AGCAS

The University of Reading’s Careers Advisory Service has produced a new publication to help graduating students in south-east England find their first jobs in small and medium-sized organisations (SMEs). First Move South East 2009 offers careers advice to students and provides details of graduate opportunities in SMEs, as well as postgraduate courses in higher education.

Carey Widdows, Director of the Careers Advisory Service at the University of Reading, said:

'Students graduating this summer are faced with a tougher job market than in recent years. While we cannot insulate them from the impact of the global economic recession, our careers service is playing a crucial role in preparing students to compete in a tougher job market.'
 
'A core part of our job is to help students think creatively about their options beyond the big, well-known recruiters of graduates. We do this through a wide range of initiatives, such as hosting seminars about the latest style of graduate recruitment, encouraging internships and work experience or highlighting less obvious career paths, including the potential offered by working for an SME. First Move South East 2009 will provide graduating students and those beginning to plan their careers with lots of ammunition with which to approach future employment.'

First Move South East 2009 includes interviews with students who have taken postgraduate courses and offers graduate case studies on careers in a wide range of sectors, including law, accountancy, the public sector and the media. The scheme includes details about the new government Graduate Talent Pool internships initiative, as well as listings of SMEs across the south-east.

The publication was distributed at this summer's graduations in early July and directly to students through course tutors. It will also be made available at events organised by the careers service later in the year. 

This article was first submitted to Phoenix (October 2009).