Graduates show worth of their studies

By Kelly Higgins

Charlie Robertson, Physiotherapy BSc (hons) graduate and Lyndsey O’Connell, fine Art and Illustration graduate, are prime examples of the prosperous futures that, with the right guidance and commitment, can be achieved after attending Coventry University.

After three years of hard work and commitment from both the students and the university, Charlie, aged 22, is a band five physiotherapist at Leamington Rehabilitation Hospital and Lyndsey, aged 23, is attending The University of Cambridge to become an Art teacher.

Having attended different schools of education within the university but achieving equally admirable positions, the widespread success of Coventry University preparing individuals for life after their degree becomes clear.

Charlie said: “The content of my Physiotherapy degree was very good, it was very NHS specialized which was vital for me to find a job compatible with the skills I learned at University and to equip me with the ability to complete placement opportunities.

She also attributed her success to her tutors: “My tutors were always very supportive and available, whenever they were able to help they would.”

Supplying assistance with completing CVs, improving personal development for a career and supplying trustworthy references are vital to enabling a student to succeed in their profession.

To aid students in these processes, the university offers consultations with the employability unit in order for the students to have the chance to question any uncertainties that they have and to seek professional advice.

Sarah Kelly, BES Faculty Chair, thinks that with “ the Students’ Union working alongside the university it has improved services for students in ways such as increasing contact time with personal tutors. This communication and support not only helps students with their degree but also in becoming a successful graduate.”

Lyndsey O’Connell, on the other hand, believed that the strong relation between her course and the Art industry made it easier to obtain the experience needed to stand a chance in such a competitive profession.

“The professional studies talks and lectures that were facilitated through our course and through our tutors catered for the majority of the participants in my course and there was also a small careers office in the building which, although it had difficulties at times to accommodate every student’s needs, it was very useful.

“The faculty was very well organised regarding workshops, talks, visiting professionals, and we each would have tutorial slots. I think we had good feedback regarding our dissertations especially and good access to our tutors.”

Lyndsey is not the only Art graduate to aspire to great things, individuals have progressed on to MA degrees in institutions such as the Royal College and others have continued developing their exhibitioner skills in order to promote and improve their own artwork.

* The University has several services available to willing students to take advantage of and increase their employability value; all students need to have is a passion for their subject area and a sense of commitment to achieve their ambitions.

FutureWorks, a recruitment agency owned by Coventry University, works hand in hand with hundreds of students every term to ensure that opportunities are made available for students who wish to enhance their learning experience at Coventry University.

Jenny Haycock, FutureWorks manager, said: “By finding students part time and temporary jobs to suit their degree and encouraging placements and permanent employment for graduates, students prospects are increased. Even when the work is not relative to their course, it demonstrates to the employer that the candidate has good work ethics.”