What you will do

By getting involved in Insights, you’ll get involved in a programme of support and activities that can be managed alongside your studies and other commitments.

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 who are working in these areas. 

Insights Programme 2023/24

The Insights Programme 2023/24 will be an engaging and interactive experience, where you will work in groups to gain an insight into several different job sectors and careers of alumni, and develop skills in networking and professional behaviours.  

There are three strands to the Programme: Scotland, National and Global. These will all take place 3rd-7th June 2024, and please keep the weekends either side free for any travel necessary.

Scotland

As part of a small group you will have a week of activity including visiting a few different Edinburgh alumni (former students at the University) in the local area in their place of work, where you can get to know them and ask them about what it is they do. These visits will be over one or two days. 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, and you’ll also likely have day on campus doing various activities to support your career development.

National

As part of a group of 10, you’ll spend one week visiting a few different alumni in London, in an informal and friendly setting, 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 a couple of hours each – getting an insight into many different jobs. 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 a city in the USA, either Boston, New York or Washington DC.

The Insights Programme is fully funded, meaning all 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 in person skills workshops, informal and friendly practice of networking and speaking to professionals, how to set goals for the programme and reflect on your experience, a bank of online information resources, as well as a PhD student for each group to support you throughout. 

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. 

Timetable - 2023/24 - National and Global strands

Timetable - 2024 - Scotland strand