Students and graduates are a fantastic source of talent and should be a key part of any organisation’s succession planning strategy. But for businesses unfamiliar with university employability services, understanding the different options can feel confusing.
Universities offer various routes to connect with student and graduate talent, from career services to graduate schemes. In this guide, we’ll break down some of the most common work & employability terms and which university teams can help.
University employability teams: who does what?
If you’re looking to hire students or graduates, you’ll likely interact with one or more of these university departments:
Careers Service
The central hub for employability support across all faculties and disciplines. Careers teams are often divided into:
- Employer liaison specialists – who build relationships with businesses and organise careers fairs
- Careers guidance professionals – who offer one-on-one support to students
Employability Team
Many universities now combine their careers service with employability initiatives, focusing on workshops, training, and employer-led events. With universities increasingly ranked on graduate employability, these teams are dedicated to improving student job prospects.
Placement Office
Some universities have faculty-specific placement teams, responsible for managing industry placements as part of degree courses. Their role is mostly logistical and administrative, though some provide recruitment support. Some universities also outsource placement management to external providers.
Student & graduate work: what’s the difference?
Understanding the various types of student and graduate work can help businesses find the right hiring approach. Here’s a breakdown:
Student roles & short-term work
- Student Job / Vacation Work – Part-time, casual, or temp jobs, often advertised by the student union job shop (not the careers service). Typical roles include retail, bar work, promotions, mystery shopping, and evening call centres.
- Work Experience – Short, unpaid work shadowing placements, typically for school-age students. These are exempt from minimum wage regulations.
Internships & placements
- Internship – While there’s no legal definition, at Step, we define an internship as a paid, project-based role lasting 8–12 weeks, designed to give students real experience.
- Placement – A broad term for work experience linked to a degree course, commonly seen in healthcare and social work.
- Sandwich Placement / Industrial Placement – A 9–12 month placement between the second and final year of university, or sometimes during a Master’s degree. Students retain student status throughout, making it a great way for businesses to hire international talent without visa sponsorship.
- Graduate Placement – Some businesses open their undergraduate placement schemes to graduates, offering 12-month contracts. While not always a direct route to a permanent role, they can be a great way to build experience.
Graduate-level work
- Graduate Scheme – A structured training programme for graduates, often run by larger employers to develop future leaders.
- Graduate Job – Any role suitable for a graduate. Some businesses actively hire graduates to fill specific roles, often with training towards professional qualifications (e.g. CIMA, CIPD, CIM, CIPS).
- Postgraduate / Masters Placement – Many Master’s courses include industry experience or project-based work, providing businesses with specialist expertise. These projects are usually unpaid, but if they add real value, it’s best practice to pay the student.
Get in touch with Step today to hire the next generation of talent.
