The top career plans of Loughborough College degree students were given a boost recently with a taste of real life recruitment.
Representatives from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, Her Majesty’s Courts Service and the Insolvency Service put Business Management, Events Management and Hospitality Management
undergraduates at the College through their paces at the full day employability event.
The first year BA students had been presented with a range of genuine advertised jobs including as a Corporate International Events Sales Graduate for a multinational events company whose clients include Google, BP and Pfizer; Operations Graduate with Boots and for the Future Leaders Programme at the Intercontinental Hotel Group. Each was then tasked with developing their CV and a cover letter before on the day facing a panel interview for the job they had applied for, as well as taking part in a group task assessment.
“The support we had from HMRC , HMCS and the Insolvency Service in assessing the group activity and as interview panel members was outstanding,” said Loughborough College Business Management degree lecturer and course manager Iqbal Ullah, who organized and led the event with HE Employment Advisor Neelum Savania.
“We had taken the 22 students through lectures, workshops and coaching in advance to ensure they produced a high quality application and they had developed a range of key skills to fully prepare them for the day – just as we do for all our undergraduates when they apply and interview for internships and jobs. And the feedback we received both from our students and the volunteers who assessed them was excellent.”
“I was very nervous leading up to the event but I learnt so much about my capabilities in a professional setting and I surprised myself with what I was able to achieve with preparation,” said Business and Management Degree student Emma Dibb.
“The group task saw us being given a scenario of a sinking ship with us having to choose which passengers we would save. This was nothing like I have experienced before but the group got stuck in and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.
“I am truly grateful for the advance help I received with how to write a CV and cover letter and how to conduct myself in an interview setting from Neelum, Iqbal and the Higher Education team and to the external volunteers for giving up their time to contribute to what was a fantastic day. It was a great opportunity and the whole process has given me knowledge and skills which I will keep with me for the future.”
Courtney York, who is studying towards a BA (Hons) in Event Management, agreed: “We were thrown in at the deep end but we had been fully prepared so everyone really rose to the challenge.
“The group activity provoked lots of lively debate as everyone expressed their views and I think we all had a good level of confidence going into the interviews. Having the support from the volunteers meant we were getting the real deal in terms of experience and they were so reassuring and helpful it boosted our confidence even further.
“The coaching and guidance we have received is going to be invaluable as we approach graduation.”
Tanuja Parmar, a section manager at Leicester Magistrates Court and one of the volunteers at Loughborough College’s HE Employability Event added: “From meeting all the staff to interacting with the students I loved it all so much. I am really proud of what the students are trying to achieve and all their efforts towards making a great future for themselves - and knowing that I was part of their development makes me happy.”
Pictured at Loughborough College’s HE Employability Event (left to right): Iqbal Ullah, Neelum Savania, Balvinder Dhoofer (HMCTS): Tanuja Parmar (HMCTS): Priti Devabhai (Insolvency Service): Adam Jewell (HMRC)