Finding a job

More information will be provided here when our Student Ambassador applications open.

Please note that all Student Ambassador application progress will be sent to your student email, so be sure to check these regularly for updates.

If you have any questions please get in touch via studentambassadors@napier.ac.uk

The Disability and Inclusion Team recruit six student ambassadors each year to support and promote our work.

The ambassador scheme is open to all students, but we are particularly interested in hearing from students with experience of disability and with an interest in social media.

Recruitment opens in Trimester 1.

If you are interested in this role, please get in touch with Heather Armstrong, Disabled Student Engagement Worker on H.Armstrong@napier.ac.uk.

Are you an international student who is looking for paid work that fits your studies? Would you like to meet new people from across the world? Would you like to gain valuable experience that looks great on your CV?

Then look no further - become an International Student Ambassador!

Edinburgh Napier's International Student Ambassador team helps us promote Edinburgh Napier as a student-focused university by giving prospective students an insight into student life. We are looking for enthusiastic and creative students who can talk passionately about their student experience.

Examples of responsibilities:

• Communicate with prospective students via telephone campaigns, video calls, webinars and social media
• Create engaging content for our Edinburgh Napier University International Instagram page
• Take part in campus events such as Open Days, guide campus tours and attend recruitment fairs

Applications are now closed - check back later when the opportunity re-opens.

If you are a Widening Participation student or if you have a keen interest in WP and making a difference, then becoming a Widening Participation Student Ambassador is for you.

The Widening Participation team work to reduce barriers and promote fair access to higher education for groups that are under-represented at university. Our Widening Participation Student Ambassadors are passionate, motivated students. They play a crucial part in shaping the perceptions and experiences of the university to prospective students through their creativity, dedication and student voice.

If this sounds like you, get in touch! Contact us at wideningaccess@napier.ac.uk for more information or learn more about the Widening Participation criteria.

A graduate scheme is a structured program offered by many companies, typically larger corporations or organisations, designed specifically for recent graduates. These schemes provide graduates with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience, develop essential skills, and kickstart their careers in a supportive environment.

Usually lasting between one to three years, graduate schemes often rotate participants through different departments or roles within the company. This rotational aspect allows graduates to explore various areas of the business, gain exposure to different functions, and discover where their strengths and interests lie.

Recruitment for graduate schemes can be a lengthy process with several stages and usually takes place between September and December to start the following summer.

You can find information and graduate scheme opportunities at:

• Prospects
• Target Jobs
• Grad Cracker
• Student Circus (for international students)

Graduate jobs offer recent graduates the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge and skills in a real-world professional setting. These positions can vary widely across industries and sectors, ranging from entry-level roles in finance, marketing, engineering, IT, healthcare, and many more.

Unlike graduate schemes, where participants may rotate through different departments, graduate jobs typically involve a more focused role within a specific team or department. This allows graduates to specialise and develop expertise in a particular area from the outset of their career.

Overall, graduate jobs provide a direct entry point into the workforce for recent university graduates, offering the chance to gain practical experience, build a professional network, and embark on a rewarding career path in their chosen field. Recruitment for these roles can take place at any time of year.

You can find graduate jobs advertised at:

• Prospects
• Target Jobs
• Grad Cracker
• Student Circus (for international students)
• S1 Jobs
• Indeed
• Good Moves 

A graduate internship is a temporary work placement offered by companies, organisations, or institutions to recent university graduates. Unlike graduate schemes or jobs, internships are typically shorter in duration, ranging from a few weeks to several months, and are designed to provide graduates with hands-on experience in a specific industry or role.

Graduate internships serve as a valuable stepping stone for graduates looking to gain practical skills, explore potential career paths, and enhance their resumes. These opportunities allow graduates to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world setting, gain insights into industry practices, and develop relevant professional skills.

One key aspect of graduate internships is the opportunity for graduates to network and make connections within their chosen industry. Interns often have the chance to work alongside experienced professionals, receive mentorship, and build relationships that may prove invaluable in their future careers.

You can find graduate internships advertised at:

• Prospects
• Target Jobs
• Grad Cracker
• Student Circus (for international students)

Graduate schemes or roles within large corporations are not the only career possibility for graduates. Another option involves working for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME). SMEs are businesses with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of no more than £50 million. Across Scotland, SMEs thrive in various sectors, offering diverse opportunities for graduates.

Working in an SME can offer numerous benefits for graduates embarking on their professional journey. SMEs often provide a dynamic and close-knit working environment, offering graduates the opportunity to have a more significant impact and contribute meaningfully to the company's success.

In SMEs, there is typically greater visibility and recognition for individual contributions, allowing graduates to receive direct feedback and recognition for their achievements. This can be incredibly motivating and conducive to rapid skill development and career progression. Additionally, working in an SME can mean working closely with senior management and company leaders, providing valuable mentorship and learning opportunities that may be harder to come by in larger organisations.

SMEs tend to offer a more flexible and agile work environment, with the potential for greater autonomy and decision-making responsibilities. This can be particularly appealing for graduates who are eager to take on challenges, make an impact, and play a significant role in shaping the direction of the company.

You may be considering self-employment and starting your own business after graduation. You may have a business start up idea, or have particular skills or interests that would lend themselves to self-employment such as sports coaching, fitness instruction, private tutoring, journalism, performing arts, creative industries, culinary ventures, web development and design.

If you are self-motivated, have good business awareness, the ability to market and promote what you do and network effectively then starting your own business could be a fantastic option to explore.

Visit the Prospects website to see if self-employment is right for you.

Edinburgh Napier University can offer business start up support through the Bright Red Triangle. They provide free lifelong enterprise support to a community of Edinburgh Napier University's students, staff and alumni to develop enterprise skills, increase entrepreneurial activity, and capture opportunities.