CAREER PLANNING
Career Planning Action Introduction There are a number of elements involved in career planning and it is worth finding out about this process and how it will help you plan your next step. The diagram below shows the main elements of career planning This booklet has been designed for you to work through, answer questions and make notes. It will give you action points for each of the below elements to assist with your career planning.
“A goal without a plan is just a wish�
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1. Know yourself FIRST you first need to know what you have already achieved and what skills and abilities you already have. Knowing this will help you decide what you can and want to do as a career.
“Self-knowledge is the beginning of Self-improvement” Skills Assessment Gaining employability skills is a continuous process and you will have gained skills from all areas of your life: §
Work
§
Study
§
Personal life
How to identify and assess your skills? Take a look at the following online tools:-· §
National Careers Service Skills Health Check Tools - https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
§
Creative Skill Set - http://www.creativeskillset.org/careers/getting_in/
If you need further help you can contact bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk for a careers advice appointment.
When to assess your skills? §
Any time during your career to identify your skills/experience and to highlight any gaps or improvements you may need
§
When applying for a job.
Once you have identified the skills the employer is looking for, you can then use the tools to help you identify your skills and examples of when you have used those skills.
The table on the next page is an idea of how you can organise your education, experience and skills.
Page |3 Section 1: Qualifications Subject
Grade
When taken
Institution/school
DEGREE
A LEVELS
GCSEs
Other Further / Higher Education i.e. computer course, coaching course, NVQ
SECTION 2: Achievements and Awards Type
Achievement/Award
Date Received
Institution
Page |4 SECTION 3: Work Experience (paid and voluntary) Job Title
Employer
Dates of
Brief description of duties
Reason for leaving
employment
SECTION 4: YOUR CURRENT COURSE Skills and knowledge gained during your current course of study Course Title: Year: Module Studied
Skills
knowledge
Work experience gained as part of your course Job Title
Employer
Dates of work experience
Brief description of duties
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2. Research your options NEXT Research what is available by exploring career and further study options. Many people research their university course and put hard work into gaining their qualifications, but neglect to think about their future career. There are hundreds of different types of jobs and at least 40% of these are open to graduates of any subject. Finding out what is involved in a career and what entry requirements or experience is required can help you decide if you are still able to or want to pursue a certain career path. Listed below are a number of starting points to get you underway on deciding what to do when you graduate.
A. Research: A career Where to find information Job Profiles The best place to start researching a career is to view job profiles. These are short factsheets which tell you about a job and often have links to further information and resources. Job Profiles usually include:-
þ Typical work activities þ Career development
þ Salary þ Training
þ Entry requirements þ Typical employers
Employers and professional organisations You can often find out about jobs from employers themselves. Many include career information on their company website. Another place to find out about the types of jobs is via professional organisations websites which will often include career and training information. Action Points BG Futures website:§
Go to the ‘Explore your options’ page, then to the ‘Job Sectors’ page. The Job Sectors factsheets have links to employer/professional body websites with career, training and job information.
§
JOBS+ Vacancies Board - http://bishopg.prospects.ac.uk. Search for Employers via the Employers directory.
§
Join the Networking Club. This offers the opportunity to meet with employers, find out about their job and company.
§
Visit www.prospects.ac.uk which has profiles of employers recruiting graduates.
§
Visit www.targetjobs.co.uk which has a searchable list of nearly 400 employers.
Page |6 When thinking about your future career, consider the questions below. What do I enjoy about my course …
Can I pursue any hobbies or interests…
What personal requirements do I have…
and will this be useful in a particular career or business?
will these be useful in a particular career or business?
is flexible working, company ethics, money, status important?
ANSWERS
If you already have some idea of what you want to do (and what you don’t want to do) you can take this as a starting point to begin researching career options. What I want to do What I don’t want to do
Careers I am interested in. Use the questions below to help you research a particular career Job Title: What job sector is the job in?
What experience do I need?
Are there other, similar jobs in this sector?
What qualifications do I need?
Will I need further/postgraduate study?
Which organisations recruit for this sector?
What is the recruitment process?
Are there vacancies or work experience opportunities?
Page |7 B. Research: Postgraduate or Further Study There are various levels of postgraduate study including § Taught courses § Research § Professional qualifications Find out more about the various levels and types of postgraduate study by going to: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate_study.htm You will also need to consider what you hope to gain from further study and look into the financial implications.
Action Points
§
Go to the website (www.bishopg.ac.uk/careers ) to view the Further Study section for information on:Finding and applying for a course, Funding information and more.
§
Go to www.prospects.ac.uk and select postgrad study, for advice or to search for a course.
§
Essential information: Guide to Postgraduate Study | Postgraduate Study Funding | Postgraduate Study Bulletin. Collect these factsheets from the Resource Centre or view via http://issuu.com/bgcareers
C. Research: Other Options Start your own business §
View the information in the Resources Centre and the BG Futures section on the website.
§
View the Self-employment (factsheet) collect from the Resource Centre or view via http://issuu.com/bgcareers
§
You can book an appointment with the Enterprise Development Manager for a one to one business startup appointment. Email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk for an appointment form.
Year Out §
Go to the Resources Centre or the BG futures section of the website to find Gap Year information.
Working Abroad §
View information in the Resources Centre or view the ‘Search and apply for a job’ section on the BG Futures section of the website.
Action Points
Go to the website (www.bishopg.ac.uk/careers ) to view further information on the other options mentioned above
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3. GAIN EXPERIENCE & DEVELOP YOUR EMPLOYABILITY ALSO gain experience The graduate job market has always been competitive and with an increasing number of graduates looking for work it is more important than ever to stand out from the crowd. Work experience will show employers that you have the practical skills they are looking for as well as the academic credentials. According to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) 86% of firms consider ‘employability skills’ to be the most important factor when recruiting graduates, more so than degree subjects. It lists these skills as follows:
§ § §
§ § §
Self-management Business and customer awareness Communication and literacy
Team working Problem solving Application of numeracy and application of IT
Finding work experience opportunities Opportunities via BGU § Employability and Volunteering Award All first year students have the opportunity to get involved with the Employability Award and you can join the Volunteering Award at any point during your time at BGU. § Get involved in university life - this is your chance to try something new by joining clubs, societies and the S.U. BG Futures Resources § The Jobshop factsheets include links to the best places to find jobs. Collect a copy from the Resource Centre or view via www.bishopg.ac.uk/careers |Work Experience|casual/part time|Vacation work job search|Graduate|Volunteering| § Job Sector factsheets have information about careers within specific sectors. § The Employability Skills (factsheet) and Developing your employability … with your year of study (factsheets) are also useful resources. JOBS+ Vacancies Board You will need to register and login to use this system, but then you will be able to search for work experience, part time and casual work and volunteering opportunities. http://bishopg.prospects.ac.uk Contacting companies
You can contact organisations directly to find out if they offer work experience.
Type of work experience Voluntary work
Part-time work / Casual Work
Vacation work
Gap year (UK or overseas)
Internship Application deadlines are often early and competition is high! Internships are usually a structured programme providing work experience, often leading to permanent employment. Work placement Vacation Placement Placements as part of your course give Specifically designed for students to participate in during one of their vacations. valuable experience. Placements are usually paid and can last from two to eight weeks. Work taster Work shadowing Short term and can give you an idea of Usually involves observing a professional in their daily working life to see if the a particular work area. job interests you. Short term from a few hours to a week.
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4. REVIEWING CHOICES & TAKING ACTION THEN you need to realistically consider and review your choices and be ready to take action. § Take action by finding work experience, creating an up-to-date CV, applying for jobs, applying for further study.
§ If you are still uncertain of what you want to do when you graduate you should go back to stage 2, the ‘Research your Options’ element of the career planning process to clarify your options.
§ You should also always have a plan B! Help with reviewing and making choices If you are finding it difficult to make a choice, you will need to consider what is stopping you from making a decision. It is essential that you speak to our Careers Advisers if you have the following concerns: I think that I know what I want to do but am not 100%
I do not feel confident about starting work
Will I be letting my family down by pursuing this?
I feel confused and I don’t know what to do.
All of these questions are common, especially for second and third year students who are thinking in earnest about their future career. Talking to a Careers Adviser will help you clarify your options, help you consider new choices and help you put together a plan of action.
A. Taking Action: Apply for Employment Search for a job Take another look stage 3. The ‘Gain Experience and Develop your Employability’ element of the career planning process as this gives information about searching for jobs. ü
See the Jobshop and Job Sector factsheets available via the Resource Centre or http://issuu.com/bgcareers
ü
See the BG Futures ‘Search and Apply for a job’ section on the website (www.bishopg.ac.uk/careers)
ü
Search for jobs on the Jobs+ Vacancies board - http://bishopg.prospects.ac.uk
ü
Join the Jobs+ Connect database to create a job seeking profile to increase your chances of finding work.
ü
Use your networking contacts to find work
Making and application ü
See the Applications (factsheet), CV and covering letter (factsheet) and Interviews (factsheet) available via the Resource Centre or http://issuu.com/bgcareers
ü
Go to the BG Futures ‘Search and Apply for a job’ section on the website for CV and application advice
ü
CV and application help: You should request an appointment with our Careers Adviser if you need help with CV, application or interview techniques. Email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk to book an appointment.
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Reviewing an application or interview When you have submitted an application or attended an interview you will need to review your ‘performance.’ You may wish to contact the employer for feedback. If you are unsuccessful in your application consider the following questions and think about how you can improve in the future. Did I have the correct qualifications? Did I have enough experience? Did I give enough appropriate examples? Was my application well written? Were there any mistakes? What impression did I give at my interview? Did I effectively convey to the employer my skills and experience and how I would be suited to the job?
B. Taking Action: Apply for a course There are various levels of postgraduate study including taught courses, research and professional qualifications. You will need to consider carefully what you hope to gain from further study and look into the financial implications.
Search for a course ü
Go to the Further Study section on the BG Futures pages of website for information on finding and applying for a course, funding information and more.
ü
Go to www.prospects.ac.uk and select postgrad study, for advice or to search for a course
ü
Essential information: > A guide to Postgraduate Study/funding (factsheets) > Postgraduate Study Bulletin > Postgraduate Study section of the Resource Centre
ü
Applying for further/postgraduate study
ü
The following information should help you when completing an application for further study.
ü
Guide to completing your UCAS application (factsheet)
ü
Guide to applying for teacher training (factsheet)
ü
Guide to teacher training interviews (factsheet)
Go to the BG Futures section of the website for links to these factsheets or collect from the Resource Centre.
C. Taking Action: Other Action Year Out
Working Abroad
Start your own business
View information in the
View information in the
View information in the Resources Centre/website
Resources Centre/website
Resources Centre/website
including the Self-employment (factsheet)
including the Gap Year
including the Working Abroad
You can get advice about starting your own
Contacts and Resource
factsheet
business from the Business Development
factsheet.
Manager.
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ADVICE AND INFORMATION FROM BG FUTURES Go to the Resource Centre in the Hardy Building with your initial enquiries or email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk. Also view the website for further information www.bishopg.ac.uk/careers
Resources The Resource Centre has the following information to help you research your options. Options with your course of study
Job Sectors
Postgraduate study
These folders include career and
Information and resources about
This section contains prospectuses
postgraduate study ideas.
careers within specific job sectors.
and guides to postgraduate study.
Jobs and Employability
Enterprise
Career guides
Guides and information to finding and
This section includes information
This section includes books on
applying for jobs, work experience and
business start-up
subjects such as choosing a career
volunteering opportunities Factsheets
and personal development.
Options with your course
Employability skills
Career plan with your year of study
Research employers
View a list publications: http://issuu.com/bgcareers/docs/resources | www.librarything.com/catalog/BGcareers
Advice Once you have done some research you may wish to discuss your plans and ideas with a Careers Advisor. You can do this even if you have no idea of a possible career path. Please email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk to request an appointment booking form.
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BG Futures: Careers, Employability and Enterprise operates in accordance with the University Diversity and Equality Policies. If you require this document in an alternative format, for example in large print, please email us at bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk For up more information go www.bishopg.ac.uk/careers