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How could extracurricular activities help international students find a graduate role?

Today, graduate employers are looking for well-rounded candidates that have a range of skills to offer. The issue is, these skills extend past the reach of academia found at university. Thankfully there are a wide range of opportunities available outside of lectures that can help you successfully find a graduate role. According to a UK study involving 21 million job adverts, non-academic achievements were considered essential to pass initial interview stage as “the majority of employer’s place greater emphasis on ‘job readiness’”.

Universities offer multiple options for extracurricular activities that can be taken on during your degree to help boost your skills and prepare you for interviews and the working world, you just need to know where to find them. These include.

Societies

Volunteering

Sports

Mentoring schemes

Buddy schemes

Student ambassadors

Extracurricular activities can be anything outside of your normal studies at university, typically these are hobbies or something you’re passionate about. Try to choose an activity you enjoy but also adds to your development with transferable skills. For example, joining a sports team will add to your communication and teamworking whereas joining the debate society would increase your critical thinking and decision-making skills.

What are the benefits?

The purpose and benefits of finding extracurricular activities is that you will open your experience up to include what employers are looking for in a candidate so you can meet the requirements. This means adding soft skills such as communication, adaptability, leadership and Time management. Such skills are easily added when participating in an activity you’re interested in. We often suggest volunteering as a fantastic way for students to gain work experience due to the access this gives you to tangible experience in a workplace. Extracurricular activities contribute to this, they can also expand your social network, increase confidence and self-esteem while meeting a diverse group of people.

Look at what sports, societies and groups are available at your university to see what interests you. You should then be able to work out what types of skills you’ll gain and include this information where appropriate when applying for a role can show employers a better picture of who you are and what you’re passionate about. For more of the latest news and tips for international students register for GradLink today!