Arbeidsmarkt
Labour market preparation
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:
- Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.
- Shared 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, giving and receiving peer feedback, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.
- 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, you will practice with reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development: Who are you, what are your strengths, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, and what do you want to do?
- Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through projects, practical (social) assignments, minor written assignments as well as the thesis assignment.
- Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers and alumni experiences in the field, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, speaking with people in the field, and walking along/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.
Employability in the master Comparative Criminal Justice
Studying is about more than just obtaining a diploma. It is also about preparing for a professional career. How can you use the knowledge and skills that you acquire? What skills do you already have, and what skills do you want to develop? How do you translate the courses that you choose into something that you would like to do after graduation?
In answering these question, you can always ask for help from our study advisor or career coach.
Although it may not always be explicit or obvious, the professors in our master's programme include (individual and group) assignments in their courses to train employability skills, some discipline-specific, thereby preparing you for the labour market.
Examples of courses in which various skills are addressed:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills: all.
2. Shared transferable skills: Comparative Criminal Justice Research Methods, Research Proposal, Master Thesis: Comparative Criminal Justice
3. Self-reflection: Research Proposal
4. Labour market orientation: Comparative Criminal Justice Research Methods (by using guest lecturers)
Activities to prepare for the labour market alongside / outside the curriculum
Throughout the academic year, various activities take place within, alongside and outside of your study programme to smoothen your transition from university to the job market. These include a activities organised by study association CoDe, and by The Leiden University Career Services , such as:
Leiden University Career Zone offers online personality tests, information on the job market and the Leiden University Job Portal, tips on application skills and information on employability skills.
Individual career advice and a CV check by your faculty’s career advisor.
Workshops and training courses, e.g. 'Networking & LinkedIn', 'CV & personal profile' or 'Interview skills'.
CCJ Career event in which alumni tell about their job, how they got their job and their typical workday.
Leiden University Career Event
