Interview with the University of Leeds Careers Service Director

Julie Gallimore

University of Leeds

Interview with Director of Careers Centre

The set of skills and values we want to see in Leeds graduates is captured in our learning and teaching strategy, which sets out to develop outstanding graduates with:

  • the values, skills and qualities to make a positive impact on global society
  • knowledge and skills for international employability leading to excellent career opportunities
  • respect for research, and the ability to challenge the boundaries of knowledge
  • a confidence to learn and develop as life-long learners
  • an understanding of ethical and professional issues and an open minded approach to change
  •  

Leeds does attract a population of students who are able to reflect on their values and we encourage them to develop skills and values through the curriculum, extra curricula activity and work experience.

Here we run an annual careers fair Making a Difference aimed at students wanting to work in the not for profit/ethical organisations or public sector. This attracts around 40 exhibitors and 1,000 students. The Business School here also runs a CSR module.

It would be interesting to do some research into how careers services are talking to students about these issues and the sorts of questions students are asking about their idea of ethical employers.

Here we know students consult lots of online careers resources and they do consult the Best Companies Guide which ranks companies according to a range of criteria including Giving something back to the community and Wellbeing at work: http://www.bestcompaniesguide.co.uk/how_it_works.aspx

I'm increasingly aware of the activities of the Office of Third Sector as it supports organisations in the sector that share characteristics that will appeal to some of our graduates:

  • non-governmental
  • value-driven
  • principally reinvest any financial surpluses to further social, environmental or cultural objectives

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/about_us.aspx


Created on: February 25th 2009

Updated on: February 25th 2009