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sheffield.ac.uk/careers

Finding career and course-related work experience. CAREERS SERVICE. What BMS students need to know. Alison Clay, Careers Adviser Dr Louise Robson, Dept of BMS. www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers.

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sheffield.ac.uk/careers

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  1. Finding career and course-related work experience CAREERS SERVICE What BMS students need to know Alison Clay, Careers Adviser Dr Louise Robson, Dept of BMS www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers

  2. “Nearly two-thirds of recruiters warn that graduates who have had no previous work experience at all are unlikely to be successful during the selection process and have little or no chance of receiving a job offer for their organisations’ graduate programmes.”High Fliers, January 2011 (survey of The Times Top 100 employers) • ‘Expectation’ • Gives you an edge - degree alone is not enough • Develop technical & transferable skills • Commercial / organisational awareness • Make valuable contacts • Find out what you do / don’t want to do • Putting learning into practice • Earn ££ (hopefully) • Enjoyable 

  3. EG application / interview questions • Of the work experience (you have already gained) which did you enjoy the most and why? What did you learn from it? • Please describe key situations where you have worked as part of a team, your contribution and the difference you personally made. • Highlight your contribution to an event or project, detailing how you resolved problems encountered and ensured a successful completion.

  4. Employers wish-list • Technical, workplace or discipline-specific skills • Transferable skills / attributes: common sense; curiosity; communication; commercial awareness; initiative; creativity; interpersonal; teamwork; negotiation; networking; self-management; self-motivation; problem-solving; confidence & assertiveness; flexibility; willingness to learn

  5. Commitment to core values Innovation (produce novel ideas, generate options and alternatives) Skill development (personal effectiveness, IT, business driven skills EG: What do AstraZeneca want? Technical skills Business awareness Analytical thinking diagnosis & developing solutions Team Players (who can make a difference) Enthusiasm & Drive (good ideas depend on good people)

  6. Some options .... Summer 2012 - apply at start of L2! • Year long placement in industry (Claire Brooke) • Summer internships (lab or otherwise) • Lab based work experience ( Dr Louise Robson) • Organise own ‘placement’ This summer / other time - boost your CV • Work shadowing and insight days • Volunteering • Part time / temp. work • Clubs & societies / other extra curricular • Organise your own ‘placement’

  7. Which should I choose? What career? • Course-related? Other? • Test various options? • Careers with my degree: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/bms • Talk to your tutor • Exploring careers: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/options.html Practicalities • Duration, location, finance… Enjoyment

  8. Advertised opportunities • My Vacancies – ‘Careers’ tab in MUSE or www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/jobs • Links to other useful websites: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/jobs/tips.html • ‘Where to look’ series – from Careers Service • Devoted publications: Prospects Work Experience, Target Work Experience – from Careers Service • Your academic department • Trade directories, magazines, journals • Professional Associations • Internet search • Company/organisations websites • Ask at the Careers Service….

  9. Create your own opportunity • Identify: Type, where, when and for how long? Sector? Role? Paid? Other criteria? • Identify: appropriate organisations and named contact • Target CVs and covering letters to named contact • Follow-up named contact after 3-4 weeks www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/jobs/tips.html

  10. Identifying organisations to approach • Occupational profiles: www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm • Directory of British Associations eg, ABPI • Careers Service information resources: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/options.html • SYBEN (inc. SMEs): www.syben.org.uk/usefullinks.htm • Sheffield Technology Parks: www.shefftechparks.com • Key British Enterprises • Business search engine - www.kompass.com • Yellow Pages – www.yell.com • Your networks • Universities • Hospitals

  11. Degree with Employment Experience • Include a 1 year placement as part of your degree, making it a 4 year degree • Placement taken after year 2 • Placement must contribute to learning outcome of your degree and be approved • You are responsible for finding placement ( with support from the Careers Service) • 2.1 or above • Most don’t accept applications after end November www.shef.ac.uk/placements/students

  12. Organisations targeting University of Sheffield students

  13. Opportunities for placements • Talk: Thurs 31st March at 11am in Biology LT1 • Visit www.shef.ac.uk/bms/undergrad/placements/ and www.sheffield.ac.uk/placements/students for more general information • Inform Dr Susan Smith in BMS if considering DEE (Sue.Smith@sheffield.ac.uk) • Contact your personal tutor – you may need an academic reference for some placements • Attend drop in session in Careers Service Tuesday & Thursdays 1-2pm (Claire Brooke)

  14. Applying for work experience • Make it professional and effective! • PUT YOURSELF IN THE EMPLOYER’S SHOES: show you are a good match by demonstrating your skills, interests, qualifications – research employer / industry, and what you have to offer • General tips: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/gettingajob • Applications reviews available Careers Service

  15. Worried about your lack of skills?No examples to give to employers? Skills for Work Certificate • Recognition for your work experience (paid or unpaid) • Reflection on the skills you have developed • Endorsed by major graduate employers • Can count towards The Sheffield Graduate Award • NOW taking registrations for briefing sessions in Semester Two Find out more and register for the programme at:www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/advice/sfwc.html

  16. www.shef.ac.uk/thesheffieldgraduateaward The Sheffield Graduate Award • Recognise skills and experience from: • Student jobs and work experience • Volunteering • Enterprise • Activities supporting the institution • Social and cultural awareness • Extending international horizons

  17. Handout: Finding work experience – Information for BMS students

  18. Where to find us….. Careers Service - 388 Glossop Road (behind SU building) Open 9am - 5pm Mon to Fri (11am – 5pm Tues) CAREERS SERVICE Student Jobshop - Students’ Union Building Open 10am – 3pm Mon to Fri (11am – 3pm Tues) www.shef.ac.uk/careers www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers

  19. Dr Louise RobsonDept of Biomedical Science

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