Congratulations on coming to the end of your course at the University of Stirling.
The University’s Careers Service is here to support you now and at any time in the future – they offer lifelong support for Stirling alumni. Let’s dive into their Top Tips and advice for graduating students.
Don’t worry!
Change is always unsettling, and finishing University often means mixed emotions – excitement, relief, nervousness, sadness. It’s very normal to feel unsure about your next steps, and you are not alone.
This can be an overwhelming time, so it’s important that you look after yourself. We’ve created a series of resources designed to support your wellbeing throughout this journey.
The Careers Service is here to support you, so whether you’re just starting to figure things out, working out how to navigate the jobs market or looking to change direction, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Check out our dedicated graduate resources to get started, and you can book in with a Careers Consultant to talk through your thoughts.
Concerned about the Job Market?
We work closely with employers across a range of sectors to understand what they need from graduates, and how their approaches to recruitment have changed and developed. We use this information, along with up to date Labour Market Intelligence, to shape our work with students and graduates. This means we can help you with creating CVs that work for today’s employers, support you in current interview approaches, and give you access to resources to help with assessment centres and psychometric tests. Find all this and more on our “Making Applications” canvas pages.
International Student? Considering staying in the UK?
There has been a lot of discussion about the Graduate Work Visa and post-study work options in recent months. Here at Stirling we have a dedicated International Careers Consultant who works with our colleagues in the immigration team and across the sector to support your interests. Catch recordings of recent livestreams Emily has done about visa options, and check out our “Work in the UK after your studies” guidance on Canvas. For more updates on the Graduate Route Visa, visit the UKCISA website.
Developing your Employability
Not everyone wants to or is ready to apply for jobs immediately after graduation – you might be thinking about going abroad, considering further study, or your circumstances might have changed. Employability is your currency with employers, and you can develop this – even if your other plans are on hold. Check out these resources to help you develop in-demand skills to add to your CV, and consider getting involved in volunteering. Talk to the Careers Service if you would like support in building your skills.
Use your Stirling network
You are part of an alumni family of over 100,000 people in 180 countries! As soon as you graduate from the University of Stirling, you automatically become a life-time member of our alumni community and qualify for a range of great benefits, including special events and reunions, discounted gym membership, online discounts and more. See all our Alumni benefits.
In the Careers Service, we work closely with our colleagues in Alumni to arrange webinars and events, featuring Stirling graduates who want to share their stories of their journeys and career paths after graduation. These run all year round and have different topics and themes; make sure you’ve registered as a graduate with TARGETConnect and keep an eye on our social media, to find out more about our events.
Careers Support for Life
As a Stirling graduate you have access to the Careers Service for life. We continue to offer 1:1 support for career guidance, application and interview support; our Careers Consultants will be online throughout the summer and beyond to meet with you. We have appointments available now and you can book via TARGETconnect; alternatively, you can use TARGETconnect to submit careers questions, or upload a CV for review.
If you haven’t already re-registered as a graduate on TARGETconnect you will need to do so to continue your access to all the vacancies, events and appointments you could as a student.
Keep in Touch
We love to know what our graduates go on to do and hearing your success stories makes our day! Keep in touch with us – we’re on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
You will be contacted in 15 months to find out what you are doing at that point and asked to take part in the national Graduate Outcomes Survey which will show where Stirling graduates are and what they are doing. Graduate Outcomes is the biggest UK annual social survey and captures the perspectives and current status of recent graduates. This builds a picture of employability for Universities across the UK and your participation is hugely appreciated.
Once again, congratulations on graduating from the University of Stirling. You did it!