Issue 43 - University of Surrey's Student Union
Issue 43 - University of Surrey's Student Union
Issue 43 - University of Surrey's Student Union
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14 FEATURES<br />
The Stag | 6 th March 2012 features@thestagsurrey.co.uk<br />
Features<br />
We can’t work for free!<br />
With the prospect <strong>of</strong> graduation looming, it’s not surprising that final year undergraduates are concerned about the future. But in the<br />
current economic climate, many will find themselves unnecessarily drawn to unpaid internships. In the wake <strong>of</strong> an NUS campaign to<br />
eliminate unlawful employment, The Stag got in touch with the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Surrey Careers Service to find out more…<br />
By Tom Goulding, Deputy Editor<br />
TS: What is the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Surrey’s<br />
stance on unpaid internships?<br />
USCS: The Careers Service only advertises<br />
positions which comply with National<br />
Minimum Wage (NMW) legislation – therefore<br />
unpaid internships are not advertised, unless<br />
they are with an organisation which has a<br />
specific exemption from the NMW, such as<br />
a registered charity. It is also worth noting<br />
that work placements which are formally<br />
part <strong>of</strong> your course <strong>of</strong> study, such as the<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Training Year here at Surrey, are<br />
also exempt from the NMW. The majority <strong>of</strong><br />
these are paid, however, this does vary from<br />
course to course. In addition to the above, the<br />
Careers Service adheres to the Association <strong>of</strong><br />
Graduate Careers Advisory Services’ Position<br />
Statement on Internships.<br />
TS: Could you explain why the NUS, TUC<br />
and UCU have had to collaborate on a<br />
campaign to end unpaid internships?<br />
UCSC: The organisations collaborating on<br />
the campaign have stated they believe<br />
internships are contributing to growing<br />
inequality in education and the job market,<br />
with those with financial support able to<br />
undertake unpaid work, whilst unpaid<br />
internships remain inaccessible to those<br />
from poorer backgrounds or those who live<br />
outside London.<br />
TS: Given the current level <strong>of</strong> unemployment<br />
UK, do you agree that Arts & Humanities<br />
undergraduates are particularly<br />
susceptible to taking unpaid internships?<br />
Do you think there is a solution to this<br />
considering that most media positions are<br />
already oversubscribed?<br />
USCS: There is some evidence that unpaid<br />
positions are more prevalent in the media<br />
and creative industries, which can <strong>of</strong>ten be<br />
popular with Arts and Humanities graduates<br />
- although <strong>of</strong> course students from a wide<br />
variety <strong>of</strong> disciplines may seek to enter<br />
these industries. Gaining experience is<br />
certainly important to have the best chance<br />
<strong>of</strong> entering these industries, but this could<br />
take a number <strong>of</strong> forms - from short work<br />
experience placements to volunteering with<br />
hospital radio or student media outlets.<br />
TS: Will the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Surrey Careers<br />
Service be taking measures to make<br />
students aware <strong>of</strong> unpaid internships in<br />
the foreseeable future? If so, what steps<br />
will be taken?<br />
USCS: It is important that students are aware<br />
<strong>of</strong> their rights in relation to the NMW, and<br />
makes information available to students to<br />
help them with this. As an impartial source<br />
<strong>of</strong> advice and guidance, the Careers Service<br />
cannot tell students which positions to<br />
accept. However, we are always pleased to<br />
talk to students about their options, and will<br />
continue to work to make students aware<br />
<strong>of</strong> their rights, and with employers to make<br />
them aware <strong>of</strong> their responsibilities.<br />
TS: Do you have any further advice<br />
for students currently seeking work<br />
placements?<br />
USCS: The recruitment process for work<br />
placements can be just as competitive as<br />
those for graduate jobs. Therefore, we would<br />
advise all students to prepare thoroughly and<br />
make the best application possible – tailoring<br />
their CV, covering letter or application form<br />
for each job, and <strong>of</strong>fering specific evidence<br />
<strong>of</strong> the skills and abilities required by the<br />
employer. It is also worth being aware that<br />
for summer internships employers <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
recruit well in advance – with closing dates<br />
up to six months in advance <strong>of</strong> the start<br />
<strong>of</strong> the internship. Therefore it is worth<br />
planning ahead. Finally, make yourself aware<br />
<strong>of</strong> your rights in relation to the NMW and<br />
employment law more generally.<br />
Read more on unpaid jobs...<br />
To read more about unpaid<br />
internships and to comment, why<br />
not visit the new Careers Service<br />
blog:<br />
uni<strong>of</strong>surreycareers.wordpress.com<br />
Or for further info please visit:<br />
www.surrey.ac.uk/careers<br />
... or phone 01483 689001 to book an<br />
appointment.<br />
©rob ‘n’ rae<br />
LFW Round-up<br />
Ellis Taylor<br />
Phew, what a fashion week!<br />
Between the 17 th and 21 st<br />
February London was teaming<br />
with fashion folk rushing between<br />
shows. Now although it is all in<br />
preparation for Autumn/Winter<br />
2012, it’s always good to know in<br />
advance which winter items are<br />
worth keeping.<br />
In terms <strong>of</strong> colour and tone,<br />
berry, forest green, and dark blue<br />
will make their presence known in<br />
the shops. Whilst dark colours for<br />
winter isn’t particularly ground<br />
breaking, we need to think about<br />
how we will wear them. I’m not<br />
talking simple dark jeans with<br />
a dark coloured jumper, oh no,<br />
these shades have a sort <strong>of</strong> morbid<br />
and mysterious feel to them. In<br />
Christopher Kane, we saw florals<br />
being brought down in their<br />
mood. But if you want something<br />
brighter, look to Holly Fulton for<br />
inspiration. As for print, it’s all<br />
about the country being brought to<br />
the city. Houndstooth, tweed and<br />
tartan were all over the catwalks,<br />
particularly in Henry Holland, so<br />
keep an eye out for those. Also,<br />
Peter Pilotto brought us some<br />
erratic yet controlled prints, as<br />
did many other designers, and<br />
metallic shades shimmered down<br />
the runway <strong>of</strong> Alice Temperley.<br />
With the colours and prints<br />
nailed, it’s time to think textures.<br />
My, my, there sure was a lot <strong>of</strong> fur;<br />
Alice Temperley and Mulberry<br />
showed us how to do it, whilst PPQ<br />
threw in some velvet and Topshop<br />
Unique added some leather. For<br />
shape, Burberry Prorsum showed<br />
peplum at its best, and high<br />
necklines were sported on nearly<br />
every runway, particularly Erdem.<br />
If you don’t have the time, or<br />
patience, to trawl through every<br />
show and want some exciting ones<br />
to watch then I highly recommend<br />
Mary Katranzou for inspiring<br />
clothes, and Meadham Kirchh<strong>of</strong>f<br />
for entertainment (check out<br />
the shoes, they’re amazing). And<br />
finally, check out Anya Hindmarch<br />
for some awesome staging. And<br />
if you missed it completely, don’t<br />
worry - only six months till next<br />
London Fashion Week…<br />
Holly Fulton - LFW