Hello, I can appreciate it's more about work experience as you enter in to the world of work, but as a student, it'd be interesting to see some of your educational backgrounds (that sounds like I'm a government inspector!) - nothing personal of course, just what your degree/post grad study is and where?Again, the thread is supposed to be lighthearted and drum up feelings of old care-free times! :)

Ahhhh! Cider in the afternoon. 8 hours of lectures a week. Left uni 2 grand richer than I went in.2:2 from a red brickPost grad Dip M from CIMMBA

[quote]Ahhhh! Cider in the afternoon. 8 hours of lectures a week. Left uni 2 grand richer than I went in.2:2 from a red brickPost grad Dip M from CIMMBA [/quote]2 grand richer? That's no mean feat Mr Cool! I'm more of a spirits guy unfortunately... Have you tried that espresso vodka Smirnoff are doing? Lovely. A wee bit of coke and you have yourself a cheap black Russian right there!

1st from Redbrick (12 hours a week, nothing on a Friday)ACA (beancounter)but that was eaons ago when consulting was young and clients would pay top dollar for powerpoint. Nowadays a top degree is a hygiene factor. You'll need to find another way to stand out from the army of bright young things who want to be big 4 partners by the time they are 25.Think internships/relevant work experience

[quote]1st from Redbrick (12 hours a week, nothing on a Friday)ACA (beancounter)but that was eaons ago when consulting was young and clients would pay top dollar for powerpoint. Nowadays a top degree is a hygiene factor. You'll need to find another way to stand out from the army of bright young things who want to be big 4 partners by the time they are 25.Think internships/relevant work experience[/quote]Eaons ago and you still remember Herzberg? I'm impressed. Seriously though, point well taken. Internships do seem to be taking over. I struggle to see what an 'Insight Week' could teach you though? Other than the opportunity for networking and gaining an 'insight' in to the workings of the company, I can't imagine they'd promote any real sought-after skills (in practical terms)... Maybe they should be treated as extended networking events indeed..

Insight weeks? Pah!put yourself in the shoes of a graduate hiring manager of a big brand firm. For every place you have to offer you'll get 100+ CVs, all of which claim to be excellent academics, school prefects, in sports teams, self starters, good communicators, kind to animals, blah, blah...you'll spend maybe 5 seconds screening each one before "filing" it. you'll be looking for actual experience of doing something interesting and relevant, be it internships (a proper one where candidates have done some real work), actual work experience where you've found a problem and fixed it (not McDonalds or Tesco), or some evidence that you've got the wherewithal to get off your a*** and do something amazing (but getting off your tits at a full moon party doesn't count)Balance that with the fact that life's for living not just embellishing your CV.

[quote]Insight weeks? Pah!put yourself in the shoes of a graduate hiring manager of a big brand firm. For every place you have to offer you'll get 100+ CVs, all of which claim to be excellent academics, school prefects, in sports teams, self starters, good communicators, kind to animals, blah, blah...you'll spend maybe 5 seconds screening each one before "filing" it. you'll be looking for actual experience of doing something interesting and relevant, be it internships (a proper one where candidates have done some real work), actual work experience where you've found a problem and fixed it (not McDonalds or Tesco), or some evidence that you've got the wherewithal to get off your a*** and do something amazing (but getting off your tits at a full moon party doesn't count)Balance that with the fact that life's for living not just embellishing your CV.[/quote]Spot on.That said, a full moon party does sound great right now. What about identifying opportunities at one of the biggest events in the country (related to what you were doing at the time - work wise) and getting in touch with event organizers/your employers head office, having a meeting with both to discuss your ideas, then winning a spot to take your department to said event? And making a huge success of it? I'm wondering if this is the sort of stuff you're talking about? Not quite Tesco or McDonalds but not quite 'wow factor' material either, still decent though(?)!

Be careful not to give too much information - I found out Floopy's real name + profile on LinkedIn from that information...:)

No way - 2:2 Coolio? Well I never.Considering what Arby has said, I will keep mine VERY high level:Degree from "top 50" Uni, got 2:1. As part of it, spent a year working outside Europe (only 2 of us from 200+ students went to work internationally outside Europe). As a clue, my Uni was near ish Loughborough University and I rememberDecided I hadn't quite finished with higher education yet after 4 years, did a Masters with a "top 8" Uni, related to the area I was planning to go work in. Best decision I made, helped immensely when applying for graduate schemes.Patrick - MCs are looking for graduates to be solid all rounders, they want the guys and girls who get high grades but also do the sports and the charity work and the relevant work experience. Competition is soooo high, MCs can pick the best.Yes, enjoy yourself at Uni, but if MCs is what you really want, get the grades but also do not lose sight of the fact that they will want you to be a rounded individual, hence make sure you also do all the normal things in life (sports etc)Best of luck

What can I say. I was 16 when I went to uni, in a big, big hurry. I was clever enough, but nowhere near mature enough. By the end I was simply cramming to pass the tests and no more.No regrets - in those days a 2:2 was still acceptable if you had a bit if spark. I also did a shed load of extracurriculars that got me offers from 3-4 blue chips before I was even in my final year.How times have changed!

[quote]Be careful not to give too much information - I found out Floopy's real name + profile on LinkedIn from that information...:)[/quote]No way! And here's me with my full name as a username... I guess one day I'll need to die online and come back as anonymous7 :)[quote]No way - 2:2 Coolio? Well I never.Considering what Arby has said, I will keep mine VERY high level:Degree from "top 50" Uni, got 2:1. As part of it, spent a year working outside Europe (only 2 of us from 200+ students went to work internationally outside Europe). As a clue, my Uni was near ish Loughborough University and I rememberDecided I hadn't quite finished with higher education yet after 4 years, did a Masters with a "top 8" Uni, related to the area I was planning to go work in. Best decision I made, helped immensely when applying for graduate schemes.Patrick - MCs are looking for graduates to be solid all rounders, they want the guys and girls who get high grades but also do the sports and the charity work and the relevant work experience. Competition is soooo high, MCs can pick the best.Yes, enjoy yourself at Uni, but if MCs is what you really want, get the grades but also do not lose sight of the fact that they will want you to be a rounded individual, hence make sure you also do all the normal things in life (sports etc)Best of luck[/quote]http://recruiters.top-consultant.com/UK/clientcentre/choosepackage.aspxExcellent. How did you find the jump from undergraduate level to masters?Thanks for the advice. I am aiming for MC, but I know the competition is fierce and it'll take something special... Knowing what's in demand and aiming for that is a good position to be in though, at least I have time on my side and I'm not in my final year with a sudden passion if that makes sense.

Hi Coolio,No worries, Uni at 16 must have been tough! Important thing is that it all worked out well for you. I reckon your day rate would bankrupt many a small company within a few days.I also think that you provide some good sound advice here to the new kids on the block, obviously you matured quickly enough thereafter.Hi Paddy,In relation to your question of going from undergrad to Masters, its not a problem. It was an easy peasy transition as you are still in "study mode" where as if I had come back to it after working, I think that would be tougher.An important thing to do is to pick a top 10 Uni if you can for your MA/MSc. I don't mean it in the bad way to my undergrad Uni, but lets just say that the number of interviews I got for Graduate schemes after entering a Masters in a top flight University were far more than while I was in a top 50 Uni. Yes anyone can achieve anything in life, but I found out the hard way that certain things in life just seem to oil the engine and make things that little bit easier/better/quicker for youUp to you though. No point doing a course you hate in a top 10 Uni. But if you can choose an MSc that you like AND its a top flight Uni, then you are helping that interview door open a tiny bit more than before thats all.Coolio - happy to be corrected if your experience is different

First degree was a II.i in engineering from a Russell Group uni. Then, M.Sc. Years later, accounting qualification.The most effed up bit was having to do 40-odd hours a week while some of the other guys and gals barely had 10 hours.We used to say that there are three main aspects re. uni life: social/drinking, having a girlfriend, studies. Can only do 2 out of three. Had a great social life. Put in the effort re. studies. So, no gf. But......... I am more than making up for it now - lol!!!

[quote]Hi Coolio,No worries, Uni at 16 must have been tough! Important thing is that it all worked out well for you. I reckon your day rate would bankrupt many a small company within a few days.I also think that you provide some good sound advice here to the new kids on the block, obviously you matured quickly enough thereafter.Hi Paddy,In relation to your question of going from undergrad to Masters, its not a problem. It was an easy peasy transition as you are still in "study mode" where as if I had come back to it after working, I think that would be tougher.An important thing to do is to pick a top 10 Uni if you can for your MA/MSc. I don't mean it in the bad way to my undergrad Uni, but lets just say that the number of interviews I got for Graduate schemes after entering a Masters in a top flight University were far more than while I was in a top 50 Uni. Yes anyone can achieve anything in life, but I found out the hard way that certain things in life just seem to oil the engine and make things that little bit easier/better/quicker for youUp to you though. No point doing a course you hate in a top 10 Uni. But if you can choose an MSc that you like AND its a top flight Uni, then you are helping that interview door open a tiny bit more than before thats all.Coolio - happy to be corrected if your experience is different[/quote]Thanks Anon, top advice. [quote]First degree was a II.i in engineering from a Russell Group uni. Then, M.Sc. Years later, accounting qualification.The most effed up bit was having to do 40-odd hours a week while some of the other guys and gals barely had 10 hours.We used to say that there are three main aspects re. uni life: social/drinking, having a girlfriend, studies. Can only do 2 out of three. Had a great social life. Put in the effort re. studies. So, no gf. But......... I am more than making up for it now - lol!!![/quote]Glad to hear you're making up for it now haha, play safe! That predicament still applies though - unfortunately.

[quote]We used to say that there are three main aspects re. uni life: social/drinking, having a girlfriend, studies. Can only do 2 out of three. Had a great social life. Put in the effort re. studies. So, no gf. But......... I am more than making up for it now - lol!!![/quote]That's the best bit of uni advice I've every heard - should be mandatory in the introduction lectures - I sometimes get asked to go back as the "keynote" speaker at my old department for the introductory lecture for the 1st years and returners - will try and weave that one in.