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 to date 30 students have successfully completed the programme.
About Be SMART
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 your chosen career/whatever venture you might turn your hands to when you graduate.
The programme empowers students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to recognise and promote the value in their difference and the unique strengths and perspectives bring to the workplace, enhances their employability, and supports them to achieve their future career goals through building the graduate career capital essential to successful career development.
As a student on the programme, what will I have access to?
Be SMART offers you 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 your chosen career/whatever venture you might turn your hands to when you graduate.
You can find out more about the programme from one of our former participants in the video below:
Be SMART is comprised of three parts. The ideal is that you undertake all three parts, but you can do part one in isolation or just parts two and three. See the eligibility section for requirements.
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 of interest to you, providing you with access to invaluable advice and contacts (mentoring will be prioritised for second and final-year students).
2. Leadership and Professionalism programme.
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 your 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 (and possibly a face-to-face interview, depending on the number of applications received).
- Applications open Monday 3rd October 2022 and close Friday 4th November 2022 at 11.30 pm (we may extend this deadline to accommodate student demand - please check back here for updates regarding this)
- For more information, you can attend online information sessions with one of our team to find out more and discuss any questions you may have about the programme.
Click here to access the application form.
Have questions about Be SMART or with applying? 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.
Timelines & Key dates:
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Mon 3rd Oct 2022
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Be SMART application opens
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Wed 12th Oct (2 - 2.30pm)
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Information Session 1 (click here to join zoom)
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Wed 19th Oct (2 - 2.30pm)
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Information Session 2 (click here to join zoom)
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Wed 26th Oct (2 - 2.30pm)
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Information Session 3 (click here to join zoom)
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Fri 4th Nov 2022
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Be SMART application closes (11.30pm)
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7th -11th Nov 2022
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Shortlisting and confirmation of successful applicants
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w/c 14th Nov 2022
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Welcome and induction event
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w/c 21st Nov 2022
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Professional and Leadership Workshop: Time management and professionalism (online)
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w/c 28th Nov 2022
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Professional and Leadership Workshop: Leadership series: What is leadership
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w/c 2nd Dec 2022
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Professional and Leadership Workshop: Leadership series: Practicing leadership
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w/c 23rd Jan 2023
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Mentor and Mentee induction and training
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w/c 30th Jan 2023
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'Meet your Mentor' event
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w/c 6th Jan – w/c 1st May 2023
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Mentoring programme runs
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w/c 6th Feb 2023
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Preparing for internship workshop
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w/c 17th Feb 2023
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Deadline to submit CVs for internships
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w/c 13th Mar – w/c 28th Apr 2023
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Internship programme runs
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w/c 6th Mar 2023
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Mentee check in and catch up
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w/c 17th Apr 2023
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Mentee check in and catch up
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w/c 8th May 2023
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Extracting employability workshop & post questionnaire survey
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w/c 1st Jul 2023
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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). We will be adopting a blended approach to the programme which means that some of the workshops will be either on campus or online.
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'
#InvestInYourFuture
Information for employers
Our employers and mentors make an extremely valuable contribution to Be SMART and it would not be possible to provide the same meaningful and employability-enhancing opportunities to our students without their input and commitment.
Reciprocally, feedback from previous mentors and employers highlights the huge value they also receive from working with our students, who offer unique strengths, perspectives and contributions.
If you are interested in finding out more or getting involved with our Be SMART programme, please email careers@stmarys.ac.uk.