ëTop graduate talentí no longer means academic achievement, but much moreÖ

A 2.1 from a reputable university will no longer entitle a graduate to a job. Helen Eastern from Barclaycard comments, ìIt is about them being able to bring a practical edge back to their studies.î

Bright Futures Society - a career focused student society active in 35 universities across the UK - empowers students to take personal responsibility for their own employability prospects. With UK employers and universities doing their bit, it is up to all students to take action & ensure that they approach the job market as well-rounded & business-savvy graduates ready for the future. Bright Futures students stand out as they are the ones who ëstep upí to this challenge and in doing so seek to influence their peers to do the same.

Student and careers service representatives from over 20 universities came together with a host of employers including; Standard Life, CIMA, Nestle, Npower, KPMG, Audit Commission, Accenture, Meltwater Group, Analysys Mason, Autosmart International and Barclays for the Bright Futures National Committee Training event in London last Thursday. With a strong focus on networking and making the most of the contacts they can make whilst still at university, Bright Futures students will begin their academic year making headway for the employability ëcauseí.

Guest speaker John Dore, Marketing & Communications Manager for HSBC Private Bank and a Society member from the 1990ís, highlighted the value of networking to secure a successful career path. Any opportunity for a student to be more than ëjust a CVí should be taken and in a culture where the impact you make on people still counts, Bright Futures continues to provide pro-active students with the guidance, tools & network that they need to stand out in the graduate market.

For more information on how Bright Futures is developing student talent, please look at our website www.bright-futures.org.uk