Get ready for you future career

Your time at university provides an excellent opportunity for you to prepare for your future career by trying out new things and making lots of contacts. You can then highlight your experiences outside your studies in your CV when applying for a job. Here are a few tips on what you can do to improve your chances of getting a job on completing your degree.

Make contacts and get to know the labour market

Your education links to your career through various activities, such as guest lectures, study visits, placements and degree project suggestions from employers outside the university. You should see all activities as an opportunity to start building up your career network while you are still studying. We also organise a range of meetings with employers, as well as industry evenings, alumni meetings and careers fairs.

By being proactive and asking questions, you will be able to chart your opportunities and get a better idea of ​​what qualifications are important for the job you want. The links to working life show you which job opportunities your programme can lead to. So you should see the activities as an important part of the preparation for your future career. They will give you both skills and contacts that you can actively use when it is time for you to look for a job.

Spend a semester or two studying abroad

As a student at SLU you have excellent opportunities to spend some of your study time abroad. Having international experience is important, both for your personal development and your future career. Language skills and knowledge of different cultures are in demand on an increasingly globalised labour market. Studying abroad could also open doors in the form of job opportunities and international contacts.

Get professional experience

Taking a summer job or part-time jobs during your time here will give you valuable experience – especially if you do not have much previous professional experience.  Even if you cannot find a job that is relevant to your programme, it is still worth doing. A job will always provide opportunities to learn, acquire proficiency and develop as a person. It will also give you contacts and references that you can use later.

Get involved in associations and organisations

Getting involved in student associations and student union work, for example, will give you the opportunity to work on communication and organisational issues. It will give you a great deal of practical experience, as you will be involved in organising careers fairs, implementing projects and other activities, as well as pursuing education issues. Getting involved in and outside your studies will also give you an important network for the future.

Write essays and degree projects at employers

During your studies you can specialise by taking advanced courses, going on placements or working with companies, organisations and public authorities on your degree project.  This not only gives you useful industry knowledge but is also a chance to show employers who you are and what you can do. Many students receive job offers after writing their degree project at a company.

 SLU CareerGate contains suggestions for degree projects from departments and research environments at SLU and from external employers. If you cannot see an assignment for your dream company, feel free to make contact with them yourself. This demonstrates your commitment and interest.

SLU’s career fairs are organised by students, usually by the students' unions and in some cases by individual degree programmes. Companies or organisations interested in participating are asked to contact the students' union responsible for the specific event.

Keep an eye out! More events and dates will be published later, as soon as the activities have been planned.

Are you thinking of starting up your own business? There are lots of resources and support services available while you are a student, so make the most of them!

Read more about the various national organisations that can support you if you want to start a business:

Is there a specific subject that you would like to study at a more advanced level? If so, you might want to consider a doctoral programme, or PhD, programme.

What is a doctoral programme?

A doctoral programme is a four-year programme at advanced level that concludes with the degree of doctor. There is also a shorter two-year, third-cycle programme that concludes with the degree of licentiate. A degree of licentiate requires 160 credits, at least 60 of which must be based on an academic paper. A degree of doctor requires 240 credits, at least 120 of which must be based on the doctoral thesis itself. A degree of doctor is the highest academic qualification in Sweden.

Before you can start a doctoral programme, you must have an academic qualification and meet specific entry requirements. Your studies must also be financed. The financial terms that doctoral students are subject to vary greatly. The most secure way to pursue doctoral studies is to be employed as a doctoral student, but there are other types of financing as well:

• Doctoral grants
• Other employment at the university
• Gainful employment with a certain amount of time reserved for doctoral studies
• Scholarships
• Other external financing

The Swedish Council for Higher Education has compiled a handbook for people who are considering or have already begun a doctoral programme. It contains information about your rights and obligations, as well as the terms to which you are subject during your doctoral studies. It also has a series of practical tips and recommendations. You can find the Doctoral student handbook here.

The road to a doctoral studentship

Apply for your doctoral studentship directly to the department where you want to study. If there is more than one qualified applicant for a studentship, they are ranked on the basis of their ability to benefit from the doctoral programme. This means that your previous study performance, such as your degree project, will be reviewed and assessed.

Read more about doctoral education at Slu.