What does employability mean for me? My role as an Employability Activator

By Chloe B

Before starting university, employability was just a buzzword - I had no idea what it really meant. Now, it means opportunity, personal development, and confidence. In this blog, I’ll unpack my role as an Employability Activator, where I help my peers, and myself, enhance our employability.

So, all this talk about employability but what does it actually mean? As written in our newsletter, employability is a buzzword that gets used a lot during uni, and it encompasses all the activities you do outside your studies to help you stand out and put yourself in the best position to secure a graduate role. It can also set you apart when applying for postgraduate study, expand your network, and help you learn more about yourself.

My university has been a fantastic place to enhance my employability, with an excellent Employability Service that has supported me in so many ways. In my first year, I got involved with the Employability Service through their Get a Career Mentor Programme, where I met Katie (read her blog post here!). This programme paired me with a mentor in the public health sector. We discussed the world of work, networking, resilience, and I reflected on my experiences coming out of it with an action plan. Through my engagement with the programme, Katie asked me to become an Employability Activator, which was not just a student role but a personal development opportunity.

Chloe with Katie advertising the Get a Career Mentor Programme!😁

In this role, I ran stalls at careers fairs, championing the Employability Service and everything it offers. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, creating digital content to share my experiences and advertise upcoming events. I engaged with my fellow students by running drop-in sessions, helping them with CVs and cover letters, answering their questions, signposting them to key resources, and sharing my own experiences. I really enjoyed my role as an Employability Activator and have learned so much. Being a champion of my own employability has helped me secure an internship every summer during university and leave uni with a graduate job offer! I’ll be exploring these topics in future blog posts, reflecting on both small and big wins.🏆

In this current climate, landing a graduate role seems harder than ever - but with a plan, support, and a focused approach, you can get there! As an Employability Activator, I’ve helped friends and peers find opportunities, edit their CVs, and better understand what employability means for them. Ultimately Uni was created with employability at its core - helping students not only by sharing our own stories but also the stories of our fantastic UU Writers, who grow their own employability by sharing their uni journeys, advice, and reflections.

Me and my Employability Activator Friends! 💞

As an Employability Activator, I’ve made amazing friends, learned so much about myself, and seen the rewards of taking charge of my employability. My ultimate tip: put yourself out there, find out what your Employability Service has to offer - and use it! It could be the difference between you and your next role!