Do you want to eventually secure a graduate role that makes a real difference to society?
Do you want to look beyond the UK and explore helping others internationally?
Do you want to volunteer or do work experience that will make a difference to your local community?
'Social Impact' is a term that massively gained prominence over the last couple of years as more and more people have re-evaluated their values and motivations. There isn’t one easy way to define it, but we’ll use ‘Social impact is the positive effect on people and communities that happens as a result of an action, an activity, project, programme or policy.’ As a result careers with social impact are broad!
There have been organisations that look to make a positive impact for as long as there have been organisations – charities, cooperatives, paternalistic companies such as Cadbury in the C19th, and in recent times these have been added to via officially registered Social Enterprises, B Corps and Social Impact Investing.
So, if you have a burning desire to make a difference then Social Impact Week is for you with a series of events, and tailored information that will help you explore how you can make an impact, now and in the future. Read on for more!
Events
Explore Careers that Make a Difference
Monday 27 February | 13:00-14:00 | Carrington 101
How can you really make a difference in your career? Where can you find a role with a cause you can get behind?
This event brings together some of the high-profile graduate opportunities that will allow you to make a difference through your work. Come along and be inspired by speakers from organisations across charities and the public sector that invest in you while also investing in our society.
Professional Panel Event hosted by Vicki Wiles, Careers Consultant
Our speakers are:
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Oliver Cassells, National Management Trainee, Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead council
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Elle Covell, New Business Manager, Comic Relief
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Susannah Herbert, Social Impact Manager, Reckitt
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Phoebe Plunkett, Data Collection Officer, Women's Aid Federation of England
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Corinne Stone, Senior Community and Events Fundraising Officer, WaterAid
Hear from professionals who can tell you about their experiences. They may confirm some of the things you've heard, dispel some myths, or open your eyes to new concepts and ideas.
Explore Careers in International Development
28 February | 18.00-19.00 | Online
Professional Panel Event hosted by Alex Baker, Careers Consultant
Are you interested in a career in International Development? Do you want to know more about job roles that have a global impact? Do you want a career that tackles world's inequalities?
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Gustavo Araujo, Partnerships and Outreach / Division of Human Resources, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Head
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Bilgeyiskhanim Mirizada, European Court of Human Rights
This is a brilliant opportunity for those of you looking to gain insight into what roles are available in International Development so come along and gain knowledge on how to begin your career.
Explore Careers in Charities and Social Enterprises
2 March | 17.00-18.00| Online
Are you passionate about a cause? Do you feel you can make a difference? The area of charities, non-profits and social enterprises is vast and the work they do both challenging and rewarding. In this session we hope to clarify some terminology and speak to those working within such organisations to hear about their career journeys and what their working life is like for them.
Professional Panel Event hosted by Vicki Aldmington, Careers Consultant
Our speakers are:
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James Pledger, Operations Executive, Beam
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Jessica Tyrrell, Area Manager, New Meaning
Explore Careers in the Environment
3 March | 13.00-14.00 | Palmer 1.06
Are you passionate about the environmental sustainability and how this impacts people’s lives?
Could you make a career of it?
Professional Panel Event hosted by Victoria Godsell, Careers Consultant
Our speakers are:
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Josie Edwards, Assistant Environmental Consultant, Stantec
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Emily Strange, Assurance Associate, EY
Come and hear from professionals working in environment and sustainability learn how they make an impact and build contacts who can help you continue to explore this sector.
Want to know more?
Get inspired by students, staff and alumni who are making an impact already:
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My volunteering experience, Qaisar Ali
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Careers with social impact, Tania Lyden
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Helping students Thrive, Molly Mansfield
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Making Heathrow Airport more sustainable, Jess Headach
Graduate schemes that make a difference:
Job sites:
Further inspiration:
The Guardian Society Pages | TBD* | What is social entrepreneurship? |
Taking things further
Book a 1:1 Careers Appointment with a Careers Consultant, or Placement Coordinator, to talk about any areas that interest you and get advice on jobs, placements, how to develop your CV and what steps you can take next.