Seven students from the University of Aberdeen will gain valuable ‘hands-on’ experience in a new scheme which underlines the Institution’s commitment to ensuring graduates meet the needs of employers.
As part of Curriculum Reform, which has seen sweeping changes to the undergraduate curriculum - to modernise the structure, content, delivery and flexibility of degrees to ensure they match the needs of graduates and employers – the Aberdeen Internship has been created.
A key tenet of Curriculum Reform is to increase the number of work placements available to students but in many traditional degree routes, such as the arts and humanities, placements have not historically formed part of the degree experience.
To address this, the Careers Service devised a scheme to develop a range of paid and pastorally supported summer vacation placements within the University’s administrative functions.
Seven projects were created ranging from a redeployment project in Human Resources to roles in the Alumni Office and new Student Centre.
The successful candidates took up their new roles yesterday (June 14). They are:
· Simon Cleary, MA (Economics/Mathematics), Stirling, who will work in Alumni relations
· Ellen Keenan O’Malley, LLB (Law), Surrey, who will work in external affairs
· Marta Tomaszewska, (MA Accountancy/Hispanic Studies), Poland, who will work in Finance
· Kirsty Cooper, LLB (Law), Ellon, who will work in Human Resources
· Stuart Mason, BSc (Computing Science), Ellon, who will work in Research and Innovation
· Laura Copley, MA (International Relations/Anthropology), Stroud, for the Student Centre
· Tessa Birley, MA (Geography/IR), Edinburgh, who will work in the Student Centre
A high number of applications were received and the Careers Service was kept busy helping those eligible for the scheme – undergraduates in their penultimate year of study – to polish their CVs and brush up on interview skills.
The interns will be in post until September and in addition to their day-to-day roles will complete a Learning Log via the University’s virtual learning environment.
This has been developed by the Careers Service and allows them to record their weekly activities and any new skills they have learned along the way, culminating in a skills grid which can help them with their CV at the end of the scheme.
Peter Fantom, Head of Careers Service, University of Aberdeen, said: “The Aberdeen Internship demonstrates the University of Aberdeen’s strong commitment to developing work placement opportunities for its students, particularly in a difficult financial climate, and provides students with opportunities to enhance their employability, personal development and networking opportunities.
“We hope the interns enjoy their placements and are confident they will equip them with the graduate attributes sought by the University and by business.”