At their busiest time of year, the University’s Careers Service has undergone a thorough three-day, on-site inspection by an external assessor and has just been awarded the Government’s “Matrix Quality Standard for Information, Advice and Guidance Services”.
At their busiest time of year, the University’s Careers Service has undergone a thorough three-day, on-site inspection by an external assessor and has just been awarded the Government’s “Matrix Quality Standard for Information, Advice and Guidance Services”.
This nationally recognised award is accredited by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and applied to Careers Services across the UK.
Through one-to-one consultations with students, employers, academics, the Chair of the Syndicate and Careers Service staff, the assessor gained a thorough picture of the management, work and extensive reach of the Service, how time and resources are spread, particular strengths and areas where further improvements could be made.
The summary of the 20-page report highlights the enthusiasm of all staff to provide a proficient service, demonstrating patience with students, graduates, postgraduates, postdocs, mature students and Cambridge alumni at all times and encouraging progress and achievement throughout their contact time.
There were many comments of a positive nature from the people whom the Assessor met, highlighting the positive encounter that they had experienced in their interactions with the Careers Service.
The Director, Gordon Chesterman, said he was pleased the assessor chose a busy time to visit Stuart House. “By the fifth week of this Michaelmas Term student use of the Service had already exceeded the total for the whole of the Michaelmas Term last year. More than 9,500 students visited Stuart House in the first five weeks, and 74% of all final year undergraduates have already voluntarily signed-up to our website.”
“Student attendances at our Careers Events have increased 34% to more than 3,700.”
Students have engaged more with the Careers Service than any other year and the report commented on how the Careers Service provides a “nimble response to the demands created by the economic downturn”.
The landscape for future careers, especially those in the public sector, and opportunities to continue in academic research still look very uncertain, but the Careers Service team are pleased that the vast majority of Cambridge students are using the Service well and approaching the employment market in a timely and measured way.
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