To support students during their final term at UCL School of Management, Student Journalist Adrian MH Ho shares his top tips for navigating this often challenging period of time.

As we approach our final term at UCL, it’s crucial to prepare for the transition from academia to the next stages of our life, whether entering the workforce, continuing education, or exploring other ventures. Here are some recommendations to help you navigate your last term effectively.

Academic Review and Completion

Self-evaluation: Being outstanding means never stopping your self-evaluation. A famous quote from Warren Buffett notes that “the most important investment you can make is in yourself.” This is a great time to assess your return on investment (including academic progress and personal growth). 

Dissertation Preparation: Consult with your knowledgeable professors and research advisor for insights into your dissertation. Remember, quality work takes time (keep an eye out for a dedicated column on dissertations in June.) Also, devote sufficient time to any final projects. These are essential not only to graduate, but also as a showcase of your capabilities to future employers or educational institutions. For example, if you have an interview with your dream firm, it’s a golden opportunity to present a thorough analysis of the sector. 

Career Preparation

Networking: Building a strong network is essential for career searching and preparation. This can be one of the reasons why students may struggle to secure offers in the UK - a robust and supportive network will always come in handy when on the job market.

Remember, the relationships you’ve nurtured with professionals, alumni, and professors can open doors and offer support as you navigate your future career path. Don’t just focus on classmates and friends. Familiarise yourself with a broader professional network. 

Leveraging Your Network

Keep in touch with professionals: Connect with people who inspire you on professional social networking sites, such as LinkedIn, and keep each other informed about job opportunities and professional advancements. Send invitations for coffee chats if you are sociable and comfortable doing so.

Engage with professors: Professors can be invaluable mentors in your career. Before graduating, take the time to thank them for their guidance and discuss your career aspirations with them. They can recommend you to their professional contacts or even refer you to workplaces.

Join alumni associations: UCL and UCL SoM have alumni associations that hold networking events, offer career services, and run mentorship programmes (friendly reminder: there will be at least one networking event this summer). Join these associations to connect with alumni who are willing to share their insights and possibly open doors for you in their respective fields.

Be proactive and helpful: Networking is always a two-way process. Look for opportunities to assist your contacts wherever you can. Sharing an article relevant to their field, volunteering for initiatives they are involved with, or offering your skills to a project are just some examples of the ways in which you can showcase your willingness to help others and make yourself a memorable contact. 

Life Skills

Housing issue: Start looking for a new location after graduation if you plan to move from campus housing to a new country. Remember, finding a new home takes time. Start early and prioritise your preferences ASAP!

Financial planning and budgeting: Begin to budget based on your expected income and expenses after university. Managing your finances effectively is critical as you transition out of a student lifestyle. For instance, if you plan to stay in the UK, you should have a basic understanding of UK taxation. Learning all about the taxation system can help you to legally and ethically save a significant amount of money.

Celebrate and Reflect

Document your university experiences: Whether through photos, videos, trips, or gatherings, take the time to record key moments (including both happy and sad experiences) from this academic year. Years later, when you revisit these memories, you’ll see how much you’ve learned and grown (friendly reminder: the submission deadline of Happy Moments Photo Competition is Friday 24 May 2024).

Prepare for the unexpected

Alternatives: Always have a contingency plan. For example, job openings depend on the global economy, so apply for jobs in various sectors, not just one. If your dissertation topic is rejected by the module leader, follow upcoming market trends and develop a revolutionary idea instead of a typical one. Try to be flexible and be prepared to pivot as necessary.

Continued Learning and Development

Life-long learning: It’s important that students and graduates take further actions to enhance their employability and distinguish themselves in the workplace. Employers today look beyond basic requirements like academic background, experience, and skill sets; they also value your long-term vision, global exposure, attitude, mindset, values, moral and ethical standards, leisure activities, interests, and volunteer experience. Therefore, keep learning new things and improving yourself. Don’t fall behind your peers.

To sum up, the final semester is a gateway to new beginnings, meaning both an end and a start. No matter how good or bad it is this academic year, you have already completed 90% of your programme. Celebrate your accomplishments, embrace continuous learning, and approach the transition with confidence and optimism. The last term is definitely not about your conclusion; indeed, it is the next stage for exciting journey ahead.

Find out more about studying a postgraduate programme at UCL School of Management