Careers Help for Ethnic Minority Students
The Careers and Employability Service is committed to equality of opportunity in keeping with the University of Kent at Canterbury Student Charter and the NUS/AGR/AGCAS Code of Practice. Racial discrimination in employment is, of course, illegal in the UK. If you feel that an employer has treated you unfairly on the basis of your ethnic origin, please contact a careers adviser to discuss the situation in confidence. Click here to see the University of Kent Careers and Employability Service Equality and Diversity Statement
Publications
We regularly get copies of publications targeted on ethnic minority students, such as KAL and Hobsons Ethnic Minorities Casebook. These include editorial on careers and other issues and advertising from graduate recruiters. You can pick up a free copy from the Careers Service or see the reference copies in our Ethnic Minorities file (025)
Graduate Prospects have a web page on handling racial discrimination www.prospects.ac.uk/links/race
"Britain's Best Employers" published by the Corporate Research Foundation, gives profiles of "the 100 best companies to work for in the UK" including the company culture and style, human resource priorities and career opportunity and development. Ask to see our reference copy at the Reception Desk.
Employers
Race for Opportunity www.bitc.org.uk/take_action/in_the_workplace/diversity/race/ is a campaign to encourage business to invest in the diversity of Britain's ethnic minority communities by creating new opportunities and initiatives in the four campaign areas of employment, marketing, purchasing, and community involvement. A number of major graduate recruiters are core members of this campaign including manufacturing and commercial organisations, government departments and agencies and local authorities.
Many employers include a questionnaire on ethnic origin as part of their application form. This should play no part in the selection process but is included in order to enable employers to monitor the proportion of ethnic minority applicants and the success rate of their applications. These questionnaires have been approved by the Equality and Human Rights Commissionand are usually a sign of an organisation that is serious about promoting equal opportunities. They are optional, though, so if you prefer not to complete this section there is no obligation on you to do so
Work Experience Schemes
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) London www.seo-london.org a not-for- profit organisation that provides outstanding penultimate year under-graduate students from under-represented ethnic minority backgrounds with a unique opportunity to gain summer internships at some of the most prestigious firms in investment banking, technology and corporate law. Also offer a "Fast Track for Investment Banking" programme aimed at first year students.
Civil Service Fast Stream Summer Development Programme for graduates and undergraduates from ethnic minority backgrounds. This is open toEthnic Minority students and graduates of all disciplines who are UK nationals and who have or expect a minimum 2:2 degree. The 2010 Summer Placement Scheme will open on 2 November 2009 and close on 4 January 2010. To apply and to find out more please visit www.civilservice.gov.uk/jobs/Diversity/index.aspx
The Windsor Fellowship Leadership Programme www.windsorfellowship.org provides personal development training and work placements with sponsoring organisations for Black and Asian students. These include management consultancies, investment banks, manufacturing companies, media and government organisations. You need to apply to the programme by the second term of your first year at university.
Useful Links
- For more information on careers for ethnic minority students see File 025 in the Careers Service.
- Diversity Milkround www.diversitymilkround.com lists over 300 top U.K based companies wishing to promote diversity within the workplace and offering internships, industrial placements and graduate positions.
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission www.equalityhumanrights.com ;
- Prospects Web Ethnic Minorities www.prospects.ac.uk/links/Ethnic ;
- Ethnic Minorities Jobsite www.emjobsite.co.uk focus is to improve recruitment and other communications with black and minority ethnic people and groups, and encourage applications from them;
- Elevation Networks www.elevationnetworks.org Activities include networking events, mentoring, internships, skills development and volunteer opportunities for students and graduates in particular, but not exclusively, for people from minority ethnic backgrounds, women, and those affected by disability, poverty or social and economic circumstance.
- KAL www.kalmagazine.com magazine for ethnic minority students;
- Rare Recruitment www.rarerecruitment.co.uk/rare Diversity recruitment agency used by Penguin and others.
- Ebony Recruitment Solutions www.ebonyrecruitmentsolutions.com on-line recruitment, selection and management consultancy agency for Black and Racial Minority graduates;
- Equality Britain www.ethnicbritain.co.uk promotes opportunites in employment and education to BME communities. Used by organisations across the UK to promote their commitment to equality;
- African Caribbean Diversity www.acff.org ;
- Asians in the Media www.asiansinmedia.org/news/article.php/events/1219 ;
- Work placements in films www.divafilms.co.uk for ethnic minority students;
- Citizens Advice Bureau www.adviceguide.org.uk advice on employment, diversity, sex and race discrimination in the workplace, education, employment and civil rights issues as well as advice on tax, debt and housing.
- The Diversity Group www.thediversitygroup.co.uk promotes equal opportunities to people from every kind of minority background or lifestyle, including race, gender, disability, age, faith and sexual orientation.
Last fully updated in October 2009