23 January 2009

Dundee offers UK's first internship graduate certificates

The University of Dundee Careers Service has become the first in the UK to offer graduates an internship certificate which will allow them greater access to industry after the end of their studies and boost their CVs.

Just last week the UK Government outlined internship programmes as being a vital cog in easing the path for graduates to move into employment.

The Scottish Internship Graduate Certificate (SIGC) being offered the Careers Service at Dundee is a post graduate certificate consisting of three credit-bearing Modules and offers a six month placement with a high profile employer within Scotland.

'It is anticipated that the internship will give students a real advantage in terms of being noticed by Scottish / UK graduate employers,' said Graham Nicholson, Director of the Careers Service at the University.

'We are ahead of the game in this - we are already inviting applications for places - and it is exciting that we can offer graduates this unique opportunity. Through the programme students specifically will enhance their employment prospects in the UK and abroad by gaining valuable hands-on experience within a Scottish business whilst developing a real insight into the UK business climate and culture.

'This builds on the success of the Internship Module we have been running at undergraduate level for the past three years, where we have built excellent links throughout industry.'

The exact nature of career opportunities offered through the SIGC will be dependent on previous qualifications and experience of individual students. However, it is expected that SIGC will significantly boost student employability and career prospects in a variety of sectors including financial businesses, IT, professional services, legal firms and banking, amongst others.

Anyone seeking further information on the SIGC should contact the Careers Service at the University of Dundee - see www.dundee.ac.uk/careers or tel: 01382 384017.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Further details on other initiatives offered by the Careers Service are below:

Internship Module
The Careers Service has run the Internship Module successfully over the past three years for undergraduate students. This is a credit bearing module and forms part of the degree course for students and is fully embedded within the College of Arts & Social Sciences and is the only one of this type in the UK.

This is a practical module combining a work experience placement with learning about the world of work and career planning. It is an ideal way to gain useful experience for students’ future careers and their CV. Placements are offered in a wide range of career areas.

Placement Basement
The Placement Basement at the Careers Service is Dundee University's one-stop-shop for work experience placements and internships. We are open to all students from all years and subject disciplines and offer both paid and unpaid internships, and volunteering opportunities both in Dundee and further afield.

This is a fairly unique opportunity as it is offered throughout the whole year and it is both beneficial to students and employers alike. We work with academic staff to promote the opportunities to the most relevant students. Within the Placement Basement, Project ISIS specifically sources placements for International Students which enables them to experience employment within a UK context and hopefully equip them with the stills to stay and work as part of the Government’s Tier 1 Post Study Work Scheme.

These projects build upon the career services’ and University’s existing links with employers throughout Scotland.

School Tutoring Programme
One of the largest of its kind in the North East, the University of Dundee’s Careers Service School Tutoring Programme places over 50 students annually in schools across Dundee, Angus, Perth and Fife.

The programme is traditionally popular with students wishing to apply for a PGDE and pursue a career in teaching or related professions. Other students participate to gain a valuable insight into classroom life and the teaching profession, using their experience to make an informed future career choice.

The School Tutoring Programme is open to all students from the University of Dundee and involves volunteering as a “Student Tutor” for one morning or afternoon each week for up to 8 weeks. The way Student Tutors assist in the classroom depends on individual schools but they are there to help the class teacher rather than 'teach' the pupils. Activities vary widely but can include for example assisting with specific class projects and ICT.

This highly successful established programme is mutually beneficial; fostering student employability and enabling them to apply their subject knowledge in practical classroom situations. Schools benefit from an extra pair of hands and Student Tutors act as positive role models reflecting the programme’s roots in the wider access agenda.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk