There are a number of practical ways we can support you, both with developing your career in international development and finding work while you’re studying.
The following is a flavour of what is on offer:
Finding and applying for a job in the UK whilst studying at IDS
All IDS Students (and graduates for up to three years) have access to the University of Sussex’s Careers and Entrepreneurship service while studying at IDS. This includes two career websites where you can find out more information about how to find a part time job, develop your experience whilst studying and explore your career options. These are:
CareerHub, a portal where you can search for part-time job vacancies on and off campus and book into careers events and appointments.
Student Hub has a dedicated careers section which you can find out more about your career options, how to apply for jobs, prepare for interviews and learn about building experience.
A full programme of careers events is available throughout termtime, including workshops such as:
- Part-Time work in the UK (including some info on visa restrictions)
- CVs for the UK job market
Finding and applying for a job for post-IDS in an international development related field
During termtime, our careers consultant Helen runs face-to-face careers drop-ins each week, and longer appointments can be booked through the CareerHub. Helen is on hand to discuss everything from CV writing and applications, thinking about what comes next, interviews, further study and general job searching advice.
Workshops include:
- Continuing your career in international development
- Finding a professional role – applications and interviews
- UK visa options after IDS
- UN careers
The Careers and Entrepreneurship service fund a number of Devex memberships for IDS students, to help you stay up to date with news, debates and analysis, as well as career information and funding opportunities for development professionals.
Skills training for international development professionals
IDS runs an annual Skills Week dedicated to sharing and developing professional skills among the whole IDS community.
We also run a Methods Week, devoted to examining different methodologies for qualitative and quantitative research, in the spirit of community capacity building.
You can also access a series of Building Leadership for Future Leaders workshops.
Building your network in international development
This is a critical part of the IDS offer, and by studying at IDS you become part of a worldwide network of over 4,000 alumni. We help you connect you to an alumni with the following types of mentoring:
- Matched mentoring – traditional one-to-one mentoring.
- Ask-an-Alum – in use for some time, this self-matching online tool gives quick advice and support from alumni network members.
- Group mentoring is a form of mentoring where one mentor works with several mentees in a group, ideal for those who learn collaboratively.
Support for social entrepreneurs
If you’re interested in starting a business, going freelance or developing a social enterprise, or are just keen to develop your entrepreneurial skills, the Careers and Entrepreneurship service offers support in this area. Again, this is available to you for three years after you graduate.
In addition, IDS has a Social Enterprise Initiative run by alumni and students with support such as an online community and masterclasses.
Please note that if you are an international student you cannot engage in business activity while on a student visa. You can still talk to the Entrepreneurship Team about your ideas and options, and take part in workshops and events, as well as some competitions.
The following grants are available for starting your own social enterprise:
- Entrepreneurship Kickstart Grant (Up to £250 to get an idea off the ground)
- Entrepreneurship Elevate Grant (Up to £3,000 for those already active with their businesses or social enterprise projects)
- Up to 30 new ventures have the chance to access specialist workshops, expert advice and intern support to grow. Includes a small stipend and an offer of a further 12 month incubator package, through the Entrepreneurship Kickstart GrantEntrepreneurship Elevate GrantSussex Accelerator
The Entrepreneurship Ideas Lab at the University of Sussex can help with idea generation, validating your idea, developing a value proposition, finances, marketing and delivering an elevator pitch.
Support for those considering a PhD
There a number of ways you can access advice and guidance if you’re considering a PhD degree after your master’s degree at IDS. These include:
- The University of Sussex has monthly live webchats for those thinking about pursuing a PhD, to speak with postgraduate specialists.
- The University of Sussex website has links to finding supervisors and funding, as well as practical advice on PhD applications and research proposals.
- You can also use the Ask-an-Alum tool where you can self-match with a mentor to find alumni who can advise you on PhDs.