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Celebrating our 3rd birthday with over 1,300 internships!

January 30th, 2012

London’s leading graduate internship recruitment agency is celebrating their 3rd birthday this month. In three years Inspiring Interns have successfully created over 1,300 internships for unemployed graduates. Over 65% of these internships have lead to new, permanent jobs and the majority of the remainder have gone on to secure permanent work elsewhere as a result of their additional experience.

Inspiring Interns had a very exciting year last year.  Our expanding business took on six new members of staff, five of who started as interns themselves. As we grew we needed somewhere bigger and better to house our budding team.  We bid a sad goodbye to our old office which has been our home from day one and moved down the road to our new headquarters. Our new office houses two candidate interview rooms so we can help twice as many graduates into jobs every day.

Last year saw us celebrate the publication of our careers guidebook Brilliant Intern which provides practical and meaningful advice to help graduates find and make the most of their internships.

We announced a wonderful new partnership with Job Centre Plus and the Work Experience Programme towards the end of the year to help support graduates who want to undertake an internship. Thanks to the partnership, interns are able to receive JSA (normally £53.45 a week) for a minimum of eight weeks during their internship. When graduates would otherwise be job hunting this scheme allows them to gain invaluable work experience at no additional cost. With this added work experience the likelihood of them getting a paid graduate role is highly increased, along with their employability due to their newfound awareness of a commercial setting.

An internship bridges the gap between student life and the working world – it is a vocational learning experience which provides graduates with practical experience, valuable skills and a network of contacts to increase a graduate’s understanding of an industry. Inspiring Interns founder and CEO Ben Rosen explains;

“Internships are a great tool to allow companies to minimise their risk when hiring inexperienced staff, while giving graduates the opportunity to create and earn positions that may not have been there without the internship. A three month placement gives the intern the chance to learn lots of new hands-on skills and make themselves indispensible, and therefore move into permanent employment.”

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Unemployment: the perfect excuse to make yourself more employable – guest blog

January 27th, 2012

Guest blog by Nell Fane.

Internships are the key to pimping up your CV, which is the key to getting a job: everyone knows it, so everyone is constantly reiterating it.

But what happens when your CV isn’t pimped up enough to get you that initial internship?  What then?  Well, the answer is basically that you’re not supposed to sit around moping.  You’re supposed to be proactive about it, and to sort-of createyour own skill-acquiring internship.

That’s what a friend of mine did.  He was turned down by a couple of companies for a few summer internships that he really wanted, and instead of taking it personally, he just decided to bring a little idea he had into existence, and set up his OWN company.  And he was subsequently forced to learn all those skills he would have been spoon-fed over the course of the internship, the hard way.  And with this, the amazing www.unisportonline.co.uk was born.

I’m obviously not suggesting that all the unemployed people out there should set up companies willy-nilly; only that no one should just wait for something to come to them.  People should be practical, and in the midst of sending out their applications, they should keep challenging themselves and adding to their skill-set.

I know that sounds a little bit geeky, but all our lives – up until the time of graduation – we are forced to study.  We have to keep learning in order to get by, and so we do.  But, once exams and compulsory education are all over, it’s just so easy to stop learningand furthering ourselves.  ‘I’m not being tested on it, so why should I bother learning it?’ becomes a popular mantra.

The thing is, that’s just crazy.  Who on earth wants to employ some 2-dimensional graduate who doesn’t want to better themselves now that they’re not being forced to do so?  Very few employers.

So in the gap between university and employment, between internship and next internship, or just in your school holidays, you’ve got to get skill-acquiring!  Teach yourself a new language using tapes, go to magic classes, master the art of spreadsheets, or sit down with a book and learn to write short-hand.  You could even set off on an adventure; travel, become independent, write, and fine-tune your photography skills!

At this point, people always say (understandably) ‘but what about my CV? If I just jet off on a holiday, employers will think I’m a dosser’.  I fell into this trap too, until I was hoisted out of it and lectured by my entrepreneur-of-a-big-sister.  I have subsequently been totally indoctrinated.  I’ve learnt that as long as you think you’d be able to justify your actions to an interviewer, or explain why you travelled for three months (and what you’ve learnt in the process), you can do it.  Soon you’ll find yourself stuck in a job, doing the same thing every day, and you’ll never get the chance to pick up such a wide variety of skills and hobbies again.

Ultimately, I suppose what I’m saying is that unemployment will only be boring and unproductive if you decide you’re going to let it be boring and unproductive.  You need to use your time wisely, and stick to the mission statement: ‘I’m going to make myself even more employable’.  That way, every day you are out of an internship, or jobless, you will feel you’re being productive, and thus making yourself more irresistible to employers.  Which will mean you’ll smile more, which will also make you more employable!!

So here are a few hints and tips about brilliant courses and things to do to ‘fill that gap’.  It’s by no means extensive, but it should help to get your juices flowing:

  • Teach yourself a language: there are lots of different online language courses, so just pick one and have a go! Languages are the key to everything, so if you manage to teach yourself even the basics in a new language, the world will be your oyster. Check out www.bbc.co.uk/languages or www.learnalanguage.com, if you’re looking for a place to start…
  • Become an au pair: sign up to www.greataupair.com, or one of the other au pairing sites, create a profile, and become an au pair in a foreign country!! That way you can escape the UK, you’ll learn independence and responsibility, AND you’ll end up mastering a new language.  Total immersion in a foreign culture: amazing, and something you rarely get a chance to do.
  • Complete an inspirational course whilst on holiday, with www.golearnto.com.  A bit more expensive than some, but worth it if you can!
  • COOK!  Everyone needs to learn how to cook, and there are hundreds of courses across the country, spanning from day-long to year-long.  And who knows, doing a cooking course and nurturing a passion might lead to a big fat career change!  Or, if you don’t want to spend a penny, then follow some online recipes and videos, and teach yourself to be a master chef.
  • Go abroad, and teach English as a foreign language.  Check out www.tefl.com for more information… This could end up being your only chance to live in Africa, or Peruor anywhere for a prolonged period of time.  And teaching will help you to discover hundreds of new skills you never realised you had!
  • Complete a free, online touch-typing course:  there are so many different courses to choose from – from www.typeonline.co.uk to www.goodtyping.com – so have a browse, and pick the one which you think might suit you best.  Being able to touch-type is a massive selling point.
  • Set up a blog on www.blogspot.com, and fine-tune your writing.  Once you’re pleased with your standard, and have found your own style, then start entering writing competitions, or sending in articles to magazines.  Everyone needs to be able to write, and once you’re a fully competent and disciplined writer, nothing will stop you!
  • Teach yourself History of Art, or Politics, or Maths, or a subject you didn’t study at school or university, but which interests you.  Borrow books from the library, and totally immerse yourself in your studies.  Or, even better, focus on your perfect job, and think about the skills you might need to get it.  If it involves marketing, for example, then read books on marketing!  Work towards becoming their perfect candidate.
  • If you’re searching for work-experience, then do not underestimate the power of the start-up company.  At a ‘start-up’, you’ll be given a lot more responsibility,so it’s sort-of like taking a course in itself.  You’ll feel much more valued, and although they might not be a ‘big name’ in the world of business quite yet, you will learn infinite amounts from small businesses: things that yearsworking at a large company may never give you.

Just stay positive, remain proactive, and don’t allow the media – and all the incredibly negative unemployment coverage they’ve been dishing out – bring you down.  Focus on acquiring your new skills, and soon you’ll have your feet firmly on the career ladder, ready to march right to the top.

Check out Nell’s blog nellfane.wordpress.com and follow her on Twitter @NellFane

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A room of one’s own: coping with moving back home post-university – guest blog

November 15th, 2011

Written by guest blogger Olivia O’Brien.

For most graduates, moving back home feels less like a convenient arrangement and more like a living nightmare. Gone are the days of cooking pizza in the early hours, having last minute house parties, and leaving cups around the house to grow impressive mould that looks like what can only be described as a national forest.

But are these changes such a bad thing?

Although we all like to believe that university is a place for us to grow, learn and develop as young adults, we are probably less house trained post-higher education than we were as freshers. So relish the fact that moving back home reminds you that washing up liquid does exist and that a Hoover is not part of an extravagant ghost busters costume but instead cleans your carpets. Enjoy living in a nice, comfortable, and draft free home once again and take pride in your personal space. Re-decorate your bedroom, create a replica of your university digs within those four walls and own them. It’s that place you can go to when it all gets too much.

You might have also noticed that the mundane such as forgetting to put the lid back on the biscuit tin or not picking your sister up from school sits at the forefront of conversations at home. It’s a far cry from “I have never” and “Ring of Fire” on a Friday night right? So change them. The only way to deal with boredom is either stimulate your surroundings, or alter them. But with very little cash flow as a graduate, trips to the cinema or nights out are hard to fund, so think about ways to bond with your parents. Watch a film together or even dust off the monopoly-you’d be surprised at how much fun you can have with a board and a couple of counters.

Another thing you might have noticed dwindling as you say goodbye to the summer months and days spent leisurely working at Wimbledon, is your parent’s patience. Although they may be the most understanding of parents, you will soon enough see a glimmer of resentment in their eye as they’ve funded your education and you’ve ended up still at home watching Jeremy Kyle three months down the line. In your mind, you’ve spent months scouring the internet for internships, grad schemes and potential post grad courses. In their mind, they’re funding a continuation of your lazy university lifestyle. So what you need to do is show them your progress. Let them take a look at your most recent application, show them your personal statement or CV­- I can guarantee they’ll be more than impressed with your achievements so far, dispersing any potential animosity.

And if you are looking to pursue a creative career such as journalism, publishing or entertainment, do not waste your time sitting at home scouring every inch of your town for paid work with nothing in return but cash; start writing a blog of your own. It’s something that ultimately represents you, something that a bog standard CV is missing and something that employers will appreciate. Not only this, get volunteering or help out with an event in your community. Although this might not seem to be directly linked to your chosen career, your CV will be padded out with things that show that you are not a time waster and you possess initiative; something that every employer is looking for.

Last but not least, do not feel disappointed in yourself that you’ve moved back home after three years of fun. Yes, lots of people are able to move out straight away and yes, way back when people were likely to leave home before the end of their teenage years, but like fashion, times are constantly changing. You should embrace it. When you were at university living on canned goods, I guarantee that all you wanted was a home cooked meal. Now is your chance to have one every evening.

So make yours and everybody else’s life a little bit easier and pick up that wet towel off the floor. It might not be a huge deal to you, but you not going out on a week night isn’t important to your parents either. There’s a gap which will have been created since you left home that needs to be bridged and it’s all about compromise. Once you’ve got that down, life living at home will be a breeze.

Don’t stop dreaming about that penthouse looking out over London however; it’s just around the corner. I promise.

You can read Olivia’s own blog here or follow her on Twitter @LondonLadybird

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Is it really worth doing a master’s?

October 18th, 2011

When considering continuing your education beyond bachelor’s degree level, it is very important to stop, take a moment and…think.

Daunting as it may sound, it is essential to plan your future a few years down the line.  You wouldn’t impulsively buy something for thousands of pounds, so why dive head first into a master’s course?  Take the time to map out what doors your master’s will open.  If you have your heart set on a career in academia then clearly a master’s is the logical step but unless you have spent time considering how your master’s will further your career, is it really worth it?  There are plenty of graduates who view a master’s as a way to put off looking for a job while trying to improve their chances of getting a job. It is not wise to fall into this trap.

After all, undertaking a master’s is a very expensive affair. Professor Vincent Emery, vice-head of the graduate school at University College London, advises that prospective postgraduate students “need to be more focused on the advantages for them in terms of career and employment of going on to do a master’s.” A career-orientated master’s degree might be the way forward; but consider contacting people working in the relevant industry to garner their opinions before committing to one. If they suggest a further qualification will not add much to your employability then it might be time to reconsider staying in education.

Moreover, in the majority of industries Inspiring Interns works with (such as marketing, business development, advertising and digital media) our experience is that a master’s degree will not necessarily make your application stand out.  Of the graduates that began graduate internships through Inspiring Interns in the last three months, only 19.9% completed a master’s.  We have found that many employers tend to value work experience that you have garnered throughout and after university, and they are willing to take on an eager graduate ready to enter the world of work. That is not to say that a master’s will damage your application, just that it does not guarantee a place at the head of the queue of candidates.

So if you have considered all of the above, and can’t decide whether to take a master’s or not; what is the solution? We read in the business section of the Times on Sunday (16th October) of executives completing part-time MBAs in the hope of a promotion, pay rise or career move.  And although only 12% of mature students are funded by their employer, many are in a financial position that enables them to be able to afford this further education.  Studying for a master’s or business qualification may be more useful to you in later life than currently.

Clearly not everyone will find themselves in a position to be able to afford higher education in later life but our advice is do not do a master’s if it is your last resort. Consider all your options, including doing a graduate internship, before you commit to paying so much for what could be a redundant line on your CV.

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New graduates have a lot to offer

October 5th, 2011

As a graduate going into an oversubscribed job market it is hard to see how you will compete with people who have far more industry experience than you. Obviously, don’t overlook the importance of gaining that experience but also think of what qualities you can offer a company that an industry veteran cannot. Just consider what sets you apart from someone who has 10+ years of experience and you will actually find that you are extremely marketable.

You need to be confident in yourself and your application and not overlook the qualities you have that can set you apart from the competition. So here are some points to remember:

You have ambition and eagerness to learn.

As a graduate you are energetic, motivated and eager to learn. A lot graduates are looking to “climb up the ladder” in a company, rather than working simply as a means to an end. This is extremely attractive to potential employers.

You are more at home with the latest technology trends.

Technology is crucial to any business and every employee has to have a certain extent of technical know-how. However, we are the first generation who have grown up with technology and practiced it just about every day. With the growing digital sector and importance of social media; employers understand the importance of technology in developing business and take it very seriously. Don’t take for granted your ability to use and keep up with the latest technology trends, it isn’t easy for everyone.

You are a quick learner with fresh knowledge from university.

Any prior education is very important in the workplace and as a recent graduate all of the latest business practices and theories will be fresh in your mind, which is something not everyone can say. This will allow you to pick things up very quickly in industry, something highly valued by employers.

You have innovative new ideas.

As a young graduate you will bring a new outlook and fresh ideas to improve the efficiency or success of a company – employers value that!

It is not easy leaving university and facing the current graduate job market but being young does bring its advantages in the business world.  If you have confidence in your own ability and qualities that set you apart then you will be sure to impress potential employers.

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Off into the world – guest blog

September 28th, 2011

Guest post written by MA Literary Studies graduate, Laura Blake.

So I’ve just completed my MA dissertation. A long, hard year spent buried in the library and forgoing Saturday nights have (hopefully) paid off, and in less than a weeks’ time I’ll be leaving university for good and taking my first steps out into the big wide world, armed with nothing more than my degree and my CV. Oh help.

Of course, I’ve also got the knowledge that I’d do a really, really good job in my chosen field. The trouble now is convincing other people of that fact! I’d love to work in magazine publication or book publishing, so my task is to figure out how I am going to stand out, get my foot in the door and get my hands on a job. But where to start?

Experience is one of the most important tools you can have. As I’ve known that this is what I’ve wanted to do for awhile now, I tried to be crafty and joined my university’s student magazine way back in my first freshers’ week. Unfortunately I got slightly distracted (for the entire year) and didn’t attend a single meeting, let alone write anything. In second year though, I really made it a commitment to it, and eventually ran for, and won the position of Features Editor. So at least I knew, albeit on a small scale, what I was getting myself in for (picture many late nights in the editing room trying to get to grips with Quark software;it wasn’t pretty) and could decide if it was something I was committed to as a career. It was.

Since then, I’ve been trying to grab any kind of experience possible to boost my CV, because after all, every little helps. I blog, I’ve joined LinkedIn; why, I even joined Twitter, because if it’s going to help me network, then I’d be stupid not to. You’ve got to put yourself out there as much as possible; head hunters won’t find you if you’re invisible.

Everybody says there aren’t enough jobs to go around, and I know that job hunting can be stressful, but luckily there is a God out there and someone decided to put together a site such as this one.I discovered Inspiring Interns a few weeks ago and I already feel better knowing that these guys are rooting for me and offering as much help as they can. They understand that many companies nowadays want candidates who have a good bank of work experience under their belts and you can never have too much experience. And what’s better than having an internship on your CV? A graduate internship is perfect opportunity to show case your talents, learn new skills, and hopefully, impress the right people, as well as giving you a realistic taste of the working world. I’ve already got a list of their vacancies that I’m going to apply for, all that’s left do now is wait and see… it’s a tricky business, but I’m sure that if I’m persistent, it’ll pay off.

Have a look at Laura’s blog here http://laurathegraduate.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in writing for Inspiring Interns then please email us at marketing@inspiringinterns.com

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Creating a good first impression on your first day

September 1st, 2011

New university graduates are facing a tough job market, so once you a land a job it is imperative to demonstrate your worth from the offset.It takes just a quick glance for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time. Therefore it is important to know how to create a good, lasting first impression.

So, here are a few tips on how make a great first impression to hold on to that first graduate job or turn that internship into a permanent role:

1.      Be on time! This is the first step in creating a good first impression so plan to arrive a few minutes early and allow flexibility for traffic delays etc. Whoever you are meeting for the first time will not be interested in your “good excuse” for running late. Don’t be ridiculously early either, go and grab a coffee.

2.      Present yourself appropriately. Our appearance is usually the first clue someone we meet has to go on so make sure your appearance is portraying the right message. Think about the company and the industry and dress suitably. Make sure you are well groomed with clean and tidy clothes. This will also make you feel ‘the part’ giving you a confidence boost.

3.      A good handshake! Nobody likes a ‘limp fish’ so practice your handshake before your first day.

4.      Always smile! Even if you are shy, a smile shows that you are engaged and interested in what the people you are meeting have to say. A warm and confident smile will leave a great lasting impression, so flash those pearly whites!

5.      Pay attention to your body language. Crossed arms, wandering eyes or yawning convey that you are not approachable or interested in what people have to say. Try not to play with your hair too much and avoid repeatedly touching your face as this is a sign of nervousness.

6.      Remember names! If you are bad with names try and repeat everyone’s name back to them and use it in the conversation. This will help you to remember it in the future, which makes you seem really on top of your game.

7.      Find a connection. You should look for something you have in common with the person you are talking to as this will help them remember you.

8.      Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Nobody is going to be angry at you for needing help in your first few days. This is the time to learn so if you are confused on where to go or what to do then ask!

9.      Listen! Displaying that sparkling personality is important but talking too much and not listening enough is a huge turn-off.

10.  Be polite! It goes without saying that good manners and polite, attentive and courteous behaviour help make a good first impression.

Remember you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So follow these simple tips and you should nail that first impression. Good luck!

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Don’t overlook skills from a temporary job

August 12th, 2011

If you have you graduated this summer and are currently updating your CV then make sure you don’t discount any work experience you have already accrued. This may be a summer or weekend job that has nothing to do with your degree or field of interest, but you will have  gained important skills that are transferable to positions within your chosen career path.

You may have taken temporary work simply in order to fund your studies or while you look for your first graduate internship or job, but don’t overlook the invaluable skills it will have taught you. In almost all positions you will be required to work in teams, communicate with others and use your initiative to solve problems. Employers regard these soft skills very highly. It also proves to future employers that you have the motivation to find a job during your holidays as well as a strong work ethic. If you have maintained a job during your studies then this shows that you have great time-management and organisational skills.

When updating your CV, writing cover letters, and preparing for interviews don’t overlook the experience you picked up through your part-time job.  You need to think about how the skills you have learnt can be transferred to the role you are applying for. You should then use examples of when you have put these skills into practice in your cover letter or at an interview: e.g. “I showed initiative when developing a process to streamline customer ordering process, which increased the restaurants overall efficiency.”

If you have spent summers working in a restaurant then you will have learnt great customer service skills as this role is all about making the customer happy. In many roles this skill is invaluable as you may have clients or managers requiring great service and meeting their demands.

You may have spent every Saturday since your were 16 working in a clothes shop or supermarket which means you are sitting on a wealth of experience. Working within retail helps you develop some impressive traits: not only unbelievable customer service and team work but handling stock and dealing with money on a daily basis. When applying for a job in areas such as merchandising, buying, selling and even marketing then employers will be happy to see retail work on your CV as it will prove that you have certain brand awareness.

Perhaps you spend your summers volunteering, which can provide some amazing skills. For example if you are working with children you will be able to prove your leadership skills by taking charge of groups of kids. You will have to use initiative and creativity to keep them excited and engaged, and this will help you in the future when you need to produce exciting ideas for projects at work. By volunteering you will also prove to a potential employer  that you are happy to help others in your own time.

Therefore don’t neglect the skills you have gained from a temporary job. Any experience is good experience even if you don’t think it is relevant to your chosen career path. Employers think very highly of soft skills but make sure you tailor the experience to the job you are applying for.

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How to save money as a graduate – guest blog

July 28th, 2011

By Jake Butler, SaveTheStudent.org.

After graduating from university it can seem like a daunting task to take a step outside of the student bubble. Many students graduate in a variety of circumstances from those with a career path already mapped out to those that are not sure on which route to take.

One thing that is consistent between all graduates is that it is the end of student loans and the beginning of finally having to fend for yourself.

For most of us, there will be a gap between graduating from university and finding an internship or starting a new job. Money saving now is just as important as when you were a student. We’ve come up with some quick tips, 5 actually, for students to save money after graduating.

1. Use your graduate bank account

You will no longer be eligible for a student bank account after you graduate so it’s best to make the transition into a graduate bank account.

Thankfully, most of the accounts on offer today allow you to keep your 0% interest on your maximum  overdraft amount for at least a year after graduating. You can take advantage of the 0% interest by using your graduate overdraft as a type of no-interest loan before you gain employment in order to pay it back.

Many graduate accounts also offer competitive interest rates on graduate loans, but only take out a graduate loan if you really need it.

2. Don’t rush to pay back your student loan

Your  student loan can be one of the biggest debts that you will amass. There is no need to worry though as the interest is set at inflation and you don’t have to pay it back until you are earning over the £15,000 a year threshold (or £20,000 if you start university in 2012). A student loan is therefore the cheapest form of commercial borrowing you will ever come across.

There is no need to pay it back before you need to and there is no pressure to do so. You can also check how much you may have to pay back and how long it will take you by checking out a student loan calculator.

3. Live at home after graduating

This may sound like an obvious one but many students tend not to follow it. The temptation to stay in the city where you study with your friends and away from home can be very strong.

Sometimes it’s best to go home (if only for a couple of months) to save money while you try to find or are waiting for a job. If you are extra lucky your parents won’t charge you rent and they will pay for (even cook) your meals.

4. Look out for great deals

Even though you are now a graduate it does not mean that there are deals out there not on offer to you. There are many sites that offer great deals to everyone as well as deals newsletters such as SaveTheStudent.org.

Sign up to a cash back site before you make any online purchases. It doesn’t cost you anything and can save you money on most things you buy online from clothes to gas & electricity.

5. Work hard to get employed

With the jobs market becoming increasingly hard to get into for graduates there are many things you can do to get ahead. By coming to the Inspiring Interns website you have already made a great step in making yourself more employable as a graduate.

You have to work hard to get yourself a graduate internship, placement or  job and employers can tell if you have cut corners. It is best to put all of your effort into finding a job and treating it like a full time job in itself. If you work hard then you will see the rewards.

SaveTheStudent.org is a student finance website that originated in response to the growing costs of university in the UK. The site provides free, impartial advice to student on how to make their money go further.

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Itchy feet, itchy feet! – guest blog

June 14th, 2011

I graduated a while back now…in fact I can hardly believe that it will have been two years this summer which is already more than half the time I spent studying in the first place! So what have I been doing during all of this intervening period of no ‘real job’ and ‘no studying’?  Well I spent six months doing something which I would recommend to anyone and everyone who is about to graduate; go travelling.

In the summer of 2009, we were in the height of recession and the future really was looking bleak for those of us about to enter the big, scary, real world.  For me, it presented the perfect opportunity; the chance to travel the world and see something outside my own horizons.  In the months leading up to graduation, it was becoming more and more apparent that things weren’t going to get better anytime soon and so the plan to take off was borne.

It took a while to get there and a great deal of work but by May 2010 I was ready to set off on my big adventure.  In order to get there I slaved away in retail working full time in a management team for a clothes shop and also in a supermarket.  On top of this, I took on two GCSE English students to help bring in some cash to live off of.  On an average week, I’d clock up 65 hours of working (plus at least another 8 travelling) but at the end of the tunnel, the brightest light was shining and I had no doubt that it would be worth it.

In hindsight, this hard work was part of the joy of the experience and has also added greatly to my CV; at least I show I’ve got stamina and dedication to achieve!  I am a bit of a workaholic but that is rather another story.

So finally, with enough money in the savings and flights all paid for, I was off on my trip of a lifetime.  My route went like this:

London – Los Angeles – Las Vegas – Fiji – New Zealand – Sydney – Singapore – Malaysia – Malaysian Borneo – Thailand – Cambodia – Vietnam – Hong Kong – Japan – Korea – China – India

Phew!  Writing it all down like that makes me feel tired just thinking about it.  So perhaps it is time that I got to the point of this post.

I could sit here and go on for hours about why I think that everyone should travel when they finish university.  But here is the general gist of why if you are umming and ahhing about what to do next, then this could be an option.

If you aren’t sure what you want to do with your life, travelling can buy you some time.  It gives you the opportunity to be free and to get to know yourself better and hopefully along that way you will discover something that you will love and want to turn into a career.

If you are scared about joining the ‘real world’, then again travelling will buy you some time and allow you to gain some different experiences.

Working beforehand in order to save up to go away, feels really good!  When you’ve got that little nest egg in the bank, you genuinely feel proud.  Personally, I think it was one of the best things I have ever managed to achieve and yeah I could have put a down-payment on a house…but this way I had much more fun!

If you choose to work while you travel, you will grow as a person as you have to experience everything from way beyond your natural comfort zone.  Especially if you choose to work in a country where English is not the main language…

…which leads me onto another point.  If you were to go out and volunteer (and I am not necessarily saying pay to go on one of those overpriced volunteering trip things…organise it yourself through a charity) then that will look great on your CV.

You will learn so much more than you ever thought possible.  You will learn about yourself, about other cultures, languages, people…I learnt more in six months travelling than I did in three years studying my degree.

It will change you…more than likely for the better.

And my advice not to do?

Don’t just go away and get drunk for your whole trip.  There is so much more to do than that.  If you are going to travel, ensure you have something worthwhile to discuss with a future employer.  Make the trip work towards your employability and don’t make it work against you.

As for me…I’ve well and truly got itchy feet.  Bring on the Euro Road Trip this summer!

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