Frequent Questions Asked by SMEs
Q. Do Warwick students have the specific skills for our business?
Warwick prides itself on equipping its students with the skills to find and secure their own work
experience, thereby encouraging students to be entrepreneurial and independent. Students
learn self-reliance skills, and are assisted to discover their own career path through a variety of
methods, facilitated by careers staff, personal tutors, academics and employers who act as
speakers and trainers.
Career decision-making is supported by one to one guidance from a careers consultant. Practical
skills sessions and career sector talks led predominately by recruiters provides the student with
practical case studies requiring analysis, problem solving, communication skills and team work.
Key skills (hard & soft) are also embedded into the curriculum and are enriched via extracurricular
activities which the students undertake outside of study time. Warwick offers a broad curriculum,
enabling students to be adaptable in their learning, just as they need to be in the market place,
learning skills that are both generic and specialised. For instance, an Engineering student can choose
to specialise in mechanical engineering, but can also wider their options by studying modules from
Warwick Business School or can develop their linguistic skills by studying modules from the German
Department.
With over 200 student societies on campus, it can be said that Warwick students are highly
engaged in a multitude of activities ranging from digital media to performing at the Edinburgh
Fringe. Many societies have combined their efforts by producing several large scale projects which
have won regional and national acclaim. The skills learned are transferable and in demand
by today’s employers. Society involvement has also illustrated that technical skill is not
necessarily related to those from a particular course e.g. Computer Science. In fact, many Arts
and Social Studies students have an aptitude for technology.
Warwick was voted 15th in the world as ranked by graduate recruiters, and is one of the most
targeted universities by UK recruiters. This shows the confidence that employers place in our
students.
By offering work experience, (which is pivotal to student employability), you can build on the skills
and competencies of Warwick students, so that they develop higher-level abilities which are crucial
to your growing organisation and to that of the UK economy.
Q. Do students want to work for an SME?
Some students believe that they are destined for City life and have their financial or legal career
mapped out as soon as they come to Warwick. But there are those that seek an alternative, with
a smaller firm in perhaps a niche market. They are equally as talented, and less driven by
financial incentives.
T: 024 7657 4087
E: employerconnect@warwick.ac.uk
W: go.warwick.ac.uk/careers/employers
Q. Are graduates expensive to recruit and employ? Will they want to move on quickly?
Graduate salaries vary and might be considered expensive if you are used to recruiting at the
lower end of the market. However, if you are seeking quality staff, with potentially high value
skills, and want to invest in talent in order to improve and grow your business, it’s worth paying
for it. The financial rewards will come later. It can be seen as a risky strategy if this route has
not been tested before, particularly when you may not want to upset the status quo. But Warwick
graduates have gained an exceptional reputation from recruiters, and are in demand from
employers from outside as well as inside the UK.
As with any organisation, some new recruits leave within the first three years, either because the
individual learns that the role is not for them, or because they want to move on to develop and
enhance their career. Sometimes it can be linked to salary, but often, it is a motivational issue, as
the individual outgrows the position. Therefore, a high level of commitment on your part is
required to support and challenge them further, taking an interest in their development. Offer a
culture where they can grow and continue to contribute to the business to maintain their interest
and commitment to you.
Q. Will a student be able to work independently?
All staff, whether new or experienced, should be nurtured in a continuous learning environment,
and training and development is an essential part of improving the skills of your workforce to grow
your business.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how independent a new graduate performs in the workplace.
Students are encouraged to work independently at Warwick and they have the confidence to ask for
help where it is needed. Employers can testify that Warwick students are keen to be “thrown in at
the deep end” given the right steer with clear objectives. They are driven to succeed and have the
desire to learn new skills, tackle problems and suggest ideas.
T: 024 7657 4087
E: employerconnect@warwick.ac.uk
W: go.warwick.ac.uk/careers/employers