YES Step-by-Step
Step 1
Read the YES Fact Sheet (.pdf) to check you are eligible to participate in YES and to ensure you understand all the implications of taking part in the Scheme, particularly regarding the non-student status and the impact of this on finances and eligibility for University accommodation.
Step 2
Contact the Careers Service to find out more and discuss any questions you may have, and to help you to make a fully informed decision as to whether YES is a good option for you.
Also, if you are not sure about the type of work you would like to do or the sector you would like to work in, check out the career areas that relate to the subject you are studying and also consider making an appointment to see one of our Careers Consultants to discuss your ideas and get help with making this decision.
Step 3
If, after speaking to the Careers Service, you decide YES is for you, please complete our no-obligation online form at the earliest opportunity to confirm your interest in YES.
Step 4
Search for a placement. Start looking as early as possible. Many opportunities are advertised at least a year in advance. Some continue to be advertised right up to when the placement is due to start. But others have short deadlines, e.g. December in the year before, so the earlier you start your search the more opportunities will be available to you.
Please note: our deadline each year for YES placements to be confirmed is 15 September. If you have not secured a placement by then, you will be expected to return to the University later that month to continue your studies and complete your final year without taking a year in employment.
The Careers Service can provide a wealth of information and resources. A good starting point is our ABERcareers online portal, which advertises a huge range of opportunities. Our Sourcing Work Experience webpage has also been designed to provide useful advice and resources when seeking placement opportunities.
We also forward relevant opportunities that have been notified to us by individual employers to students who have completed the Confirmation of Interest in YES online form in step 3.
Our Careers Service staff can also offer a range of help and guidance in person, for example:
- You might want to make a speculative enquiry to an organisation where you would really like to work.
- Or you might have been asked to complete an application form or send a CV and covering letter that you need help with, or which needs to be checked first.
- Maybe an employer has asked you to attend an interview or an assessment centre that you need to prepare for.
These are all things we would be glad to help you with! So please use the Careers Service as much as you need to and contact us at any time. Drop-in sessions with your Careers Consultant may also be available in your department.
It is also a good idea to attend workshops delivered by the Careers Service on a range of topics related to finding work experience (or watch the recordings in your own time). Upcoming workshops will be listed in the Events section of ABERcareers; we also send out email notifications when these have been scheduled. As well as workshops, the Careers Service also provides a range of Help Sheets that will also be useful.
Step 5
Keep up the momentum! We will keep in touch with you to check how you are getting on and to suggest placement opportunities that you could consider. But remember, it is your responsibility overall to arrange your placement.
Step 6
Secure a placement. Congratulations! Please let us know at the earliest opportunity by emailing careers@aber.ac.uk or by visiting us in the Hugh Owen Library. We will need you to complete and return the Notification of Placement for YES form as soon as possible.
We will check the details of the placement and request confirmation from the Head of your academic department that you can participate in YES. Once this has been received, we will confirm to the University’s Academic Registry that you are taking part in YES and they will update your student record and notify the Student Loan Company. We will keep you posted and make sure you are informed when everything is in place for you to proceed with taking part in YES.
Finally, if you decide at any point that you are no longer interested in taking part in the Year in Employment Scheme administered by the Careers Service, please just email careers@aber.ac.uk to let us know.