A place at IBM really computes for Kate

Student Kate Whitaker spent a year on placement with IBM and was offered a graduate job with the computer giant when she completed her degree at Teesside University.

‘One of the main reasons I picked the IT course at Teesside was the sandwich option,’ Kate, who studied BSC (Hons) Information Technology, explains.

‘I had an amazing third year on placement, expanded my knowledge and experienced working in industry which was great for my CV – IBM offered me a job two months into my final year.’

Kate’s experience illustrates the in-depth work Teesside undertakes with both students and graduates to prepare them for the world of work.

Skills for employment are built into the curriculum, an extensive careers service is available to all students and for two years after they graduate. There is also a raft of support for enterprising students who want to start their own business.

Professor Caroline MacDonald, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Student Experience) says: ‘Our goal is to ensure Teesside graduates are equipped with graduate-level specialist, professional and transferable skills.

‘We embed employability within the curriculum, consult with employers on course planning and content and provide a huge range of opportunities such as volunteering and mentoring outside of the curriculum for our students to choose from.

Endorsements from professional bodies ‘We are also very proud of the endorsements we have from professional bodies and sector skills councils, for example the BBC, British Computer Society, Skillset and engineering institutes.’

Kate adds: ‘Some of the knowledge I gained in my final year, particularly on the business based modules, such as Industry Standards, gave me a head start in my new job. I am now based in London and work with IBM clients seeking help and advice about business and IT problems.

• 83.4% full-time first degree leavers were in work or further study
• 93.6% part-time degree students were in work or further study
• 83% of full-time postgraduate students were in work or further study
• 95.6% of part time postgraduate students were in work or further study with 97.4% that are in employment in graduate level jobs

(2008-09 Higher Education Statistics Agency)

Teesside University has 28,000 students – 10,000 full-time and 18,000 part-time.

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