Class of 2021: We're here for you

Message from Professor Julia Clarke, Deputy Vice-Chancellor 

Dear students 

The past academic year has been incredibly challenging for everyone but especially you – our graduating students – and we want to make sure the University is here  to help you in your next steps. I know how hard you have all worked to get this far, and for that, we are immensely proud of each and every one of you. You should take great pride in how you have risen to the challenges of these unsettling times and in all you have achieved during your time with us. 

We have put together a range of opportunities designed to support you in taking your next steps, whether this is engaging in further study, helping you shine when applying for jobs, nurturing your entrepreneurial ambition, or providing you with relevant and valuable work experience. 

Completing your studies can often feel like the end of an era, and you might be wondering, 'what's next?', please take a look at what support is available to you and remember that the University of Wolverhampton is here for you.  

Visit the Class of 2021 web page

Thank you, and stay safe.

Professor Julia Clarke, Deputy Vice-Chancellor 

Mentoring with alumni and industry professionals 

A mentor is someone who gives you support, encouragement, advice and shares their knowledge, insights and skills from the position of being further ahead in their career. 

Our mentors are professionals who have forged successful careers, and many are former students of the University of Wolverhampton. We aim to pair you with a mentor from your chosen career or industry, giving you a special insight into how you can get ahead and make yourself stand out to potential employers.  

The benefits of mentoring are enormous. Mentors can: 

• Provide advice about how to "get in" – for any career; it's vital to know what employers are looking for so you can build the right skills, knowledge and experience. 
• Introduce you to others in their field –having a mentor working in the area you want to enter can unlock doors and help you build valuable contacts. 
• Help you craft an industry-specific CV and prepare for interviews – mentors know first-hand what employers in their area look for. 
• Share their experiences – everyone faces barriers of some sort when establishing their career. Hearing how your mentor overcame theirs can help you tackle your own. 

You can find out more about mentoring at our Class of 2021 Mentee Webinar on Monday, 14 June, at 12 midday. At this event, you'll find out how having a mentor can help secure the job of your dreams and talk you through how you can take up this excellent opportunity. Click here to book your place at the webinar.  

Having a mentor is a fantastic way to progress your career.  

Find out more and sign up

Hear from those involved 

Mentee: Fiona 

Fiona is now a recent graduate from the University of Wolverhampton and took part in mentoring for two years. Her mentor supported her to build emotional intelligence, develop her communication skills and decide her next steps. 

Watch Fiona's video

Mentor: David 

David is a Business Management graduate from the University of Wolverhampton and has been a mentor for two years. During this time, he has appreciated the opportunity to share his experiences with students to help guide them on the next steps of their career journey.  

Watch David's video

Kickstart your career with support getting a job 

As a Class of 2021 graduate, you'll have access to our Careers, Enterprise and the Workplace team for up to three years after you complete your studies. So, whether you're well underway or still at the start of your career planning, book in to speak to one of the team. 

The Careers, Enterprise and the Workplace team can help with: 

• Generating career ideas and exploring different options   
• Identifying your skills and applying them to your chosen career  
• Researching graduate jobs, schemes and internships   
• Creating a CV   
• Effectively marketing yourself to prospective employers   
• Developing your professional online presence  
• Consider further study options  

You can access support online, in virtual meetings and over the phone, Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Our advisors offer one-to-one appointments to discuss your career development as well as job and placement opportunities. 

Find out more and register for support

Careers Space 

The Career SPACE portal is available for all our students and recent graduates. Career SPACE allows you to access the latest career-related advice, tutorials, tools such as Interview Simulator and CV builder, hundreds of employer videos and book one-to-one career appointments.  

Register with Career SPACE

WLV Jobs Board 

Use the WLV Jobs Board to access the latest part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, summer placements, work experience, virtual internships, sandwich placements, international opportunities and graduate jobs.  

Register with WLV Jobs Board

Volunteering in your community 

Volunteering is a great way to develop your skills, enhance your CV and give something back to the community. 

The Workplace team provides advice, guidance and support to help you find the right opportunity for you. They also promote opportunities from a wide variety of voluntary and community groups both locally and nationally, with long and short-term opportunities available. 

The latest volunteering opportunities include the Commonwealth Games, the British Art Show 9 and an international project supporting communities in the Fiji Islands.  

Register with Jobs Board to find a full list of opportunities 

Continuing your studies on a postgraduate programme 

You may decide postgraduate study is the best step forward. Whether you are looking to increase your employability or progress to the next step in your career, a postgraduate qualification at the University of Wolverhampton can open the door to many new opportunities.    

As a University of Wolverhampton graduate, you could be eligible for a 20% discount on postgraduate taught programme fees.  

To find out more about postgraduate study, speak to academics and ask any questions (e.g. about fees or making an application), you can visit our next Postgraduate Virtual Open Evening on Thursday, 24 June, from 5 pm.  

Book your place on the Postgraduate Opening Evening

To find out more about the opportunities available to you as you complete your studies this year, please visit our Class of 2021 webpage: www.wlv.ac.uk/classof2021