UK Training Industry Press Releases

Psychology student lands job in learning support at local school

Anglia Ruskin University is helping graduates from any university to get the practical skills they need to secure jobs as a result of its Graduate Employment Sessions, the very latest initiative from the Survive & Thrive programme.

Since graduating last month with a degree in Psychology from the University of Northampton, Rebecca Howlett has applied for over 15 jobs. She said: ‘It was really frustrating; I wasn't getting interviews because I didn't have any experience, but when I went for supermarket or cleaning work I was dismissed as over-qualified.'

Rebecca heard about the graduate employment session at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford from her Dad. The free two-hour session is delivered by an experienced team from Anglia Ruskin's Employability Service and covers skills assessment, CVs, applications, job search, networking and interview techniques. Rebecca attended one of the sessions in July and remarked: ‘I thought I knew all there was to know about CV's, covering letters and interviews but attending the session I realised I didn't know anything!'

Rebecca put her new skills into practise the following week at a job interview for

a Learning Support Assistant at Felsted Preparatory School near Braintree. ‘Using the interview techniques I learnt in the graduate employment session, I was able to structure and articulate my answers clearly. I think I came across well in the interview, and much more confident than I actually was. I'm over the moon that I got the job, I start in September.'

The session takes place at 2pm every Wednesday until 1 September 2010 at the Chelmsford campus. It's open to graduates, postgraduates or undergraduate students from any UK university, who currently live in the East of England and are eligible to work in the UK. There's also a ‘What about self-employment?' session on 25 August 2010.

Anyone who books a place on a session and attends will get entered into a draw to win an iPod Touch.

Book your free place by calling 0845 196 3177 or email surviveandthrive@anglia.ac.uk. There's more information on www.anglia.ac.uk/surviveandthrive/graduates

Ends

The session is fully funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England's Economic Challenge Investment Fund to help graduates get into employment.

What's Survive & Thrive about?

In response to the recession, experts at Anglia Ruskin are offering a comprehensive programme of support, aimed at helping businesses, individuals, graduates and start-ups to weather the economic storm. The Survive and Thrive programme is heavily subsidised for people located in the East of England. Activities are planned right up to September 2010. To keep up to date with future events and activities sign up to receive alerts by emailing surviveandthrive@anglia.ac.uk with your name, organisation name and email address.

The Research, Development & Commercial Services (RDCS) team acts as an interface between Anglia Ruskin University and business, the public sector and government agencies, charities, non-profit organisations and funding entities to support the transfer of knowledge and technology to private and public bodies to improve their performance and operations.

Anglia Ruskin University is passionate about the advancement of knowledge and the education of students, and we pride ourselves on taking university education in imaginative new directions.  Our key contribution is to the enhancement of social, cultural and economic well being.  We have two main campuses, in Cambridge and Chelmsford, with over 28,000 students and 1,000 academic staff.

For more press information please contact:

Andrea Hilliard on t: 0845 196 4727, e: andrea.hilliard@anglia.ac.uk

Alison Baker on t: 01284 703357, m: 07771 658 612,

e: alisonbakerpr@aol.com