Nurturing Birmingham’s Creative Talent

Getting your foot through the door in the creative sector is tough; endless covering letters, countless phone calls - thank goodness then for B-Hive!   Following a highly successful first year B-Hive returned for 2010, showing that Birmingham is a golden land of opportunity!

A unique initiative, B-Hive brings together Birmingham’s leading creative agencies and big brands. The lovely people who run it offer Marketing, PR and Creative students the opportunity to present to them and, if you impress, secure a paid work experience placement in their award-winning companies.  Having a month’s experience at one these agencies is guaranteed to not only give you valuable experience, but also to open plenty more doors for you within the industry!

The categories this year included PR, Marketing, Graphic Design and Online Design.

For full details look here...

Have you ever thought of starting your own business?

BSEEN is a project designed to help you.

Funded by Birmingham City Council under their Working Neighbourhood Fund initiative, the BSEEN (Birmingham Skills for Enterprise and Employability Network) project is a collaborative initiative between Aston University, Birmingham University and Birmingham City University.

BSEEN is designed to help recent graduates get their business off the ground with three levels of support:

• One – successful applicants will be offered a six-month tenure in incubator space, with a bursary, training, coaching and mentoring.

• Two - the Graduate Enterprise Club for graduates looking to start-up their own business.  The Club provides networking opportunities through events with high-profile keynote speakers, sector-specific workshops and master classes.

• Three - information, training and support for graduate and student businesses, from informal advice and drop-in sessions, to formal workshops and lectures. This Activity is delivered by the participating universities’ careers services.

To be eligible you should have graduated within the last four years and be resident in the Birmingham area (the ‘B’ postcode area). For more information on BSEEN, including details on how to apply go to our website  www.b-seen.org.uk

If you would like further information or an informal chat please contact Katherine Preston, Aston University, on 0121 204 3214 or k.preston@aston.ac.uk or follow us on Twitter

The project that gives you a great kick-start to your career.  West Midlands Graduate Internships affords companies the opportunity to take on graduate placements (that’s you) for up to 30 hours per week and for up to six months. If you secure a placement you will get invaluable experience, receive various career support services as well as undertaking two weeks pre-internship training.  You may also be able to claim Job Seekers Allowance through the Job Centre.

This scheme is in co-operation with Advantage West Midlands, Graduate Advantage, Jobcentre Plus and local Birmingham universities.  

For more information about this programme and to get involved visit their website here... www.westmidlandsgraduateinternships.co.uk

In the current climate you may think there is little hope of finding a job after your studies, but graduates are in a stronger position than you may think to enter the job market.  To a potential employer you offer enthusiasm and a commitment that may be lacking in a more seasoned worker.  And if we are being brutally honest you are cheaper too. (Remember that’s just in the short-term).  Here are a few tips for all you new graduates…

• Plan ahead – Think about what you are going to do before you graduate; your student days will be over all too soon and you don’t want to be left without a plan.

• Don’t get caught in the post-graduate ‘rush’ to get selected for a job that is unsuitable.  Many graduates change jobs three or more times in the first 18 months after graduating because they have got caught up in the panic.

• Don’t sit around waiting for your dream job; an active graduate is more employable.  Get experience, voluntary work anything that shows a pro-active attitude.

• Don’t get stuck in a part-time job that is unrelated to your qualifications; it will be damaging in the long run and look bad on your CV.

• Having said that be flexible, your ideal job may take a while to come along don’t sit around waiting for an opportunity – it may never come!

• Make the most of family and friends.  Network - someone you know may be able to offer you your first break.

• Although you might have already left university, they are still there for you and will welcome you back like the old friend you are for careers advice (see the useful links section below for Birmingham universities careers help).

• Post-Graduate qualifications – Why stop now?  Become the best in your field and continue your studies – become the ultimate employee!  Look at the useful links below for advice on furthering your studies.

• Check publications for job posts regularly.  The Guardian is a great source for the creative sector, The Birmingham Mail posts jobs in its Wednesday evening edition and look at trade magazines that are related to your chosen field.  Also check out the library, a great resource for the job seeker.

• Get some help!  Look at the useful links section below.  These organisations offer invaluable support and advice for graduates and students.

Graduate Advantage

If you are a student or graduate these are the people to contact to apply for paid full-time and part-time work placements, summer internships, graduate placements and free employability training.
www.graduateadvantage.co.uk

The Graduate Apprentice
A UK first and totally unique concept now in its fifth year.

Each year it selects one recent graduate and offers them the one of a kind opportunity to undertake three diverse work placements in the professional and business services sector in Birmingham over a 12 month period whilst experiencing the fantastic lifestyle of Birmingham and earning a competitve salary.

The search for the 2010 Graduate Apprentice is now on.  One lucky graduate will have a truly unique year, working for Deloitte, The Cube and Brewin Dolphin, as well has having access to the unrivalled networking potential of Birmingham Future.  Fully salaried, the year is a fantastic start to the career of any Graduate.  You will have a fully supported year, giving you the chance to experience three individual companies, helping to direct your career path.  If you think you have what it takes to be the next Graduate Apprentice and you are still looking for the perfect role post graduation, this is an opportunity you cannot afford to miss.  Apply now at  www.thegraduateapprentice.co.uk

B-Hive

A unique initiative which gives Marketing, PR and Creative students the opportunity to present to Birmingham’s leading creative agencies.  If you impress them you could secure a paid work experience placement in their award-winning companies. Think Dragons Den with less dragon-like dragons.
www.bhive-creative.com

Birmingham Future

Birmingham Future's aim is to develop the future leaders of Birmingham and to promote the city as a thriving and dynamic international business centre. Through a diverse membership scheme, it gives a voice to young professionals and offers a range of innovative and exciting networking opportunities.
www.birminghamfuture.co.uk/
Click here to check out a special supplement about graduate life in Birmingham

Prospects
The UK’s official graduate careers website.  It allows students and graduates to explore careers, postgraduate study and graduate jobs in the UK
www.prospects.ac.uk

Grad Central
Graduate recruitment service aimed at getting graduates jobs in the West Midlands region.
grad-central.co.uk

University of Birmingham careers advice
The University of Birmingham offers a range of resources and services to help you identify your career aims, contact prospective employers, and develop your skills…
www.postgraduate.bham.ac.uk/services/career/

Birmingham City University careers advice
Birmingham City University offer s encouragement and support to graduates in their career planning for up to five years after graduation. Here you can access careers information, advice and guidance.
www.bcu.ac.uk/alumni/careers/index.html

Birmingham City University Graduate Fairs - 27 - 29 April

The Birmingham City University Employment Zone Team are launching a new initiative this year entitled Discover Potential – Improve Prospects.  The events will consist of three, faculty specific graduate options fairs, where all students and graduates of the university will have access to a variety of opportunities to help them explore their future, and develop their potential. 

For more information about this event click here or email employmentzone@bcu.ac.uk

Aston University careers advice
Aston University Careers Service provides high quality careers guidance, education and information services to Aston's students and graduates. It delivers these through individual appointments, group sessions, online services and a well-equipped information room.
http://static.aston.ac.uk/careers/flash/launch_flash_website.htm