There are a wide range of opportunities to improve your skills and attributes. In a competitive graduate job market it is important to stand out from the crowd. Here are just some you could consider:
Get involved in student activities
Societies, sports clubs and other student groups – The University of Aberdeen has a huge variety of student societies, clubs and groups – some linked to degree subjects, some political or based on shared interests. Joining these is not only good fun but also looks great on your CV, particularly if you are elected to committee positions. Have a look at the AUSA website and the list of medical student societies to find out more.
Representing your fellow students as either a Class Rep or as a member of the Student Council is another great way to build you skills, confidence and make a difference to others, too!
You can add all of these activities to your MySkills portfolio.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to gain valuable skills and, for some careers such as nature conservation or psychology, this is an excellent way to get started with building your experience. You can think about volunteering part-time alongside your studies, during your holidays or even after you have graduated, for example, during or as part of a gap year.
There are also many opportunities to volunteer on campus. For example, the Buddy Scheme is a great way to boost your employability skills and help new students as they settle into life at university.
Find out more about your options with our volunteering resources.
Go abroad
Undertaking study or work experience abroad as part of your degree demonstrates initiative and independence to employers and postgraduate recruiters. The University offers a variety of options and programmes such as the Turing Scheme and the International Exchange Programme which has partners in countries including Australia, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and the USA.
The Go Abroad website gives details of what is available for your degree programme and level of study.
Find work experience
Vacation work, placements and internships are great ways to develop your employability skills – but don’t underestimate part-time jobs either. For further details on the range of opportunities available and how to make the most of work experience, visit the jobs and work experience section.