Commercial and societal awareness skills

These ideas are ways to start thinking about commercial & societal awareness. 

• Read about business in the FT, Economist etc.
• Subscribe to sector based magazines or other publications.
• Attend employer presentations.
• Take part in consulting case studies run by the Careers team, advertised on CareerConnect.
• Read business related autobiographies and think about how these might impact the economy and society.

These are all quick ways you can boost your business awareness, and which you might mention in applications.

• Budget for a complex travelling trip, or for a summer project.
• Take part in a college Telethon fundraising event or raise funds for charity with a student society.
• Attend company insight days and events that include skill sessions.
• Compete in business competitions, e.g. Management Consulting case competitions or online investment competitions.
• Get involved in running a student society, e.g. negotiating sponsorships or discounts with local firms; setting direction and planning  the strategy.
• Work in your college bar.
• Do a Micro-internship. or undertake a 'virtual internship', e.g. through Forage, which offers free, short  (6-8 hours) open-access courses set by leading companies and which challenge you to work through in-depth case studies that reflect that company's industry and work.   
• If you're volunteering or in part-time work, suggest ways to improve efficiency, resulting in time or cost savings.
• Sign up for the Ensipre Oxford newsletter, and engage in their events across the University.

• Volunteer regularly, for example via Oxford Hub
• Manage the budget for a society, a drama or arts production, or a departmental event or conference.
• Secure an internship – for example, through our Summer Internship Programme. There are lots of different opportunities out there – see our page on finding work experience for tips.
• Participate in Insight into Consulting – our regular programme designed for students to demystify consulting and strategy and increasing your commercial and societal awareness.
• Sell a skill, for example, by organising some paid gigs for your band or to raise money for a favourite charity.
• Events put on by EnSpire can help you understand how to turn your business ideas into action, from pitching to investors to marketing your idea.
• Commit to self-directed learning for example in marketing, finance, or business management with the Government's Skills Toolkit, Government's Digital Skills or LinkedIn Learning.

• Organise a major event that aims to turn a profit, such as a college ball, arranging a concert tour or taking a show to the Edinburgh Fringe etc.
• Set up a business or a 'side hustle', e.g. selling your own work or items on Etsy, Depop or other platforms.
• Start your own Social Enterprise! Seek support from local organisations, e.g Oxford Hub or EnSpire and make connections to others going this route.