All student email, Tuesday 28 April

Dear Student,

In this update, we continue to focus on some of the key services available to you through the Careers Network, as well as news of how to get support and raise an issue through Library Services. We also see how a group of medical students are enhancing NHS resilience by volunteering as NHS 111 call handlers and we have news of a COVID-19 email scam.

Today’s updates includes:

• Careers Network
• Library Services
• Birmingham Heroes - Medical students volunteer as NHS 111 call handlers
• Top tip – Email scams linked to COVID-19


Careers Network

Whether you are completing your studies this year, thinking of a placement year or starting to think about options when you finish, we want to continue to offer you support.  Whilst there is an increased level of uncertainty it’s still a good time to consider your options and seek advice. Careers Network are continuing to provide an online support and guidance service during restricted campus operations.

Skype appointments are available with Careers Advisors and Internship Officers (prioritising finalists, postgraduate taught students and recent graduates in the first instance). Access online CV checking and interview practice as well as a host of other online support via Canvas. 
Access careers support.

Internship and graduate vacancies are regularly updated via Careers Connect.  Business Start Up support is also available via online resources and Skype appointments, and our bespoke internship programmes are still open.

There is also further information available on the Transformation West Midlands Project for local commuter students

Library Services

During restricted campus operations, you can still get in touch with the library via email library@bham.ac.uk. Supported by staff from across all of our libraries, the service is monitored 9.00am-6.00pm, Monday to Friday, and we will aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

We would like to remind all students that during this time:
• Please hold onto books until we reopen. Nothing will be due back until June.
• We will not be fining anyone during this period.
• We will cover the renewal of inter-library loan items from other institutions.

If you would like more in depth support with writing skills, referencing or searching for high quality sources for your dissertation or essays, then virtual appointments are now available with the Academic Skills Centre. 
Book an ASC appointment

In addition, we have continued to respond to inter-library loan requests, requests for digital resources and membership enquiries. The out loans service has been busier than ever, with 214 articles in the UK.
 

Birmingham Heroes – Medical students volunteer as NHS 111 call handlers

A group of medical students are using their skills to support the fight against COVID-19 by volunteering their time to train as NHS 111 call handlers with the West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS).

The first and second year students became involved through Birmingham Med Students for Action – a Facebook group set up by fellow students offering opportunities for paid work in a range of healthcare settings including hospitals, GP practices, pharmacies and NHS call centres. Students chosen to work with the ambulance service will undergo an intensive training programme before gaining a licence allowing them to work as a 111 call assessor. These licences can be carried forward giving them the opportunity to continue working in the call centres once the pandemic is over.

The frontline triage role will see students answering calls from the general public where they will assess symptoms, offer health advice and refer patients to out-of-hours GP’s or other relevant treatment centres. Depending on the severity of the call, students will also be able to dispatch emergency ambulance teams if required. After completing a number of weeks as unsupervised call assessors, students may also have the opportunity to extend their training to enable them to handle 999 calls.

Read more 
 

Top tip – Email Scams linked to COVID-19

West Midlands Police have advised that cyber criminals are preying on fears of the coronavirus and sending 'phishing' emails that try and trick users into clicking on a bad link. Once clicked, the user is sent to a phoney website, which could download malware onto your computer, or steal passwords. The scams may claim to have a 'cure' for the virus, offer a financial reward, or be encouraging you to donate.

Like many phishing scams, these emails are preying on real-world concerns to try and trick people into doing the wrong thing. Please be aware and do not click the link.


My.bham services downtime

Please note that some services that are normally accessed via my.bham will temporarily be unavailable from 4.00pm Thursday 30 April to 8.00am Monday 4 May to allow for a planned system upgrade. Further details can be found at IT Service status update.


Best wishes
Student Communications Team

 

Colleges

Professional Services