Hobsons interview: Gareth Hall, BF President, Reading

Gareth Hall is President of the Bright Futures Society at University of Reading. Bright Futures is a student-led society which helps students maximise their employability skills through year-round collaboration with industry. He’s taken time out to talk to GET about his own career plans and to offer advice to anyone currently at university.

What are you studying?
Economics BSc.

What career do you hope to follow after university?
A career in professional services

When did you make that decision and which factors informed your choice?
November 2007. Having spoken to a number of past graduates in the professional-services industry, it became apparent that a lot of the qualities, skills and values they had were in common with my own. As I researched the industry in greater detail, I found the opportunities, the training, the support system and variety to be very appealing.

What extracurricular activities have you participated in to make yourself more employable?
Societies and clubs are enjoyable and help me to increase my skill set. You can only learn so much from your course! I am President of the university Business Society which has allowed me to enhance my transferable skills as well as network with large organisations. This has been challenging and occasionally stressful, but has given me some invaluable insights into leadership, management and commercial awareness. Moreover, I write for the film section of the university newspaper, Spark*.

What’s the best piece of career advice that you’ve received?
It’s not a piece of career advice as such, but a quote from James Dean: ‘Dream as if you’ll live forever; live as if you’ll die tomorrow.’ Very poignant.

What do you think are the top three things after academic achievement that employers look for?
Transferable skills, namely communication (both written and verbal), interpersonal skills, organisational skills, teamwork and commercial awareness.
After skills, graduate employers are then likely to look for how applicants present themselves. An applicant that exhibits an assured confidence, is willing to learn and has the necessary energy for the role is likely to impress. Finally, I believe employers want to see applicants who are motivated by their career and other goals. Employers know that they will be loyal to the cause, and will show initiative and flexibility to help achieve organisational goals.

What are the most important things that students look for in a graduate job?
Students look for employers with a strong sense of purpose, a healthy work/life balance and a job that will create value in their lives. People want to feel empowered, and that they’re making a difference to the success of an organisation, team or partnership.

Should students feel obliged to keep their profiles on social-networking sites ’clean’ or should employers not be sticking their noses in?
Employers shouldn’t pry, but then again, is the sort of person who would publish incriminating information about themselves likely to be a good applicant? Why would you want an ‘unclean’ profile (viewable to a global audience) in the first place?

Do universities do enough to prepare students for careers after graduating?
Degree programmes alone don’t. Coming out of university with a good degree is no longer enough – over 60% of graduates have a 2.1 or better. You need to differentiate yourself with something that will add value and experience to your name, and assist in giving you substance and lasting credibility. At Reading University there are over 100 clubs and societies, so there’s always a way to get involved: newspaper, radio station, charities, volunteer groups, support networks, staff/student committees…Universities give students opportunities but it’s up to the individual whether they seize them or not. Unfortunately, many still come out with only a transcript and their student debt!

What do you think will be the biggest challenge for students graduating in 2008?
Their ability to differentiate themselves. With more students at university and more students achieving a 2.1 or better, it is getting harder for employers to spot the top-end students.

Finally – the sales pitch. Why should students join their local Bright Futures society?
Simple – Bright Futures societies offer opportunities like no others. You can learn the essential skills every top employer demands, be taught the industry secrets universities neglect, network with leading businesses and have the confidence to stand out at interviews. It’s also great fun.

I’d recommend students not only join their local Bright Futures society, but get involved and become a committee member. The amount you’ll learn about yourself and the commercial world is unbelievable. As President, I have found the whole experience extremely beneficial. It is possibly the best choice I made since coming to university.

View the article on the Hobsons website here