Graduation
Will University graduations be happening this year, and where can I get my graduation gown?
With the growing sense of normality returning to the high streets and other aspects of life, the question for graduates is still out there: Will University graduations be happening this year? Different Universities means different ideas Unfortunately, answering this question isn’t as easy as a simple yes or no. Different universities in the U.K have made different decisions as to whether or not they should run a physical graduation ceremony. If you wish to find your own university, you can search this list and log on to the university website. Some Universities are opting to go virtual Some have opted to play it safe, continuing with online virtual graduations, which will allow all to attend without fear of health and safety or even distance. Without travel being a viable option, these virtual alternatives allow foreign and distance learning students to participate in the ceremony. Although it will be quite different to your standard graduation, the virtual celebrations are still fun and a fantastic way for all students to come together at the end of their incredible achievements. As everything returns to normal, hybrid graduations may become standard practice. This means that students from near and far will have the opportunity to attend ceremonies and engage in different formats of graduation. A hybrid graduation ceremony also means that the doors open for guest speakers to virtually speak with graduates and connect more family and friends to observe the ceremony. Back to a physical ceremony Other universities have decided that they will go ahead with graduation ceremonies. We, for one, are incredibly excited about ceremonies coming back and feel that they are an important aspect of a students graduation and university progression. You can still expect some changes to what is deemed a regular graduation, though. Safety measures will have to be put in place, which could mean fewer people, a more staggered ceremony, fewer invitations for family members, and finally, social distancing rules and mask-wearing. Even though it won’t be the whole experience of university graduation, it will still be a chance for students and their families to celebrate the gaining of their degree, which is quite incredible considering all of the ups and downs we have experienced this last year. Do I still need a gown set? The gown is a crucial part of a students university graduation. Although it may not seem necessary in a virtual setting, it is a great way to get yourself into the atmosphere of the whole ceremony. The online environment also means that there are rarely restrictions on the number of people who can observe your graduation, meaning that as many of your family and friends as you want can watch you gain your degree. You will want to be dressed up for that. We offer fabulous graduate from home packages that are an ideal gift for those wishing to make the most of their virtual university graduation and will fully prepare your student for a memorable day. They include all the attire you need, plus beautiful graduation certificate frames to showcase your achievements on your wall. The physical graduation ceremony will require a gown as always. The only thing you have to do is decide if you are going to hire or purchase your gown. It pays to be organised with this to ensure you get the gown and mortarboard you desire. If you wish to team up with your friends, we can offer group hire for all graduation gowns and mortarboards. Make it memorable no matter the circumstance With all the hard work your student has put in, they deserve more than just a well done. They have managed to achieve their degrees with a global pandemic going on and with universities having to switch to a lot of online teaching. This extra strain on an already stressful situation deserves acknowledgement. If you want to do something special to help celebrate such an achievement, we can recommend some beautiful gifts to help your student feel special. Apart from purchasing gowns and mortarboards for your students to keep and showcase, we also offer packages that will supply them with everything they need, plus the addition of either a certificate tube or cute graduation teddy to help them remember their special day. If your graduate has decided to hire their gown and mortarboard, then perhaps a stunning frame to protect and show off their hard-earned certificates would be a great gift idea. We have both modern and traditional frames on offer, depending on what suits your student and their degree. Conclusion Despite there still being some confusion this year regarding graduations, there is one aspect that remains. Your graduate has worked hard to achieve their degree in these trying times, and they deserve the accolades more than ever. Hopefully, the loosening of restrictions is just the beginning of a return to everyday life. We will soon return to the wonderful celebrations of the achievements for students of 2022 and beyond. Graduation going ahead and looking for advice on how to prepare? Look no further than our Graduation Etiquette blog on how to prepare for your graduation day.
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Perfect Graduation Gift Ideas - Presents for your special graduate.
Perfect Graduation Gift Ideas When looking for the perfect Graduation gift ideas it is easy to get lost. What can help today’s graduates feel special and give them a lasting memory of one of the most important days of their lives? There have been some considerable changes to the way graduations have been happening due to the current global pandemic. That has thrown many a spanner in the works for students hoping to have typical celebrations while donning their gowns and mortarboards. Yet with so many graduations having to be completed digitally and some with reduced numbers, it can be disappointing for the graduate not to be able to share those memories with their family and the friends they have spent years with completing their degrees. The perfect Graduation gift can help to provide the graduates with something to remind them of this special day, but finding something memorable can be a daunting task. Stepping away from the generic gift-giving and trawling through places like Amazon for gifts can be difficult. So we have put together some ideas that will help you to give a gift and a memory. Certificate Frames Traditional A certificate frame is a perfect gift for many reasons. A traditional frame allows the graduate to showcase their achievements in the family home, own home or workspace. With our extensive range of mount board colours, you can either match the university or choose the tone favoured by your graduate. The traditional veneer frame, which is paired with a classic gold line on the inside, is perfect for any professional office or workspace. The traditional frame is also available in a dual certificate and photo frame. Modern If you wish to have a more contemporary look, our modern frames could be just the thing you are looking for. It’s clean black finish on a wooden frame, will fit any wall of a modern apartment or home. Much like its traditional predecessor, the modern frame will once again protect your certificate with its sturdy build and glass front, enabling your achievements to be displayed in style. The modern frame is also available in a dual certificate and photo frame. Graduate Certificate Folder The graduate certificate folder is a perfect way to cleanly store and preserve your certificates if you are worried about sun damage. Papers can easily get lost, crushed and ruined, especially when moving home or leaving the parents nest to start your professional career. Our folders are available in various colours, and a luxury leatherette finish will ensure your memory is kept the same as the day you received it. These folders can also look incredibly professional when bringing in your certifications to job interviews as proof for their records. The graduate certificate folder is also customisable when bought in bulk. Graduate Diploma Tube The graduate diploma tube is an attractive accessory to feature in your graduation photos and a different way to preserve your certificate for the future. Whether you have completed a degree and head out into the professional world, or decide to stay in education to achieve a Master’s or PhD, the diploma tube will safeguard your achievements through it all. With its deluxe leatherette finish, the tube is a beautiful keepsake for graduates. If you have a group of you who would like to purchase more than ten certificate tubes, then you can drop us a message as we could then look into personalising these. The personalisations would be the same on all ten tubes. Teddy Bears Who doesn’t love a teddy bear? Our graduation teddy bears are a cute keepsake to remind you of your special day whether it’s a school or university graduation. The teddy is a timeless gift that will provide love and attention for many a happy graduate. Stoles Graduation Stoles Graduation Stoles can be used for a variety of reasons. Whether it is to illustrate a specific achievement or as a symbol of gratitude, a graduation stole can embellish your traditional black gown, and be a head-turning conversation starter for all graduates. The various colours available can also signify other achievements, so make sure you do your research. For those highly decorated graduates, you may even consider the Deluxe Graduation Stole, which has a half-inch binding to elaborate their achievements further. Traditional Kente Graduation Stole If you want to add an element of vibrance to your graduation attire, then the Kente Graduation Stole is a magnificent way to show off your achievements. Adding a plethora of colour in a ghana kente fabric which has been traditionally weaved, will make you stand out of the crowd. This stole is a perfect addition to your graduation and can be used for many other special occasions. As you have seen, we have a wide variety of small and slightly larger gifts to praise students on all of the hard work they have put in over their educational journey. But we want to hear from you… Which graduation gift do you think would be fitting for the person receiving your their award? Tweet us @GraduationGown to let us know. We do, of course, have plenty of other options for great gifts in our shop. We wish you well in your future life and hope you have a happy graduation, starting many more joyous memories.
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Finding a job after you graduate - the dos and don’ts.
Finding a job after you graduate can be tough, especially in the current climate but don’t worry. We have compiled a list of dos and don’t so you can secure your post-graduate job. Applying for all jobs with the same CV and covering letter Apply for jobs that match your skillset and qualifications. Specifically, tailor your CV and skills to match those listed in the job specifications. Likewise, your covering letter may read as generic, try to mention the company name and why you were excited to see the job advert. What is about a company that makes you want to work for them? Research the brand and take onboard or comment on their values and ethos as a company. It shows your interest lies deeper than just needing a job and money, but a genuine interest in them as a business. Don’t have enough experience for the job, but can’t get the experience without the job Catch 22 for graduates, particularly difficult for graduates that started their degree courses straight after their A-Levels without a previous employer. If the job you are applying for is directly related to your field of study and the job specification as for only candidates with 2 years of previous work experience, still apply for the job. The 3-4 years of study still count as experience in your field of expertise. In your downtime, you could research free online courses that may help you bag the type of job you desire. There are plenty of courses online using companies such as Reed and Futurelearn. Only applying for the ‘perfect’ jobs Applying for jobs is a game of numbers. If you apply for only jobs that meet all your requirements you might be unemployed for a long time. You will have to broaden your criteria. When you are a graduate it is easy to feel like you have worked hard for years and deserve nothing but the best. The only issue here is that there are others, like you, who have the right degrees backed up with a few years experience doing a job that they didn’t necessarily feel was perfect. Gain experience where you can, and make the perfect job your long term goal. Virtual internships *link to virtual internships post when it’s released* Virtual internships have exploded since the pandemic and could be the perfect opportunity to get the experience you require and to also test the water to see if your desired role really is your dream job. With this evolution in the way things are done, these internships can now be done completely remotely, giving the graduates the option to work anywhere in the world and work hours that suit their needs and match their lifestyle. They are a fantastic way to gain experience. Apply for the job you want This seems to go against the grain of the previous paragraph but you miss every shot you don’t take. If you devalue your skills and only apply for entry-level positions and internships that’s where you will stay. You should still apply for all the jobs you would love. If you get rejected, request feedback. The business may not give you back anything valuable, but at the same time, they might. This sort of feedback is valuable and can help you see what the companies you are trying to break into require from you. Extracurricular work and experience is transferable Did you lead a team of volunteers on a project? This shows you have organisational and people skills. Did you contribute to a student newspaper? This shows you have time management skills and can meet deadlines. All of these extras which you may have done for fun can show off the extra time you have put it to learn new skills and keep yourself busy. Only applying for jobs online Covid willing, career fairs are excellent for meeting employers face to face. Be confident, introduce yourself, have a firm handshake and make eye contact with them during your conversation. This will leave a good impression with them, if they remember you as a bright, enthusiastic individual they’re more likely to hire you than somebody from a pile of CVs. If you cannot attend a fair due to social distancing, you can still call. Prepare some questions about the role and contact the person who is hiring. This shows willing and that you are making sure you and the business could be a good partnership. Your name will be more obvious when they are sifting through the many applications. Use your network to find a job Use your loose connections to find work. Friends or acquaintances might have a job for you or know somebody with available work. Get that friend to make an introduction and recommendation. Using social media networks like Linkedin can be unbelievably valuable. Make sure all of your experience and degrees have a prominent position. Search for brands you would like to work for and start adding people. Show off your skills and knowledge with posts relevant to your desired role. Self-regulate your online presence People let loose at university, they get drunk, embarrass themselves and somebody takes a photo of it and puts it on Facebook. A few years later an employer sees this photo when researching a candidate. Instant rejection. Set your Facebook profile to private, and moderate what you post on Facebook and Twitter. Ask yourself, would my parents be embarrassed by this status/tweet? If the answer is yes, then you should leave the ‘banter’ for offline. There is also a recent trend for medical practitioners and school teachers to replace their surnames on Facebook with an alias. It stops patients and pupils from adding/following them and separates work and personal lives. Forgetting to proof-read your application Spelling and grammar mistakes only show that you haven’t taken the time to check your work. This reflects poorly on you and will lead the employer to think you wouldn’t do a thorough job. If you wish to have a second set of eyes on your application before you send it, ask a friend or family member to have a look through. If that’s not an option, set away from your writing for a few hours then come back to it with fresh eyes. If you want to make certain that the mistakes are kept to a minimum, apps like Grammarly work as a perfect set of second eyes and is an invaluable tool. Not asking a question in the interview Always have a question prepared for the end of the interview, it shows your interest in the job and the company. An interview is a two-way process, it’s a chance for you to find out more about your potential new boss/line-manager and see if you would be happy at this job. Ask what they like about working for the company etc. If they have specific values, asking questions about them will underline that you have done your research and wish to understand them better. Write the questions down! An interview can be a stressful situation which can make you forget things. Not researching the company before your interview Always research the company, it not only helps you decide whether you will really want to work for them but when the interviewer asks you a question about the work the company does you will have an answer for them. There is nothing worse than not being able to answer a question in an interview. If they have specifics that you feel you may get asked about, write them down. This day and age a lot of initial interviews are being done on the phone or over a Zoom/Skype set up which means you can have prompts around you so you don’t get caught out. Complaining about past employers It’s like talking about an ex on your first date, don’t do it, nobody wants to hear it. Being negative about a former boss will leave an interviewer thinking one of two things; you might be a whiner and complainer rather than having a genuine dispute (they would only know your half of the story and there are always two sides to it) and they will wonder what you might say about them if you moved on from this new job. In summary All these points show us that getting a job can be an exhausting process. It can take a lot of time to get right, but we hope that if you follow these points, then you should find that the success of bagging your dream role. Just remember to be patient, thoughtful in your process and precise in your words.
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The graduates starting their careers from home. Can we work in a virtual world?
The Corona Virus or Covid-19 as some call it has thrown a spanner in the works for the most recent batch of graduates. But has this slowed them down? And Can we work in a virtual world? Growing up in a world of social media and other digital platforms, the graduates of today are well versed in the virtual world, and thus it seemed to be an easy transition to virtual graduations. As seen in our previous blog, 9 out of 10 graduates would attend virtually rather than not at all. But what comes next? Virtual Graduation Offering a solution, we are now hosting virtual graduation ceremonies as a way to stave off feelings of FOMO and ultimately commemorate what should still be a special day. With the virtual graduation software, an ingenious program built to create a lasting memory. Allowing the most important day in a students life, their graduation ceremony, to remain while so many other events have been forced into closure. The Evess digital platform has allowed students to have an enhanced experience of what would otherwise have potentially been lost. With this platform, students and alumni alike can get involved in creating something truly special. Students can submit their portraits, clad in their finest robes and mortarboards, to be uploaded into a virtual class photo that sees them placed in front of their university campus. The platform will also allow for a far more inclusive graduation ceremony. Enabling international students, and those who perhaps struggle to stand in front of crowds, to get involved and communicate with their counterparts from anywhere in the world. So no one has to feel left out. The alumni centre feature allows the students to answer three memorable questions and then add their Linkedin profiles to create a live class yearbook which will then be available for download. The live chat feature brings the students and alumni together, so they can all communicate, share memories and excitement in a central and safe space. Inclusivity is paramount to the creation of special moments and will enable friends and tutors alike to share the experiences and recollection of the happy and stressful moments they had while gaining their degrees. Designed to always have a physical counterpart in the real world, in addition to a virtual hat-throw and class photo, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips in the sleeves of the gowns are scanned before going on stage — so when the chancellor shakes your hand, your picture is taken and automatically goes online within ten seconds. Your graduation day can be something special, and this new virtual world means you can invite all of your friends and loved ones while relieving the anxiety of standing in front of a crowd. The next step – virtual internships. As for the next stage in their careers, remote work opportunities for 2020 graduates have multiplied. Back in May, the company Virtual Internships saw a 6470% year-on-year increase in applications from 34 in 2019, to 2234 applications in 2020. One of the universities that jumped on board with the virtual internships program was Birmingham. They were initially offered 30 internship spots, but after receiving nearly 1000 applications, they decided to fund an additional 50 places. The high demand showing the huge potential for growth within the sector. Virtual Internships are looking to facilitate 5000 more virtual internships in the next 12 months. What do virtual internships do? They have built a range of opportunities explicitly built around the needs and requirements of a differing variety of students. Offering internships of anything between 1 and 4 months, with hours varying between 10, 20 or 30 hours per week, they have created a system that can suit anyone. Understanding the needs of the students is paramount and they seemed to have that in mind when putting together these opportunities. Some students cannot give full-time hours, having either university or work in their spare time. But they shouldn’t have to miss out, so Virtual Internships have made sure that there is potential for everyone, by supporting their current commitments and offering flexible hours of work. The Slack software allows the interns to be part of a group. It is easy to feel isolated in this current global pandemic, but creating a virtual community has helped to ease some of that and has opened the door to an international working environment. Bringing 70 countries together as a community has helped create a truly international vibe. How does it help both students and businesses alike? The pandemic had initially threatened to ruin the opportunity for internships for both students and businesses. Yet, we have found that it has enabled the world an opportunity to experience how successful a virtual working environment can be. Virtual internships have created exactly that, a place for students and businesses to interact globally and provide both industry exposure and experience to those who may have otherwise missed out. Although a lot of students are well versed in a virtual world, it has proven that businesses can remain creative, still onboard staff and interact with them accordingly using platforms such as these, opening the doors to international collaboration and internships that benefit students and businesses all over the world. The Do’s and Don’ts of applying for a virtual internship Research your desired career path and job role. Be thorough in everything you do. Plan your application. Study it first and see what they will require from you. Be realistic about the time you can give. Don’t take on too much and leave yourself stressed. Think global – In a virtual world, you have no constraints. Be professional and don’t be afraid to showcase your talents. Here is what students think Intern Testimonial – Georgina Bissett (University of Birmingham) Intern Testimonial – Nathan Moorse (University of Kansas) Here is how interns have helped businesses Host Company Profile – Leiho Host Company Profile – Moripesh Bridging the Covid-19 employment gap Covid-19, if anything positive is going to be taken out of a dire situation, has given us the chance to explore and be creative. In some cases, it has enabled people to bring their ideas into fruition. Graduates have been pushing the boundaries and creating small businesses all over the globe. With a major shift into looking online and buying from local businesses, it has permitted people to use their spare time to be creative and produce something of their own. Graduates like Beatriz struggled to find a job or gain an internship, and with the global pandemic putting her in full lockdown, she looked outside the box for gaining employment. After completing her Masters and finishing a Reiki practitioners course, she went about sharing her findings, along with inspirational quotes, to her social media channels. This was the birthplace of her Mindful Wellness website. She used her knowledge and skills learned at University to utilised her spare time to create a job role for herself. Starting a business which not only made her happy but was hers. At Hedgehog Digital, it has been business as usual, and there is no immediate reason for employees to rush back to the office which is based in Hayle, Cornwall. Hedgehog has embraced this new world with great ease. Most of the platforms that they used were already on digital platforms, so the transition was easy. In fact, Hedgehog has employed a further 3 members of staff during the current pandemic who have all had swift and seamless introductions into the company. It seems the general consensus is that working from home is a breeze, and Coronavirus has perhaps only sped up what was already an incentive for us to slow down. But while the breathing space has been beneficial, there are certainly some that look forward to a day in the office and face to face contact once more. Is this an evolution in the working environment? The pandemic has brought with it many changes in our regular lifestyle. Where the older generations may struggle to grasp this new thinking regarding remote working, the younger generations have taken it in their stride. Having opened the eyes of many businesses, this situation has caused them to rethink strategies that were once thought of as unviable. The chaos of the pandemic has altered our views of how we must work and educate, proving that a virtual way of life could no longer be that of fiction, but something that we have all had to adapt to. The option for virtual events, be it classrooms, graduations, or employment, has paved the way for a future which stops seeing cancellations and starts seeing a future outside the box, but inside your homes.
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Make the Most of your Virtual Graduation Celebration
There’s no getting away from it, graduation celebrations are looking a little different in 2020 than anyone expected. With social distancing measures in place, many universities have postponed their physical celebrations until 2021. But, just because physical ceremonies aren’t possible right now, doesn’t mean you should miss out on celebrating your achievements this summer. An at-home virtual graduation can provide the perfect opportunity for a celebration with your friends, faculty and family. At Evess, we’ve developed a platform for institutions to help their students celebrate their achievements during lockdown. Graduations.LIVE is an interactive platform for graduates to celebrate their achievements. With features such as GradClip, where students can record a customised video clip about their university experience and a Digital Hat Throw to take part in the graduation right of passage, Graduations.LIVE is a fantastic way to celebrate your graduation this year. But, if your institution hasn’t signed up for Graduations.LIVE yet, or if you want to make the day of your virtual graduation celebration even more special, there are some great ways you can mark the occasion and create a day you’ll remember for a lifetime! So, read on to find out our top tips to create a home graduation celebration to remember. Start the day right Start your home graduation day off in style with a celebratory breakfast. Whether you go for the full English, a continental spread or your favourite brunch option, making an effort on the morning of your graduation can help you get into the mindset of the graduation festivities. Even though you’re having to celebrate at home until physical ceremonies are rearranged, your graduation day is still a special day and it’s important to do things a little differently to mark the occasion. So, for an extra special treat to kick start your home graduation celebration, why not pop open a bottle of prosecco or champagne and mix with orange juice for a breakfast mimosa? Or, if you’re not in the mood for fizz first thing in the morning, freshly squeezed juice or a smoothie can make a great accompaniment to your celebratory graduation breakfast meal. Dress the part Once you’ve filled up on a hearty and fancier than usual breakfast, it’s time to get ready for your graduation celebration day! Over the last few months, the lockdown has led to lots of us embracing our jogging bottoms, stretchy leggings and baggy t-shirts and forgoing anything remotely formal. But, whether your university is hosting a virtual ceremony or not, it’s still fun to get dressed up to mark the occasion on your graduation day. This isn’t just an average day, it’s a chance for you to reflect and celebrate all your achievements throughout your time at university. So, just as you would dress smartly under your graduation gown at a regular ceremony, why not pull together an outfit that feels a little smarter than your average lockdown attire. It’ll help you to feel in the celebratory spirit! You could even go all out with a home graduation package and don a graduation hat and gown for the day and get your family or housemates to take some lockdown themed graduation pictures! How about styling up your graduation cap and gown with your trusty fluffy slippers and Netflix playing in the background? Get the whole family involved Of course, one of the best things about graduation is sharing your achievements with your family. They’ve avidly followed your progression throughout your time at university, from homesick fresher to elated final year submitting your last assessments. Your family has been watching you grow and develop into the confident, capable graduate that you are now and so it’s natural that they’d want to be a part of your graduation day celebrations. The wonderful thing about modern technology is that, even if you can’t physically be with your family for your graduation celebration, you can still virtually celebrate together. If your university is hosting a Graduations.LIVE celebration, then your family can join in the celebrations within the platform. But, even if you’re creating your own day of celebration without the Graduations.LIVE platform, your family can still be a huge part of your day. Hosting a virtual get together via a group video call platform can be a great way to get the whole family together for a celebration. You could arrange a quiz themed around your time at university, test them all on their knowledge of your degree subject or simply have a big catch up where everyone can offer their congratulations! Check-in with your classmates Of course, your time at university wouldn’t have been half as enjoyable if it wasn’t for the friends you picked up along the way. You and your classmates were there for each other at every step of the way throughout your degree. From the first group projects where you tentatively shared ideas over a coffee in the SU to the depths of deadline delirium as you helped each other cram in the library, you’ve built a relationship with your classmates that will last a lifetime. So, why not check in with them during your home graduation celebration day? Drinks over a group video call might not be exactly how you were expecting to commemorate your graduation day with your classmates, but it can be a great stopgap until you can all get together in person to reminisce about your university experience. However you spend your graduation this year, remember that although it may be different from how you’d initially imagined, you’ve achieved something amazing. You deserve to celebrate your achievements and mark the occasion until you can have a physical ceremony next year. So, from everyone at Evess and Graduation Attire, we’d like to send a huge congratulations to you, the graduating class of 2020; well done!
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Graduation Day online. Easy virtual solution
Universities across the country have had to cancel their physical graduation ceremonies for 2020 as a result of the social distancing measures imposed to combat COVID-19. This has left the 2020 graduating class without the ability to celebrate their graduation with their peers. Working in the graduation sector, we know how disappointing that must be for universities and students. So, we conducted a survey to try and get a clearer understanding of graduates’ views on graduations in 2020. We wanted to know what these graduates thought about their own ceremonies and, importantly, what they felt about a digital alternative to physical graduations in the form of virtual graduation ceremonies. Student views on graduations in 2020 The goal of this research was to test student opinions of virtual graduation ceremonies as an alternative solution while it is not possible to hold physical ceremonies. Surveying previous graduates allowed us to get the opinion of students who had experienced a physical graduation ceremony and could compare this with their experience of the virtual graduation ceremony platform. 91% of survey respondents attended their physical graduation ceremony in their graduating year, and 50% rated their physical ceremony as excellent. A virtual solution to the graduation problem Part of our motivation for undertaking this research, beyond trying to get to know our customers better, was to test the waters for student interest in virtual graduations. At Evess, to try and give students the celebration they deserve this year, we have developed a simple to use, fully customisable digital platform for universities and institutions to host virtual graduation ceremonies. Allowing this year’s graduating students to still celebrate their achievements despite social distancing measures Therefore, the survey dedicated questions to finding out more about what graduates knew about virtual ceremonies and investigating how well our platform was received as a virtual solution when compared to the graduates’ physical ceremonies. Student views on virtual graduation ceremonies Our research found that 58% of graduates had heard of virtual ceremonies prior to completing the survey. And, when asked if they would have attended a virtual ceremony if it weren’t possible to host a physical ceremony, 88.9% of respondents said they would be likely or very likely to attend. When shown a preview of the Evess virtual graduation ceremony platform, 54.6% of survey respondents rated the platform as good to excellent for ease of use, design and functionality. One opportunity afforded by virtual graduation ceremonies, that’s not possible with physical ceremonies, is the ability to attend from anywhere in the world and host unlimited guests. When asked to rate the features of the virtual graduation platform, 85.3% of respondents said the most attractive thing about virtual ceremonies was the ability to invite unlimited friends and family. Overall the research we conducted revealed that, according to past graduates, the Evess virtual graduation platform is an excellent alternative to traditional ceremonies while physical gatherings are impossible. And, if institutions were to hold virtual ceremonies for the 2020 graduating class, there would be substantial interest from students to attend and make the most of the platform.
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Announcement: Kent & Medway Apprentice Graduation Ceremony Goes Virtual
We’ve had an astounding amount of interest in our Graduations.LIVE virtual graduation platform and we’re proud to say that Kent and Medway Apprentice Graduation Working Group have partnered with ourselves to recognise their students’ achievements this October. Graduation Attire has always been focused on celebrating achievement and due to the necessary restrictions caused by COVID-19 we have developed a new virtual graduation platform to ensure that no achievement goes unmarked this year. We’ll be partnering with Kent and Medway Apprentice Graduation Working Group to deliver a ceremony that still has the aspects that made their first ceremony in 2019 so great including their amazing guest speakers, whilst providing additional content to give students a day that will last in their memories and across their social media! The Graduations.LIVE platform gives more than just a ceremony online but also includes a number of digital activities graduates can participate in to reminisce on their journey in the build up to their big day. Martin Lewis, Managing Director of Graduation Attire who are hosting the virtual event, said, “We’re thrilled to be helping Kent and Medway celebrate the hard earned achievements of their graduates this October. We’ve put in a lot of thought into how we can make this a memorable event for everyone and produced an intuitive platform that we are incredibly proud of.” Paul Winter, a member of the Kent and Medway Apprentice Graduation Working Group project team and chairman of Wire Belt, explained: “Last year we were lucky enough to congratulate 100 apprentices in Rochester Cathedral together with their employers, friends and family but due to COVID-19 this no longer seems viable. “We were determined to continue to show our support of apprenticeships so we are pleased to say we will adapt and hold a virtual celebration on Friday 2nd October..” If you want to make sure your graduates have an opportunity to celebrate you can see what we can deliver on our website you can discover more on our website or book a demo today
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Want to Host a Virtual Graduation Ceremony? Introducing Graduations.Live
Giving Students a Virtual Graduation Ceremony Experience In our previous blog, we mentioned that one trend we’re seeing for 2020 graduations is the virtual graduation ceremony. And we’ve been working on a project to help universities celebrate their students’ success despite the lack of physical graduations. Introducing: Graduations.Live the virtual graduation experience that recreates the magic of the live Graduation ceremony for students with their families and friends at home. Graduations.Live is a platform for universities to host their virtual graduation ceremonies this summer until they can have their physical ones at a later date. We believe that Graduations.Live reaches, engages and congratulates students in a way that marks their achievement in style. From the New School One thing that was clear during our research was that a virtual graduation ceremony was never going to replace a physical one, no matter the intriguing headlines we have seen online. We embraced that fact and thought of a different way for students to celebrate both the connections with fellow students and lecturers and their achievements with friends and families. In short, it’s about engaging with the students and creating a sharable experience online that marks the milestone for both the faculty and the graduates. With Graduations.Live, this is achieved through exclusive digital content and a store where students can purchase graduation attire and university memorabilia. Graduations.Live has also been designed to be a place for students to return to and communicate with old classmates, with the platform becoming an Alumni network where students can connect their LinkedIn profiles and re-engage with old classmates. Those were the principles we developed the platform on. Hitting the E-books It was important to us that universities could easily adopt the platform and manage it alongside their many other responsibilities. We have developed Graduations.Live to be intuitive to use, with a simple and easy setup to choose colours and logos to match your corporate branding. There is also a simple upload functionality allowing you to add videos, countdowns to ceremonies and activities such as quiz questions. These activities act as a build-up of anticipation to the virtual graduation ceremony as they share memories and more. How the virtual graduation ceremony takes place is up to each individual university. Some may opt for recordings of speeches made ahead of the time, while others will choose to live stream the occasion. At Graduations.Live, we will do what we can to accommodate each requirement. Whichever method Universities choose, a primary benefit of virtual ceremonies is that students have an uncapped number of family and friends able to join them in their celebrations. Show & Tell Naturally, the visuals included in a Graduations.Live platform has to be a strong reflection of a university’s reputation. So, we have made every effort to ensure the visuals capabilities allow you to showcase the best image of your institution. As well as having engaging visuals, we wanted to amplify the experience for students through unique content that can be shared online to showcase both their achievements and build greater awareness of the University. These activities are: Grad Clip – A branded sharable video that uses student information and collated images to create a video of their journey at the University. Class Photo – Students submit photos of themselves that are then stitched together with the rest of their graduating class. Digital Hat Throw – Self-recorded videos of students throwing their mortarboards in the air can be combined side-by-side then shared online. Graduation Store – The store will be open for students to purchase graduation and University memorabilia to be delivered to their chosen address. Alumni Centre – After completing a form from the University, students can see a ‘live’ class yearbook that updates as students change jobs on LinkedIn. We’re also working on some other additions that are expected to launch later in 2020: Quiz – In the build-up to the virtual graduation ceremony, students can test their knowledge with quizzes created by the University and compete via a virtual leaderboard. Photo Mosaic – As students submit photos of themselves in real or digital graduation attire, their photo is added to a grid that slowly reveals a larger hero image e.g. a University landmark. Mortarboard Challenge – Whether students customise their physical mortarboards or edit one captured via augmented reality, they can upload their images for all students and choose their favourite designs. Virtual Reunions – Part of the Alumni Centre includes the ability to host virtual reunions for students that can involve industry talks, live quizzes and more. The Important Bit – Pricing Naturally, this a new area for Universities. So, we’ve ensured what we deliver is respectful of both budgets and the quality of the platform. There are two elements to the pricing of Graduations.Live: Initial Setup Fee and Sign Up Fee. The Initial Setup is per graduation event and includes all the ceremonies that take place during those number of days. It also includes the first year of an annual subscription which allows for the existence of future ceremonies and the integrated Alumni Centre & e-Yearbook which pulls data from LinkedIn. The Sign Up Fee is calculated per student registered on the platform. To give an example, a University that had 3,000 registered students would be quoted: Initial Set Up Fee: £3,000 Sign Up Fee (x3000): £6,000 Total £9,000(+VAT) If you would like to learn more about the Graduations.Live platform, you can watch our recent webinar or contact us today
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Home Graduations - How to Celebrate During Lockdown
If you’re getting caught up in not knowing what is going on, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Amongst the many things the education institutions are currently deciding on is what changes to graduation ceremonies are going to take place. One thing we want especially to praise the schools and universities for is the work they are doing to not let the current situation deter students from taking their next step once they complete their course, making sure that the support is there for students. We believe in celebrating achievement no matter what and are ready to support the schools, colleges and universities with what actions they decide to take. Looking across the pond, we’ve got an idea of how students might be celebrating this summer and that is by having themselves an at-home graduation. Virtual Now, Physical Later Some Universities in the UK are already having virtual graduations where the students stay home and join via video conferencing. This has mainly been for medical students so they can join the NHS workforce. However, they intend to hold physical ones with the full pomp and circumstance at a later date. This may be what other Universities & Colleges do as not everyone can go down the Sims, Minecraft or robot route. Instead, the organisers will stream the event with the students’ names being called out with their image and music. You can even look the part by wearing the attire from one of our Home Graduation Packs. Alternatively, you can even stream your ceremony with your family presenting you your very own custom-designed certificate. It can even be in Comic Sans! The Home Graduation After Party Following a virtual ceremony, it only makes sense to have a virtual after-party next. There are a multitude of sellers online offering home decorations for graduations, there’s been an increase in “Honk for the Grad” signs appearing online if you want to get the outside world involved in your celebrations. The most important thing, of course, is getting together with friends on video chat apps and playing a series of Graduation Games, we would recommend ‘Are You Smarter Than A Graduate?” if you want to show off to your parents. Also, if you did treat yourself to one of our Home Graduation Packs then that means the cap and graduation gown are yours to customise as you see fit. Whether it’s covering the cap in Batman stickers are adding punk rock spikes, make the look your own. Charities With the current situation, we felt it important to highlight some of the important work others are doing on getting everyone through the situation as quickly and safely as we can. Over on our store, we are donating 10% of all sales to the FeedTheNHS fund as a way of thanking them for their hard work. We are also involved with brthe. who are raising funds to provide care homes and workers with the protective supplies they are in need. If you are able to provide support, you can do so via their gofundme. Whatever you do, we at Graduation Attire hope you take the time to celebrate your achievements however you can.
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Make Graduation Ceremonies Your Own with the Home Graduation Package
All You Need For a Home Graduation With the global COVID-19 impact still being felt, we know that graduation is only one of many important life milestones that have been affected. Students who have had their graduations cancelled are either unsure when their ceremonies are happening or are unable to attend their rescheduled dates. Whilst this is difficult, we at Graduation Attire have noticed a number of determined students hosting their own “Home Graduations” with their families. This has been really positive as students can still have their official-looking graduation photographs by themselves along with their families. And we have the Home Graduation Package so they can achieve this. Whether you’re just after a mortarboard cap or the full graduation gown set and certificate experience you can make the graduation ceremony your own. Get Everyone Involved with Virtual Graduations Although we know people haven’t stopped with just home ceremonies. Plenty of other students are showing their creative home graduations online. Whether it’s the flawless entrance or capturing the iconic handshake moment, students have been sharing their virtual graduations with their friends online. Our Home Graduation Packages will give you the authentic look. We’d also love to see your online graduations! Tag us on the socials or use the hashtag #GACeremony Take Pride Wearing our Eco-Friendly Gowns We know we’re not the only graduation gown supplier in town, but you can take in pride that any home ceremony using our gowns will also be a Green one! Our gowns are eco-friendly due to the material, EnviroThread, being made from recycled plastics. The future requires us to make better choices for the environment and we know the impact manufacturing has. So even in these trying times, we refuse to compromise our values. Make your home graduation an official Green Graduation and explorer our Home Graduation Packages today.
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What To Wear Under Your Graduation Gown
After 3 years of hard work and dedication the day has arrived. Graduation is a day to be proud, so you want to look your best not only for your ceremony but also for your photographs. We hope that each and every one of you will get the chance to attend your graduation and below are some tips to consider when deciding what to wear.
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Your graduation ceremony survival guide for a day to remember
From de-mystifying graduation gowns, to discussing how to wear the cap and hood and where to put your mobile phone during the ceremony, we’ve got all your graduation day dilemmas covered!
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