Hello there, I’m Alejandra, a student of MSc Nutrition and Behaviour from Colombia. When pursuing a postgraduate degree abroad, it’s important to understand the local market, the global trends, and know how to promote yourself in your professional field. One of my biggest dreams is to find a job I truly love, which would help me improve not only as a professional but also as a person. This is why, from the beginning of term, I went to the careers service at BU to find experts who know a lot about professional fields and employers. They organise events on campus, promote networking, give personal advice and guide you through the process of finding the right job or placement, among other tips and resources.

Looking for a part-time job, placement or graduate job?

Firstly, if you like technology, MyCareerHub is a great online platform. It includes a job vacancy database which you can browse in order to find opportunities at a local, national and even international level. My favourite thing about the website is that it is easy to use and you can find plenty of interesting online resources that can help you understand many documents.

Why not go abroad?

Another way of looking for job opportunities provided by the careers centre is GoinGlobal, a huge database that displays job opportunities from all around the world, and includes useful information about the local culture. I was particularly interested in this website, and I attended a webinar on how to make the most of it. I can tell you that it’s an amazing tool, easy to use, and gives you access to millions of employers.

Don’t miss the events

If you haven’t got the time to explore these databases by yourself, then you should definitely go to the Careers Fairs organised throughout the year, where you could potentially meet your future employer. I have been to most of the Fairs and they have really helped me to understand what is out there, allowed me to talk to employers and comprehend more about what they truly do.

What’s next?

Once you find an opportunity that you like, you still have guidance through the next steps of the process. You will probably be confronted with interviews and different assessments depending on your field, but a great way to succeed and feel more confident is to participate in any of the workshops offered by the Careers Centre. The topics vary from how to write a cover letter/CV, filling in application forms and even using LinkedIn (which is fundamental nowadays) among others. You can also find all these resources online, which is very useful. You can also book face-to-face or virtual appointments for advice on numerous topics.

What’s available for international students?

The Careers Centre has a special approach for international students. They have developed different workshops and online employability resources specifically for international students. These cover topics such as writing your CV and cover letter in a UK style, mock interviews and workshops in understanding the UK job market and also how to work with a Tier 4 Visa, which was really helpful.

Finally, they have links to other interesting activities that can enhance your CV and experience in general. Extracurricular activities such as volunteering, the Global Talent Programme (GTP) and getting a part-time job are some of the options available to you to enhance your professional experience before getting an actual job. Don’t think twice and be sure to take advantage of the work opportunities offered at BU.