Thu 2nd February, 2012
Students looking for their first teaching appointment received a ‘heads-up’ on what is required at the University of Bedfordshire’s national award-winning Teaching Fair.
Held at the University’s Bedford campus, the Fair – the only such event in the county – attracted local authorities, agencies and teaching unions, all recruiting for September.
Students were able to receive professional advice and meet prospective employers during the Teaching Fair. They optimised their time there by using the University’s e-brochure to prepare beforehand.
Employability Advisor Christine Smith and Careers Events Co-ordinator Natalie Sibley ran this year’s popular event. Natalie is also a student at the University, taking an Event Management Masters degree. She works part-time alongside her studies as part of the University’s commitment to using work experience and placements to increase the employability of its students.
Christine said: “We had very positive feedback from students and exhibitors again at this year’s event. There was a lovely atmosphere at the fair and it was the best yet.”
Students reported that they found it beneficial to ‘speak to a range of authorities’, ‘get the opportunity to sign up for jobs’ with ‘the chance to talk and ask questions’ and they agreed that the ‘quality of information was excellent’.
Organisations and employers said that they found the event ‘excellent’ and that students ‘seemed well prepared and asked intelligent questions’.
The guest speaker was Barry Hancock who has two decades of experience in delivering his UK lecture tour, Preparation for First Appointments. Sponsored by NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers), he expects to speak at up to 60 universities nationwide this academic year.
He attracted more than 400 students to his talks which focused on five key areas for teachers, including self esteem, professional conduct, lesson planning and delivery, reflection and appraisal of performance and what head teachers are looking for in their ‘perfect’ appointment.
Barry said: “There are lots of mature students here at Bedfordshire which interests me a great deal. All the students seem to like the advice I give because it’s teacher based.
“I try to link my research with head teachers with my knowledge about how new teachers should promote themselves. I want to make sure everybody here has an equal opportunity to market themselves effectively.”
Latest news» 2012» February» Student teachers meet prospective employers at Uni Fair
