Gregynog Half Weekend for Second Year Students

This year (Oct 2021) we will again run the event online due to Gregynog Hall not being able to accommodate all of us due to Covid restrictions. This is a shame because aside from missing out on the great Gregynog Breakfast we will not get to meet industrialists in person, however it will be good for our cholesterol and means the usual charge for students will not apply.

Some of the logistical information below therefore does not apply this year. Essentially we will use a Wednesday afternoon for online versions of the usual activities designed to help students make successful IY job applications. During the Thursday and Friday each student will have two interviews with two dfferent industrialist interviewers (or interview teams) and there will also be a few more presentations. The idea is that you will receive some feedback from the interviewer (unlike 'real' interviews where often the only direct feedback will be a job offer or no job offer). Some of the industrialists will be recruiting for real IY jobs so it is well worth making a good effort, both so that you get useful feedback and also because there is always the possibility you could be offered a job or given the not to make an application.

Every year, we organise a 'weekend' for second years with compulsory industrial year. There are a variety of activities including presentations and mock assessment center however a focal point is the 'mock' interviews with real industrialists from companies some of which you will have heard of and others that you wont know but also provide fantastic opportunities for your Industrial Year.

Venue & cost

The weekend will be held at Gregynog, a country house and conference centre owned by the University of Wales. The cost to students is £50 (paid via the web shop).

The weekend will include interviews, skills building, assessment center information, talks from employers, and from students recently returned from their IY as well as time in the bar.

All second years with an integrated industrial year as part of their degree are expected to attend, others may if there is room.

Logistics

The event takes place this year between Wed 27th and Fri 29th October 2021. The Wednesday afternoon will be full with activities that students are expected to attend. During the Thursday and Friday each student will be allocated 2 slots for their interviews. We will use your timetable to ensure this does not clash with other timetabled activities.

No Coaches or overnight bag requirements this year since the event be online using Teams, Discord and whichever other platforms the interviewers wish to use. I would strongly suggest having a working webcam if at all possible and check your audio. It is difficult and unpleasant to interview someone without seeing them. If you need to borrow a webcam etc. please contact us a good time in advance.

CV and covering letter submission

All second year students attending the Gregynog employability weekend are required to provide a CV and covering letter for ONE of the jobs below. Note that these are not real jobs. You are going to be interviewed for them at Gregynog, and the employers who will be interviewing you will scrutinise your CVs beforehand. It is in your interest to impress them; most of them will be offering real IY jobs. So they will be able to provide you with good tips on getting your application right for when you apply for real. If you don't put in the effort, they are not going to be so interested in helping you.

You must submit your CV and covering letter by email to cs-iy-admin@aber.ac.uk (deadline Thursday 21st October 2021, 4pm) for one of the following fictional jobs (you can choose whichever you want):

Software/Embedded Systems Engineer

This would suit most students, except for web/internet computing and Business IT.

Software and Database Developer

This position involves interacting with customers, as well as some database work and web development. As part of it, you will be seeing much of how a business works. It is therefore ideal for a Business IT student, but would also suit a computer scientist who is interested in this field.

Mobile App Developer

This would suit most students, except for Business IT.

Software Tester

This would suit any degree scheme and may provide a route to many software roles in the future.

Systems Administrator

This may suit Internet and Systems Administration students, or any students with an interest in networks and systems.

Web Developer

This would suit in particular Web or Internet Computing students, but is also open to those of other schemes who feel they want to move in the direction of web applications.

CV clinics

CV clinics will be run by Morwenna (mrj11) from Careers - watch out for emails.

Dress code for the event

The dress code for the Saturday will be SMART (no jeans, T shirts etc). You should dress as you would for a job interview*. You will be meeting a number of real employers. Friday evening can be casual attire. *Please don't feel you need to go and spend a lot of money on clothes for this event though, if you haven't brought any smart clothes with you to university. Do your best now, but remember to get your smart things in preparation for a real interview next time you go home!

Contact Neal Snooke/Carys Pike if you have any questions.