Career and Networking Events: An International Perspective
Kazi Turin Rahman
PhD Business and Management Studies
Hi, my name is Kazi, and I am an international researcher from Bangladesh.
As an international student preparing for industry, it is imperative that you make the most of every career-oriented event possible. Fortunately, the UK is a hub for these types of events because connections really are the foundation to all academic and professional success!
Today, I would like to share my experience at recent networking event, providing you with an overview of how these events are structured in the UK, what opportunities they offer and how The University of Huddersfield supports student attendance.
Although this blog focuses on the event I attended, the UK has a vast range of similar events for different disciplines, so there will certainly be an event for your chosen career path.
Manchester Digital Skills Fest
The recently concluded Manchester Digital Skills Fest (2nd to 6th February, 2026) brought together the top tech employers in UK under one roof. It was the perfect opportunity for students, especially international students, to network with industry professionals and forward their prospective careers.
The University of Huddersfield was gracious enough to arrange a field trip for us to attend the event at New Century Hall, Manchester on the 4th of February, 2026. After a 25 minute train ride from Huddersfield, we found ourselves at the heart of the event. It was packed! International students from across the UK had flocked to New Century Hall.
Uncovering Graduate Role Openings
From the entrance, I veered left and started by approaching the table of CTI Digital, a web development and digital marketing agency. They graciously informed me that they will launch a graduate intake in September. Openings for marketing and tech-oriented roles are expected to be announced on their job portal around that time.
Discovering What Skills Employers Are Looking For
Right next door was UK Biobank, a global health research data provider. From a technological perspective, they valued programming languages like C# and PHP. Most importantly, they valued soft skills like effective communication. ‘You can be a great programmer but you will not get far without being able to communicate your ideas effectively', they stated. I believe this a powerful lesson for all international students; prioritize communication.
Exploring Careers in My Field of Interest
As the crowd started to build, I navigated across the hall and approached Buymedia, an AI-powered advertising platform. Being from the marketing discipline myself, this company particularly interested me. They voiced concerns over how AI-generated content was flooding the market. At a time like this, they value people who could write authentic content that stands out.
Regulatory Bodies Also Attend These Events
Regulatory bodies were also present at the event, like the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). They happen to be a UK regulatory body that upholds data privacy and information rights. Representatives were keen to point out that they will be launching a graduate scheme this month! Be sure to check out the ICO careers page for more updates.
Mixing Work and Play
Aware Digital, an ecommerce development agency, had an interesting game setup to attract visitors. Whoever got the highest score on Mario Kart would win a pair of brand new wireless headphones. While I was tempted to try, I kept my focus on discussing professional opportunities with them. I learnt that they value people who are skilled in Google Analytics and Adobe Suite
Corporate Sponsors
Finally, I was able to meet one of the corporate sponsors of the event, HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise). They too attracted visitors with interesting games like mini golf and spin the wheel. From what I gathered, the HPE careers page has a dedicated section for students that feature internships and graduate roles. Applications are accepted year-round and students can also sign up for their talent community to get notified when new positions open up. Especially for international students, this is a must-see opportunity.
Final Reflections
As the day wound to a close, I reflected back upon all the things I had learnt on the train ride home. I had exchanged LinkedIn details with everyone I had met to expand my professional network. My advice to all international students is to do the same as I did; attend these job fairs, approach employers and build networks. Job openings may be temporary but networks are permanent.
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