What you will do

Hear from graduates based in Scotland or further afield 

The Insights Programme is a great opportunity to find out about different types of careers and sectors directly from the Edinburgh alumni (graduated students) who are working in these areas. 

Fully supported opportunity

The Insights Programme is full  funded, meaning all your travel, accommodation, food, clothes and other expenses incurred will be covered. If you have any queries or concerns about financial barriers at all you can let the Insights Team know.

You'll get lots of support to prepare you for all these activities, including informal and friendly practice of networking and speaking to professionals. The mandatory in-person skills workshops will help you set goals for the programme and reflect on your experience. We will also provide you with a bank of online information resources, as well as a PhD student facilitator for each group to support you throughout. 

Insights Programme Structure

The Insights Programme will be an engaging and interactive experience, where you will work in small groups to gain an insight into several different job sectors and careers of alumni, and develop skills in networking and professional behaviours.  

The Insights Programme consists of two parts:

• a series of development workshops in Spring Semester that help prepare you for your experience. You will also have in-person and online small-group coaching sessions, led by a PhD student. 
• Immersion Week, typically the 1st week of June. This is where you will travel to meet alumni at their workplaces to learn about their experiences and roles in different employment sectors. The weekends before and after Insights Week should be kept free for any travel necessary.

There are three strands to the programme: Scotland, National and Global. Students offered a place on the Insights Programme will be assigned to one strand. 

Scotland

As part of a small group of up to 10 students, you will have a week of activity including visiting 3 different Edinburgh alumni (former students at the University) in the local area at their place of work, where you can get to know them and ask them about what it is they do. These visits typically take place at the alumni's place of work and last 2 to 4 hours. You’ll also have a networking event during the week where you’ll get the chance to increase your confidence in speaking to a variety of different people. Your week of activities will also include workshops and activities on campus that will support your career development.

National

As part of a group of 10, you’ll spend one week visiting a few different alumni in London, asking them about their careers and anything else you want to know about what it’s like to work where they do. You’ll meet a variety of alumni in different areas of work for 2 hours each – getting an insight into many different jobs and employment sectors. A networking event will be hosted one evening during the week where you'll be able to meet more alumni in the London area and informally talk with them about their experiences. You’ll also have time built in for reflection and cultural activities.

Global

The same format as the National strand in that you will spend a week in a group meeting lots of different alumni, however you will travel together to one international city. The 2025 host cities are Boston, New York or Washington DC in the United States and Brussels in Belgium.

Each visit provided me with a lot to think about as I was able to see how the opportunities I take up now can influence the career(s) I could go into in the future. The programme has helped me grow in confidence in networking, the workshop on this skill was particularly helpful. I was also able to meet other students who were participating in the programme and make friendships there. 

Kaseya

Timeline

Below is the timeline for Insights 2025. Applications are open from 31st October, and will close on 18^th November. If you are eligible, you will receive an email inviting you to apply. You will hear the outcome of your application in early January.