1. Employability Pathway

Beacon University Alumni have generated a step-by-step guide to enhancing employability following graduation.

For example, for each undergraduate year a sequential list of Must-do's are laid out to increase the probability of securing internships, and ultimately a full-time high quality graduate position.

This guide has been incorporated into Target Sheets so that Scholars can ensure they are maximising their employability prospects.

HEADLINE MARKERS ON EMPLOYABILITY PATHWAY

• Priority - Must do or Nice to have

• Timeline - pre-university; 1st year, 1st year summer; 2nd year, 2nd year summer; 3rd/4th year, summer after graduation
• Practical steps - to maximise chances of post-graduation employment
• Support that is available - at university 
• Role of the Beacon - mentoring to help Scholars network, and find and filter opportunities

The full Employability Pathway is available to University Scholars in the Scholars portal.

2. Mentoring & Guidance

The role of the UK Beacon Representative is to provide hands-on mentoring, guidance and support to Beacon Scholars throughout their university journey. The UK Rep monitors progress from day 1 of a Scholar's undergraduate degree, and provides ideas, counsel and support on internship and employment opportunities.

Key to this process, is encouraging Scholars to apply for prizes, awards and distinctions to create points of difference.

Scholars attend Beacon Seminars on Personal Brand, and build key skills in Beacon Workshops such as Teambuilding, Public Speaking, Career Planning, Communication, and Meeting Management in order to improve their confidence and capabilities.

3. Work Experience and Internships

There is a strong emphasis on Scholars to seek out work experience both during their undergraduate holiday periods and perhaps during the academic year, provided it does not interfere with their academic and other commitments. In particular, we encourage Scholars to seek out paid or unpaid leadership positions in Societies (eg Presidency of the East Africa Society) or in Halls of Residence (eg Residence Life Assistant). Formal internships in the summers can be at home or in the UK, and offer valuable resume-building experience.

Beacon Citizenship Projects in the summer also offer opportunities for Scholars to showcase their leadership and hands-on skills. Scholars can put their leadership training into practice and highlight to potential employers their commitment of time and energy to on-the-ground community service. Citizenship project presentations and follow-up round-table discussions improve practical skills sought after by employers. 

4. Outcomes

Beacon Scholars have to date obtained offers of internships and full-time employment at the following organisations. The 2022 graduating class is the first full Beacon cohort of graduating university students (6). Prior to 2022, 4 Scholars had graduated - two in 2020, and two in 2021. Several Beacons have had multiple internships and job offers.