Each student comes to university with a different goal in mind. Some wish to start their own business, some wish to continue the family business, and some, like myself, wish to find themselves in the fancy glass buildings in London’s business district. This blog aims to explore the UK’s endless opportunities for students wishing to enter the corporate space and how the University of Surrey supports students to maximise their potential.
During Freshers’ Week in my first year, I was introduced to the 10,000 Interns Foundation, an organisation established a few years ago to empower talented students who may not have exposure to as many opportunities to succeed. As they often highlight on their social media platforms, “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t.” After filling out the application form, the 10,000 Interns team allocates students to companies that fit their studies and interests, ranging from media to engineering, nursing and law. I was allocated to Dechert LLP, a Philadelphia-headquartered law firm with 16 offices around the world. After going through the full recruitment process, I was offered a role as a Summer Intern, which I began in June. The University of Surrey held several career-related webinars over the year, which helped me format my CV, prepare for interviews, and learn some of the other soft skills needed in the corporate environment.
Just when I thought the start of my summer couldn’t get any better, I found an opportunity to become an on-campus brand ambassador for one of the UK’s biggest and oldest law firms. Linklaters was founded in 1838 and has since expanded to become one of the largest firms globally and one of the “Magic Circle” law firms, which are considered the most prestigious in the UK. Once again, the University of Surrey created an environment for me to succeed. From lecturers reposting opportunities on LinkedIn to the Careers Office hosting webinars and sharing opportunities, the support has been helpful.
Despite my recent success, it would be rather pretentious of me to say that it is simple or easy to acquire these opportunities. The truth is that these opportunities are extremely competitive and require dedication and strong willpower. Although I’ve been able to secure two great opportunities, I applied for over 15 in total over the course of my first year.
With that said, here are my top tips, particularly for international students, to secure similar opportunities. The first is perhaps cliché, but getting involved is essential. Not only does it boost your CV, but being part of club and society events increases your network, exposing you to more opportunities. Once you’ve put yourself in the right environment, it’s crucial to apply early. Recruiters are more likely to consider candidates who applied early and, in some cases, they may stop considering applications once they have reached their quota. Applying early also takes away stress and gives you time to submit any further documentation or do any assessments which you will probably be asked to do. Additionally, being commercially aware adds value to your application. Big firms and companies understand that students may not have all the technical knowledge yet, but staying up to date on the latest developments in your sector shows a greater understanding and interest in the subject matter. Lastly, and again a bit cliché, but be professional—not just in interviews and applications, but work on creating a personal brand which people view as professional. You would be surprised how much your personal branding can open doors for you. You may even find that many opportunities are given through referrals, and you are more likely to be referred if you are generally viewed as a professional individual.
Finally, remember that everyone’s journey is different; it may be discouraging to receive rejections, but the only way to grow is to learn from your mistakes and move forward. Work hard and keep your head up—your time is coming!
