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Plan your development
As you start your second year at LSE consider how you can gain experience now that will strengthen future job applications. Make a plan to decide how you can gain experience over the year. Start by identifying where you are now; complete a SWOT analysis, note your: Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats Consider how you can utilise the opportunities to address your weaknesses and create a termly action plan for your academic and personal development - this timeline will help. -
Have a careers discussion
A careers discussion is an opportunity for you to discuss anything career related with our careers consultants, whether you have no idea or know exactly what you want to do. You can have a careers discussion throughout the year, inside and outside of term time. To make a 15 minute careers discussion appointment log into Career Hub from 9:30am on the day you want the appointment. -
Attend careers fairs
Fairs are an opportunity for you to speak directly to employers from a variety of sectors about their recruitment activities and company. Each academic year LSE Careers runs careers fairs for a variety of sectors, including: Volunteering
Consultancy
Finance and banking
Internships
Public sector and policy
Business and management
Law
Marketing, media and communication Fair dates and information will become available via Career Hub closer to the event. -
Volunteer
Volunteering is recognised by 94% of employers as equipping students with relevant employability skills. It also allows you to do something worthwhile for those less fortunate, give back to the community and meet new people. The Volunteer Centre at LSE is active in sourcing voluntary opportunities for LSE students. More information at LSE Volunteer Centre. -
Attend careers seminars
LSE Careers runs careers seminars throughout the academic year and covers topics such as how to write an effective application form, CV workshops, interview preparation and sector specific presentations. They're a great way to gain relevant knowledge and can be helpful if you're applying for part time, internship, summer or voluntary opportunities. Visit Career Hub for dates, seminar descriptions and how to book. -
Apply for internships
Internships are a practical way to gain experience in an industry you might want to work in after graduation. Employers highly value internship experience and approx. 78% of companies recruit their interns into graduate positions (sector dependant). Application deadlines for summer internships vary by sector; check company websites. For ideas for gaining experience in sectors that don't offer internships and for more information see Internships and work experience. -
Improve commercial awareness
Commercial awareness is extremely important in the work place and is one of the areas employers tell LSE Careers that students lack at interview. Having commercial awareness shows genuine interest in an area, an understanding of the industry and the influence of external factors on business. Set up email alerts and RSS feeds to receive relevant news from newspapers, trade publications and professional bodies right to your inbox/phone. -
Assess your development
Use your SWOT analysis and personal development plan from the start of term to assess if you have reached your goals for this term. Have you joined a club or society, volunteered, applied for internships, etc? If you met your targets, well done! Add your experiences to your CV. Now check your plan for next term, and see what you need to do to meet those targets. If you didn’t meet your targets, adjust your plan for next term and decide how you'll meet the new targets. -
Improve your IT skills
IT skills are extremely important within the work place. Whilst you’re at LSE take advantage of the IT training on offer to students for Microsoft applications. More information at Guided self-study and taught courses. -
Apply to be an LSE mentor
Remember when you started LSE and you were nervous, unsure about what to expect and knew no one? LSE runs a mentor scheme whereby existing LSE students can mentor a new student, helping them integrate into LSE life. You'll use skills relevant in employment including communication and interpersonal skills. Employers look for people who give back to their community, and will value the skills you’ll gain. Apply in January/February. More information at LSE Student mentoring scheme. -
Create a LinkedIn account
LinkedIn is a fantastic way to network with potential employers, and allows you to record your education, work experience, internships and extra-curricular activities in a CV style. Create an account to expand your professional networks by searching for and adding people who work in your desired field or who you meet through your work or educational experience. Join at LinkedIn. -
Assess your development
Use your SWOT analysis and personal development plan from the start of term to assess if you have reached your goals for this term. Have you attended lectures, joined a club or society, volunteered, etc? If you met your targets, well done! Add your experiences to your CV. Now check your plan for next term, and see what you need to do to meet those targets. If you didn’t meet your targets, adjust your plan for next term and decide how you'll meet the new targets. -
Thinking about postgrad study?
If you're considering completing postgraduate study once you graduate, then now is the time to start your research, especially if you plan to study overseas. Find out the courses that are available, where you can study them and when applications should be submitted. Make a careers discussion to talk through your options; book via Career Hub from 9:30am on the day you want the appointment. Visit Postgraduate study for more information. -
Attend careers seminars
Careers seminars are run throughout the academic year by LSE Careers and cover topics such as how to write an effective application form, CV workshops, interview preparation and sector specific presentations. They're a great way to gain relevant knowledge and can be helpful if you're applying for part time, internship, summer or voluntary opportunities. Visit Career Hub for dates, seminar descriptions and how to book. -
Assess your development
Use your SWOT analysis and personal development plan from the start of term to assess if you have reached your goals for this term. Have you attended lectures, joined a club or society, volunteered, etc? If you met your targets, well done! Add your experiences to your CV, write a plan for the summer, or simply enjoy your summer break! If you didn’t meet your targets, write a plan for over the summer or make notes for when you revisit your plan next academic year.
