Career Preparation
Career preparation at Leiden University
In addition to offering you a solid university education, Leiden University aims to prepare you as well as possible for the labour market, and in doing so contribute to the development of your employability. In this way, it will become easier for you to make the transition to the labour market, to remain employable in a dynamic labour market, in a (career) job that suits your own personal values, preferences and development.
'Employability' consists of the following aspects that you will develop within your study programme, among others:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.
2. Transferable skills
These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example: researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.
3. Self-reflection
This concerns self-reflection in the context of your (study) career, including reflecting on the choices you make as a student during your studies, what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market?
In addition, reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?
4. Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through internships, work placements, projects, practical (social) assignments, which are integrated into an elective, minor or graduation assignment.
5. Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers and alumni experiences from the work field, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, interviewing people from the work field, and shadowing/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.
Employability in the curriculum of Mathematics
Activities relating to preparation for the labour market are concentrated in the Master Colloquium and the Master research project. You can follow the colloquium for credit, or simply attend those sessions which you find interesting. In the Master Colloquium you will practise, for example:
Transferable skills: planning and giving a presentation on a mathematical topic; listening to and asking questions at presentations of other students; writing and revising a CV.
Labour market orientation: attending presentations by former students in mathematics about their subsequent careers; learning from the Science Career Service about searching for jobs and applying.
Self-reflection: reflecting on and acting on feedback regarding your presentation and your CV. Actively thinking about future career options and what you as a mathematician have to offer.
Additionally, some students (depending on subject area and career plans) may want to consider a work placement during their master’s programme.
Activities to prepare for the labour market co-curricular or outside the curriculum of Mathematics
Every year, various activities take place, within, alongside and outside of your study programme, which contribute to your preparation for the labour market, especially where it concerns orientation towards the work field/the labour market, (career) skills and self-reflection. These may be information meetings on decision moments within your programme, but also career workshops and events organised by your own programme, the faculty Career Service or your study association.
The Science Career Service organises various events and workshops that can help you to find out about the labour market and to prepare for the process of job application.
Every year in March, the Bètabanenmarkt (Leiden Science Career Event), the largest career event in Leiden, takes place. Organisations present themselves and inform students about career opportunities after graduation. HBO students, bachelor’s students, master’s students and PhD students are all welcome.
Annually, in November, the Bio Science Park Excursion takes place, in collaboration with the Bètabanenmarkt.
Your study association De Leidsche Flesch organises an ongoing selection of career events.
Career Service, LU Career Zone and career workshops calendar
Faculty Career Service
The Career Service of your faculty offers information and advice on study (re)orientation and master's choice, (study) career planning, orientation on the labour market and job applications.
Leiden University Career Zone
Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.
Workshops and events
On the course calendar you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Career services.
