Elevate careers programme
Black students can accelerate their careers and employability with our Elevate programme
Elevate careers programme for Black students at Kingston University
Elevate is our careers and employability accelerator programme for students from Black British, African, Caribbean or Black mixed heritage.
If you are a student, find out how you can benefit from the programme. Or if you are an employer or professional, discover the ways you can support Black students.
About Elevate
Elevate was launched in 2020 to address the degree awarding gap and disparities in graduate outcomes between Black and White students.
The awarding gap and disparities persist across higher education despite the students’ entry qualifications and course studied. At Kingston University in 2021-2022, there was a 25.4% gap between White and Black students getting a first or 2:1 degree.
But the work of our Elevate programme aims to increases the networking, mentoring and employment opportunities available to Black students and graduates.
Elevate has been awarded several accolades for the work it has done for equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education and industry.
How students can get involved with Elevate
Elevate offers students the chance to:
- Discover employer opportunities such as insight days, mentoring, work experience, placements, paid internships and graduate jobs
- Join events with alumni and other professionals
- Become part of a community of students, alumni, staff and employers
What our students say about Elevate
I was excited when the Elevate team emailed me about the opportunity to join a Marsh McLennan placement. The application process was straightforward. I am glad I got selected, as it give me the chance to have practical experience.
The Elevate events I attended were informative. I got to see people who were successful in careers I was considering going into after completing my degree.
How professionals and employers can get involved with Elevate
We work with organisations and employers committed to racial equity. We also build strategic relationships with influential individuals in the Black community.
Here are some ways employers and professionals can get involved with the Elevate programme:
- Share insights on a Q&A panel event (online or on campus)
- Host a workshop on transferable skills (online or on campus)
- Provide insight days, mentorship, work shadowing or experience
- Mentor a Black student as part of our Beyond Barriers student mentoring scheme
- Offer placements, from micro ones of 2–6 weeks or longer
- Provide paid internships
- Offer graduate roles
- Become an ELEVATE Employer Partner
Joining our Elevate programme doesn’t just benefit our students. There are also advantages for you.
Here is what you can expect:
- Share your knowledge and experience
- Encourage the next generation to achieve their potential
- Develop a diverse workforce
- Give something back to society
- Extend your professional network
- Boost your organisation and your brand
The Elevate programme defines an employer partner as an organisation that demonstrates a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Organisations must meet at least three of the following criteria:
- Offer work experience, internships or placements to students of Black heritage
- Provide access to mentoring schemes for students of Black heritage
- Use inclusive recruitment practices such as contextual recruitment or blind screening
- Offer employee affinity groups or staff networks to demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity in their workforce
- Have strategic goals to improve the representation of Black heritage employees
- Be recognised at industry level for commitment to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce
We have teamed up with all the organisations below.
Known as our employer partners, they have all offered jobs, internships, placements and mentoring for our students.
- Hachette Book Group
- Marsh McLennan
- Scholastic
- Teach First
- Tesco
- MarketAxess
- GSK
- Air Charter Service
- The Elephant Room
- Albourne
- P&G
- Sparta Global
- BDO
- Cola-Cola
- Black Pharma
- Circl
- Xuntos
- KPMG
- EE Investors
- PWC
- Salesforce
- Enterprise
I’m grateful to the Elevate team for the opportunity to speak to the Kingston University students. Sharing my journey and insights with them was an honour and privilege. Receiving such positive feedback from the students means the world to me. It is great to hear the advice I shared resonated with them. It seemed particularly timely for those navigating their entrepreneurial ventures or seeking personal and professional growth.
Interested in becoming an employer partner with Elevate?
We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch if you are interested in getting involved or becoming an employer partner with Elevate.
Elevate networking events
Elevate runs a series of networking events to connect students, staff, alumni and professionals. Networking events build a community and increase a sense of belonging.
Themes covered at our Elevate networking events:
Alumni and other professionals share their insights into the working world.
Awareness of the sectors presenting the biggest barriers for Black students to access is increased.
Elevate partner organisations highlight their career opportunities to Black students.
Our workshops enhance transferable skills, personal development, wellbeing and confidence.
Awards won by Elevate
Elevate won Best Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (EDI) programme at Global Careers Summit 2021.
Elevate won Best Widening Participation Initiative in the National Undergraduate Employability Awards 2022.
Elevate was recognised as a key factor in Kingston's award of Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold status in 2023.
Stay connected with Elevate
Follow us on LinkedIn (@kuelevate) and Instagram (@ku_elevate) to stay connected with all things Elevate.
Got any questions or want more information? Get in touch with our Elevate team via email.
