Student Futures: what we are doing and how to get involved
Professor Sarah Irwin and Dr Clare Mawson share insights from the recent Students Futures activities that took place this October, including the launch of the Student Futures Board,
Recently we welcomed Sociology and Social Policy alumni to meet with current students and discuss transitions to work after University. After a helpful overview of the University Careers and Skills map by Sarah Wenham we had lively conversations facilitated by Nick Brocklehurst and led by students. We discussed students’ questions about the careers they might they pursue after they graduate, about how to better showcase their skills in their job applications and interviews and how to build their knowledge and confidence in pursuing graduate jobs. Our alumni offered rich insights from across their diverse career perspectives.
There is considerable enthusiasm from students for hearing more from our alumni about how they got into their current jobs and for understanding what their role involves, through ‘day in the life’ insights. There is also wide interest in better understanding how having a Sociology/Social Policy degree matters in the world of work. (The answer from our alumni: a lot!) Given this, students asked, how can they be confident in showing employers how their academic and other skills are relevant?
Help shape our next event
Building on this in-person launch of our Student Futures Board we are planning our next event, “What Can I Do With a Sociology Degree?" as part of the School of Sociology and Sociology and Social Policy Futures Week in February 2027. We are now inviting all our current students to help shape this, for example deciding on what should be included, contacting alumni and promoting the event. You, our students, might also consider doing a mini-interview with one of our alumni (what do they wish they had known at University? How does Sociology matter in their job?) and help to produce an audio or video recording for the SSP SharePoint and website.
These activities can all also boost your employability skills (eg team work, project management, technical knowledge, promotional skills).
If you are interested in being involved in developing these activities we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Clare (c.mawson@leeds.ac.uk) or Sarah (s.irwin@leeds.ac.uk).
Involved in shaping this or not, keep an eye out for our Student Futures event on Wednesday 24 February 2027, part of the School of Sociology and Social Policy’s Student Futures Week, meet with alumni and develop your insights and ideas about life after University.
