Engineering graduate Tina Taylor (pictured above, center, wearing blue) first became aware of the importance of promoting education as a teenager. At the age of 14, she was teaching math to community college students and had developed a keen interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) subjects. Unfazed by the stereotype of these subjects and their associated careers as being male-dominated, Tina went on to study engineering at university and work at General Electric. Now, she’s using the skills she learned in her previous jobs and while studying the TRIUM Global Executive MBA to set up a series of academies across Africa, opening up STEM education to a whole generation of African girls who may not have had the opportunity otherwise.

We spoke to Tina to learn more about her network of Heritage Leadership Academies, and why she feels more women should be working in STEM fields.

How did you find your university experience? Did people treat you differently as a woman studying engineering?

I enjoyed my university days. Becoming President of the Society of Women Engineers and President for of all the Presidents within the College of Engineering gave me a unique opportunity to work with students, faculty and business leaders who had a diverse voice and perspective on why it was important to include women in Engineering.

During my studies, I don’t recall feeling different studying mechanical engineering. As young promising engineers, we collectively wanted to glean as much as we could from the opportunities we were given. However, I experienced discrimination both as a woman and as an African American during the engineering competitions we attended. The level of heightened intensity in a competitive environment evoked unruly behavior at times. However, it was these distinctive moments that made me realize that my presence and capability to compete with conviction disturbed some people.  It was those who felt threatened that I was taking something away from them that gave even more confidence and conviction to help other female engineering professionals break through this invisible wall. 

When would you say you first became aware that engineering and other STEM subjects were dominated by men?

Initially, I wasn’t exposed to the limitations put on what a woman could study or do professionally as my parents supported me completely. However, once I started competing in engineering challenges nationwide, and upon entering the corporate arena, I was able to contextualize some of the things I’d noticed along the way – seeing few women holding leadership roles and being on the receiving end of some misogynist commits once individuals learned I studied Mechanical Engineering and had a love of car engines. It became clear to me the role I needed to play, which became more of a calling later in life. 

Why do you feel it’s important to broaden access to STEM subjects?

I believe that when young girls learn STEM subjects, it opens their minds to the many possibilities that will broaden and improve their lives and career choices globally. It also boosts their confidence. I choose to focus on Africa for my camps and academies first, but our efforts are global. Any global location in which girls are limited in their ability to learn, compete and participate in the growing economy is a target for us.

Why did you focus on Africa to start with?

Africa has one of youngest populations that will enter the job market, and nearly 50% of them are women. I want us to be an aide to them. Give them the tools to be successful, and help to reshape Africa’s workforce by providing a pipeline of women who can perform highly functioning roles across multiple industries. 

What challenges have you had to overcome so far?

There’s a range of obstacles I have faced in this endeavour, but I am making inroads. One example is getting parents to understand STEM skills and the benefits they can bring to their daughters has taken longer than planned, but with each child and parent that comes through our camps, we create STEM ambassadors, which is promising. Also, once people learn my background being an engineer and business corporate executive, it helps to change the perception of who can study STEM and what these students can do with their education.

How do you intend to increase interest in STEM subjects among young girls?

One of the ways we are increasing young girls’ interest in STEM subjects is through our residential camps and one day events, held together with some of our corporate and university partners, which will be announced later this year. We have a lot of programs and camps we are launching for 2018. Together, we are working to make STEM less intimidating, and expand the understanding and knowledge of the opportunities it can bring. After all STEM is more than engineering and not just for boys. It is a platform and a foundation used to deconstruct, create, or improve anything from agriculture to space. Anyone can have a STEM education that can blossom to a myriad of career options which is a great benefit. 

What are your goals for the future?

Our overall plan and goal is to reach at least 2500 children via our boarding school and our global camps by the end of 2019. We have plans to expand our camps to multiple locations in hopes of planting that seed of excitement for STEM, which will be announced later in 2017. We are thrilled and look forward to providing the tools a young girl can use to reach her potential regardless of social economic background or race.

Click here to learn more about the Heritage Leadership Academies, or here to find Tina on LinkedIn.

Aerospace company Airbus has been named the best employer to interview with in the UK by Glassdoor.

Judged on a number of factors including interview experience, duration of the recruitment process and interview difficulty, the new ranking sees Airbus finish top ahead of Yell and Hiscox, with 94% of respondents describing their interview experience at the aircraft manufacturer as positive.

The jobs website analysed anonymous feedback left by candidates who interviewed with 7,000 companies in the UK in 2017, including those who rejected an offer or were unsuccessful.

1. Airbus

Interviews with the aerospace group tend to be quite challenging, with a difficulty rating of 3.5 out of five. One respondent who interviewed for a principal design engineering post wrote of having to take technical tests: “There was a telephone interview [and a] face to face [interview] in their office. It was a full half day of tests and a final interview. The final part was a lot about skills, and there was a CAD test and a GD&T quiz.”

However, despite the difficulty and a protracted recruitment process lasting around 80 days, 84% of respondents looked back on their experience positively.

2. Yell

This year, the business directory website performed well in a number of rankings, coming in 20th place in Glassdoor’s highest rated CEOs list and 28th in Glassdoor's best places to work list.

Yell’s recruitment process is a much speedier affair than Airbus’, with an average duration of 15 days. Interviews are also deemed slightly less challenging, with an average difficulty rating of 3.3.

A digital account manager at Yell, who applied online, recalls “a professional, efficient process from the very start.” They added they were “very impressed with the entire process, well done Team Yell!”.

3. Hiscox

Next on the list is Hiscox, the business and home insurer. 86% of respondents viewed their interview experience with them favourably. Interviews tend to be quite difficult, with a difficulty rating of three, but Hiscox’s recruitment process seems to be much shorter than a few of the other employers in the list, with an average duration of just 22 days.

While most reviews tended to be positive, one respondent who interviewed with Hiscox for an analyst role felt the “process was long and confusing and the company clearly has no idea what they were doing or what they were looking for. There were far too many steps in the interview process that were unnecessary. Mixed communication was provided between the company and the recruitment agent. Wouldn't recommend people going for jobs at this company.”

4. easyJet

Like Yell, easyJet has performed well in a series of rankings this year, coming 40th in Glassdoor’s best places to work list and 30th in Glassdoor’s highest rated CEOs list. Interviews with the airline company seem fairly straightforward, with a difficulty rating of 2.9, although this is offset by a recruitment process that lasts an average of 39 days.

86% of respondents described their interview experience in positive terms, with one respondent who declined a job offer from easyJet for a cabin crew post, saying: “the whole assessment day was very professional. Most of the recruitment team staff were very friendly and approachable..”

5. Salesforce

Salesforce, which also appeared in Glassdoor’s list of the best places to interview with in the US, also came second in their highest rated CEOs list and eighth in their best places to work list. 85% of respondents agreed their interview experience with the US cloud platform was positive.

Interviews with Salesforce tend on the whole to be quite challenging, with a difficulty rating of 3.4. A business development representative at Salesforce said: “Questions [were] aligned with why sales, why Salesforce, Past prospecting/sales quotas, when have you failed, how would you prospect Facebook, etc.”

The recruitment process at the company typically spans 43 days, and 40% of interviewees were referred by an employee.

6. AllSaints Retail

84% of respondents said their experience with the British fashion retailer was positive. Recruitment here is fairly straightforward, with a hiring process of just seven days and a difficulty rating of 2.5.

One respondent who declined an offer for a sales associate post said it was a “pretty standard interview. Not very difficult at all if you have any experience with interviewing. As long as you present yourself as a friendly, fashion-forward individual you will do well. I started with a phone interview and was then asked to do an in person one.”

7. Hays

Hays, which also came fifth in Glassdoor’s best places to work list and 19th in Glassdoor’s highest rated CEOs list, is also in the top ten best places to interview in the UK. 83% of respondents felt their experience was positive. Overall, hiring at the recruitment company is a very quick, simple affair, with a process of 16 days. Interview questions tend to be fairly challenging, though, with a difficulty rating of 3.7.

60% of interviewees applied online according to Glassdoor, with the majority applying for recruitment consultant roles. One respondent, who interviewed for a recruitment position but did not get the role, said they weren’t impressed in the slightest: “Too much for a company like them to make so many interviews for a small role. If you are keen for it, or are into force selling... yes, this will be a perfect career path for you…”

8. Carphone Warehouse

Overall, the British mobile phone retailer did quite well, with 82% of respondents agreeing their interview experience was positive. The process is quite fast, spanning an average of at least 11 days. Questions tend to be simple, with a difficult rating of 2.5.

One respondent who interviewed for an order processor role said he was offered a job on the spot: “Interview was generally quite straightforward and easy, asked me the usual questions such as availability etc. The person who interviews ensured that you were kept at ease and relaxed throughout its duration.”

9. Waitrose

The British supermarket brand, which also came in 26th place in Glassdoor’s best places to work list, provides a positive interview experience according to 82% of respondents. A large majority of those applied online, usually for sales jobs. Hiring tends to be quite fast and straightforward, with a typical recruitment period of 16 days and a difficulty rating of 2.7. One supermarket assistant in London said: “The process was quite chill I think. I was taken in by one of the managers and she sat me down in her office and she asked me if I was okay... just general chit chat. The staff seemed really friendly.”

10. Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce are 10th on our list of best places to interview in the UK, despite their hiring process taking an average of 52 days and interviews receiving a difficulty rating of 3.6. A graduate manufacturing engineer at Rolls-Royce who found his interview challenging said he “could have zero complaints about the assessors present on the day, very easy to talk to during breaks and very honest during interviews and in providing feedback.

Rolls-Royce came 6th in Glassdoor’s highest rated CEOs list and 42nd in Glassdoor’s best places to work list.

Eventually, there reaches a point in the life of every uni student, where you have to admit to yourself you won’t be studying forever and it’s time to start looking at possible career options. Once you start browsing jobs pages or visiting your university careers service, you’ll begin to encounter the phrase “graduate scheme” more and more.

On the face of it, what a graduate scheme is seems obvious. It’s a job, right? In simple terms, yes. A graduate scheme is (typically) an entry-level position within an employer and the most common first step for university graduates into the world of full-time work. That doesn’t mean there aren’t nuances, complications and contradictions to be aware of though, so before you start applying for jobs left, right and center, take a closer look at what each graduate scheme actually offers.

What is a graduate scheme?

A graduate scheme is an entry-level job with an employer that doubles in function as a training program, designed to introduce you to multiple areas of the company and build up your experience and knowledge. Usually lasting no more than two years, places on graduate schemes are normally exclusively for employees starting immediately out of university and in many ways are like a normal job. You’re still paid a full-time wage and should receive some (if not all) workplace benefits. A typical graduate scheme will often see you rotate between different departments within a company, working on multiple projects and potentially even being based in various locations.

Who offers them?

Not all employers will have a graduate scheme for new employees, particularly if they are a small business. Industries where graduate schemes are particularly common include HR, healthcare, banking and consulting. Law firms offer something fairly similar, known as a training contract, which we’ll touch on later.

When do graduate schemes open?

You can normally start applying to graduate schemes from the summer before your final year of study. Don’t leave starting the job hunt too late though. It’s a good idea to identify a preferred employer and secure an internship, as this will ensure preferential treatment for your graduate scheme application. In some cases, it’s not unheard of for companies to hire for their graduate scheme directly from the previous year’s internship pool.

What happens when the graduate scheme is over?

In the vast majority of cases, successfully reaching the end of a graduate scheme will lead to being offered a full-time role within the company. Whereas you previously moved between departments and projects, you’ll now be tied to one permanently and may get to express a preference for where you’re placed. This is why it’s important to get a feel for the different areas of the business and what the career progression is like in each role you try. If you end up being put in a department or position you don’t enjoy, it won’t be long before you start applying for jobs elsewhere.

Of course, it’s also possible that you won’t be offered a job. It might be that the company can’t afford to keep all of their graduates on a full-time basis, or that you didn’t impress your managers enough to earn a job offer. Whatever the reason, if this is the case you’ll need to start looking for work elsewhere. The good news is that the graduate scheme will have taught you a lot of skills and information which other employers will be desperate for, and unless you leave on really bad terms you should get a good reference.

What if I’ve decided I don’t want to work there?

That’s OK. Having a graduate scheme place doesn’t mean you have to say yes to any job offer you receive, so, if you’ve decided the company isn’t for you or don’t like the sound of the role you’ve been offered, feel free to walk away. Make sure you’ve got an alternative source of employment lined up though, as you don’t want to be starting the job hunt from scratch once you’re no longer being paid.

You mentioned law training contracts earlier…how are they different?

Law training contracts (which don’t exist in every country so be aware this may not apply) are the bridge between studying to be a lawyer and qualifying as a solicitor. They usually last two years and, like a graduate scheme, involve moving between different departments unless the firm is particularly small. This time is normally broken into four six-month periods, known as “seats”, and it’s quite normal for one of these to be spent abroad or in a satellite office elsewhere in the country.

At the end of your training contract, you may or may not be offered a permanent position within the firm. Because other firms will also be drawing from their own pool of trainees, it can be tough to find work elsewhere if you aren’t offered a job, and this panic definitely contributes to the intense, competitive atmosphere among a lot of trainee lawyers.

Got any questions we haven’t answered? Let us know in the comments below.

Harvard University has retracted its fellowship invitation to Chelsea Manning, the transgender soldier who leaked classified information while serving in the US army, after protests from the CIA.

Manning was released in May from a men’s military prison in Kansas, where she had been incarcerated for her involvement in the biggest data breach of classified information in US history. The military whistleblower had been invited to speak at Harvard’s Kennedy School as a visiting fellow, but news of this invitation caused the director of the CIA, Mike Pompeo, to cancel an appearance at the university.

Douglas Elmendorf, the dean of the Kennedy School, said: “I now think that designating Chelsea Manning as a visiting fellow was a mistake, for which I accept responsibility. I see more clearly now that many people view a visiting fellow title as an honorific, so we should weigh that consideration when offering invitations.”

While the university is withdrawing Manning’s fellowship, the invitation to spend a day on campus and speak at a forum still stands, the dean said.

Pompeo expressed outrage at the decision to award Manning a fellowship in a letter to the university, saying: “My conscience and duty to the men and women of the Central Intelligence Agency will not permit me to betray their trust by appearing to support Harvard’s decision with my appearance”.

Former deputy director of the CIA Michael Morell also resigned his senior fellow post at the university on the grounds that he “cannot be part of an organization […] that honors a convicted felon and leaker of classified information, Ms. Chelsea Manning, by inviting her to be a visiting fellow at the Kennedy School's Institute of Politics."

Manning responded to the withdrawal of the invitation on Twitter, saying she was “honored to be 1st disinvited trans woman visiting Harvard fellow. They chill marginalized voices under CIA pressure.”

Did you hear about the man in Massachusetts who made a quick stop during a police chase to apply for a job? While on the run, the man entered an Osprey Wireless shop to ask whether they were hiring and filled out an application. General Manager Jeff Moran later said the man was as "cool as a cucumber, no sweaty hands, and clean shirt”.

Most people aren’t naturally blessed with his quiet confidence however. In fact, for many of us, job interviews can be the most intimidating, nerve-racking encounters of our lives. Fortunately, some interviewers truly go out of their way to make every job applicant feel comfortable and confident, running a highly professional recruitment process from start to finish.

Want an interview experience that’s more heaven than hell? Glassdoor have published their annual ranking of the best places to interview, which takes the interview experience of applicants into account, as well as the interview difficulty and process. If you want to apply for somewhere that knows how to look after its prospective employees, here are the ten best companies to apply for.

1. Dignity Health

93% of respondents described their interview experience with the healthcare nonprofit Dignity Health positively. Interview questions tend to be fairly straight-forward, with an average score of 2.7 out of five for difficulty, while the recruitment process takes an average of 21 days.

A social worker at Dignity Health in Redding, California, said: “Panel with four people, lasted approximately one hour, they took turns reading questions that focused on my behaviors within past experiences (e.g. when x happened, how did you handle it). Very relaxed, welcoming environment.”

2. Horizon Media

91% of respondents said their interview experience with the marketing and advertising firm Horizon Media was a positive one. Questions are reasonably challenging, with a difficulty rating of 2.9, while hiring occurs fairly rapidly, with the recruitment process lasting an average of 17 days.

A QA analyst at Horizon Media in New York City described their interview in very glowing terms: “The interview process was very inviting, they try very hard to ensure you are comfortable the whole way. The communication during the process is also incredible. One of the best interview experiences I have had thus far.”

3. Cadence Design Systems

86% of people who interviewed at the Californian tech firm Cadence Design Systems rated the experience positively. Interview questions were generally fairly straightforward, with an average difficulty rating of 2.5, while the hiring process lasts roughly 23 days.

One respondent, who unsuccessfully applied for an engineering role, said: “A call was scheduled for 30-45 mins the next day. This was a kind of background check from the same person. In the following week, four calls were scheduled (as I live outside of USA), one each day for 45 mins to one hour.”

4. Salesforce

85% of Salesforce interviewees would agree their interview experience with the customer service platform was favourable. The hiring process at the company typically lasts around 35 days, and interviews are generally deemed to be quite challenging, with an average difficulty rating of 3.5.

One successful applicant said: “Seven rounds from first phone interview to last executive interview. Presentations included where I had to act out a pitch to a panel of three managers. They really get to know your personality and want to see how well you can pitch their product.”

This year, Salesforce came 17th in Glassdoor’s list of the best US companies to work for and 15th in Glassdoor’s list of the highest rated CEOs.

5. J. Crew

83% of respondents said their interview experience with retailer J. Crew was positive. Overall, the hiring process is very rapid, lasting just nine days on average. Interview questions are generally fairly simple, with an average difficulty score of two.

A stylist for J. Crew in Bloomington remembers a “brief process; Sitting down with the HR manager discussing past employment and any skills you think would help you selling product/ styling clients. Takes about 20 mins, and they are very friendly. They want responsible employees who show up on time, can connect with customers and the more open your schedule is the better!”

6. SSM Health

83% of respondents had positive things to say about the healthcare non-profit SSM Health. Overall, hiring is very rapid, with the recruitment process lasting 13 days on average. Interviews questions are deemed to be fairly straightforward, with a difficulty rating of 2.6.

A nurse technician at SSM Health living in Oklahoma City said: “I had a phone interview with HR and he decided to send me to the hiring manager of the floor. From there, the interview went really well. We talked for a really long time and it was very comfortable.”

7. General Mills

82% said their interview experience with the food manufacturer General Mills was positive, with the hiring process lasting around 22 days. Interviews questions are generally fairly challenging, with a difficulty rating of 3.3.

A marketing associate at General Mills, living in Golden Valley, Minnesota, said: “I was asked to complete a personality/behavioral assessment and a Deductive Reasoning Test. Combined they took about one hour. I recommend practicing the deductive reasoning test as it was very challenging [...] On the day of the interview I was greeted by HR and walked directly to my first of two 30-40 minute interviews. [...] After these two interviews I was given a goodie bag and sent on my way.”

8. LUSH North America

81% had good things to say about their interview with cosmetics brand LUSH. Hiring generally occurs very quickly, with the recruitment process lasting around 13 days. Interviews are generally deemed fairly simple, with a difficulty rating of 2.5.

One unsuccessful applicant for a sales associate role said: “The interview took the form of a ‘hiring party’. It was essentially a group interview - there were about 15 other people besides me. The manager in training explained some of the background on Lush, asked us a few basic questions in a group setting, and had us partner up and do a product demo on our partner while they watched and gave tips. Overall very laid-back and fun…”

9. JetBlue

Airline JetBlue scored well with 81% of job applicants, although you should be aware that the hiring process is slower than other companies featured in this list, with an average length of 46 days. Interview questions are reasonable, with a difficulty rating of 2.8.

One applicant for a talent acquisition role with JetBlue, said: “A lot of questions were personal about my education and background. Not a lot of emphasis on relevant experience.

“They 100% use the STAR approach. Know the company values, know why you want to work there, and be specific about why JetBlue stands out from its competitors in regards to how it values its employees and customers equally.”

This year, JetBlue also came seventh in Glassdoor’s list of the highest rated CEOs.

10. QuikTrip

Finally, convenience store chain QuikTrip complete the top 10, with 80% of applicants approving of the interview experience. Hiring is very rapid at this company, with the recruitment process lasting an average of just 10 days. Interview questions are also generally fairly simple, with a difficulty rating of just 2.3.

An assistant manager in Tempe, Arizona, said: “The interviewer was energetic, fun, and helped ease my nervousness. He asked simple questions about my experience and certain supervisory situations, and how I handled them. Just think back on your prior accomplishments and answer them as best as you can. Be positive and smart, and let it be known that you can handle the hard work, while making customer service a priority, that's very very important to QT. Fast and friendly customer service! They like hiring the best, so be sure to express that in your demeanor and presentation”.

This year, QuikTrip also came 48th in Glassdoor’s list of the best places to work and 28th in Glassdoor’s list of the highest rated CEOs.

What about you? We’re interested in your stories! What was your best/worst interview ever? Comment below to share your experiences…

Which universities around the world are producing the most employable graduates? The QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2018 now features 500 universities which are excelling in this field – based on alumni outcomes, employment rates, employer reputation, industry partnerships, and student-employer connections. Watch the video above to find out the top 10, and click on the link below for the full ranking.

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Med school is notoriously competitive, and grades will only get you so far. When screening applications, admissions officers tend to look for signs that you have the right motivations, value system and personality for a long and fructuous career in the health service. It’s not the easiest of careers, so they need to make sure you’re a right fit. Still think you’ve got what it takes? We spoke to the medical experts running UCLan’s Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) on how to maximise your chances of getting in.

Get clinical or volunteering experience

Before applying to medical school, you might want to get some experience shadowing in a clinical setting like a care home or a hospital to get a feel for what it is like to be a doctor. This experience will then ensure you can be more specific in your personal statement.

If this isn’t possible, you could also volunteer for an organization in your community, as this demonstrates some similar skills and personality traits. Don’t just do it for the sake of putting it on your CV though – use the opportunity to learn. What skills can you practice in your volunteer work that are applicable to being a doctor? Community service will of course boost your application and help you build skills, but it’ll also help convince admissions officers that you’re altruistic and true to your word, which are important qualities to have for careers in the health service.

Demonstrate an understanding of what being a doctor is

Of course, you have to have the scientific knowledge - but what about the people skills? Are you able to hold a conversation about sensitive topics with a stranger? Do you handle adversity well, and do you think you’d be able to cope with the emotional difficulties of dealing with death and sickness every day? Before you commit at least five years of your life to training for one of the toughest professions in the world, make sure you’ve got the emotional resilience required for the job, and then demonstrate that awareness and make your med school application stand out.

Speaking of which…

Ace your application. A good reference is key, as this provides admissions staff with an insight into how you’re regarded by someone who has worked with you. If this hits the right notes, it will have a huge impact on how you may be viewed as a medical student and future practitioner.
Don’t neglect your personal statement either. Training to become a doctor is hard work, and your personal statement needs to show your commitment to the health service. Explain how you came to love medicine and what you have done so far to attain your goal. Use examples from your volunteering or work experience that show you are passionate about medicine, are resilient and have desirable leadership and people skills.

Choose the right medical school for you

Medical school is likely to comprise some of the toughest but most rewarding years of your life. Choose a medical school with a good support system for academic and personal needs that offer the best graduate outlook.
When shopping for courses, compare programs and ask yourself: does this course offer significant clinical experience from day one? Will the qualification be recognized worldwide?

UCLan’s MBBS offers the opportunity to train in the well-respected and beloved National Health Service in the north-west of England from year one. Students on the course will be able to follow their patients in years one to five, delivering high quality care, working in a world renowned team of medical professionals and learning from the best.

Take a virtual tour of UCLan’s campus

Scholarships can change the course of your life, allowing you to study in other cities or countries and taking your life in exciting new directions.

Every year, Macquarie University awards almost AU$40 million in scholarships to students; in 2017 that included more than AU$5 million to international students. The Australian government provides extra scholarship support for international students who choose to study at Macquarie.

There are many different types of scholarships available and they vary considerably. Some are intended to help with study-related costs including textbooks and equipment; others cover the cost of living, including accommodation, tuition, relocation and travel. All are designed to help passionate, high-achieving students realise their study dreams.

While Singaporean Jasmine Mahindra Singh Kaur already holds a degree in mass communications, her Macquarie University International Scholarship is helping her reach her dream of becoming an advocate for early childhood education.

“I knew in my heart that teaching was what I was meant to do and receiving the Macquarie University International Scholarship enabled me to spread my wings and pursue my passion fearlessly,” Jasmine says. “It was a privilege to be handpicked for the scholarship and it motivated me to focus on my studies with renewed confidence while still enjoying my uni life.

“The lessons I have learnt at the Department of Educational Studies have been invaluable and eye-opening. The support, care and concern shown by the faculty members have not only made classes an enriching learning environment but also a place where students like me feel comfortable to share differing opinions and have stimulating discussions about them.

“I feel right at home with my classmates and have gotten the opportunity to have fantastic conversations with them, which allows me to learn from their experiences. Upon graduation, I want to work as an active advocate for early childhood education and help people understand its importance.”

[JASMINE D/O MEHINDRA SINGH KAUR, Singapore, Master of Teaching (Birth to Five Years)]

Choosing wisely

US student Cassandra Lynn Crone says when she was considering coming to Australia, Macquarie University came up in conversation everywhere she went.

“When I decided to start a new career in psychology and received a scholarship toward this degree, I knew this was the right decision,” Cassandra says.

“As an international student, it is beneficial to receive a merit-based scholarship not only because of the financial assistance, but also because it allows access to a network of like-minded, hard-working, dedicated peers. Macquarie University is a great place for collaboration and opportunity for those who seek it.

[CASSANDRA LYNN CRONE, United States, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) with Bachelor of Human Sciences]

“Macquarie University is one of the best in Australia for psychology, and since I began studying this degree I can see why. I have been pushed to develop my skills in a variety of areas including writing, research, public speaking, and critical thinking while working to maintain a high level of academic performance.”

Cassandra says her PACE (Professional and Community Engagement) placement has been a highlight of her experience so far. “Students undertake a position in their industry in the real world, where they put theory into practice, and reflect upon how this experience will lead to a future career.

“Macquarie University provides many opportunities – academically, practically, and socially – which one can use to develop knowledge and skills for the future and build a network of experiences that can be tailored toward personal values, beliefs, and goals.

Giving back to the community

One student who has used her scholarship as a springboard to great things is Sumiya Sultan from Bangladesh. The former international scholarship winner and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) graduate was named New South Wales International Student of the Year in the higher education category.

The awards recognise outstanding contributions made by international students to communities across New South Wales. Sumiya was recognised for her outstanding contributions across a variety of initiatives that have added value to Macquarie and a number of communities. While she was a student, Sumiya was a driving force behind the establishment of the group Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) at Macquarie University, which aims to support women by providing them with a sense of ownership and importance in the sciences.

“In my first class there were only six or seven women, and I knew this had to change,” says Sumiya. She then established the group, which quickly grew. “I want to work towards empowering women to go out there and give it all they’ve got.”

Sumiya’s advice to students considering international study? “We have to remember we don’t just belong to one country. It’s our duty to go out there and serve the whole world, not just the country that we live in.”

[SUMIYA SULTAN, Bangladesh, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)]

Ivan Khizhnyak came from Russia on a European Scholarship and currently studies the Bachelor of Clinical Science at Macquarie. He says: “Macquarie University holds its hard-working and high-achieving students in high regard by encouraging their aspirations not only intellectually, but also financially. When a university shows great respect to its potential students, they are willing to reciprocate with great pleasure. Positive reinforcement encourages a student to preserve the same approach of tackling various obstacles throughout their learning curve and forms a winner’s mindset.”

[IVAN KHIZHNYAK, Russia, Bachelor of Clinical Science]

About Macquarie
Macquarie University is ranked among the best 240 universities in the world and the top 12 in Australia (QS World University Ranking ® 2018). The University is located in Sydney, Australia – one of the world’s most desirable student cities in the world.

(Bondi Beach, Sydney Australia)

(Sydney Harbour: Opera House and CBD, Sydney Australia)

This year’s Graduate Employability Rankings 2018 is here, with Stanford University leading the way for the second year running. Since last year, the methodology for the Graduate Employability Rankings has been refined and improved, with more institutions being considered than ever before.

Click here to see this year’s results in full, or scroll down for an explanation of how this year’s results were put together.

Want to learn more about this year’s Graduate Employability Rankings results? Download our supplement by clicking here.

Or, learn more about the results by region by clicking any of the following links:

Best US unis for graduate employability

Best UK unis for graduate employability

Best European unis for graduate employability

Best Canadian unis for graduate employability

Best Australian unis for graduate employability