Employability Fortnight 2026 Trimester 3: Building Skills Beyond the Classroom
For two weeks every trimester, UGM Manchester's Employability Team delivers Employability Fortnight, a programme of workshops and guest speaker sessions designed to help students develop the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to succeed in their future careers.
This trimester's programme brought together colleagues from across UGM Manchester alongside industry professionals from organisations including Lloyds Bank, Utility Warehouse, All About Law and Smart Works, providing students with practical insights and real-world experiences to help them achieve their career ambitions.
Building Employability Skills
The first week focused on developing the transferable skills employers value most, including collaboration, self-awareness, confidence and resilience.
The fortnight began with a session on collaboration led by Dr Monica Chavez, Associate Lecturer at UGM Manchester, which encouraged students to think differently about teamwork.
"Effective collaboration is about creating value with others: listening, planning, sharing ideas, adapting under pressure and helping the group move towards a shared outcome."
Through a practical paper bridge challenge, students experienced firsthand how communication, problem-solving and adaptability contribute to successful teamwork.
Reflecting on the session, Dr Chavez encouraged students to think beyond generic interview responses:
"Don't just say, 'I work well in a team.' Be able to explain the specific value you bring when working with others."
Personal development continued with Knowing Yourself is the First Step to Adaptability, led by Wenjie Yu, Student Service Administrator at UGM Manchester. Drawing on her own experiences as an international student and professional in the UK, Wenjie highlighted the importance of self-awareness and maintaining a growth mindset.
"Self-awareness is the foundation for personal growth and career success."
She concluded by encouraging students to embrace change, remain curious and continue learning throughout their careers.
The week's final session, delivered by Dr Gydhia Al-Chalaby, GP and Sessional Lecturer at UGM Manchester, explored resilience as a key employability skill.
"Resilience is your superpower for employability."
Dr Gydhia encouraged students to view setbacks as opportunities for growth, explaining:
"Resilience means more than just bouncing back from rejections or failures; it's about learning from mistakes and seeing setbacks as opportunities for growth."
Learning from Industry
The second week welcomed professionals from a range of industries, giving students direct access to employer perspectives and career advice.
Sessions covered topics including what employers value, effective time management, careers in law without a law degree, building confidence, postgraduate study opportunities and using Canva to communicate effectively in the workplace.
One of the week's highlights was the Dean's Masterclass: The Importance of Time Management, delivered by Andrew Johnson, Dean of UGM Manchester. The session explored how effective organisation supports both academic achievement and professional success, with practical advice on prioritising tasks, managing calendars and developing habits.
Drawing on his own leadership experience, Andrew reinforced that strong organisational skills are among the key qualities employers seek in graduates entering the workplace.
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Supporting Career Success
Students who complete the programme also work towards their Employability Bronze Award, recognising their commitment to developing the skills and behaviours valued by employers.
Employability Fortnight continues to demonstrate UGM Manchester's commitment to ensuring students graduate not only with academic knowledge, but also with the confidence, transferable skills and professional mindset to thrive throughout their careers.
A special thank you goes to Yawar Hayat, our Senior Careers Consultant, for organising another successful Employability Fortnight and bringing together colleagues and industry professionals to deliver an engaging programme of events for our students.