Graduate Internship: Employability and Progression Assistant

Fixed Term- until September 2025

Open to University of Leeds 2024 graduates only

This role will be based on the university campus, with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner. We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Are you a University of Leeds 2024 graduate looking for a Graduate Internship? Would you like to gain valuable experience and enhance your professional skills including project management? Do you have a particular interest in working with students and graduates from underrepresented backgrounds at the University of Leeds, and would like to help students and recent graduates to prepare for, and be successful in gaining graduate roles?

The Careers Service is seeking to recruit a University of Leeds 2024 graduate to join us as an intern to play an active role in improving the employability of students, particularly those from widening participation backgrounds. This includes students who are part of the Plus Programme; a support network for students from a range of underrepresented backgrounds such as care experienced, estranged, former young carers or whom may be entering University from an area of low participation in Higher Education. It could also include students who have entered the University through alternative admissions programmes such as Access to Leeds, or whom are eligible for some scholarships.

Our internships are designed to enhance your employability through a dedicated development programme. As well as gaining experience of delivering interventions to students and graduates, you will develop a range of key skills including: teamwork, independent working, interpersonal and communication skills, initiative, organisation, high-quality administration and project development.

This is a fabulous opportunity to make a real impact on employability outcomes for our students and graduates, providing information and signposting them to various support services across the University and externally, to ensure they have the necessary skills to succeed in a competitive graduate labour market. You will support current activity and develop and deliver new interventions, such as skills workshops designed to engage Plus Programme/widening participation students and graduates in progression opportunities offered by the University. You will also influence future engagement activity through contributing to knowledge bases and sharing good practice resources.

The role will involve working across the University (including Leeds University Union). The ideal candidate will be flexible and adaptable, able to collaborate and work effectively as part of a team which are key components of the role.

As an Employability and Progression Assistant, you will have excellent organisational and planning skills and the ability to complete tasks to agreed deadlines. You will benefit from specific training in information and working one-to-one with students, along with what employers are looking for in our graduates. It is a fantastic opportunity to gain essential skills and valuable work experience in a professional environment.

These posts are open to all Class of 2024 University of Leeds graduates. We particularly welcome and encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented and widening participation backgrounds. The ideal candidate will be flexible and adaptable, able to collaborate and work effectively as part of a team which are key components of the role.

The post is normally located on the University of Leeds campus but is currently a hybrid of working three days on campus and two days remotely.

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Information on other visa options is available at: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus 16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – that’s 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team, and self-development courses including languages, Creative Writing, Wellbeing Therapies and much more.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Sarah Finnigan, Widening Participation Employability Officer

Email: [email protected]

Karen Shaw, Mentoring and Widening Participation Manager

Email: [email protected]

Closing Date: 17 Nov 2024

Section: Administrative and Clerical Support

Salary: £23,581 to £24,600 per annum