BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) students in particular face barriers when looking for internships and graduate jobs. Research has highlighted that on average black graduates earn 23.1% less than white graduates, and unemployment is especially high among people from BAME backgrounds in the UK. Finding an internship or graduate job can be a daunting and lengthy task, to help with this we have put together some resources that are targeted at recruitment and career progression specifically for BAME students.

 

Career support

Inclusive Graduates is a not-for-profit arm of executive search firm Inclusive Boards, connects undergraduates and young professionals from underrepresented groups across the UK with outstanding employers. They identify these groups as: ethnic minorities, women, young people from low socio-economic groups and students from non-Russell Group universities.

Rare Recruitment matches outstanding people from diverse backgrounds with jobs in top organisations. They specialise in helping ethnic minority candidates and place a particular emphasis on those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Ethnic JobSite provides a database of employers committed to fair and diverse recruitment as well as career tips.

SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) London focuses on helping students from underrepresented and under-served communities to secure places on internship and graduate programmes in the UK.

UPRising is a UK-wide youth leadership development organisation. Their mission is to open pathways for talented young people from diverse and under-represented backgrounds by equipping them with the knowledge, networks, skills, and confidence to fulfil their leadership potential.

Parity Project is an Insight, networking, and employability support for black men.

 

Job boards/opportunities

BYP Network is described by many as a ‘LinkedIn for black professionals’? and helps to connect ambitious future leaders with each other for networking purposes and with corporations for job opportunities, the community currently has over 150,000 members.

Future leaders is an organisation that runs a programme of workshops for students and graduates with the focus on diversity.

BDO Black Heritage Virtual Insight Week is week-long virtual insight experience where you will develop your knowledge of accounting and gain exposure to BDO, this could lead to a paid role as a university Brand Ambassador.

Civil Service Fast Stream: Summer Diversity Internship Programme is an award winning internship is available to first-year undergraduates from diverse backgrounds. The 5-day placement in a government department gives you valuable insight and understanding of what it's like to be on the Fast Stream.

KPMG Black Heritage Talent Insight programme is aimed primarily at students of Black Heritage seeking an insight into a career in Deal Advisory. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to learn more about our business and develop your professional skills

Positive Action Schemes at The Guardian offer summer work experience schemes for BAME individuals and individuals with a disability considering a career in journalism.

10000BlackInterns will help transform the horizons and prospects of young Black people in the United Kingdom by offering paid work experience across a wide range of industries, as well as world-class training and development.

 

Sector specific opportunities

Law

Society of Asian Lawyers represents and supports Asian Lawyers in the UK.

Black Solicitors Network the primary voice of black solicitors in England and Wales; committed to achieving equality of access, retention, and promotion of black solicitors.

Aspiring Solicitors was set up in autumn 2013 by Chris White whilst he was an associate at Norton Rose Fulbright. The primary aim of Aspiring Solicitors is to increase diversity in the legal profession.

Arts

Creative Access  are a social enterprise, unrivalled in diverse recruitment and inclusion. They work with all under-represented candidates and organisations across the whole creative industries. Creative Access is largely funded by employer partners who are committed to improving diversity and inclusion within their organisations, wholeheartedly.

No Trace Film Initiative  Support and develop BAME careers in the advertising production industry.

Media and Marketing

Journalism Diversity Fund is a bursary-awarding body that funds training from the National Council for the Training of Journalists for people from diverse backgrounds, and pairs individuals with mentors.

The Taylor Bennett Foundation is a charity that exists to encourage BAME graduates to pursue a career in communications.

Not Turning Back 2020's Jobs Zone  Zone aim is for 20% of all marketing and communications professionals to come from a black, Asian, minority ethnic background. And for this 20% to stay in our industry until they reach the very top jobs

STEM

The Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK) provides support and promotes higher achievements in Education and Engineering particularly among students and professionals from ethnic minority backgrounds.”

Finance

Eagles Graduate Programmes  Investment, social responsibility, banking and offer Six-month, paid graduate development programme

Bank of England  Offer experiences for students of any background, and a scholarship for students of Black or African-Caribbean background.

Education

Teach First are on a mission to end educational inequality by putting great teachers and leaders in the schools that need them most. These teachers and leaders should reflect the communities they serve. Our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Talent Taster Programme is your chance to boost your CV with Teach First, one of the UK's top graduate employers.

 

Sources

Bright Network. (2022). https://www.brightnetwork.co.uk/equal-opportunities-menu/barriers-bame-graduates-job-market