Finalist Futures

If you are in your final year of study and need support, help is at hand. There's loads of information here, and elsewhere on our website, and the Careers Network team provides expert careers advice and guidance.

Finalist Futures: Exploring your options after graduation Book your place

Tuesday 08 October 2024: 1.00pm-2.00pm - Online

Find out your options and where to look for information to aid your decision making. 

Finalist Futures: Getting a Graduate Job Book your place

Thursday 10 October 2024: 1.00pm-2.00pm - Online

Are you starting to think about finding a job for after you graduate? Are you wondering where or how to begin looking? Bring your questions to this presentation and Q&A session for finalists to find out more.

Finalist Futures: Making Successful Applications (Workshop) Book your place

Wednesday 16 October 2024: 1.00pm-3.00pm - In person 

First impressions count! Employers receive hundreds of applications. How can you make sure that yours stands out? 

Finalist Futures: Supercharge your Career in Final Year Book your place

Wednesday 23 October 2024: Lunchtime 1.00pm-3.00pm - In person

Give your career planning a positive boost at this event, especially if you haven’t done a placement. Discover how to move confidently towards your career goals as a finalist, including how to research your options and where to find jobs. 

Finalist Futures: Impressing at Interviews (Workshop) Book your place

Wednesday 30 October 2024: 1.00pm-3.00pm  - In person

Reaching the interview (or assessment centre) stage of the recruitment process is great news! The employer already thinks you can do the job, they just need to learn some more about you. 

Finalist Futures: Exploring Entrepreneurship Book your place

Thursday 14 November 2024: 1.00pm-2.00pm - Online

Discover the boundless possibilities and support available through the Loughborough Enterprise Network, both during your final year and beyond graduation. 

Finalist Futures: Exploring Further Study Book your place

Wednesday 20 November 2024: 12:00pm-1.00pm  - Online

Many finalists are considering whether further study is a good choice for them as their next step after graduation. But what options are open to you, what do you need to consider when choosing, and where can you find the information you’ll need? 

For further support you can book an appointment for individual help or drop-in to one of our Careers Hubs in Stewart Mason or West Park Teaching Hub 11-3 on weekdays during term time.

It can be hard to know where to start looking for a job as a finalist, whilst juggling coursework deadlines and other commitments. At Careers Network we have information on a wide range of topics to help guide you through the process, and we suggest the following pages and information to get started:

  • Jump to Choosing your career for some tips on how and where to begin your career planning.
  • Visit our Options with your degree page to find out more about what careers your course could lead to. You can find information such as key skills you have developed as a student, resources to research career areas and to help you look for graduate jobs.
  • Use the Job profiles on Prospects to research careers within a specific field, case studies, skills and further qualifications that may be needed for the role.
  • Book a Careers Coaching appointment to map out your ideas and talk about your career. You do not have to know what you want to do to book an appointment.
  • Look on the LinkedIn Alumni tool to find out where our Loughborough alumni are working to inspire you on your career journey.

The Careers Network team is here to provide support and inspiration to help you, whatever your needs. For up-to-date details see Book an appointment.

  • Careers Hubs: East (Stewart Mason 0.06) and West (West Park Teaching Hub 0.07): drop in with any careers related query, 11.00 -3.00 on weekdays during term time.
  • Careers and Enterprise Advice: 20-minute appointments to check CVs, covering letters, or application forms, prepare for interviews and assessment centres or to ask any careers related query. Available via MS Teams or telephone or in-person. Book online or via telephone 01509 222765.
  • Careers Coaching: 30 minutes available via advance booking only - for an in-depth discussion with a Careers Coach about your career. You do not need to have a career in mind for this appointment. Available via MS Teams or telephone or in-person. Book via telephone 01509 222765.
  • Interview Coaching: 30 minutes available via advance booking only - for an opportunity to practise your interview technique with a Careers Coach. Available via MS Teams, telephone or in-person. Book via telephone on 01509 222765.
  • Attend events e.g. our careers fairs and online employer events, to network and find out about opportunities.
  • Your careers coach will be sending you emails and/or newsletters with jobs, opportunities and other information relevant for your school.

There are a variety of different types of jobs and opportunities available that finalists can apply for post graduation. These include:

  • Graduate schemes/programmes - a structured role (usually between 1-3 years in length) more common in larger companies, combining work and training and requiring a degree
  • Graduate internships - a shorter term role (usually between 1 month and 1 year) often within small to medium size organisations, working on a specific project or within a specific department/team
  • Entry level roles - usually offered in more niche areas such as charities, journalism, social enterprises, sport and within small to medium size organisations in which you progress from entry level by demonstrating your competence and future potential
  • Work shadowing - a short period of shadowing a professional(s) within a role and organisation of interest to you to learn more about the role. Workshadowing is typically between 1 day and 2 weeks maximum in length as it is unpaid.

Information on where to look for these roles can be found on our Find jobs and work experience pages which includes both websites, Target Connect and job hunting through networking.

We have a range of support available to develop your skills and competence in applying for graduate level roles. You can get support from Careers Network from initial application right through to interview and accepting a job offer.

We would encourage you to consider engaging in the below options to maximise the effectiveness of your applications.

  • Access the Make Applications web page for guidance on applying for jobs.
  • Download our useful frameworks from the Personal Best App.
  • Have a Careers and Enterprise Advice appointment, or drop in to one of our Careers Hubs to get your CVs, covering letters and application forms checked.
  • Use eCareers Grad, Graduates First or book an Interview Coaching Appointment.
  • Access support on Employer Tests to improve your performance including practice software called Graduates First.
  • Attend a Mock Assessment Centre to learn about the process and 'have a go' in a safe and friendly environment.

Further study can demonstrate enhanced technical and transferable skills and a commitment to your subject.

Further study at Loughborough

If you are a Loughborough graduate thinking of applying for a postgraduate course at either of the Loughborough University campuses, you could apply for our Alumni Bursary which awards you up to 10% off tuition fees. You may also be eligible for a UK Government Postgraduate Loan.  Find out more about funding options on the University web page Funding, scholarships and tuition fees.

For advice on choosing a course you can speak to your personal tutor, or come to one of the postgraduate open events where you can speak to current master’s students, which is a great way to find out about their experiences of studying at the next level.

You are able to order a prospectus or view our courses online for further information.

Further study outside of Loughborough

The Careers Network team can provide you with impartial information, advice and guidance on postgraduate study. You can have a Careers Advice or Career Coaching appointment to go through your options and help you make a decision that is best for you. We can also check your personal statement for your postgraduate applications. Information on how to book an appointment is available here.

We have more information available on our postgraduate study pages on topics including:

  • Types of postgraduate courses and choosing the right course
  • Reasons for choosing to apply
  • Advantages and disdvantages of postgraduate study

If you’re thinking about going freelance, being self-employed or starting a business after graduating, Loughborough Enterprise Network (LEN) provides the space for enterprising students and graduates to connect across both our Loughborough and London campuses.

From inspired idea to the next big business start-up, we support students and graduates on their business journeys by providing valuable opportunities for them to develop a highly desirable, entrepreneurial mindset.

More information about the support we provide can be found in Embrace Entrepreneurship, or you can contact us directly at LEN@lboro.co.uk.

We send regular newsletters to all our current final year students.  They will also be published below throughout the year.