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News and tips from successful students:

E-mail us with your story or tips for success either in the UK or overseas

Grace Hui GUO from China
(MSc Marketing)

I have recently changed my job. In May 2008 I moved from Savills Property Services ( Guangzhou ) and now work for the Customer Development Department of Unilever (Guangzhou Branch). Looking back over my job hunting journey, I greatly appreciated the skills and knowledge I had gained from Brunel University when I was a postgraduate student in the Marketing field.

With the help and guidelines given from the University academic professionals, I was awarded a Distinction for my programme and got an opportunity to work with Dr Lynn Lim to publish an academic paper at the 37 th European Marketing Academy Conference held at Brighton .

From my point of view, having a good academic record cannot impress the interviewers without demonstrating sound interview skills in an appropriate way in the course of the interview. I would claim that I should not have been able to get my feet onto the ladder in my favourite company without the advice and help provided by the Placement and Careers Centre (PCC).

I have learned how to prepare a CV, prepare for an assessment interview and sharpen my interview skills by attending one-to-one appointments, workshops and related seminars organised by the PCC. Also, I was invited to be a volunteer to assist the PCC when it successfully held an event called “Doing Business in China ” in 2007. I have benefited from the event by gaining an understanding of the employment market and business market in China and knowledge of what foreign employers expect from the Chinese graduates.

Eweniwe MSc student from Nigeria

The good news is that I have gotten the job with Shell in Nigeria as a Project Engineer, with very good package. This is a dream job for me. The careers advisers helped with my CV and gave me interview questions to practice this made all the difference. Thanks for all your help and support.

Sithanshu BSc student from India

I would like to thank the placement and careers centre for all their help and support which helped me secure a job of analyst in Dresdner Kleinwort investment bank in London. I would specially thank all the careers advisors who helped me prepare my CV and applications and also thoroughly prepare me for my interview. The interview especially was most helpful as 90% of the questions that had been asked to me in the interview were from the practice papers I received from the careers at Brunel. I would like to encourage all the international students to regularly visit the placement and career centre for graduate jobs as it increases one's chances of getting a job in the UK . Once again I would like to thank one and all!

Ann Ann MSc Marketing student from Taiwan

After my Masters I worked voluntarily for the TASHA Foundation which is based in West London . My tasks were to remodel the brand image and marketing strategy for this respected charity, to integrate marketing and visual design and to redesign the TASHA website. While writing my dissertation, I told my supervisor that I was a designer and a marketing planner and I wanted to gain some working experience in the UK . That's the reason I got the job. Yes, It was interesting. I benefited greatly by working in a charity. Especially, It was good to say, “ I am working “ when having an interview. (Even if it was a volunteer job ) As a result of my unpaid work experience I have been able to get a paid job in the UK.It's product marketing manager at a company in St Albans , well… I admit I love marketing. I am responsible for researching and developing the Far East market. The company has organized my work permit.

Tips for students

• Always have your C.V with you– 1.You can look at your C.V and answer questions when having a telephone interview. 2. When you go out, if you find some companies you are interested in, then pop in and give your C.V to them.
• Meeting new friends – do not be shy to talk to people, you may find out about other job opportunities.
• Before going to interview, you need to know the company's profile (history and future)
• Always believe your potential and encourage yourself.
• Wear smart clothes, be polite and confident – The first impression is significant

Cleopatra Mukula MA student from Kenya

I set up a charity during my undergraduate years following a documentary I filmed on my community back home. That was back in 2003. I was struck by the poverty level and lack of amenities despite the heavy presence of NGO's in my country. So in 2005 July I officially registered it in the UK and adopted a simple model to try and influence change by providing directly to the children. What makes us unique as an organisation is that it is set up by young people, run by young people, for young people. Brunel university students union RAG, together will friends and family have helped to make this organisation function today.

What I achieved skills wise: Running a charity single handedly is not easy, like any company (just that we are non profit) one has to learn quickly how to manage things, co-ordinate, market, represent, brand and most importantly cater for the needs of those I strive so hard to protect and help.

Coming to the UK: can be quite scary and intimidating for an international student; the weather is different, the culture, the people and settling down can take weeks and sometimes months for most students. When I arrived I found that getting out there and interacting with fellow foreign and domestic students made it that much easier for me as I knew that most of us faced the same anxiety.

My tips for success:

Try and get a job by the end of the first semester so as to ensure that your CV is busy from the moment you arrive.
Getting a job early also helps with integrating into the community and helping one understand ‘How things work' in the UK .
One learns to prioritize, meet deadlines, schedules, work in a team and most importantly you save a bob or two (Money) to make life that much better
Don't be choosy about your first job.

Remember that you must start working on the content of your CV from the moment you arrive. Employers at the end of your study will be more concerned with experience and what you can offer to their company as compared to what you studied.
Remember to join Clubs and societies they help you meet people but also look good on your CV
Remember to visit the Brunel placement and careers office to register with them
Remember that finding a first job isn't easy, but persistence in the end pays off.

My drive: Bringing education and empowering the orphans I meet everyday!

Running a charity isn't easy, but persistence, hard work, and achieving goals keep me focused!

Personal tip: