Faculty of Natural,

Mathematical & Engineering

Sciences (NMES)

The

Careers
NMES

2023-2024
Guide
For Students, by Students.
CONTENTS
Welcome.......................................................................................3

How to use this careers guide.................................................4

Career insights...........................................................................5

Careers case study: Ritthigaa.................................................6

Ultimate internship sources.....................................................7

Careers case study: Sayaka....................................................8

Placements..................................................................................9

Postgrad focus..........................................................................11

Diversity and inclusion............................................................12

Meet the Inclusive Careers Education Ambassadors.........13

Events & Appointments...........................................................18

Where to find us.......................................................................20

King's Careers
We're here to help you, whether you are in the Discover, Focus or Action
phase of your career journey and employability development
Browse all events and opportunities at:
kcl.ac.uk/careerconnect
Hi Everyone,

I'm so pleased to be introducing this Careers Guide that has been created
by King's students, supported by King’s Careers & Employability.

This guide is designed to help you prepare for your future and navigate our
various resources and programmes. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know
what you want to do next, you have some ideas, or you’re ready to take
action and want our help. The great thing about your careers and
employability learning is that you work through it as it suits you. Our
integrated approach to employability and our dedicated teams of careers
professionals will support you to identify a meaningful career path
through interactive online resources, careers appointments, events, and
more.

Explore digital resources and tools on our KEATS pages, read our blog or
listen to our podcast, book events and appointments via King's
CareerConnect and take part in various experiences throughout your time
with us. If you haven’t already done so, please take a few minutes to
familiarise yourself with what's on offer – it’s well worth your time!

We are also pleased to be working with our Inclusive Careers Education

Ambassadors, who are co-creating workshops, panel events, a chatbot
and more to support you with your career journey.

Have a great year at King’s!

Andrew Wright, Head of King's Careers &

Employability
3
 How to use this careers guide
This guide aims to signpost students to a range of career
opportunities, workshops, information and support available
for you at Kings. We support you at all points of your career
journey whether that is:

DISCOVER: Find resources for the beginning of your

career journey to enable you to be aware of different sectors,
opportunities and your own Knowledge, Attributes, Skills &
Experience (KASE).

FOCUS: Helping you to narrow down your career options

and gain meaningful experiences help you make career
decisions.

Resources to enable you to navigate the

application processes for a role and what to expect once you
start working.

------------------------
You will also get to learn about the Inclusive Careers
Education Ambassadors (ICEA) programme and their role in
working with King's Careers & Employability to support
students in the faculty of Natural, Mathematical &
Engineering Sciences.

This is an interactive guide. Click on the blue underlined

text to be directed to useful resources!
4
 Career Insights
Sector Trends for 2023-2024
Recruiters are increasingly using
Artificial Intelligence (AI) to pre-screen
candidates and analyse CVs and video
interviews. The Careers &
Employability team is proactively
engaging with employers to gather
insights on their use of AI in recruitment
and assessment processes. Check out
our AI tool CareerSet to help score and
tailor your CV.
Staying up to date with sector trends
will not only help you navigate the
labour market, but also demonstrate
your commercial awareness. Check out
or STEM Careers Learning Library and
the resources below.
Industry information
& sector guides
Technology Energy
Research Engineering
Physics Science policy
Science
comms STEM jobs
The Digital Skills Gap
Businesses in all sectors are becoming
more technology and data-driven. The
demand for digital and data skills are
high but there is not enough STEM
skills/talent meeting this demand.
Women are underrepresented in
industries which are predicted to have
the most openings in the future.
If you are a STEM student, your skills
(whether they include coding, data
analysis and/or quantitative research)
are in demand and highly sought after.
You don't have to restrict yourself to
STEM sectors because all sectors
(including public sector, law, arts) now
require STEM skills in many roles.
See more insights on
Prospects and Gradcracker,
and the rest of our sector
guides on KEATS
5
 Careers Case Study: Ritthigaa
This summer, after a tumultuous first year of university, I started writing a CV for the
first time in my life. I was keen to get a job during the holidays and earn some money,
and after reading various job opportunities on King’s Career Connect, I felt dread to
find out that all of them required more or less the same thing: a Curriculum Vitae. Not
to worry, I thought. I could write a CV in a few days if I wanted to, so I decided to get
to work.

First, I had a job advert in mind. It was called the King’s Past Student Research
Internship: it paid well for two weeks of work and I imagined that being able to secure
an internship after only the first year of university would blow the minds of any
employer. One key thing I learnt about a good CV was that it had to be tailored to a
specific job specification, not generic and cliché, so I made sure to relate my
experiences to the particular skills the internship required.

One difficulty I faced was thinking of experiences to talk about in the first place! I had
very little work experience to speak about as a 19-year-old, so I decided to write a
skills-based CV instead, and honed in on academic experiences I’d gained on my
course, like research skills, a badge of honour for excellent written communication
(self-awarded), along with teamwork and leadership skills I gained from group projects.

After I’d sent off my CV, I waited an agonising three days, only to hear that I’d been
unsuccessful. I’d known setbacks like these were common, and the road to finding a job
would be a long one, but nevertheless I was delighted to see the warm praise and
feedback at the end of my rejection email. That was, until, I found out that my friend,
who’d also applied, received a carbon copy of the exact rejection email I was sent.
Didn’t feel very special after that.

On the bright side, a few weeks later, I received an acceptance for a two-month King’s
Internship with the Student Transitions & Outcomes department. Whilst I didn’t need
a CV, writing one had helped me think of skills to talk about in my online application
and interview. So, I realised, there is indeed light at the end of the long tunnel of job-
hunting.

Ritthigaa Anabayan, 2nd Year Physics and Philosophy. 6

Ultimate internship sources
King's CareerConnect Here are a range of
King’s Internships on KEATS places where you
RateMyPlacement can look for
internships. We
Gradcracker
encourage you to
Prospects check these sites
TARGETjobs every 2-3 weeks!
Milkround
Bright Network
Don’t forget,
LinkedIn Jobs
internships aren’t
Space Careers compulsory! Any
Glassdoor part-time work,
Indeed holiday work and
volunteering can be
Totaljobs
helpful in your
#10000 Black Interns applications.
#10000 Able Interns

And check out these virtual experience programmes:

The Forage
King’s Internships: Insights

7
 Careers Case Study: Sayaka
As a Computer Science student at university, I found an unexpected but remarkable
opportunity to intern as a Business Analyst at BNP. I found this position through the
Bright Network website, and it was a significant shift from the conventional career
trajectory I had initially planned for myself.

The application process was comprehensive and conducted entirely online, involving an
online assessment, a group assessment with a case study, and an interview with both a
team member and an HR representative. This multi-stage process required me to
demonstrate not only my technical skills but also my analytical thinking and ability to
work effectively in a team.

I approached the application with determination, using the technical skills I had honed
during my degree for the online assessment task. The group assessment challenged me
to collaborate with others and find and share innovative solutions for the case study
presented to us. It was during this stage that I was able to apply the insights and
feedback that I had received for previous unsuccessful applications.

The experience provided me with invaluable exposure to the role of a Business Analyst
in a reputable organization. It allowed me to apply the technical knowledge that I had
acquired from my Computer Science degree in a business context, and further develop
my analytical and teamwork skills.

My internship at BNP not only boosted my confidence when applying for roles outside
the traditional tech sector, but also gave me practical experience that will be beneficial
for my career. Exploring different industries can yield rewarding experiences, and that
the feedback received, be it from success or failure, is instrumental in self-improvement
and skill enhancement.

One piece of advice I’d like to share is to seek feedback and learn from rejections.
Internship applications can be competitive, and rejections are common. But instead of
getting discouraged, ask for feedback when possible and use it to improve your future
applications. Reflect on what you could have done better and focus on building relevant
skills and experiences. This approach has proved invaluable in my own journey, helping
me grow both professionally and personally.

Sayaka Bhandari, 3rd Year Computer Science.

8
 Placements
Depending on your degree pathway, you may be eligible for a placement year. This
is a chance to gain real-world experience in a global business context by working at
an organisation in the UK or overseas. Curently, some programmes in Chemistry,
Informatics and Mathematics have placement year options.

A high proportion of our students are offered jobs in the placement companies when
they graduate, which highlights a benefit for choosing this degree pathway.
Furthermore, you’ll gain a variety of transferable skills to benefit you in your career.

Find out about different companies and industries offering Internships and
Placements with RateMyPlacement's online guide or our Global Placement Website.
Support from King’s Careers & Employability if you’re taking a placement:

Workshops, Employer Events and Drop-Ins (book via King’s CareerConnect)

Support Sessions - book here
Placements Application Advice Appointments (via King’s CareerConnect)
Global Placements Hub on KEATS
Contact the Global Placements team directly via email.

UKRI Atkins Morgan Stanley Bloomberg L.P.

HP GE Aviation Lloyd’s Banking Group

BMW Jaguar Land Rover PaperPlanes

Arqiva Mondelez International Capacitas Leonardo

Walt Disney SS&C Tech Mimecast Johnson Matthey

Amadeus IT GlaxoSmithKline Bank of America

UniSys Zebra Technologies Pfizer Ltd Fuji Film

Bank of England L’Oreal Terra Playground Games

9
Placements FAQ
I'm worried that taking this placement will add an extra year to my degree.

You may feel like you want to finish your studies as soon as possible and get to your
graduate career, but we’d encourage you to take a minute to think about the long term
goal. Before you sign up to a graduate scheme that may be a 2/3 year contract, why
not “try before you buy” and do a placement year? This will help you experience a
particular role/sector/company. Then you can make a more informed decision when it
comes to your graduate role, about what you actually enjoy, rather than what you
think you’ll enjoy.

What if I’m rejected by the placement I’m applying to?

Unfortunately, not every application you make will be successful. It’s a competitive
market, with more and more students choosing to search for a placement. But this
isn’t a reason to give up! Use each application as a learning opportunity. What have you
learnt that will help you next time? Always ask for feedback and book an appointment
with us to discuss it. Your placement search is a great exercise in building resilience
and re-motivating yourself, so embrace any rejection with a high level of
determination! Think outside the box and be flexible, the placement is only a year of
experience gaining, it doesn’t determine what your graduate job will be.

“Working in the tech industry and learning about tech

at university are two very different things. I’ve been
exposed to things such as Cloud Computing and
Security, so I know I can use those skills in the future.

“I think my favourite part has actually been working

with the other interns. It’s great to work with people
who are at the same stage of their careers as you. But
also they’re people who are just as passionate about
technology as you are.”

Esther Okusanya, BSc Computer Science with Management

Partner Technology Strategist, Microsoft.
Read Esther’s blog and other Global Placements Stories on the King’s Careers Blog.
10
Postgrad focus
Are you a PhD student or member of
Resources for
Research staff unsure of what your
Master’s
next steps might be?
Students Resources for
Career
Changers Book an appointment with a
Careers Consultant dedicated to
working with researchers by
selecting ‘PhD and Research Staff’
Also on KEATS: our Networking
under appointment type on King's
guide, tips on Working Abroad,
Career Connect.
Industry Guides and advice on
gaining Meaningful Work
Experience. Our dedicated KEATS page: Careers
Support for Researchers:
Events and event recordings
Our PhD Podcast: Advice on applications and
Careers in your ears interviews
Case studies...and more!

“At times like this it is important to keep

reminding yourself about the motivation behind
getting back to education. It could be anything,
that dream career change you always thought of,
a master’s degree you always wanted to add to
your portfolio, or getting into research that you
always wanted to.”

Mohit, MSc Computational Finance

Read Mohit’s story of getting back into education after taking out time to work, and
other blogs by Postgrad students on the King’s Careers Blog.
11
 Diversity and inclusion
Careers+
Careers+ is a programme providing additional careers support for disabled
students and recent graduates, and undergraduate UK-domiciled students and
recent graduates from groups under-represented in Higher Education.
Support offered includes:
30min career appointments, bookable in advance
Access to ring-fenced work experience and internships
Ring-fenced career topic workshops and employer events
Access to ring-fenced bespoke initiatives such as mentoring

It's an ongoing programme - there is no deadline, so apply now! Check our

KEATS page for eligibility and information on how to apply.

Our KEATS pages and King's CareerConnect resource are available to ALL King's
students and recent graduates, including International students and Postgraduate
students.

Disability career support

King's Careers Disability Support
MyPlusStudentClub
Disclosing your Mental Health Condition and Reasonable Adjustments

More careers support for underrepresented groups

Resources for Black, Asian & Diverse Heritage Students;
Female & Non-Binary Students; LGBTQ+ Students; and
other underrepresented groups (click tabs at top to access sections).

12
 Meet the Inclusive Careers
Education Ambassadors!
Tayyibah Islam
(she/her), 3rd Year
MEng General
Engineering
Describe King's Careers service in one word:
Worthwile
What is one thing you recommend students do to
make the most out of their time at university? I
see too many students missing out on internships,
events, jobs, programs, and any opportunity that
can enhance employability simply because they
don't read their King's emails enough throughout
the year! My recommendation is simple: review
your emails periodically, even if it feels like a
chore. Your faculty, the NMES newsletter, King's
Careers and Employability, King's Edge, and many
other teams in the university could send your next
meaningful experience your way! You'll soon see
that you have a list of things to apply for, so you
can move on to keeping yourself busy with
applications. It makes searching for something to
do outside your studies a tad less stressful and
gives you the chance to utilise the opportunities
from the university.
The Inclusive Careers Education Ambassadors are
NMES students who design and run their own
careers education activities. Through their
activities, they aim to help increase students’
confidence in their future career plans and take
proactive steps with their career planning.
Saif Nasir (he/him),
2nd Year BSc
Computer Science
with a Year in
Industry
Describe King's Careers service in one word:
Resourceful
What is one thing you recommend students do to
make the most out of their time at university? One
thing I highly recommend students do to make the
most out of their time at university is to engage in
extracurricular activities. Joining societies and
clubs related to your interests/field of study can
provide numerous benefits. Not only do they offer
opportunities for personal growth, networking,
and developing new skills, but they also allow you
to meet like-minded individuals and create a
strong social support network. Additionally, taking
on internships or work experience relevant to
your desired career path can provide practical
industry exposure. By combining academic
pursuits with extracurricular involvement, you'll
have a well-rounded university experience and set
yourself up for success beyond graduation.
13
 Jingai Si (she/her),
4th Year BSc
Mathematics with
Statistics with a
Year Abroad
Describe King's Careers service in one word:
Navigating
What's a piece of advice that you would give to
students who are struggling to navigate their
future career plans? For students struggling with
career planning, my advice is to explore all
interests and seize accessible opportunities. Note
down your interests and skills, then search for
aligned career paths. Though daunting initially,
follow your heart and pursue what's fulfilling and
motivating. While networking and learning from
others are crucial, remember your career path is
unique, not influenced by peers. Trust in yourself
and choose what resonates. Embrace diverse
experiences, self-reflection, and personal
conviction for clarity. Align your interests and
skills with a rewarding career.
Claudia Almuzara
Romero (she/her),
1st Year PhD
Chemistry
Describe King's Careers service in one word:
Helpful
What's a piece of advice that you would give to
students who are struggling to navigate their
future career plans? From personal experience,
undertaking an internship proved an eye-opening
experience. Upon commencing my undergraduate,
the idea of postgraduate study was completely
undesirable. During the third year, however, an
internship offer from King’s College challenged my
previous intentions. The opportunity familiarised
me with the scientific nature of my project, while
allowing formerly unfamiliar opportunities for
group lab work. It also allowed me to foster
academic connections, the final experience
responsible for my epiphany of continuing in
academia. Presently, this remains the correct
personal choice as I strive for further academic
and personal growth, credited particularly to the
internship opportunities.
14
Jingyi Wu (she/her),
4th Year PhD
Physics
Describe King's Careers service in one word:
Constructive
Which feature would you recommend students
utilise from the King’s Careers Service? The
newsletter and job alert are useful tools provided
by King's Careers, as it is a powerful platform for
students to access part-time & full time job
information, stay updated on weekly events, and
participate in numerous workshops, such as
making CVs, using LinkedIn, and interview training.
Additionally, it provides Career Coaching and
Planning appointments to help discover more
about their stages of career readiness, and
Application Advice Appointments to assist people
meeting challenges with the application process.
Ritthigaa Anabayan,
2nd Year BSc
Physics and
Philosophy with a
Year Abroad
Describe King's Careers service in one word:
Comprehensive
What's apiece of advice that you would give to
students who are struggling to navigate their
future career plans? The first piece of advice I
would give is to check in with your personal tutor
and bounce some of your ideas off them. Given the
experience of your tutor and their past tutees,
your personal tutor will be a great source of not
only encouragement, but of all the possible career
paths that their previous tutees or alumni have
taken, or even their own career progression! My
second piece of advice would be instead of
speaking with your personal tutor, why not book a
session with a career advisor at King’s? It is never
too late or early to book a one-to-one session with
an advisor via King’s CareerConnect, regardless of
whether you are in your first semester of first
year with no ideas at all, or whether you are at
the end of your postgraduate degree with too
many ideas to choose from. Whatever your
situation, speaking to a dedicated professional
about employability, internships, part-time work
or an upcoming interview will definitely be time
well spent.
15
 Konomi Shohtoku
(she/her), 2nd Year
BSc Chemistry
Describe King's Careers
service in one word: Reliable
Tell us about an internship or piece of work
experience you’ve had whilst at uni and what it
was like: I am currently undertaking the King’s
Undergraduate Research Fellowship (KURF), which
allows me to take part in a research project
alongside one of my professors. I found out about
the opportunity through the NMES newsletter. I
am finding the fellowship exciting and challenging,
and I feel like I am constantly learning new things
about my topic. A tip I have for applying is
choosing a topic that you are genuinely interested
in, and talking to the professor before applying to
gain a good understanding of the topic.
Lingxing (William;
he/him) Kong, 2nd
Year PhD Robotics
Describe King's Careers service in one word:
Helpful
What's a piece of advice that you would give to
students who are struggling to navigate their
future career plans? Understanding the
importance of career choices is crucial for
students. Comprehensive career guidance,
especially for those from low socioeconomic
backgrounds, is essential to overcome long-term
disadvantages. High-quality career guidance in
schools provides students with clarity about the
workplace and available paths, encouraging them
to pursue valuable professions. Seeking
internships during college helps students gain
professional experience and build a network.
Focusing on career development, long-term
planning, and continuous improvement prepares
students for changing job market demands.
Following one's interests and values while staying
positive and determined contributes to successful
career journeys. Emphasizing self-exploration and
utilizing resources are vital steps towards
achieving career aspirations.
16
 Yulun Jiang
(he/him), 3rd Year
BSc Mathematics
with Statistics
Describe King's Careers service in one word:
Transformative
What's a piece of advice that you would give to
students who are struggling to navigate their
future career plans? One thing I'd absolutely
recommend is to actively pursue work
opportunities in various fields. By doing so, you
open yourself up to exciting possibilities. You
never know, you might just stumble upon new
interests or realize that a job you've been
dreaming about isn't as glamorous as it seemed.
And you know what? That's perfectly fine! The key
here is the valuable experience you gain and the
joy you find along the way. So go ahead, explore
different avenues, dive into diverse internships or
jobs, and see what truly resonates with you.
Embrace the journey and cherish the lessons
learned, for they will shape your path to success
Sayaka Bhandari
(she/her), 3rd Year
BSc Computer
Science
Describe King's Careers service in one word:
Opportunity
Tell us about an internship or piece of work
experience you’ve had whilst at uni andwhat it
was like: During my time at university, I had a
remarkable internship as a Business Analyst at
BNP. This opportunity was discovered through the
Bright Network website, where the application and
interview processes were conducted entirely
online. The application involved an online
application, followed by a coding task to assess
the technical skills. Subsequently, a virtual group
assessment was conducted, where I collaborated
with others on a case study. Finally, I had an
interview with both a team member and an HR
representative. This comprehensive process
allowed me to showcase my analytical abilities
and teamworking skills. It was an invaluable
experience that provided you with real-world
exposure to the role of a Business Analyst in a
reputable organization.
17
Events & appointments
Inclusive Careers Education Ambassador Events:
The STEM Careers Readiness Series,
Wednesdays 14:00-15:00 (online) on:
Commercial awareness &
Networking - 22nd November,
Career Storytelling & Growth
Mindsets - 6th December, and
Presentation & Teamwork skills
beyond university - 13th December
CVs in STEM: A Writing and Reviewing
Workshop Wednesday 11th October,
11:00-12:30 (online and on campus)
The Interview Stage: Interviews for
entry level roles in the Engineering
sector Friday 13th October, 13:00-
14:00 (online)

Intro to Web Development: A Workshop &
Hackathon, Mondays 18:00-20:00 on:
Workshop - 13th November, and
Presentation & awards - 20th
November (online and on-campus)
Alumni Insights: Bridging the gap
between Mathematics and the Tech
job market, Thursday 19th October,
18:00-19:30 (on campus)

One-to-one appointments:
Career Coaching & Planning (plus longer earmarked appointments for
Disabled/Under-represented students through Careers+)​
Application Advice​
Practice Interviews​
Global Placements Appointments​
PhD & Research Staff Appointments​

All bookable via King’s CareerConnect.

18
Panel Events and more...
NMES Careers Panels (Wednesdays 14:00-15:30, online)
Career Options in Computer Science, Engineering and Related Fields,
18th October
Career options with a Chemistry Degree (outside the lab), 1st November
Career options with a Mathematics Degree, 8th November
Career Options with a Physics Degree, 15th November
Career Options in Chemistry Research, 29th November

See the full range of panels and other events on King‘s CareerConnect.

Focus on Employers
The Graduate Labour Market in 2023: Technology, Engineering & Data, 11th
October 14:00-15:00 (online)
King’s Careers Fair, 9th October and 10th October 11:30-15:30 (on campus)

Discover Careers in...

Artificial Intelligence, Wednesday 11th October 18:00-19:15 These are only some of
Data Analytics, Thursday 12th October 18:00-19:15 the panels on offer -
Renewable Energy & Sustainable Tech, Tuesday 6th see more Discover
February 18:00-19:15 Careers In... Panels on
User Experience, Tuesday 27th Feb, 18:00-19:15 (all online) King’s CareerConnect!

#MyNextSteps #MyNextSteps #MyNextSteps

workshops workshops workshops

Discover Careers In ... Employer-led events CareerSet CV checker

Industry information Career Coaching and Application Advice

and sector guides Planning Appointments Appointments

Career Coaching and Practice Interviews

Planning Appointments Assessment Centre
guidance and practice

More information can be found on: King's CareerConnect and KEATS. 19

Where to find us:
For more information about our services:

Visit kcl.ac.uk/careers Email: careers@kcl.ac.uk Phone: 020 7848 7134

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm Appointments: kcl.ac.uk/careerconnect

Kings Careers and

Employability

@kingscareers
@kingsnmes

Kings Careers &

Employability

@KingsCareers

On-campus Careers Centres:

Bush House King's Careers & Employability Level 5, Bush House South East Wing
London WC2B 4BG

Guy's Campus King's Careers & Employability Mezzanine 1, Henriette Raphael Building
London SE1 1UL

This Careers Guide was designed and compiled by King's College London students and recent
graduates: Victoria Balogun, Naiyira Naweed, Arindam Ghosh, Ama Blain and Sia Janjua, with
support from the King's Careers & Employability team. 20