Alexandra Chapman

BA (Hons) Public Relations 2014

Our careers professionals have been there every step of the way to help graduate Alexandra Chapman get her feet onto the employment ladder.

From helping to shape her CV and finding relevant work experience to steering her first steps into the workplace, the team at Careers and Employability Service have been on hand.

Alexandra said: “The most important starting point was my CV. I thought it was fine until I sat down with the experts to really knock it into shape. Modules on my Public Relations degree involved securing work experience, which my improved CV helped me to find.

“And when it comes to finding work and planning a future, the first stop for every student has to be the careers and employment team at Sunderland Futures.

“The team at the Careers Service pointed me in the direction of the Graduate Internship scheme which matches students with jobs in industry, while contributing part of the wages.

“My initial role didn’t really work for me so I went back to the careers team for advice. I spoke to them on a Monday, by Thursday I had an interview with local company Tyneport Coatings, and the Monday after I was starting work with my new employer!

“It’s going really well and I'm getting the opportunity to use more of the skills I studied on my degree course."

Tyneport Coatings manufacture high performance compounds and coatings for offshore and other industries. I’ve been looking at the company’s marketing materials and website and engaging with customers using social media and proactive PR.

“I must admit in my last year when we had people promoting the internship schemes I was sceptical, but always kept it in my mind.

“Now my advice to students is to listen and take what they have to offer – I genuinely have no idea where I would be now without the support I’ve received.”