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Careers and Employability
Providing professional support
- Access to our online careers platform, Career Studio, which is exclusively for HE students.
- One-to-one guidance with qualified careers advisers where you can discuss a range of topics including: career choices, career planning and progression routes.
- Employability skills workshops throughout the academic year.
- Specific careers & employability interventions, which focuses on skills for work and postgraduate education.
- UCSE Employability Award – guiding students in how to develop, relevant, additional skills for work.
Delivering exciting projects
- Public speaking – Discover the tips and tricks of effective public speaking and build your confidence.
- Elevator pitch workshops – Formulate a concise personal profile with these self-branding and networking workshops.
- Self-employment workshops – Looking to be your own boss? These workshops provide all you need to know when starting a business.
- Interview skills development – Conquer interview nerves by analysing common interview questions.
- Coaching workshops – Learn how to overcome career setbacks and develop resilience when finding and maintaining employment.
Expert and tailored guidance
- Independent, impartial advice which caters for individual needs.
- A chance to discuss your specific career pathway and goals.
- Helping you gain the confidence to approach the job market and achieve your future aspirations.
- Flexible appointment times via MS Teams and face to face.
- Specialist support for students with additional needs.
- Advice available for up to two years after graduation.
Using the latest technology
Our online careers platform, Career Studio, gives you access to world-class tools and resources to help you plan your next steps 24–7, 365 days a year:
- Create a Career EGDE+ profile, identify areas for professional development, and receive tailored feedback.
- Hone your interview skills with our artificial intelligence-powered Interview360.
- Practice psychometric testing e.g. personality, numerical and verbal reasoning and aptitude tests.
- Build your CV and covering letter, getting instant CV feedback with CV360.
- Job search engine with millions of vacancies.
To log onto Career Studio please click the 'Login to Career Studio' button below and use your student email address and password.
If you have any problems logging into Career Studio please email HECareers@southessex.ac.uk
Login to Career Studio
Building on our successes
The HE Careers team work with a range of organisations to effectively deliver the careers & employability service across the academic year.
Laughter Academy
- Improvisation workshops designed for any group
- Aims to improve confidence, reducing anxiety, and lessen the fear of failure
- Can help enhance your CV and/or portfolio
Just Add Milk
An award-winning charity that develops the next generation of actors through affordable casting and agent workshops:
- Introduction to the arts industry
- Approaching an Agent & Casting Director
- Becoming an Actor/Producer
- Casting for TV & Film
Film Free Photography
- Professional photography that can help improve your personal profile and portfolios for networking and employment opportunities
- Capturing headshots and project work
Student feedback 2023
Laughter Academy
I feel as though this has helped me gain confidence in believing in my ability and taking action on impulse thoughts and feelings that I have allowing me to become more creative.
I gained a better understanding and knowledge on how to not think when improvising and just do it. As well as helping me with my chosen career path.
Just Add Milk
The talk was great in answering any generalised questions about agents and the way in which we can gain from them and apply for them when entering the industry.
I have been able to understand the beginning logistics of producing and when looking at larger areas such as touring productions too.
Film Free Photography
A professional photo for my employment portfolio which is one of the most important parts!
Photographer was very welcoming and indeed professional.
Say Hello to the team
Careers enquiries
For all careers enquiries contact HECareers@southessex.ac.uk
Tony Withers
Tony.Withers@southessex.ac.uk
01702 220576
Nick Smith
Nick.Smith@southessex.ac.uk
0345 52 12345
The Forum, 3rd floor in HE Student Services.
Available Mon–Fri from 9am–16.30pm during term time and also open throughout the summer holidays (subject to availability).
All of the team regularly travel to other campuses and provide drop-in or booked sessions as required (please include your preferred campus when enquiring for an appointment or workshop).
Maintaining the highest standards
We ensure standards remain high by working with the Department for Education’s Matrix to deliver robust information, advice and guidance.
Our high-quality careers provision is judged by the Office for Students (OfS) and reviewed regularly to meet national standards.
Success stories
Success Stories - Andy Wyatt
Course studied
Computer Aided Design & Manufacturing (2D CAD) Level 2 Award
My name is Andy Wyatt , I am 52 years old and I studied Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at South Essex College in 1984/5.
What did you study at South Essex College?
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design where I specialised in Photographic Arts and Moving Image.
What qualification did you receive?
I completed my foundation course at SEC and then went to study a BA in Filmmaking at Harrow School of Art which is now part of the University of Westminster.
What was your background before coming to the College to study?
I grew up in Chelmsford and studied A levels.
What have you done since completing your course?
After my degree I worked as an animator working on cartoons such as The Teenage Ninja Turtles and Duck Tales the Movie. I then joined a studio called Halas and Batchelor in London, followed by a studio called Honeycomb Animation where I became an Animation Director, animating and directing TV series including Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids. I then moved to Bristol, setting up my own studio, creating animation for the internet before working as a series director at Aardman Animations.
I have also worked as an educator, helping to set up degree programmes in Universities, and now work as an ambassador in the UK and Ireland for Toon Boom Animation, a Canadian Animation technology company. I work with studios setting up their productions, which can be TV series, Feature films or games.
Why did you choose to study at South Essex College?
I was impressed by the staff, and the student work I saw at an exhibition. It’s also great to study in a seaside town!
I was impressed by the staff, and the student work I saw at an exhibition. It’s also great to study in a seaside town!
What is the best thing about doing further or higher education?
It really develops your creativity, and is life-changing in that you get to specialise in a subject that you really love, and get to meet friends for life. It helps you progress to a great career.
What skills did you gain / are you gaining that have proved valuable?
As well as creativity, you also become more professional, meeting deadlines which can be really stressful, but college gives you experience working as part of a team which should never be under estimated.
What is your favourite memory of being at the College?
Some great people, and I remember the pride from being part of the end of year show. The environment was inspiring too.
Why would you recommend South Essex College?
For the same reasons I went…really knowledgeable staff who develop you as a person. The facilities are also incredible.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
I’ve been part of productions that have had two BAFTA nominations… unfortunately we did not win either time, but it is a great achievement to be nominated!
What are your ambitions for the future?
To continue working in Animation which is one of the most dynamic and constantly evolving industries….when I think how much it has changed just throughout my career, who knows what will happen in the future!
Did your time at the College help with other areas of life (such as gaining confidence or maybe a skill that has helped you to pursue a hobby)?
Definitely. It built my confidence and developed my ability to work as part of a team and probably made me a bit more competitive (in a good way!)
Where are you working now?
Director of Business Development for Toon Boom Animation
What does your job entail?
Working with studios in the UK and Ireland to develop new ideas for projects. I help them achieve the look and style of animation they want.
How did you progress to your current position?
It took all sorts of experience from all the various jobs I have had to give me the knowledge and experience I needed to do the job I do now.
How did your time at South Essex College help prepare you for the workplace?
It opened my eyes to the fact that there was a whole sector of work out there (the Creative Industries) for people like me who enjoyed art and design.
How does the equipment you used at College compare to that within industry?
Actually, it is as good, if not better. Many of the studios I worked for had very limited budgets and we had to use old machinery or computers, and the studios were often in freezing cold basements or boiling hot attics!! The college has the latest software and powerful machines and air-conditioned studios…quite a luxury compared to some of the places I have worked!
