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sheffield.ac.uk/careers

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

  2. “Over half 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.”“..over a third of this year’s entry-level positions will be filled by graduates who have already worked for their organisation”High Fliers, January 2013 (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 Skill development (personal effectiveness, IT, business driven skills Innovation (produce novel ideas, generate options and alternatives) Business awareness EG: What do AstraZeneca want? Technical skills Analytical thinking diagnosis & developing solutions Team Players (who can make a difference) Enthusiasm & Drive (good ideas depend on good people)

  6. Some options .... Summer 2014 apply at start of L2! • 1-year placement in industry (DEE, Helen Thorpe) • 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. What career? Course-related? Other? Test various options? Careers with my degree: www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/degree/bms Talk to your tutor Talk to a Careers Adviser Practicalities Duration, location, finance… Enjoyment Which should I choose?

  8. Finding work experience Explore a combination of: • Advertised opportunities • Speculative approaches • Using your network of contacts • Schemes for BMS students: • DEE • Summer Studentships

  9. Advertised opportunities • My Vacancies: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/jobs • Searchable job site • The Sheffield Internship Scheme • OnCampus Placements • Links to other useful websites: www.careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/infotree/EmployersandVacancies.php • Your academic department • Trade directories, magazines, journals eg: New Scientist • Professional associations and learned societies • www.bioscience.heacademy.ac.uk/ftp/events/dlforum07/studentships.pdf • Company/organisations websites • Internet search • Ask at the Careers Service….

  10. 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

  11. Identifying organisations to approach • Occupational profiles: www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm (‘Employers & vacancy sources’) and at targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/ • Directory of British Associations eg, ABPI • Careers Service information resources: www.careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/infotree/CareersIn.php • Yellow Pages – www.yell.com • Google • Your networks……

  12. Networking for success Do some research & get talking: • Tutors and lecturers • Neighbours, friends, acquaintances – join University and/or other clubs and societies • Careers Service events eg, fairs, panels, networking • Join ‘professional’ societies (eg, Society of Biology; Students In Free Enterprise - SIFE) • Attend conferences / open days / networking events • Go to trade fairs • Work shadowing • Social media

  13. Social media - LinkedIn • Set up your online profile (like a CV) • Search for people you know (family, friends, colleagues) • Join relevant groups (professional contacts / group discussion) • Search for companies (vital stats / employee profiles / employees’ group membership) • Search for work experience www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/gettingajob/media

  14. Other social media Twitter • Follow professionals / organisations of interest (gather useful information) • Look for job ads and work experience • Re-tweet and comment on hot topics (develop a professional reputation) Facebook • Search for pages and groups by specific graduate recruiters, career sectors, careers services and jobs • ‘like’ employers you are interested in and take an active involvement in their Facebook page What’s your digital footprint like?

  15. Degree with Employment Experience • 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 • Many don’t accept applications after end November 2013 www.shef.ac.uk/placements/students Qs? Drop-in with Helen Thorpe (Careers Service) Tues & Thurs 1-2pm

  16. Organisations targeting University of Sheffield students

  17. Work experience abroad? my International career www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/inter

  18. 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 • Application reviews available Careers Service

  19. Make the most of work experience Skills for Work Certificate: www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/advice/sfwc The Sheffield Graduate Award: www.shef.ac.uk/thesheffieldgraduateaward

  20. Other activities to develop your skills • Skills for Success: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/advice/sfs • USE: enterprise.shef.ac.uk/ • Experience Sheffield: www.shef.ac.uk/experience • Taste of Work: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/tasteofwork • Ask in your Department

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

  22. Where to find us….. Careers Service - 388 Glossop Road (behind SU building) Open 9am - 5pm Mon to Fri (11am – 5pm Tues) Student Jobshop – 285 Glossop Rd (temp. move) Open 10am – 3pm Mon to Fri (11am – 3pm Tues) www.shef.ac.uk/careers www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers

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