Beyond Cambridge - Spotlight on Careers

in "Beyond Cambridge - Spotlight on Careers" five recent graduates talk about their experiences at Cambridge and how their time at university is helping them in their current roles with employers from Innocent Drinks and the National Trust to the BBC. The film also highlights post-graduate study as a career choice. 

The academically-demanding degree courses, opportunities to get involved with clubs and societies, and the support of the University Careers Service, mean that Cambridge graduates are highly sought-after on the job market.

“Cambridge is an eclectic melting pot of interesting people,” said Dan, now working as a Logistics Specialist at Innocent. “The knowledge gleaned, the friends acquired and the lessons learnt in my time at Cambridge make it, in my opinion, something worth striving for."

Maths graduate Natasha is now working as a Software Developer in the banking sector. “I think one of the best things I got out of Cambridge was the supervision system,” Natasha said, reflecting on the University’s famous small-group teaching.

“The confidence that gives you, you’re presenting your work, getting feedback on it – in technology that’s so useful, because you get reviewed by your peers all the time, and that can be tough, it feels like criticism. But supervisions really taught me how to take that criticism, and counter it if it feels appropriate, and how to represent myself in that situation.”

“We offer a very personalised service,” explains Gordon Chesterman, Director of the University Careers Service. “We serve all students, all Colleges, all degrees and all career interests.

“Employers and students should meet each other early - during the first year or early in their second year of studies,” Gordon advises.

“Attractive placement opportunities are now being offered for these early birds and this film will help remind newly-arrived students to engage with their Careers Service early on.

“Students need not have a clear job focus – few do – but we’ll help identify and explore assorted ideas for a possible career, help them meet potential employers and offer our full support in making a successful application.

“We encourage students to explore and investigate a whole variety of options before settling on two or three areas that they really want to focus in on.”

Jess Bond, who co-ordinated the project for the University, said “Cambridge graduates of all disciplines are highly employable, and we have one of the highest proportions of graduates entering graduate-level employment or further study in the country.  We hope that this film will inspire and motivate current and prospective students to make the most of what the University has to offer."