Whether it’s your first or last semester two at Manchester, there are lots of worthwhile things on offer to help you develop and learn new things. So whether you fancy studying something different, enhancing your employability, challenging yourself with the Ethical Grand Challenges or fancy making a difference – look no further!
Make a difference by volunteering overseas
Have you thought about volunteering internationally this year? If the thought has crossed your mind, but you’re not sure of where to even begin or how to get involved, the answers may lie within the University’s overseas volunteering initiatives.
Team Uganda – Assistant Project Leader role closing soon!
Team Uganda is an international volunteering project exclusively for University of Manchester students – at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This is a partnership project between the University and S.A.L.V.E. (Support and Love Via Education) International, a charity based in Manchester and working in Uganda. It works with children on the streets of Jinja and uses the power of education to provide opportunities for them to have a brighter future.
There are two roles available as an Assistant Project Leader and Team Member. The Assistant Project Leader role is open to any University student and the closing date for applications is on Monday 5 February!
The Team Member roles are open to 14 undergraduate students who are in any year of study (other than final year) and are either in receipt of/eligible for the Manchester Bursary or on an NHS funded course. Applications for this position open on Monday 29 January and close on Monday 5 March.
For more information on this opportunity, visit the website for further details.
Information sessions for international volunteering
If you want to find out more about the University’s flagship overseas volunteering opportunities including Team Uganda, as well as the 13 Trusted Partners and international volunteering more generally, then come along to one of the information sessions:
- Tuesday 6 February, 12 – 1pm in University Place 3.206
- Monday 19 February, 1 – 2pm in University Place 6.205
- Friday 23 February, 12 – 1pm in University Place 6.206
- Wednesday 28 February, 12 – 1pm in University Place 6.206
- Thursday 1 March, 4 – 5pm in University Place 3.213
One of the University’s Trusted Partners, Think Pacific, will be hosting their own information session on Thursday 22 February from 5 – 6pm in University Place 6.205.
If you’ve got any questions, contact the Volunteering Team at volunteers@manchester.ac.uk.
Study something different with UCIL (UGs only)
Did you know you can use your free-choice credits to take units from outside of your degree discipline? Taking a University College for Interdisciplinary Learning (UCIL) unit is an opportunity to try out something different, gain a new skill and to broaden your horizons. UCIL course units are credit bearing and are open to undergraduates which also count towards your degree.
UCIL introduces you to issues, topics and new ways of thinking through a variety of units such as ‘Communicating with Confidence’ and ‘Introduction to British Sign Language’ to ‘Madness and Society in the Modern Age’ and ‘Digital Society’ – there really is something to suit you!
If you’ve already chosen your units for semester two, don’t worry as it’s not too late to sign up as you usually have until week two of the semester (9 February) to make any final changes. So if you’re interested in trying something new or just want to improve your CV, check out the full list of options and sign up now to study something different this semester.
Enhance your employability and create your future
If you’re on track with embarking upon your dream career or have no idea where to start, the Careers Service is on hand to guide you through every step of the way. If didn’t get round to visiting the Careers Service in semester one, make time to drop-by this semester where you can find lots of great resources to help you secure work placements, part-time and full-time jobs.
With exams and deadlines out of the way, why not refresh your CV and learn how to write an impactful cover letter? You could even book an interview simulation or careers guidance appointment to really help you.
As well as all those amazing tools and resources, the Careers Service also offers a range of events and opportunities to meet professionals. The upcoming My Future Fest would be the perfect place to start where you can discover how else you can truly enhance your employability.
Challenge yourself with the Ethical Grand Challenges (UGs only)
If you’re an undergraduate student, you’ve got an opportunity to explore three of the biggest challenges facing society in the 21st century which will help you to do more, be more. As well as this, you’ll get a chance to look at the world around you in new ways and to take part in a variety of activities with students from different disciplines. Sound good? If so, then get involved and challenge yourself this semester.
If you’re in your first or second year… Catch-up with the Sustainability Challenge
Almost 5,000 new students took part in the Sustainability Challenge during Welcome. The Sustainability Challenge is a requirement for achieving the Manchester Leadership Award. If you haven’t completed the Sustainability Challenge yet and are in your first or second year, there is still time to complete them during a catch-up session.
Sign up for one of the sessions and don’t miss out!
- Wednesday 21 February 2018 14:00 – 16:30
- Tuesday 20 March 2018 17:00 – 19:30
- Wednesday 25 April 2018 14:00 – 16:30
If you’re in your second year… Complete the Social Justice Challenge – online
The Social Justice Challenge forms part of the Manchester Leadership Award and is aimed at second year undergraduates and asks the question of how should we promote a just society and how do we challenge injustice, value diversity, define human rights and allocate resources?
Available to complete now via Blackboard, the challenge takes less than an hour to complete and is made up of four themes using a mix of film and short activities which give you access to expert views from across the University and beyond.
To access the challenge, go to Blackboard and scroll down to the My Communities section (below your current list of courses) and click on EGC: Social Justice Challenge.
If you’re in your final undergraduate year… Sign-up for the Workplace Ethics Challenge Workshops
Get ready for the workplace by exploring ethical dilemmas commonly faced by early career graduates. The Workplace Ethics Challenge launches next year, but pilot sessions are running throughout this year.
The workshops explore ethical challenges faced by early career graduates across a range of sectors and help you to see how you might best contribute to creating inclusive workplaces.
Sign-up for one of the workshops:
Healthcare Workplace Ethics Challenge
- Friday 23 February (9:30 – 12:00)
- Friday 2 March (9:30 – 12:00)
Cross-sector Workplace Ethics Challenge
- Wednesday 21 March (13:00 – 15:30)
Business Workplace Ethics Challenge
- Wednesday 18 April (13:00 – 15:30)