Timetable for action - first years

As you progress through university, you'll need to do more and more to improve your career prospects when you graduate. Let TARGETjobs show you what to do, and when.

Autumn term

Visit your Freshers' Fair. There will be a wide range of clubs and societies so join up and get involved. You can try your hand at new things and see where your strengths and interests lie. Think of other ways to improve your skills, such as learning or improving a language, doing an IT course or becoming a rep for your department.

Spring term

Start to plan your summer. Think about work experience you can gain during the holidays. This may or may not be relevant to your career aspirations - whatever you do will provide you with valuable transferable skills. Some companies offer vacation placements to first years, while other schemes, such as BUNAC or Camp America, offer good opportunities to travel and work at the same time.

Summer term

Think about how you can use your summer holidays and next autumn term to give your career a boost, maybe with a bit of voluntary or extra curricular work, like writing for your student paper. Talk to your careers service for ideas. Pick up a copy of TARGETjobs Work Experience or TARGETjobs Work Experience Law from your careers service - they both contain great advice as well as info on employers offering vacation schemes.

For information on how to perfect your applications:

Consider voluntary work overseas.
Think about whether you'd like to take time out after you graduate.
Research employers' application timetables.

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