London


Career + PROGRAM

Location/geographical coverage

Kıngs College London, London, UK

Career & Employability department

Background and description

Variety of different resources and support measures for students from underrepresented backgrounds in higher education is being offered under the program called Career + (Career plus) – exclusive programme of additional careers related activities and support.

The program emerged to address the students at King’s from marginalised groups need to overcome particular difficulties in their career journey. Hence, the program promotes equality of access to work and ensures inclusive services and provision accessible to all regardless of protected characteristics or personal circumstances.

Stakeholders and Partners

Main target group/beneficiaries are undergraduate UK-domiciled students and those who have graduated from King’s within the last two years;

Methodological Approach

The tailored career support program is structured as follows:

  • Extended career guidance appointments:

These longer, 30-minute appointments with our Widening Participation Careers Consultant, can help you discover what you want to do, help you focus your current ideas or put your plans into action. These appointments are bookable two weeks’ in advance and delivered either remotely via MS Teams or in person

  • Exclusive career topics and emplyers workshops and events

Throughout the year designed and delivered bespoken workshops & events, especially for Careers+ students.

  • Newsletters

The Careers+ Opportunities Newsletters are sent to KCL student e-mail throughout the year, sharing with them any upcoming projects and work opportunities that they can take part in.

Validation

Recognition through impact:

King’s has a long-standing track record of improving the social mobility of our students and a reputation as one of the most successful London Russell Group universities (Imperial College London, LSE, Queen Mary University of London & UCL) for widening participation.

Recognition through testimonials:

King’s students stem from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences – it’s critical that we’re transparent about the opportunities to join our organisation and these events really helped us to educate students on the possibilities.

Diversity & Inclusion Lead, Technology Firm

As a minority, I felt intimidated and directionless even thinking about careers considering the fierce competition and systemic biases that are unfortunately still pervasive. Careers+ was a transformative tool in reshaping my perception of my careers journey by equipping me with the skills, support and confidence to even get started. The programme really puts the individual needs and welfare of each student at the centre of everything they do.

Fatima Malik, English Student, Year 3, Careers+ Student

Innovation potential

King’s Careers & Employability is also delivering ‘Spotlight on Inclusion’ series of events.

Spotlight on Inclusion enables employers to highlight positive initiatives enhancing access and inclusion in their organisations and share lived experiences to support:

  • groups under-represented in higher education
  • students from Black, Asian & Diverse Heritage backgrounds
  • disability inclusion
  • gender inclusion
  • LGBTQ+  inclusion
  • understanding of mental & physical well-being

Events include panels, speed meets and workshops across a range of industries and highlighting the experiences of individuals and those championing this important work.

Success Factors

Career + is part of Widening participation – one of the eight strategic priorities for King’s College London. Each year it is developed on the access and participation plan with the Office for Students (OFS) that sets us clear benchmarks for progress in supporting key underrepresented groups.

Widening Participation department consist of several key teams, including;

Leadership Team

Pre-16 Programmes Team

Partnerships and OfM Team

Priority Groups and Communities Team

Post-16 Programmes Team

What Works Team

Contact details

careers@kcl.ac.uk

+44 (0)20 7848 7134

BH(SE) 5.15, Bush House South East Wing, Strand, London WC2R 1AE

URL of the practice Reference document

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/careers/assets/building-success-guide-2021-2.pdf

Related Web site(s)

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/careers/supporting-you/under-represented-groups

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/outreach/widening-participation