University's new placements scheme offers new opportunities

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The University of Reading is delighted to announce the launch of a new Student Employment, Experience and Careers Centre (SEECC) which aims to develop a wide range of placement schemes, activities and resources to complement degree programmes; all intended to maximise graduate level recruitment and enhance the work-related experience of our students. Work experience is cited by employers as one of the most important factors in their recruitment of graduates. In this year's 'Graduate Market 2011' report by High Fliers Research.

Henley Business School's undergraduate degrees in accounting, business and management provide the option to undertake an embedded 1-year paid work placements as part of the programme. For students taking a 3-year degree in the School, or for those deciding not to pursue a 1-year placement as part of their studies, this new University scheme will provide a wide range of opportunities.

The enhanced Reading scheme is employer-led and responds to their needs for interns as well as those of students, who are increasingly looking gain work experience during their degree. Placements will be flexible and vary in length, with the majority operating in the summer vacation to ensure compatibility with employers' summer internship programmes, but shorter term opportunities will also be available.

An increasing trend at an international university such as Reading is for students to enhance their employability with work experience overseas. Study Abroad programmes are also now more flexible and can offer work abroad options.

Launched last year, the Reading Experience and Development (RED) Award allows Reading students to gain additional skills to ensure they stand out from the crowd with prospective employers. The RED Award scheme recognises the skills that our students develop beyond their academic programmes through volunteering, work experience and training and development.

Professor Rob Robson, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, said: 'We are building on this year's excellent employability statistics to enhance careers support at Reading to ensure our students stand the best possible chance of securing that key first graduate-level job or important next postgraduate-level educational or training place. Successful placements are a huge part of what employers expect of their future employees and we want to ensure that all our undergraduates have the opportunity to develop their employability by getting relevant experience.'

Students at Henley Business School also benefit from dedicated, specialist careers support including workshops, training and advice sessions, careers fairs, engagement with senior industry professionals through guest lectures and events and a global alumni network home to more than 30,000 individuals.

The School's commitment to employability is consistently reflected through strong performances in the major university league tables. Henley is ranked 7th in the UK for careers in 'accounting and finance', 9th in the UK for careers in 'business and management studies', 2nd in the UK for careers in 'Land & Property Management' and 1st in the UK for careers in 'Town & Country Planning & Landscape'