Advice on how you can make the most of first and second year, including how to find work experience, build your skills, and get started with your career planning.

Your future starts here

Getting a Business degree from Edinburgh is a great start but to stand out in a competitive job market after you graduate you'll need more than just a degree. You can start building your skills and getting experience now and it's never too early to start thinking ahead to what you want to do after you graduate.

Making the most of first and second year

Things to do in first and second year

1. Get involved in university life

There's a wide range of things happening at Edinburgh that you can get involved with, including:

Joining university clubs and societies: There are over 260 student societies at Edinburgh including ones related to business and finance such as the Business Society and EUTIC (Edinburgh University Trading and Investment Club) plus a lot more to choose from. As well as student societies there are around 60 different sports clubs you can get involved with too.

Volunteering to be a Programme Rep or on a Staff/Student Liaison Committee: You'll hear more about how you can get involved with this once you get started with your studies.

Take part in the Edinburgh Award for Professional Development: As you progress into your 2nd year, we encourage you to participate in the Edinburgh Award in Professional Development. This is a great opportunity to take ownership of your own development in a supportive and relaxed environment, be part of the Business School community, and meet new people in your year.

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2. Get experience

First and second year is a great time to get experience before you get busy with academic work. When it comes to getting experience, everything counts, but here are some suggestions for things you could do.

Part-time work: You can earn money and develop skills at the same time - check MyCareerHub regularly for the latest part-time jobs.

Insight days and other pre-internship opportunities: While formal internships are usually aimed at penultimate year students, a few employers offer short programmes called Insight Days or Spring Weeks that you can apply for in your first and second year. Check MyCareerHub for opportunities.

Volunteering: This is another great way to gain skills, meet new people and make a difference. Start with the Students' Association and Volunteer Edinburgh sites to track down opportunities.

3. Think ahead

The Careers Compass is a series of web pages and activities designed to help you with your career planning and it's never too early to start.

Even at this early stage you can start thinking about your future career and how to get there. The Compass has a number of activities and things to consider for students in early years to start exploring at your own pace. The Compass covers these areas:

  • Understand yourself
  • Discover what's out there
  • Build experience
  • Become professional
  • Make it happen