Helping your career
We look to our students first, when we've got a part time job or work placement opportunity to fill within the University.
”We realise that you're probably doing your course to improve your career prospects
So we focus on building your employability from day one.
Courses approved by professionals
Many of our courses are accredited by professional bodies, such as the Institute of Engineering Designers or Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
This means that you can be sure you're learning the knowledge and practical skills that employers are looking for, and you'll have a recognised qualification when you finish.
Get professional qualifications too
You'll be able to do professional qualifications during some of our courses.
For example if you study outdoor recreation you can do the National Governing Body awards in mountain leader training, rock climbing and canoeing, while you're working towards your degree.
Close links to industry
We've got close links with employers in many industries, so you'll be kept up to date with what's going on, go on work placements with them and build up good contacts to help you find a job.
Lots of choice
For most of our courses, you can choose from a wide range of modules, so you can put together your degree to match your interests and career aspirations.
Work that will directly help your career
You may do a dissertation or project as part of your course.
You could link this to your chosen career. Or if you're studying part time, your project could be directly relevant to your job.
Starting your own business
If you want to start your own business, either during your course or after you've graduated, we can help you.
If you choose to use one of our business incubation units, we'll offer you a reasonable rent and a range of business support services, to help you on the way to becoming an established business.
Develop your skills
Each year we organise exciting competitions, such as Business Quest, to help you to develop your business and enterprise skills.
We'll help you to prepare for your next step
We think it's essential that your study makes you more employable, especially in today's tough job market.
So as well as career focused sessions being part of your course, our Student Employment Agency can find you part time work while you're studying to help you build up your experience and employability.
And because we're really serious about this, we put our money where our mouth is - we look to our students first, when we've got a part time job or work placement opportunity to fill within the University.
You can use our Career Development Centre while you're at Derby and for up to three years after you graduate.
We'll help you to:
- plan your career
- research your options - through workshops, careers fairs and seminars
- improve the skills you'll need to get the job you want, including preparing your CV, effective interview skills and networking
- find vacancies - whether you're looking for work experience while you're still studying, or your graduate job when you finish
- improve your employability skills by working with a mentor, taking part in a volunteering project, or completing the University of Derby Award (for Employability, Leadership and Management).
