Advice from the Careers Service

The Careers Service has worked with Southwestern over many years and as a result our students have gained valuable work experience and financial reward through their Summer Sales Programme.

The company attended the University's 'Alternatives Fair' in February this year and were impressed by the calibre of students they saw at the event, several of whom indicated interest in their programme.

However, Southwestern representatives subsequently came on to campus without permission and approached students to recruit them directly onto the programme. School staff were also asked to book interview rooms and send emails out on behalf of them. This contravenes the Careers Service’s guidelines for on campus activity by employers and following complaints about their activities, Southwestern is no longer welcome on the campus. The Careers Service met with a representative from Southwestern on 26th March and he has apologised for not following our procedures and for any inconvenience or distress caused. He has been informed that we will no longer advertise their vacancies and that they are not to come on to the campus. Security has been made aware of this decision.

If you are approached by employers requesting emails to be sent out to students on their behalf or asking to give a presentation or talk on campus, please inform the Careers Service. We have strict guidelines for on-campus activity by employers to safeguard both staff and students from unwanted, unsolicited emails or activity. Students tend to assume that anything to do with employers is arranged through the Careers Service as we do organise many on campus events. It is therefore important that we are kept informed about employer activity sanctioned by Schools in case complaints are received.

Thank you for your support and co-operation. If you would like a copy of our Statement of Service for Employers or our Recruitment Legislation for reference, please email me at d.a.salkeld@aston.ac.uk.  

Best wishes 

Debbie Salkeld
Employer Liaison
Careers Service