Future Forward – 5 Days to Career Success…

Future Forward – 5 Days to Career Success will run from Monday 23 March to Friday 27 March 2026 and is designed specifically for final-year students and recent graduates, however all students are welcome to attend. A series of career focused sessions including topics such as career success, introductions to Graduates First, LinkedIn, Prospects and the Graduate Talent Pool, as well as guidance on using the Student Futures Portal. Students and graduates can also attend a volunteering roadshow and learn about the benefits of volunteering, explore psychometric testing for graduate and placement applications, and join a session on using AI for job hunting. Additional opportunities include a SPARK (Launchpad) Workshop, a presentation on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), and an insight into the Civil Service Fast Stream. The programme offers a comprehensive blend of opportunities designed to equip you with the tools, knowledge and confidence to secure your first graduate role.

Day 1 – Monday 23 March

7 Steps to Career Success – 1.30 – 2.30 pm – MS Teams

Are you a final year student or recent graduate seeking direction in your career journey? Join our informative workshop designed to equip you with essential tools for successful job hunting.

We'll delve into effective job search strategies, identify where to uncover opportunities, guide you in tailoring impactful CVs, and offer insights into submitting compelling applications. Additionally, we'll prepare you for interviews and more! This session provides a platform to ask questions and engage directly with our experienced team, all aimed at supporting your transition into graduate employment.

Book your place now! https://studentfutures.tees.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3716&service=Careers+Service 

Day 2 – Tuesday 24 March

Introduction to Graduates First – 10.00 – 10.30 am

Graduates First is an online platform designed to help students, recent graduates and early-career professionals prepare for various stage of the recruitment process.

It offers a comprehensive suite of tools and practice assessments that simulate real employer selection processes. Come along to this introductory session and find out more about how Graduates First can help you secure your first graduate job.

Book your place now! https://studentfutures.tees.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3717&service=Careers+Service 

Volunteering Roadshow – 11.30 – 12.30 pm Ground Floor, Student Life Building

Are you interested in volunteering and want to meet the team to find out more?

The Volunteering Team will be holding Volunteering Roadshows regularly throughout the semester. This is a great opportunity to discuss: uploading hours, the awards, new opportunities and how we can best support you with volunteering and the platform.

No Booking Required 

Tuesday 24 March – 2.30 – 3.00 pm – Getting Started with LinkedIn

LinkedIn is used by 1 billion people worldwide and by over 80,000 Teesside University students and graduates. Join this session to learn how to set up a LinkedIn profile and build a strong digital brand. Find out how to build connections with contacts in your industry (graduates and employers), explore career ideas and discover jobs you didn’t even know existed. Many Teesside University students have secured graduate jobs and placements by using LinkedIn, so don’t miss out on what it can offer you. This session is suitable for all students and graduates

Book your place now! https://studentfutures.tees.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3718&service=Careers+Service 

Introduction to the Student Futures Portal – 3.00 – 3.30 pm

Join us at this session to find out how to use the Student Futures portal to search for graduate roles and how to complete our Finalists and Graduates pathway to unlock the key tasks for successful graduate job hunting. Pathways are designed to guide students and graduates through structured activities and tasks to enhance their employability and career planning. It combines various resources like e-learning, videos, and employer interactions to help students and graduates develop skills. Explore career essentials, build your awareness and develop the skills that will make you a future-ready job applicant. 

Book your place now! 

https://studentfutures.tees.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3706&service=Careers+Service 

Day 3 - Wednesday 25 March

Benefits of Volunteering - 10.00 – 10.30 am – MS Teams

Join this session to find out all about Volunteering and the benefits to you and the community. We will show you which organisations the University works with and what types of volunteering opportunities are available to you!

Book your place now! 

https://studentfutures.tees.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3709&service=Careers+Service 

Introduction to Prospects - 10.30 – 11.00 am – MS Teams

Prospects is a leading UK graduate careers service that supports students and recent graduates in exploring career paths, job opportunities and postgraduate study options/resources. It delivers extensive information, guidance and tools to aid early career planning. Come along to this session and find out how to effectively use Prospects in order to secure your first graduate role.

Book your place now! https://studentfutures.tees.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3719&service=Careers+Service 

Psychometric Test for Graduates and Placement Applications - 11.00 11.30 am – MS Teams

Psychometric tests are formal assessments used by many large employers during the recruitment and selection process. These tests may include numerical reasoning, logical reasoning, situational judgement, and others. Teesside University provides a dedicated online platform to support you through Graduates First, where you can take practice tests and track your progress to better prepare for psychometric evaluations. 

This session will introduce you to the online portal, the types of tests available, and share learning features and tools to help you perform better in your graduate and placement recruitment assessments.

Who is this session suitable for:

This session is suitable for any student or graduate applying for graduate jobs that require psychometric assessments as part of the recruitment process.

Book your place now! 

https://studentfutures.tees.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3708&service=Careers+Service 

Using AI to Enhance Jobhunting – 12.00 – 12.30 pm – MS Teams

Are you a student or graduate looking to use AI more effectively in your job applications?

This session will show you how to use AI as a supportive tool, not a shortcut, while strengthening your CVs, cover letters, and overall applications while preserving authenticity. You’ll learn a practical AI prompting framework to help you refine your CV and Cover letter confidently and professionally, without losing your own voice. The same approach can also support other recruitment stages, such as personal statements and interview preparation.The principles covered apply across generative AI tools, including Microsoft Copilot, and are designed to be transferable beyond any single platform.

Book your place now! https://studentfutures.tees.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3720&service=Careers+Service 

SPARK! Your Confidence: How to Negotiate Like a Boss - 1.00 – 3.00 pm Launchpad, Victoria Road

At Teesside University, we believe your ideas have the power to shape the future. That's why we've made it our mission to support students and graduates in turning their ambitions into real-world ventures. Join our Spark! workshops to foster your creativity and take the first steps to start your own business.

This workshop will focus on building your confidence.

You will learn:

• What is Confidence?

• Activity: Stinky Fish Icebreaker

• What is Negotiation?

• Activity: Live Simulations

• How to Influence Others

• Activity: Conflict Resolution

To book your place on the Spark workshop, please email - enterprise@tees.ac.uk  

Day 4 – Thursday 26 March

Discover the Power of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP’s) - 2.00 – 3.00 pm - MS Teams

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a UK wide programme that helps organisations innovate and grow by connecting them with academic expertise. In practice, it’s a three way collaboration between a business or public sector organisation, a university, and a graduate. Launch Your Career With Real World Impact: Discover the Power of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships 

Join this online session to learn more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and how they can supercharge your career post graduation. 

Book your place now! 

https://studentfutures.tees.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3721&service=Careers+Service 

Careers in the Civil Service - Civil Service Fast Stream - 3.00 – 4.00 pm – MS Teams

Join our Careers in the Civil Service session, where you’ll hear directly from people on the Civil Service’s flagship graduate scheme – the Fast Stream. With 17 specialist schemes including Policy, Science & Engineering, Digital, Finance, Cyber Security, Human Resources, and more . The programme offers tailored development pathways aligned to different professions and interests. We welcome graduates of all ages and backgrounds, and from across any degree subject. Whichever scheme you join you’ll be a valued member of the wider Civil Service community, where you can be yourself – and be at your best. This session will provide an introduction to the Civil Service and the Fast Stream graduate programme, with a focus on entry routes and the application process. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and sign up for mentoring. This session is brought to you by the Fast Stream Social Mobility Network and is suitable for all students across any degree subject.

Book your place now! 

https://studentfutures.tees.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3722&service=Careers+Service 

Day 5 – Friday 27 March

Introduction to the Talent Pool – 12.30 pm – 1.00 pm – MS Teams

Calling all final year students who will be graduating in Summer 2026 and current 2nd Year students! Join us for an informative session where you'll meet the Graduate Opportunities Team. Discover how the team can assist finalists and graduates through the Talent pool initiative, offering personalised one-on-one support, expert advice and guidance to help finalists secure their first graduate role. Learn how their dedicated assistance can enhance your job search strategies, refine your CV and prepare you for interviews, setting you on the path to career success.

Book your place now! 

https://studentfutures.tees.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=3723&service=Careers+Service 

graduateemployment@tees.ac.uk 

https://www.tees.ac.uk/depts/studentfutures/index.cfm