Uniplanet isn’t all about fun and games – we do like to think we’re actually giving our readers useful and responsible advice, at least some of the time. We’ve managed to catch up with Rajeeb Dey the CEO and founder of Enternships.com (and nominee for this years O2 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards!) – a website that’s been set up to connect students and graduates with placements at start-ups and the UK’s leading small businesses. Continue reading to find out more about the site and see what advice they’re offering for anyone worried about graduate employment …
What Enternships is all about and how it all began…
Rajeeb Dey, 23, who graduated last year from the University of Oxford and was President of student society – Oxford Entrepreneurs, used his network of contacts and understanding of students, to challenge the stereotypical ‘graduate milkround job’ and traditional internships in large corporations by starting Enternships. It was successfully piloted while Dey was still a student at Oxford University.
The premise of the new site is simple, employers sign up and post placements and potential enterns upload their CVs and apply for them. Employers are then able to manage the entire recruitment process, from posting a vacancy to filtering, interviewing and selecting candidates, via the website.
The venture has generated support from established entrepreneurs such as Lord Bilimoria, Peter Jones and Lastminute.com Co-Founders Martha Lane Fox and Brent Hoberman who have all advertised for Enterns to work with them in their businesses. Luke Johnson, serial entrepreneur and Chairman of Channel 4 supported the launch by saying
Enternships will serve a valuable purpose – rebuilding students’ and graduates’ dwindling sense of hope. I have predicted that many great companies will be started in the next year or two, by those brave enough to believe in the future, energetic enough to seize the day and optimistic enough to deny the possibility of defeat. Enterns can only benefit from exposure to start-ups such as these.
Getting the website launched and ready for public beta was quite tricky. Also with a site like our balancing the number of companies and candidates is always hard as you have to attract one to get the other – classic chicken and egg. We have been quite fortunate that the response from both sides has been very positive!
What sets you apart from other jobsites and placement services already out there?
We focus on placements in start-ups and small businesses who lack the visibility the big corporates have on campus. We also give access to some unique opportunities which in the past have included being an entern for Peter Jones (Dragons Den).
What can we expect to see from Enternships in the future?
A new version of the website with cool new features, new resources and lots of new opportunities. We have taken on board the feedback we’ve received during Phase 1 of our beta launch and hope to incorporate this all into the development of the new version.
In todays economic climate what advice would you give undergraduates worried about finding work after leaving University?
Start developing your CV, skills and experience from day one. Do not wait for the traditional ‘penultimate year summer internship’ and compete with the hundreds of thousands of others all vyying for the corporate internships. Start doing enternships in small companies and voluntary work to demonstrate that you have invested time and effort into developing yourself. This will help you look like a more appealing ‘hire’ upon graduation and if you’re that way inclined you could shun the ‘normal’ career path and go start your own business after uni – that’s what I did!
Are there any other student focused services you would recommend for our readers?
Uniplanet seems like a good start
What I would suggest is that you start developing a professional network of contacts and use sites like LinkedIn.com to set up a ‘professional’ profile. Keep this separate from your Facebook world as in an information rich world employers are likely to ‘Google’ you first to see what information is out there. If there’s nothing out there about you have a think about what this says? Did you really make an impact or contribution whilst you were at University?I’d also say get yourself onto sites like Twitter.com and start following people who interest you – its a great source of information and opportunities!
Final Words and Additional Info …
Enternships is currently a beta site – the full launch is on 18th November during Global Entrepreneurship Week…
Uniplanet really recommends you check them out – it’s a great alternative to the run of the mill graduate job sites that you’ll see on campus…
If you can please take a moment to vote for Enternships at the O2 Entrepeneur of the Year Awards…
