I want to further improve my skills by using LinkedIn Learning, which is free for students at Newcastle University.