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Careers, Employability and Enterprise
The bustling Careers and Enterprise Centre entrance in the Palatine Centre

Engaging with Students Through Events

In a recent survey carried out amongst a group of our students who were asked why they would look to work for an SME on graduation, the following reasons came out top:

  • smaller companies tend to be more personal
  • the work of smaller companies makes a more visible impact.
  • SMEs can offer varied roles and a high level of flexibility
  • they generally they operate in a less pressured environment
  • strong company values

We firmly believe that SMEs can offer an unrivalled graduate experience, and this is why the Employer Services Team have developed a range of services and opportunities to help connect you to our student and graduate talent and can offer tailored services to support your recruitment.

With limited time, resources and budget for recruitment compared with larger organisations, the majority of what we offer, comes at no cost at all to you as an SME.

Engaging with students directly to promote opportunities with your business is a great way to generate interest and talk to students about what it's like to work for your organisation.

Here are some of our events, and services, designed to help you to raise your company’s profile with our students:

Events and Services Type

  • Pop-up Café

    Usually held in one of our busy on-campus cafés. You will be provided with a table and surrounding space to display a pull-up stand and a selection of branded materials.

  • Skills Sessions

    These provide advice and guidance to students on what to look out for during the application process, and how to approach the interview. Example includes CV Workshops or Video and mock interviews.

  • Targeted Career Weeks

    Our targeted careers weeks include a mix of in-person & virtual events, providing plenty of opportunity to connect with high calibre students looking for employment & work experience in your sector.

  • Careers Fair

    Most of our targeted weeks include a fair-style event, offering a chance to come on campus alongside other employers, promote your business and network with students.

Further Information About Hosting Events
A queue of students waiting at a coffee van

Pop-up Café is a great way to chat informally with students and to engage with those who may not have previously considered your organisation. You'll benefit from the busy café trade over the lunchtime period and can be flexible with your timings.

Staff from Careers and Enterprise team in the Palatine Building

Skills sessions are highly sought after by our students, and have no administration or advertising fee to hold a one at Durham University.

Screenshot of a Targeted Careers Week Sharepoint

Example Targeted Careers Week themes include, STEM, Law, Sustainability, SMEs, charities and more!

A blonde student smiles at employers while another student to the right laughs.

Our Careers Fair are always very popular with students. We also hold a Part-time Jobs Fair at the start of every academic year, which is not part of a Targeted Careers Week.

Advertising

Advertising your vacancies is free. Our vacancy advertising system is accessible 24/7, for students, graduates, and employers. 

Durham University  also offers advanced digital advertising packages, for which there is a charge.

The Careers & Enterprise Service at Durham has a strong social media profile, and we strongly encourage employers to actively tag us in your posts, which we can then share onto our platforms.

  • Twitter - @careersatdurham
  • Instagram - @careersatdurham
  • Facebook - /careersatdurham

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at careers.events@durham.ac.uk if you have any questions