'So you didn't get into a 'top' university? How do you make yourself attractive to top corporations?'

Whilst working as a student ambassador, I spoke to a college student who told me ' I have applied to Warwick University as it has moved from 4th to 3rd in the league table for my accountancy course'. While Warwick University is ranked as one of the top ten universities by the Guardian, should ranking really be the only factor considered when choosing a university? I can see why he thinks this. With stretched recruitment budgets, and such a competitive graduate job market, top corporations primarily target these universities. The Highfliers Report 2013 shows that students from the top ten universities have the highest earning potential and are the most likely to gain a graduate position in a top corporation. I attend the University of Worcester, which is currently ranked 107th. When starting university, I thought 'how can I make myself attractive to top corporations and compete with students from top universities?' It is all to do with being able to demonstrate that you have the relevant skills, that match the company's competencies.Any student, from any university can do this and this article will show you how!

1. Research the companies competencies: While perusing many a corporation's website, I have noticed that they are all looking for similar competencies. This is supported by The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Service (AGCAS) which shows the top five skills all employers are looking for are: commercial awareness, teamwork, communication skills,flexibility and integrity.
2. Develop experiences to show that you have these relevant competencies: University is not just about studying. While gaining the proverbial 2:1 is necessary for top corporations, extra-curricular activities are necessary to demonstrate relevant skills. A few I have got involved with are: Student academic representative, The Bright Futures Society, Mentor Link and the SAP Project. 
3. Present these experiences using the STAR method: Situation,Task, Action, Result. Recruiters have limited time and do not want to read pages of waffle. STAR is a way to effectively and concisely put forward what skills you have gained from an experience. This method should be used in your CV and when answering competency-based interview questions. Here is a CV example:

"Mentor Link (February 2011- July 2013):
I volunteered as a mentor for Mentor Link. I built relationships, with the mentees, in order to help them set goals and achieve them. I set goals using 'wish charts' to help improve their behaviour. I have received positive feedback from the mentees and the school. The mentees have moved from
special needs classes to mainstream classes. From this volunteering, I have achieved my V100 award from Vinspired."

In my opinion, the only difference between students at higher and lower ranking universities is the ability to follow these three simple rules. So my advice would be to attend a university that you want to attend and not to be restricted and worried about league tables. Attending an 107th ranked
university has not stopped me. I have received offers to attend assessment centres from top corporations such as: Lloyds Banking Group, Microsoft, Siemens and PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

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We both took part in an appreciative inquiry as Student and Institute Representatives and presented our findings at the 5th Annual Employability Conference.  

Detailed Project Report:

'How has the University supported you in achieving your potential? In particular with regard to the PHUEC course?'

The University has supported people in achieving their potential through providing a HCPC approved course, which upon completion, allows you to register as a Paramedic. The PHUEC course at the University of Worcester is unique in comparison to other university Paramedic courses as it allows you to learn skills in the classroom at the beginning of the week and then practice these skills out on placement later on in the same week. This is a different approach to block learning, where you can be out on placement for up to six weeks at a time. The way these placements are delivered in a unique fashion works well because you are in continual contact with the University and West Midlands Ambulance Service, therefore it allows you to become integrated into the service. You also build up a rapport with your peers and can share experiences with one another on a regular basis, which may not be possible if you were on block placements. You also get the opportunity to meet a variety of different Paramedic mentors, so you can experience similar, yet different approaches to how a variety of mentors handle situations.

‘Can you tell me about an occasion when a member of University staff helped you?’

The lecturers at the University are very helpful and will go over and beyond their expectations. A particular time that individuals remember is when the lecturers have put on extra classes during their own time to allow us to practice certain skills in preparation for OSCE’s. This has involved hiring equipment and rooms, which has been kindly prearranged by the tutor in advance.

A few students commented that they had trouble with the allocation of their practice placements and that a certain member of staff took control over the situation and resolved it quickly before it became a problem.

A particular student commented that they did not perform as well as they would have liked to during one of the summative in-class examinations. The tutor allocated their time to put this students mind at ease. They sat down with the student and went through their answers on the test paper. Although the lecturer could not offer an alternative examination, the student commented that they felt reassured by the tutors help and left the tutorial feeling positive and optimistic for the next in-class examination.

Students' opinions on how to be successful at university

Demii Moore I would say get a part time job and network with as many employers as possible. For example my boss has connections with someone in finance and now there's a possibility I could have a placement there.

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Check List for Starting University

1. Attend Freshers Fair and join as many societies as you can. Join some for socialising and meeting like minded people and some for career progression. 
2. Attend events during Freshers Week as it is a chance to experience new things and make friends.
3. Get involved with schemes such as: student academic representatives, students' union and the university's newspaper.
4. Read through module outlines so you know what is expected of you in terms of assessments/deadlines.
5. Go and visit the Hive and play around with Summon so you can find out how to borrow books and find journal articles. 
6. Find out where the local supermarket is, so you can get some nutrients!
7. Look in the Peirson Building to find out about local jobs, or use the Job Pod.