[Advice] Give your career a boost with these useful guides

As an international student (or a prospective international student) you may be wondering how to use your new qualification to enhance your position in the job market.

Finding work after you graduate can seem daunting - it can be hard to know the labour market and what you should aim for.

These guides produced by NASES might help:
http://www.nases.org.uk/students/content/index.php?page=235123

They provide a useful introduction to each country and give details of resources for job seekers. They'll also be useful to you if you are considering working in a country other than your own after you graduate.

NASES also have more content for international students about working part-time in the UK: http://www.nases.org.uk/students/content/index.php?page=234963

Stuart

[Info] Cardiff University visits Hong Kong, Brunei and Thailand

From: Jon Wright, International Officer (pictured last year in Hong Kong).

If you would like to find out more information about studying at Cardiff University I will be visiting Southeast Asia in late January and early February to meet students and answer any questions you have.

If you would like to know more about the courses Cardiff University offers, how to apply and what it is like to live in the dynamic and multi-cultural city of Cardiff, come along to see me.

Details of my visit:

Hong Kong

Thursday 28th January
Interviews at EducationUK (3:00 – 7:00)
Venue: 303, Hollywood Commercial House, 3-5 Old Bailey Street, Central, Hong Kong
More information

Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st January
Education UK Exhibition (1:00 – 7:00)
Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Brunei - Bandar Seri Begawan

Tuesday 2nd February
HRDs Exhibition (1:00 – 7:00)
Venue: The Empire Hotel and Country Club

Wednesday 3rd February
Education UK Exhibition (1:00 – 7:00)
Venue: The Rizqun International Hotel

Thailand – Bangkok

Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th February
Education UK Exhibition (12:00 – 6:00)
Venue: Le Royal Meridien, Plaza Athinee

Monday 8th February
HandsOn interview day (10:00 – 5:00)
More information

Tuesday 9th February
Mentor interview day (2:00 – 4:00)
More information

I look forward to meeting you soon.

Jon

[Info] Cardiff visiting Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and UAE

If you are interested in studying at Cardiff, or have an offer for a course, you should meet Cardiff University this January in the Middle East.

Rhys Evans, Senior International Officer (pictured last year in Saudi Arabia), will be visiting Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and UAE to meet students, give more information about Cardiff and provide advice about making an application.

Dates, times and venues below.

Bahrain
Thursday 14th January (10:30 - 13:00, 16:00 - 21:00)
Venue: Shearaton Bahrain Hotel, Manama.

Kuwait
Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st January (17:00 - 21:00 both days)
Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kuwait City.

Saudi Arabia
Tuesday 26th - Thursday 28th January (10:00 - 13:00, 16:30 - 21:00)
Friday 29th January (16:30 - 21:00)
Venue: Riyadh International Exhibition Centre, Riyadh.

UAE - Abu Dhabi
Saturday 16th January (17:00 - 21:00)
Venue: Abu Dhabi Men's College, Abu Dhabi.

UAE - Dubai
Sunday 17th January & Monday 18th January (17:00 - 21:00)
Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai.

Read this post in Arabic.

Stuart

[Advice] Getting help with your application

2010 is here and you may be starting to think about making an application, or getting your application documents in order.

For most courses there is still lots of time to apply for September 2010 but if you are thinking about applying, you may like to get some advice.

Cardiff University has a trusted network of advisors worldwide. They provide free advice and will also submit your application for you.

They have years of experience of helping students come to Cardiff and are especially useful if you want to talk to someone in your own country or language. They also arrange appointments with Cardiff University representatives when they visit overseas and will help you with all the necessary arrangements prior to your arriving at the University.

A list of all our educational advisors is available on the International Office website:
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/for/prospective/inter/study/howtoapply/educationaladvisors/index.html

Of course if you should need any help with your application, or just want to ask a question, you can also email us: international@cardiff.ac.uk or ask us a question on one of our social networking sites: Facebook, Orkut or Friendster.

Stuart

[Advice] Improving your job prospects at university

Most students come to study in the UK because it will help improve their job prospects. Even if you have not chosen a career, you will want to know you are being prepared for work and that after your degree you will have opportunities and options.

I thought it would be useful therefore to give you a few general recommendations about how you can improve your job prospects while you’re at university.

1. Choose a top university with a worldwide reputation.
Studying at a top university will give your degree extra recognition from employers. It’s good to check with people already in the industry - they might be able to give you advice on the good schools for their area. You can see Cardiff’s high rankings and worldwide impact on the Research website: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/rae/results/

2. Study hard.
It may seem obvious but applying yourself and making the most of opportunities will give you an extra-edge over other candidates. Extra-curricular activities like guest lectures, field trips and additional seminars will broaden your knowledge and provide networking opportunities.

3. Maximise your potential.
In the work-place it is important that you can be creative and apply your knowledge effectively. Cardiff offers ‘Student Enterprise’ – a free programme designed to give you the opportunity to develop and practise entrepreneurial and business skills: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/enterprise

4. Get advice and meet employers.
Job-hunting can be tricky and even seasoned professionals need some advice. Most universities offer careers advice. Cardiff’s Careers Service has a specialist international adviser who can offer assistance on choosing a career, interview techniques and improving your CV/ résumé. At Cardiff we also have a regular programme of events where potential employers come to campus and meet students.

5. Enhance your résumé.
Employers don’t want robots. They want interesting people who are driven and able to work in teams. Your employment prospects are enhanced if you can demonstrate your talents outside of academia. You can, for example, get involved with a student society or join the Student Volunteering Unit. You can find out more about student societies on the Students' Union website: http://www.cardiffstudents.com/activities/societies

6. Get experienced.
Work experience is a great way to show you can apply your studies. You can get work experience by taking a part-time job, or opting for an undergraduate degree with a year in industry. The Careers Service also runs some ‘taster’ sessions and these are very popular.

7. Network and build lifelong friendships.
Cardiff University has 27,000 students, more than 3,000 from outside the EU and more than 5,500 staff. Professors and other staff will offer you advice and direction. Other students, both from your own country and other countries, can also provide valuable insights.

Do you have other ideas? Any good tips you can pass on to other students? Comment below.

Stuart