IT services companies and the British Computer Society
are collaborating in a series of joint careers fairs to encourage
university graduates to consider joining the IT
profession.
Nine major employers, including Accenture, Atos, BT, Capgemini,
Logica CMG and Microsoft, are working together to organise a series
of careers fairs at leading universities, supported by Computer
Weekly.
The project, dubbed "What's IT all about?" comes amid mounting
concerns that the number of young people showing an interest in a
career in IT is declining at a time when demand for quality staff
is rising.
"It is always a challenge to attract graduates. Over the past
couple of years there has been more competition and a lot of career
choice for graduates," said Suzy Style, head of UK graduate
recruitment at Accenture.
The project will offer graduates the chance to find out about
working in the IT profession and will give students the chance to
listen to a series of "day in the life" sessions from recent
graduates working in different areas of IT.
Students will also have the opportunity to listen to
presentations on hot topics including security, networks,
multimedia and big software projects, and to attend skills sessions
on interviews and completing application forms.
There is also an evening networking session, which allows
graduates to mingle with employees.
Accenture said it aimed to recruit 400 graduates this year. "We
have to do a multitude of things to target students. We also run
milkround presentations, go to careers fairs, networking events and
get involved in organisations such as [student helpline]
Nightline," said Style.
The company plans to take graduates on from both arts and IT
backgrounds for IT and business consulting roles, ranging from
testing and process mapping to developing proposals and working
with end-users.
It favours students who perform well academically but can also
show they have made the most of university by getting involved with
clubs and societies, teaching English abroad, or doing charity
work.
"We look at their initiative, adaptability, problem solving
skills and decisiveness," Style said.
The first pilot career fair took place at the University of
Manchester earlier this month, and another event will be held at
the University of Birmingham on 29 November.
➔ www.careers.bham.ac.uk/Events/whatsITallaboutIntro.htm