Sharing best practice in employability for computing graduates

The School of Computing is taking a national lead in improving employability for computing graduates. Kent is one of 25 universities which shared their best practice in a series of national workshops which culminated in the report Building a Graduate Employability Community in Computing (GECCO).

The Kent placement team highlighted the importance of one-to-one meetings with each student, to plan their job search. In the meetings discussions are lead around three areas: the type of company or industry they are looking for, the type of role and the location. The discussion allows the placements team to get to know the students well, which helps steer them towards particular companies and roles. Each student goes away with a shortlist and an action.

‘Considerable effort goes into building relationships with students and networks of relationships with employers and alumni, allowing us to recommend placement opportunities based on character and skill set. Students are frequently overwhelmed by the choices available to them and an initial exploratory conversation provides them with a strategy to apply to their search.’ 

The placement team helps over 100 computing students to secure placements each year. It is widely cited as an example of best practice, both within the University and among computing departments.

All of the undergraduate and Master’s degrees at the School of Computing have the option of an industrial placement: www.cs.kent.ac.uk/ug/degrees.html