Lauren Ferguson – Career Development Adviser

Career Development Centre Lauren Ferguson – Career Development Adviser @LaurenF_Careers

What stage are you at? • I have definite career plans and know how to achieve them • I have some ideas but am not sure what to do next • I have a few vague ideas • I am in denial...

Options with English

However…. • Many graduate jobs are available to graduates from any subject area, provided you can show you have the relevant skills or undertake further study. • Some examples include: Law, Accountancy, Management, Marketing, PR, Civil Service, Local Government, Banking, Insurance, Teaching, Social Work, Police, Human Resources, Retail Management, Hospitality Management, Youth and Community work…..

Skills for your CV • Independent working • Time management and organisation • Planning and researching • Articulating knowledge and understanding of texts, concepts and theories • Leading and participating in discussions • Negotiation and team working • Effectively conveying arguments and opinions • Thinking creatively • Using your judgement • Critical reasoning and analysis • Using IT

Transferable Skills • Problem Solving • Team Working • Communication • Presentation • IT • Interpersonal • Work under pressure • Motivation • Leadership • Customer Service • Commercial/Business awareness • Flexibility • Initiative • Commitment

What graduate employers say: “If we recruited on the basis of degree level, we’d just use a computer but we’re looking for examples of leadership, teamwork and commercial awareness which are usually found in extra curricular activities and work experience. In short your degree alone won’t get you a job. You need work experience too.” Tim Forster, Head of Resourcing PricewaterhouseCoopers

What graduate employers say: “….we look for graduates who can bring more to the table than pure academics. Typically, the graduates who shine have work or life experience which differentiates them from other applicants” Gaynor Sykes, Graduate Resourcing Manager, Vodafone UK

Planning for the future Start building your CV and range of experience. • Part-time job • Work shadowing • Work or study abroad • Internships (apply early!) • Volunteer at home or abroad • Career Planning and Work Experience modules • Use the Job Shop: www.jobshop.stir.ac.uk • Membership of university clubs and societies • Get involved in events or projects, e.g. fundraising

Vacancy Service In 2012/13 the service advertised: • 5919 graduate job vacancies • 682 work experience opportunities • 389 part-time jobs Make sure your email preferences are up-to-date! http://www.stir.prospects.ac.uk/

Work Experience Module • PDM9AL • Full module • 30 hours of graduate-level work experience with a local charitable or voluntary organisation. • 40 hours of work in all. 30 of these are spent on placement, and 10 hours are spent in class sessions run by the Career Development Centre

Stirling Internships • Paid internships with small to medium sized local employers • Great opportunity to work for a growing business • Gain experience and become more employable

Graduate Internships Just a couple of examples, lots more job hunting advice available, talk to an adviser! • ScotGrad • Placements all over Scotland including central belt • 6-12 months, may be taken on if it goes well! • http://www.scotgrad.co.uk/ • Adopt an Intern • http://www.adoptanintern.org.uk/adopt-an-intern.html • 3-12 months • Placements across all sectors – public and private sector and charitable organisations

Beware of your online presence! • Employers are very likely to google applicants • What will they find if they search for you? • Create a LinkedIn professional profile • Make private anything you don’t want an employer to see

Employer survey • 69% have rejected a candidate because of what they saw about them on a social networking site. • 68% have hired a candidate because of what they saw about them on a social networking site. www.reppler.com

Postgraduate Study Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas (PgCert/Dip) Often combines a theoretical background with practical/vocational preparation for a particular career, such as teaching or librarianship. Taught Higher Degrees - Masters (MSc/MA/MPhil/MRes) Most are full time taught courses, usually a minimum 2:1 is required Higher Degrees by Research - Masters (MSc/MA/MPhil) and Doctorates (PhD/DPhil) In-depth study of an academic subject, usually linked to your first degree subject. Normally takes 1-2 years for a Masters, and 3 or more for a doctorate (PhD).

How can we help? • Career advice and guidance • CV & application advice • Interview practice • Assessment centre advice • Job searching strategies • Employer talks • 20 minute bite-size skills workshops: interview techniques, social media, online testing, applications , CVsetc

Career Development Centre • Room 3A1 Cottrell Building • Open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday • Drop in careers advice available 11am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday • Bookable appointments also available www.stir.ac.uk/careers www.facebook.com/cdcstirling @cdcstirling @LaurenF_Careers

Lauren Ferguson – Career Development Adviser