Careers and alumni

The University has a dedicated Careers Service that helps all graduate students in their career search with excellent resources, a website, fairs and events. The Careers Service works with thousands of employers who seek to recruit Oxford graduates, including: non-governmental organisations, small and medium sized enterprises, large national and multinational corporations, and public sector organisations. Whether you are interested in academic or non-academic careers there are plenty of opportunities whilst you are here to equip yourself better for both. If you are undecided about your future direction there are many facilities to inspire and help you.

The Careers Service has a wealth of experience in supporting graduate students including:

• Online courses to support your research and career planning
• Learning and Development programmes
• Regular career skills workshops for research students, some run in your department or academic division
  
• Aspire, Oxford’s online personal development planning system, with tailored versions for both Master’s and research students
• Graduate Skills portal – a website for skills development including training courses and workshops, online resources and advice
• Guidance and resources on careers outside the UK
• Training in CV and cover letter writing, as well as application, job-search and interview techniques
• An extensive range of employer presentations and careers talks, including international recruiters
• Nine large careers fairs throughout the year offering the chance to meet a wide range of employers
• A large, modern information room with staff and resources to support your career planning process
• An online vacancies database where you can search for jobs and apply directly
• A network of alumni involved in the Oxford Careers Network to get support and careers advice
• The opportunity to book a short one-to-one discussion with a careers adviser

The Oxford University Society is the alumni organisation for the University of Oxford and has a presence in more than 200 places around the world with a rapidly expanding volunteer-run branch network – one of the most extensive alumni networks in the world. This network provides alumni with the opportunity to meet up with like-minded individuals for social and professional networking events and activities, as well as catching up on the latest Oxford news.

The society works with colleges, clubs and other alumni organisations within the University, including the Oxford Business Alumni, Oxford Law Alumni and Oxford Medical Alumni.

Some of the opportunities available to Oxford alumni include:

• A varied events programme, including the annual Oxford Alumni Weekend and the biennial North American Reunion
• An email forwarding service
• The Oxford Alumni Card, which offers a range of benefits including discounts at various stores
  
• A varied, worldwide travel programme, offering exclusive discounted holiday opportunities
• A free subscription to the University’s magazine Oxford Today, which includes University news, features by and about academic research and prominent alumni, and information specifically for alumni

The Alumni Office also provides a growing portfolio of benefits for current students, including the OUS Awards scheme, which offers support in the categories of travel, hardship and sports, and the Student Alumni Association, which aims to promote the interests of and understanding between the students of the past, present and future.

For further information, please see the Alumni Services website.

Graduate study at Oxford can be a real investment in your career. The University has an excellent record for graduate employment. Despite changing economic situations, the long-term employment record of Oxford graduates has consistently remained one of the best in the UK with over 94 per cent of graduate students engaged in work or further study within six months of completing their course.

Whatever you want to study, and whether you are destined for a life in academia or the vocational or commercial sector, potential employers recognise the value of undertaking independent research in addition to the wide range of transferable skills and the intellectual challenge that graduate study at Oxford encourages. Over three-quarters of Oxford graduates found their recently gained qualification necessary or advantageous in terms of securing their current position.

One of the most important means of finding a job for many students is through personal contacts. Oxford offers excellent opportunities for students, through being part of a college as well as their department or faculty, to form relationships and build networks.