City Connections
Connecting successful Sheffield alumni working in the North and London with current students to develop your network of professional contacts. You'll visit a range of organisations and gain an insight into the exciting career opportunities open to you as a Sheffield graduate.
What is City Connections?
City Connections is all about giving students the opportunity to connect with Sheffield alumni. You'll spend a day visiting them in their workplaces, gaining an insight into a wide range of career sectors and hearing first-hand how they've got to where they are today. Later on, you'll get to meet and chat to them at a vibrant networking session.
The alumni you'll meet have progressed their careers in major organisations after graduting. They generously give their time because they believe in the power of a Sheffield education and they want to help you - the next generation of Sheffield alumni - thrive.
The aim? To boost your career prospects, improve your commercial awareness and develop your networking and communication skills. Students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds are prioritised for this programme.
City Connections made me realise how many options and career paths I have with my degree. Speaking to professionals who were in the same position as me eased my anxieties about leaving university.
Georgia
City Connections 2024
What does City Connections involve?
Specific details about the next City Connections events will be available soon.
Event 1: Pre-event workshop (campus)
Whether you're visiting organisations in London or across the North, you'll attend a pre-event workshop to prepare you for the day itself. Here you'll receive advice and information to help you make the most of the business visits and networking event. It will also give you the chance to meet the other students and staff taking part.
The workshop covers a range of topics, including how to improve your commercial awareness and top tips for effective networking, as well as guidance on setting up or improving your LinkedIn profile. You'll also find out about the logistics for the day - including travel arrangements - and learn about the alumni and businesses you'll be hearing from.
Event 2: Business visits and networking (London or the North)
You'll visit a range of organisations and meet alumni and their colleagues who work there. They'll deliver workshops on its culture and it's like to work there, the types of roles available, the recruitment process, what they look for in their employees and more.
After the business visits, you'll get to experience an evening networking session with Sheffield alumni who work in a range of careers and sectors.
Throughout the day, lunch, evening nibbles and drinks will be provided.
Event 3: Post-event workshop (campus)
Reunion time! You’ll receive advice for following up contacts you made on the day and guidance on other University opportunities that you can take advantage of to support your development. This is also your chance to come together and share your experiences of the day, and explore how to use these in your career planning and job hunt.
How do I apply?
The events are open to Level 2 and 3 Social Sciences and Arts & Humanities students from widening participation backgrounds.
You must meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible:
- be from an area of low higher education participation, low household income or low socioeconomic status
- be from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background and a home student
- be a mature student
- identify as a disabled student
- be a care leaver
- be a carers
- be a student who is estranged from their family
- be from a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community
- be a refugee
- be from a military family
- have been eligible for Free School Meals during your time at secondary school, sixth form or college
If you have any adjustments you may need in order to participate in the event, please let us know. We can support you in any way you may need.
If you meet any of the criteria listed above, simply fill in the application form when it opens, where you can indicate which event you'd like to attend.
If you have any questions about these criteria or anything else, please email Tracy Horton (Social Sciences) at t.horton@sheffield.ac.uk or Edd Poole (Arts and Humanities) at e.poole@sheffield.ac.uk
Spaces are limited and it is crucial that you are fully committed and able to attend all three events. Please check any other commitments before making your application.
City Connections has helped me to realise that your background does not determine opportunities you get in life, the work you put in and your dedication does.
Taylor
City Connections 2024
Who will I meet?
You'll get to hear from our very own Sheffield alumni who now work in large organisations in London and the North. You'll also get to meet alumni from across the Social Science and Arts and Humanities departments and develop your confidence in speaking to professionals like them.
Details of the businesses you'll visit and the alumni you'll meet will be available soon.
Some final points
- You must be available to attend all three dates
- You are required to attend the pre and post-event workshops, the business workshops and networking event
- You are responsible for making your tutor and/or lecturers aware if you are to miss any classes
