Advice

University students around the world are answering the call to climate action; doing everything from  to developing a   encouraging universities to commit to a carbon-neutral future.

But what about graduate jobs in environmental sustainability and development? 

From green investing to climate science, law, policy and sustainable design, there are a huge range of professional fields invested in a greener future, and they will all be on the lookout for graduate talent.

Travelling abroad is a a huge factor in increasing your carbon footprint and unfortunately this is something international students can’t always avoid. 

While it’s inevitable you will have to take flights while travelling to and from your university there are ways you can mitigate your carbon footprint and contribute to carbon neutrality. 

There are two main types of business programmes at business schools. First, there is the more generalist master of business administration (MBA), which is designed to give you an overview of all aspects of business.

Then there are specialised master’s programmes such as a master’s degree in finance or business analytics. These are designed to help you hone your skills in one area and develop the ability to analyse and understand data in a business context.

But which should you choose to study?

What does it take to succeed as an international student?

I wish someone had given me the answer to this question when I embarked on my international student journey many years ago from India to the US.

I was a naive 21-year-old, filled with ideas and dreams of the US, but with almost no understanding of what lay ahead – the challenge of being a foreign student in a different country and culture, as well as all the wonderful opportunities this experience would bring.

The first person in their family to go to university is often known as a first-generation student. University is not always an easy journey for these students and often they may require extra attention.

Based on my experiences of being the first in my family to attend university, with social and financial challenges along the way, I would like to share some advice for other students who might find themselves in a similar position. 

Figuring out how to transfer or exchange money between currencies as an international student is no easy feat.

While you may think that traditional banks are the best and safest way to transfer money between currencies, they can have hidden fees and complex processes.

Luckily, there are an increasing number of alternative options for sending and receiving money while studying abroad, including money transfer specialists and non-bank providers.

Being a refugee student at a British university has been both interesting and rewarding, but I know that many students who are seeking sanctuary in the UK might feel hesitant about applying or unsure of where to find the right support.

To put it simply, this academic year has been a difficult one. Dealing with the ever-changing pandemic, adjusting to online lectures, trying to engage with virtual career fairs, Zoom-based networking events as well as virtual job interviews.

But to top it all off, one of the most difficult parts of this year for me and my fellow students has been the unforgiving flow of job rejections.

I, for one, have found myself hopping from enthusiasm to despair at the prospect of job-hunting.

When searching for a job, students can find themselves swamped with information and advice about how to make themselves attractive to employers, leaving them feeling overwhelmed. Some employers might state that they value good communication over organisation skills; others might prioritise time management over good teamwork.

Truly it really will depend on the industry you wish to work in, the role you are applying for and the specific qualities sought by an employer.