Mastering the skills audit after Chevening
Learn how to identify and leverage your unique skills as a Chevening Alumnus.
As a Chevening Scholar, you have embarked on a transformative journey, leaving behind the familiar to embrace the unknown. Studying in the UK has not only equipped you with an advanced degree but has also provided you with a wealth of experiences and skills that set you apart in the global job market.
As you prepare to return to your home country and re-enter the workforce, conducting a thorough skills audit is a crucial step in maximising the benefits of your Chevening experience. This process will help you clearly identify your strengths, recognise areas for improvement, and strategically position yourself as a leader in your field.
The Unique Advantage of a Chevening Scholar
As an international graduate of a UK university, you hold a unique and highly competitive advantage. The very act of studying abroad demonstrates your confidence, adaptability, and resilience—qualities that are highly sought after in today’s globalised workforce. Throughout your Chevening year, you have honed an array of skills that are not only valuable but also increasingly necessary in the modern workplace.
Some of these key skills include:
- English language proficiency: Mastering a language that is often the lingua franca in global business and diplomacy.
- Cultural awareness: Navigating and appreciating diverse cultures, which is crucial in multinational environments, and also brings new perspectives to your home community.
- Creativity and problem-solving: Thinking outside the box to tackle challenges in innovative ways.
- Team-working: Collaborating effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds and perspectives.
- Independent work: UK master’s degrees are renowned for requiring students to work independently, managing their own deadlines and workloads.
- Communication skills: Articulating ideas clearly and persuasively, both in writing and verbally, and in a foreign language.
Conducting Your Skills Audit
With this rich skill set at your disposal, the next step is to conduct a personal skills audit. This self-assessment will enable you to systematically identify and reflect on the skills you have developed, ensuring you are fully prepared to leverage them in your post-Chevening career. Click on the expanding arrows to reveal more about each step.
Begin by finding a quiet space where you can focus without interruptions. Start by making a comprehensive list of all the skills you possess. Include those developed through your academic studies, extracurricular activities, and work experiences, both in the UK and in your home country. Remember, skills are not just limited to technical knowledge; soft skills such as leadership, communication, and cultural adaptability are equally important.
Once you have your list, take a moment to review it critically. Identify which skills are your strongest and which ones may need further development. Ask yourself: Are there any skills that you feel less confident about? How have these skills evolved during your time in the UK? Recognising areas for improvement is not a sign of weakness but a step towards continuous growth. Consider what actions you can take to strengthen these skills. This might involve seeking further training, finding a mentor, or gaining more hands-on experience.
To make your skills more tangible, think of specific examples where you have successfully applied them. For instance, if you list “team-working” as a skill, recall a group project or an organisational role where your ability to collaborate effectively was instrumental in achieving a goal. These examples will be invaluable during job interviews and in your CV, as they provide concrete evidence of your capabilities. Remember to write down examples from your Chevening year while they are still fresh in your memory!
Expanding Your Skills Audit
While the self-reflective approach outlined above is highly effective, you may also benefit from additional tools and resources. Many UK universities offer career services that provide skills audit templates or questionnaires designed to help graduates identify their strengths and areas for development. Engaging with these resources can offer further insights and ensure that your audit is as comprehensive as possible. You can do this during your final months in the UK, but will usually also be able to access these services once you have left and have become an alumnus of your UK university.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Conducting a skills audit is not just about cataloguing what you can do; it’s about understanding how your unique experiences as a Chevening Scholar have shaped you into a well-rounded, highly skilled professional. By mastering the skills audit process, you not only prepare yourself to meet the challenges of your next career move but also set the stage for continued growth and leadership in your field.
As you transition back into the workforce, remember that your Chevening experience has equipped you with more than just an education—it has provided you with a global perspective and a powerful skill set that can make a significant impact. Use your skills audit as a tool to harness these strengths and position yourself as a leader ready to make a difference in your home country and beyond.
