09 June 2015
Students think big thanks to award scheme
A staggering 550 students have completed the Big Essex Award this year, which helps showcase all of their extra-curricular achievements so they can provide concrete proof to employers about just how employable they are.
As part of completing the award students have attended 2,233 employability events and given something back to the University and surrounding community by undertaking 45,520 of extra-curricular experience hours – often by getting involved in the Students’ Union’s vTeam volunteering project.
The Big Essex Award team encourages students to reflect on their experiences while studying at the University so they identify, evidence and successfully sell the skills they have to potential graduate employers.
Students received their awards at a special celebration attended by leading employers and supported by Santander Universities and the Chartered Management Institute.
Special awards were presented to three students who submitted reflective accounts about their Big Essex Award experience to outline what they had gained from the scheme.
Ana Miron won the Leadership award for her contribution to peer mentoring work. She has mentored four undergraduate students to help them achieve their goals and maximise their academic performance.
Anupriya Singh won the Careers Development award for using all the opportunities offered by the Big Essex Award to further her career prospects. Anupriya has won a place on the Teach First graduate scheme and credits the Interview Skills workshop which she attended as part of the award as being crucial to her success at the assessment centre.
Anupriya said: “The Big Essex Award was instrumental in exposing me to all my different options after University, exploring all the careers I could do in accordance with my degree and gave me vital experience in the sectors I was interested in. Overall it was a fantastic experience in illuminating me and connecting me with the right graduate employers.”
Find out more at: www.essex.ac.uk/careers/bige/
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