Now that you’ve got your first year at York done and dusted, you’ll hopefully be settled into university life and keen to try new things. The long summer vacation is the perfect time to try your hand at getting some work experience to give yourself a head start at finding out what you enjoy and what you’re good at – because, take it from us, the rest of your time at uni is guaranteed to fly by and you’ll be graduating before you know it! Here’s some starter ideas of things you might want to come to or sign up for:

1. Summer Recruitment Day

Thinking about boosting your work experience? Still not quite sorted out summer plans? Planning to get a part-time/summer job after exams?

If your answer to any of these questions is yes, the Summer Recruitment Day is the solution for you!

Taking place in Your Space on Monday 8 June (Week 9), 11am-3pm, you’ll have the opportunity to talk to employers offering everything from short-term summer casual work to permanent graduate roles. You could leave with a job for summer on the day!

We are inviting local recruitment agencies with immediate starts, top graduate recruiters looking for summer interns and permanent roles to meet you on campus. So join us for a chat with Reed, Adecco, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, FDM and Gradcracker to name but a few. Nothing to lose and everything to gain!

We will also be offering a CV clinic 12-2pm – come along with your CV for support from our Careers Advisers and top tips from employers.

Register your interest on Careers Gateway, and see you there!

2. Get yourself a paid internship through the Student Internship Bureau
Fancy having a go at working in Higher Education? The Student Internship Bureau (SIB) is advertising over 40 internships based within the University. There’s a huge range of projects, including HR, Social Media, Finance , Web Design and Marketing.

Log onto Careers Gateway and click on the ‘SIB Internships’ tab to view what’s advertising now. There’s loads of other internships with local employers too, so there’s bound to be something for you, whatever you’re interested in. You can also keep up to date with new opportunities by liking the SIB’s Facebook page.

3. Kickstart your ideas over summer with Proof of Concept Funding
Do you have an idea that could become a new business? You can apply for an award of up to £1000 to try out a concept for a product or service. If you’ve been waiting until exams are over to give your ideas a go, now’s the time to apply for Proof of Concept funding. The next deadline is Friday 5 June (Week 8) and there’s one further round in the summer vacation period. So with the long months ahead of you, this is the perfect opportunity to make your ideas a reality!

4. Need work experience? Apply now for volunteering roles in the Autumn term
SNAPPY Play Worker, The Island mentors, Youth Theatre Charity Intern, Museum events assistant, Missing People Team member and St Nicks Conservation are volunteering roles needed to start in Autumn term. These are fantastic opportunities to gain work experience, build networks and enjoy your time in York! Apply now via York Students in Communities. The deadline to apply is Wednesday 10 June (Week 9).

If you fancy trying your hand at working with children, York Students In Schools (YSIS) also have placements in local primary and secondary schools. starting in Autumn term:

• An 8-10 week placement in a York school (half-day sessions during a full term, Weeks 1-10)
• Range of placements from classroom assistance to specialist support
• Opportunity to work with a vast age range, from nursery to sixth form

YSIS placements are great for anyone enthusiastic about volunteering in schools, or just looking to try something new – you don’t need to have had any previous experience (or you could have had lots!) – there are placements to suit everyone! Loads of fun and a great way to try something different. Applications are open from Monday 1 June (Week 8) to Wednesday 10 June (Week 9).

Please apply via our online application form during the recruitment period.