Outlook is Bright for Students

Edge Hill students are being given the best chance to find employment thanks to a successful diversity-mentoring programme.

'Outlook? is aimed at groups that face additional barriers in the employment market such as black and Asian students, disabled students, mature students and those who are the first in their family to go into higher education.

The popular scheme ? which currently serves 85 students at the university ? runs over two years and features employer-led career development workshops and mentoring by local employers.

One such student to benefit from Outlook is Burscough mother Maria Riding, who said: "I found out about Outlook in the first year of my English degree and it has really enhanced my career prospects. The workshops in particular have been just brilliant as they have helped me to resurrect skills that I'd forgotten I had."

Having worked in the tourism industry for a number of years ? leading to her becoming a customer service and operations manager with Thomson ? the 34-year-old found that her CV was too one-dimensional.

"I?ve had lots of help with marketing myself effectively, writing covering letters ? which are more important than I ever believed they were ? and networking with employers.

"As part of the mentoring side of Outlook I was paired with a lady at the Mersey Partnership tourist information board, and, as my skills are in this area and with the Capital of Culture on the horizon I?m keen to go down this road once I?ve gained my degree."

Edge Hill?s Outlook programme officer Sue Hepworth said: "Unfortunately students from certain groups are still at a disadvantage when moving into employment but Outlook can really enhance their prospects.

"Students such as Maria have found the programme really useful as it makes the most of their skills and highlights areas that they need to strengthen. Putting students in touch with major employers in the region through the mentoring scheme is mutually beneficial and I?m sure the large number of people involved will only increase in the future."