Careers Service
The Careers Service is available to prospective, current and former students of Swansea Metropolitan University and graduates of any Higher Education Institution. The Career Service aims to enhance the employability of students and graduates of the University and to assist with their career planning. The Career Service provides impartial information, advice and guidance as an integral part of preparation for employment. It operates to a professional code of conduct.
Whatever your reason for choosing to study at Swansea Metropolitan University, whether as an essential step towards a career or to gain an advantage in an increasingly competitive job market, you need to plan ahead.
The Careers Service is available to help you find a career which matches your skills, interests and personal qualities. You will have access to support which can help you to identify and develop your employability skills and market them effectively to employers. Practical support on job seeking is also provided including help in creating an effective CV and preparing for interview.
Careers Information, Advice and Guidance
The Careers Adviser provides free unbiased, confidential information and guidance on topics related to career choice, which can help with your decision making. Students and graduates can discuss their career prospects at any time by contacting the Careers Service.
If you are unable to access us during our opening hours we provide an evening service or you can email us with your query.
You will have an opportunity to meet the Careers Adviser during induction week in your first year. You may be seen later in your studies as part of your study group or via individual interview.
Work Experience
Work experience provides a valuable link between your academic studies and the world of work. Employers require evidence of your ability to apply your skills and subject knowledge in the workplace. They will also be looking for graduates with commercial awareness.
Certain courses arrange work placements as an integral part of the study programme. However, if this is not an option for you, support is available to identify the opportunities available. Work experience takes many forms including paid, voluntary, part-time and vacation work.
Student Jobshop
The University's Jobshop works closely with students and local employers to provide an effective, free and easy to use student employment service for students who are looking for part-time, seasonal or vacation work in the Swansea area whilst studying. Part-time work is a good way of supplementing your income and enhancing your CV with work experience. All vacancies are able to be viewed via this link.
Careers Resources
The Careers Library offers a wide range of information and resources to help with your career planning, including internet access and careers guidance software packages such as Prospects Planner. The Careers Library holds comprehensive reference materials including free magazines and directories.
As well as comprehensive reference material on career development, future study opportunities and company literature the Careers Library provides quality publications which are available free of charge.
If you need assistance with your careers research, staff are available to help.
The Careers Library is open access, which means you can visit outside Careers Centre hours of business. The atmosphere is pleasant and informal and students are encouraged to drop in at any time to research their career ideas.
Further information and contact details for our careers services
Counselling
You may experience problems of widely differing types, ranging from practical difficulties to those of a very personal nature. Being a student can bring to a head the complexities of coping, perhaps for the first time, on a limited budget and in new surroundings, with possible difficulties of interpersonal relationships and pre-exam tension. A student coming straight from school may still be struggling with a confusing crisis of identity and direction. Here, our qualified and experienced Counsellors can offer support and space.
In an atmosphere of confidentiality and trust, the Counsellors will listen to students who wish to discuss their problems, whether they are personal, financial or educational. Without seeking to impose values, they will try to help you achieve an all-round view of your problems, enabling you to make informed decisions. Information sheets and booklets are available on a wide range of topics such as financial help for students, coping strategies, stress, anxiety, depression and many more.
The Counsellors are based at Mount Pleasant, and visit all campuses on a regular basis.
Students returning to education after a break of some time may have their own particular difficulties. These might include the problems associated with returning to study after a long absence, coping with family commitments and financial concerns. The Counsellors will help and support all students during their period of study.
Further information and contact details for our Counselling Service
English Language Support for international students
What kind of support is on offer?
All students are expected to have a good working knowledge of the English language. However, academic situations can present new problems. As a result, the Student Services Department offers support in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) as well as in Study Skills. The English language support/Study Skills support tutor (David C. Williams) offers both 1-1 tutorial sessions and classes. Subjects and examples of content are as follows:-
• Essay structure: from 3000 word essays to dissertations
• Referencing skills: citations and bibliographies
• Critical analysis: facts versus opinions
• Academic Reading: authentic reading texts on your subject area
• Academic Listening: listening to lectures & tutorials
• Academic Writing: discussion essays, paraphrasing, summary writing
• Academic speaking: presentations, pronunciation
• Vocabulary skills: the academic word list, linking words, collocation
• Grammar skills: tenses, sentence structure, parts of speech
In addition to the above there will be an English Conversation Club (based at Mount Pleasant Campus) where all international students can meet twice a week. Check notice-boards/plasma screens and your e-mail for details (October start).
How do I arrange for an English language support session?
You have three ways to do this:-
- Call in at the Thompson Centre. This is opposite Café Metro. Go through the double doors and up the wooden staircase. Ask for Tania Bromham. She is the secretary for Student Services and will give you a form to complete. The form is then passed to my and I will contact you.
Disabilities
Students with disabilities and health problems are important to us and you are encouraged to inform us of a disability or health problem before you arrive so that we can ensure that any needs for support and assistance are met.
Student Services staff will help you with applications for the Disabled Student's Allowance, organising support workers and obtaining technical equipment. They can also advise on suitable accommodation, access issues and arrange discussions with academic staff.
Special arrangements can be made for examinations and assessments if necessary.
The University has a lively disabled students group which provides informal support to members and useful feedback on developing facilities.
For further information, please contact Student Services for a copy of the Universities Disability Statement.
Useful web sites:
http://www.skill.org.uk/
http://www.direct.gov.uk/
or Contact telephone number 01792 481206 or email
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D.I.A.L.
Disability Information and Advice Line.
This is an independent organisation.
It provides a free legal and welfare rights service to all disabled people and their families in the Swansea area. D.I.A.L. can give advice on the following: benefits, grants, housing, equipment, mobility, respite care, self-help and access. This advice is confidential. The D.I.A.L. information line is 01792 588322 Monday to Thursday 10.00am - 3.30pm
Dyslexia Support and Study Skills
Staff are available to help and give advice to those who feel they require specialist assistance.
There are tutors who offer expert tuition for those who require the appropriate help to enable them to achieve their potential. This support is available at designated times during the week. Information sheets are also available on a wide range of topics including essay writing, examination techniques, researching and referencing.
Further information on our Dyslexia Support ans Study Skills Service
Financial Advice
For many students, managing your finances on a strict budget will be a new experience. We can offer advice to those who encounter financial hardship during their time at the University. Contact the Student Financial Helper in the Finance Office or enquire at Student Services.
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