Welcome! Here you will find out what Be SMART is all about, how it works, and what you need to know to apply.
Here at St Mary's, we are committed to nurturing students in order to help them realise their fullest potential both during their time here and when they leave University. We work hard to ensure that students are prepared with the resources and skills they need in order to be competitive graduates who thrive in the labour market, with long rewarding careers.
We have put together Be Smart as a way of supporting our students to access and understand the fundamental assets crucial to future success. The programme was launched in October 2019 and since then many students have successfully completed the programme.
Be Smart offers you – the student – an opportunity to access and participate in career-enhancing initiatives that will help you stand out from the competition and potentially step into and succeed in the career or venture you might turn your hands to when you graduate.
Be SMART is comprised of three parts
1. One-to-one mentoring from industry professionals.
We will do our best to match you with a successful individual in an area of work you are interested in, providing you with access to invaluable advice and contacts (mentoring will be prioritised for second and final-year students).
2. Self-Development and Professionalism Workshops
You will undertake a short course to develop the leadership and professional tools needed to maximise career opportunities, and you will receive a certificate after completing the course. You will be expected to complete a minimum number of workshops to be eligible to undertake the internship.
3. 30 hours Paid Internship (Living London Wage)
Earn money as you gain professional experience and sharpen your industry knowledge and skills in your chosen career field.
(Please note. Whilst we will endeavour to offer a variety of internships in various sectors, we cannot always guarantee a specific job match in the area you want to work in - be prepared to be flexible).
Eligibility
- Be Smart is an exciting initiative open to students who identify as either Black, Asian, or an ethnic minority.
- Be Smart is open to UK students only.
- You will be expected to complete evaluation surveys over the course of the programme, which will help us monitor your progress and the effectiveness of the programme.
Application Process
- There will be an online application form. Applications open 3rd November 2023 and close 1st December 2023 at Midnight (we may extend this deadline to accommodate student demand - please check back here for updates regarding this).
- For more information, you can attend an information session with one of our team to find out more and discuss any questions you may have about the programme (details below).
Apply now - access the application form.
Have questions about Be Smart or the application process? Why not attend our online information sessions to have all your questions answered. See the 'dates for your diary' section below for dates and times when the information sessions are taking place.
Key Dates
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Date/Time
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Event
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Friday 3rd November 2023
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Recruitment and application process opens.
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Thursday 9th November 2023, 12 - 12.30pm
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Information Drop-In Session 1 – In Person (Room G5)
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Tuesday 14th November 2023, 12.30 - 1pm
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Information Drop-In Session 2 – Online (Zoom)
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Friday 24th November 2023, 12 - 12.30pm
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Information Drop-In Session 3 - In Person (Room G5)
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Tuesday 28th November 2023, 12.30 - 1pm
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Information Drop-In Session 4 – Online (Zoom)
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Friday 1st December 2023
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Application window closes (1st Dec at Midnight)
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w/c 4th December 2023
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Interviews and confirmation of successful applicants
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Wednesday 13th December 2023, 2pm
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Welcome Event – In Person (Location TBC)
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Thursday 25th January 2024, 12 - 1.15pm
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Self-development and Professionalism Workshop 1
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Thursday 1st February 2024, 12 - 1.15pm
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Self-development and Professionalism Workshop 2
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Thursday 8th February 2024, 12 - 1.15pm
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Self-development and Professionalism Workshop 3
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Thursday 15th February 2024, 12 - 1.15pm
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Self-development and Professionalism Workshop 4
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Feb/March 2024
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Mentor and Mentee Induction and Training Feb/March
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Feb/March 2024
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'Meet your Mentor' Event and mentoring programme begins March
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Feb/March 2024
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Check in Session (CVs and Interviews)
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Feb/March 2024
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Internships
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Feb/March 2024
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Extracting Employability workshop
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Summer 2024
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Be Smart Awards
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Please note some dates might be subject to change (and we will inform you immediately of any changes if they occur). Further details will follow.
Do you have questions?
If you have any questions, why not attend one of the information sessions or email careers@stmarys.ac.uk with the subject header 'Be Smart'.