March 2006 by Real World

+A + G

CC A OUP YE NT AR AN CY

Career Advice + Inspiration + Jobs + Grad News + Your Future

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FIGURE IT OUT WHY ACCOUNTANCY IS

GREAT GAP YEAR

WIN

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TAKE-OFF TIME HOW TO HAVE A

MARCH 2006 FREE TO STUDENTS

www.realworld.jobs

S I N AF

TOP CHOICE FOR GRADS

GET CONTROL OF YOUR CAREER OUR NO-STRESS GUIDE MEDIA CAREERS TIPS TO HELP YOU GET A JOB

LUST FOR LIFE

MAKE A CA OUT OF YOUREER R PASSION

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Bright sparks shine here. Bright individuals thrive at Deloitte, which is why you should seriously consider a career with us if you want to make the most of what’s inside your head. Our uniquely collaborative way of working will embrace you in a team culture where your individuality will shine through - you’ll participate in projects that draw on expertise and experience from across the firm’s key service areas of audit, tax, consulting and corporate finance, and rub shoulders with some of the brightest brains in the business. On top of all that, we can promise you first class training, fantastic clients of every size and persuasion from global brand names to dynamic entrepreneurial start-ups, and innumerable opportunities to excel. This year we're looking for more exceptional graduates to join us in Autumn 2006 across all our UK offices in Audit, Tax, Consulting and Corporate Finance. We're now taking applications for Autumn positions, so if you want to work at one of the UK's fastest growing professional services firms, we want to hear from you. To find out more about the opportunities on offer, visit our website at www.deloitte.co.uk/graduates It could be the best move you’ve ever made.

Feed your mind

. .

Audit Tax Consulting Corporate Finance Deloitte & Touche LLP is an equal opportunities employer.

YO U’L L

E A R N

I T.

Aldi is not only a leading global retailer but also one of the largest privately owned companies in the world. It’s a company where progress depends entirely on merit. Our people take on responsibility early, rise quickly and are rewarded well. Sounds like a dream job? For most graduates it will remain a dream because the Aldi Area Management Programme requires something special. As well as an excellent set of A-level grades or equivalent and a good degree, we want candidates who are driven, focused and have a record of achievement outside academia, who enjoy being part of a team but have the charisma to lead that team too. And who, despite having done remarkable things aren’t so sure of themselves that they can’t learn afresh. You’ll need all these qualities because the training year is a test of character. You’ll be expected to do everyone’s job; from stacking shelves, to ordering stock, to changing light bulbs. But the rewards speak for themselves; £38K plus an Audi A4, rising to £54½K after three years and includes a pension, private healthcare, life assurance and five weeks’ holiday. Complete the training and as an Area Manager you’ll be running up to six stores with a level of autonomy, responsibility and financial reward you won’t find anywhere else. There are also opportunities for Area Managers to spend two years on secondment in Europe or further afield. Within five years, there is every chance of a directorship. We don’t have any medals at Aldi. But we do recognise excellence. Need a checkout? Apply online: www.aldi-stores.co.uk or send CV and recent photograph, together with a letter illustrating your leadership potential, quoting reference SP2EI to: Aldi

Stores

Ltd,

Area

Management

Recruitment, Wellington Road, South Marston Park, Swindon, Wiltshire SN3 4FN.

Area Management Programme Trainee

38 K

+ Audi A4 Area Manager in charge of six stores

54 ½ K

+ Audi A4 Opportunity for directorship within 5 years

MARCH | 2006

Contents On the cover

Cover Story 8

L ust for life: It’s up to you to decide what you do with your life and what job you do, the career you choose will be one of the biggest decisions that you’ll ever make. Real World talks to three graduates who followed their passion to find their dream job. z

Upfront: Editor’s letter: There is nothing worse than looking back with regret. Now is your chance to make choices and choose the direction you want your life to go in. 13 Competition! Win the summer of a lifetime with Real World and Madventurer. Eight weeks in Africa could be yours. z 7

Brainfood: Take Control of your career. Confused about what you are doing? Use our flowchart to make sense of your career plans. z 16 CV booster: How to get the most out of work experience, plus we ask graduates: ‘Is university any good for getting a job?’ 17 I’ll do that job: He’s set up a help line for Muslim students and founded a youth network, all before he’s even graduated. What motivates Mohammed Mondami? Plus Real World travel book giveaway. 18 Class of 2006: Someone’s had a job offer. The others have had big interviews. How is life progresing for our Class of 2006? 14

RW Features 20

yths about the media. It’s one of the most popular M career choices for graduates but do you really know

what a job in the industry requires? z On the move. A career in transport and logistics could end up taking you round the world. Steve Smethurst

investigates the opportunities. Take off time. Every year more than 200,000 young people in the UK take a gap year. Do you want to take

stock before you settle down? Real World talks you through your options z 36 Figure it out: Accountancy and actuarial firms are among the biggest employers of graduates in the UK and graduates flock to apply. But what’s the draw? z

In the next issue:

yW hat makes an amazing graduate? Find out as we announce the winner of our £20 000 Graduate of the Year 2006 competition.

yG ot the urge to sell, sell, sell? Jobs in sales and marketing.

y T he caring profession: We take a look at social work as a career for graduates.

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The ultimate business school

Choose carefully, Join one of our graduate development programmes and you'll end up well respected, well known or possibly even famous.

because thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no going back to obscurity.

The deadline for our industrial placements and our Engineering, Research & Development and Finance programmes is on 10th March 2006. To find out more and apply, visit www.mars.com/ultimategrads

EDITOR’S LETTER

Photograph: Zen Sekizawa, Getty Images

Editorial: 020 7735 2111 Editor Zoë Roberts Art Director Jennifer van Schoor DESIGNER Yang Ou Sub EditorS Adrian Dawson, Steve Smethurst

SALES: 020 7735 4900 HEAD OF SALES Paul Wade SALES Josh Marshall, Harmesh Sansoa

DISTRIBUTION: 020 7735 4900 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER James Lynch

ADMIN: 020 7735 4900 Managing Director Darius Norell

Real World Magazine 22-26 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ Tel: Advertising 020 7735 4900 Editorial 020 7735 2111 Fax: 020 7840 0443 www.realworld.jobs Real World is published in the UK by Cherry Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written permission of the publishers. We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs or for material lost or damaged in the post.

Choice...

our career is the biggest lifestyle choice that you’ll ever make. So why is it that so many graduates end up falling into their first job with no real planning or decision,

only to wake up two years later and think ‘if only I’d….’ That’s why we are here. Whether you opt for a graduate scheme with a big Blue Chip,

take a gap year or decide to work for a charity, it’s our mission to give you the whole picture. But make it your choice. To take the fear out of stepping off the beaten track we’ve talked to three graduates in our cover feature who have followed their passion, even if it’s meant no job security, low pay or taking a career that is completely different to their degree subject. Too many finalists struggle to find information on alternative – read non-blue chip – careers. If you are thinking about a gap year to help give you some direction then this is the issue for you. We’ve got a fantastic competition on page 13 – if you fancy winning eight weeks in Africa then check out the details on the page and head to our website to register for our e-zine. On page 28, we’ve talked to five graduates who took a year out after university, could one of their experiences inspire you to do the same? If you have decided to take a gap that doesn’t mean your job hunt has to stop. Increasingly employers are accepting deferred applications. One industry that has had a tradition of doing that is accountancy. It’s one of the most popular graduate careers and the big employers are out recruiting in full force this year. If you’ve a head for numbers then this might be your path to the top. On the same theme of getting moving, we’ve also taken a look at transport and logistics. Pick the right employer and you could be in for a very global experience. Our next issue will be out in April. Look out for the winners of our Graduate of the Year 2006 competition. Someone will be walking away with £10,000! Zoë, Editor zoe@realworldmagazine.com

CONTRIBUTORS

SABIHA RASHID KHAN

KAREN HIGGINBOTTOM

Sabiha is an undergraduate student studying at Goldsmiths College, University of London for a BA in Media and Communications. Alongside writing for her university magazine Smiths she’s a seriously committed activist and is involved in community issues in her local area. She recently produced a magazine on local issues which, she says gave her a taste of the attention to detail needed in journalism. Check out page 17 for her interview with social entrepreneur Mohammed Mamdani.

After working for business magazines for almost four years Karen took the plunge and went freelance. Now a free spirit she’s been writing about a range of work place issues from the rights of transsexuals in the workplace to the dangers of getting amorous with your work colleagues. Karen has written for a number of publications including The Independent and The Guardian.

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COVERSTORY

Your career is the biggest lifestyle choice you will ever make. It determines where you live, what you wear and even how much free time you have. Look around campus and you will be forgiven for thinking that all the answers lie aboard the corporate gravy train. But perhaps yours is the path less trodden, writes Karen Higginbottom.

ver thought about being an acupuncturist or working

Lena has no regrets about changing her career path and

in the film industry? For many final-year students contemplating their next move after university, these options may not seem like feasible options. But for those

now works for four clinics. “I’m happy to have taken a risk and I’m more interested in being happy than being rich,” she reflects. “My

former graduates that have taken risks with their career and opted for an unconventional path, there are rewards. Lena Fong is a 28-year-old acupuncturist who studied Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh. She graduated in 2000 but was deterred from being a research chemist by her experience of an industrial placement during her degree. “The first two years I really enjoyed the course, then I took a year out in industry and it really changed my perspective,” recalls Lena. “My placement was in the oil industry and I found the isolation difficult to cope with, as well as the politics.” Coming from a Hong-Kong Chinese background, Lena was always interested in Chinese medicine, but the treatment of her mum’s osteoarthritis by acupuncture revived that passion. “My mother had some amazing results when she had acupuncture. She was pain-free for the first time in her life,” explains Lena. So, in 2001, she entered the Northern College of Acupuncture in York to begin her four-year training as an acupuncturist. “My parents were supportive and my friends were surprised and delighted by it. They thought I was brave to go down an alternative route,” she adds.

work is really fulfilling and I feel like I’ve done a good day’s work.” Flexible hours are one of the perks, says Lena. “I work four days a week and charge £35 for a 45-minute session.” How to find your career Fiona Christie, a career consultant at Manchester University Careers Service has seen a lot of students who might not necessarily opt for a conventional or orthodox career path. “Many students don’t want to join the corporate gravy train and are thinking of alternative careers.” She advises students to take the initiative and do some groundwork around the area they’re interested in. “Students have to do research and be prepared to volunteer and network,” she suggests. “If you want to work as a tree surgeon, then get some work experience. This is sometimes a test of how committed you are to that choice.” Network as much as possible to find out what particular jobs are like and get an idea of the working environment, she advises. “In Manchester, there are quite a number of networking organisations around; in the film, music and fashion industries, for example. You need to be someone who is prepared to go out of their comfort zone.” Manchester University runs a Kaleidoscope career fair on an annual basis, where

Lust for Li fe Make a c areer out of your p assion

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happy to “ I'm have taken a

risk and I'm more interested in being happy than being rich

”

y Photograp

h by Zen S ekizawa

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COVERSTORY

‘alternative’ employers, such as the North-West

fers creativity and a better lifestyle

College of Homeopathy get a chance to show the opportunities available in their fields.

among today's students. “The current generation of students do want something different; there is a sense that

Focus on what you enjoy Sometimes, a hobby or interest pursued through

people are rejecting that career path they have see their parents undertake,”

university can lead to your eventual career. That is certainly the case for 27-year-old Adam Phillips, who left his job as a chartered accountant for

she surmises.

Take acti o finding a n! Five steps to limitÚless career Get to yo ur care

BDO Stoy Hayward to set up his own business as an events planner. “I organised parties and

Money or satisfaction? Graduates are rarely motivated by money when it comes to making a decision

ers servic can often e. They help you consider careers w about working for a company, according which ill suit you. Too man chose thei y people to the 2005 Graduate Recruitment Review r jobs ba sed on th rather than eir skills what they by Hobsons. Its survey of more than 16,000 ar e happie doing. Us st e the Pros pects plan a job at BDO Stoy Hayward on its graduate first- to final-year university students re(www.pro ne r spects.ac. uk ) to ex careers th scheme. “I got unbelievable training from vealed that interesting work tasks, training plore at would best suit pe rs your onality. them where I was doing auditing for internaopportunities and friendly work colleagues Head to w tional companies.” During his time at BDO were far more important criteria when ww.learnd irect-adv co.uk whe ice. re you will Stoy Hayward, Adam continued to organise choosing a job than salary. find informatio n, includin g pay private parties. He decided to leave the seMoney has never been a consideration for expectat ions and training ad more than curity of his well-paid job in July 2005 to pur24-year-old Pete Lowden. He wanted to work vice on 700 differe nt career ar t therapis s from sue his passion for events organising for in film and TV from a young age but decided t to yoga teacher. Keep an both private and corporate clients. “There to get a degree in an academic subject first. eye open for altern careers fa ative irs. Check was nothing holding me back and I felt While studying for a MA in English Literature at your univ careers se ersity rvice web site or the that now was the time to take risks,” he rethe University of Edinburgh, Pete landed a highWorld web Real site. calls. “It was the right time to leave BDO ly competitive position as a cameraman for a Do not th ink this is a cop-ou careers se t. The before I was on a salary that was too TV channel, as part of the Edinburgh Festival. He rvice at So uthhampt University on advises: good to give up. I wanted to see if I could graduated in 2004 and moved to London to fur“Alternat aren’t alw ive career ays the ea s make a go of my business full-time and ther his experience as a freelance cameraman. sy option are person – they al choice s and ther to try and make a living out of putting “My contacts as a cameraman for the no clear e may be career pa th to follo on events and organising parties." Edinburgh Festival led to me being flown to w”. Search fo r inspiratio n. Check starttalkin “There are no guarantees that I Budapest to film behind the scenes footage for a www. gideas.o rg for advi and insp ce iration on will make a success of it. All of my Hallmark production,” recalls Pete. going it al website fo one. The r ch arity UnLt friends have gone down the lawyer/ But work as a freelance cameraman can be a d (www.u org.uk), w nltd. hich supp orts social doctor route. I’m qualified, so if the financial struggle and it's not all glamour, part of his entrepren eurs has a numbe case stud r of excitin worst comes to the worst, two years work involves filming video footage for Asset TV, a ies. Perhap g s you coul involved d get in one of down the line at least I can say I’ve hedge-fund website. “I’m lucky because I get conthese? Se for our in e page 17 terview w tried it.” Since setting up the busitinued financial support from my dad. He’s very supith st ud Mohamm ent ed Mamda ness last May, Adam has organised portive,” he says. Despite that Pete has never considni, who is charity’s the youngest ev er trustee parties for well-known corporaered more conventional career paths. “This has been .

events, which helped to pay my way through Birmingham University.” Armed with a degree in accounting and finance, Adam applied for

tions and celebrities such as BBC Television, EastEnders and Channel Four productions.

my life-long ambition and I’ve never thought about

Unorthodox ways forward

corporate options.” . Sophie Relf, the author of The Right Career Moves Handbook, recommends that students telephone people in a job they desire

Adam is not the only graduate to follow his passion, according to Linda Buckham, director of the Career Development and Employment Centre at Sussex University. “There is an increasing

and ask them how they got there. “Ask them to describe a typical working day and their career history,” she says. “Also, read the biographies of people you admire and want to be like and find

trend for people to want unorthodox ways forward. From a career advice perspective, we want to help people identify their skills and find out what they are passionate about,” she says.

out how they forged their careers.” And never underestimate the power of networking, concludes Relf. Finally, if you can start thinking about life after university as

“More and more people see their degree as a jumping-off point. Why should mathematicians work in the city? They could go into

soon as you can, advises Jessica Jarvis, an advisor for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. “It’s really

charity or social work.” Careers services need to look at the individual and what their

worthwhile graduates spending time thinking about what they want to do and summer holidays are an ideal opportunity to get

passions are and what they want be become involved in, says Linda. “I’ve met a PhD biologist who left science to retrain in antique furniture restoration.” She also believes that there is a strong

relevant work experience or a placement in an area that they are interested in,” she says. “Find out what graduates are doing a couple of years ahead of you. Just don’t expect the university to

rejection of the traditional career path in search of a job that of-

hand it to you on a plate.”

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I want the right platform to launch my career... I want a professional qualification... I want to earn my value in the market place... I want to be mentored in my job... I want ownership... I want to apply my degree to my job...

You CAN have your cake and eat it! Knowledge Transfer Partnerships provide employment and personal development opportunities for talented graduates. Find out how Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can offer you a slice of the action.

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Knowledge Transfer Partnerships A DTI Business Support Solution

Looking for an employer that delivers the goods?

Then be one of the 12 graduates to join us in 2006! When it comes to our graduates, we’re very much of the impression that less is more. That’s why we’re recruiting just 12 graduates to join us in 2006. This may seem a ridiculously small number for such a large company, but it allows us to offer - and deliver - the training, support and opportunities that individuals require in order to make a difference and become our leaders of the future. To find out how you can join one of the most rewarding graduate schemes around, visit:

www.psacareers.co.uk

Opportunities available in Operations Management and Commercial Operations

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LETTERS

Fed up, excited, want to request information, pass on a good job-hunting tip or just have a general whinge? Don’t hesitate to email us at Real World.

emailz@realworld.com

Send any emails to zoe@realworldmagazine.com Please specify if you don’t want us to include your full identity

Itchy Feet, Empty Pockets

the numbers don’t add up I’m a maths finalist who finds it practically impossible to balance my work and social life. And I get almost no free time. We’re constantly told by employers and careers advisers that we should develop extracurricular skills and work experience as well as get a 2:1 or higher. How am I supposed to find the time? Help! Leena Mann, London.

I need a job for about a year to raise money for travelling. I do not wish to work in an environment such as an office or a take-away and am not at present looking to start a career. Working for a charity would be ideal, but not in a voluntary capacity. Any ideas? Maria Johnson, Bristol University

The demands on students today can often seem unmanageable but unfortunately saying, ‘I didn’t have time to develop myself’, will count against you when it comes to finding work. In fact, among the skills, or competencies, that employers look for – time management is high up the list. Look at www.mindtools.com – a site dedicated to helping people improve their careers skills. It explains that, “at the heart of time management is an important shift in focus: concentrate on results, not on being busy”. The aim is to give you time to focus on your priorities and reduce time wastage. A useful method is to rustle yourself up a chart, on which you can plan the term. Write in essay deadlines, meetings, lectures, work experience

RW: Although many charities are staffed

opportunites, skills-building opportunities and application deadlines, so that you can see at a glance what’s coming up and what you must do. It also helps to have a daily chart and divide the day up. Instead of working

by volunteers, some do look to employ people on paid short-term contracts lasting less than a year. Check out www.jobs

solidly on one project, cut the day into segments, dedicated to different actions. Ensure social time is included. Another time-management favourite

incharities.co.uk, and www.charitypeople. com. Alternatively, you could consider taking a highly useful TEFL qualification. This

is to ban procrastination and actually start doing what you’re supposed to. This is especially helpful if you follow a

would equip you to teach English as a foreign language – both domestically and when you travel. Check out www.tefl.

chart, as it prevents the tough activities being left until last. If

com. And even without any medical qualifications, you may also be able to do

something is really hideous then setting aside half an hour a day to

care work in your local area – local job centres advertise opportunities in this field.

work on it before you really get cracking eases the burden and increases motivation.

It’s an option that’s both physically and emotionally demanding. But it can be rewarding – it will certainly keep you out of

IF SOMETHING “ IS REALLY HIDEOUS SET ASIDE HALF AN HOUR A DAY TO WORK ON IT. THIS EASES THE BURDEN AND INCREASES MOTIVATION

”

the office.

Photographs: StockXchange and Photocase | Illustration: Mo’Mint Studios

Letter of the month

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RETAIL DETAILS

I have a telephone interview for a retail company coming up. How

CA !

WIN

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Photographs: StockXchange and Photocase | Illustration: Mo’Mint Studios

COMPETITION

S I N AF

should I be preparing and what do I need to know? Mark, Cambridge University RW: Perhaps the most disconcerting as pect of telephone interviews is that you are unable to see the interviewer or judge their reactions. However, the employer is also unable to see you. Use it to your ad vantage. Firstly, you should keep any im portant information by your phone, includ ing your CV and application form, your diary and even brief notes on the com pany itself and the position (but try not to read the company’s website back to the employer). Be sure you can make informed obser vations about the company and have a couple of intelligent questions to ask at the end. Keep a pen and paper handy to write down any questions that may arise while on the phone. Avoid potential dis tractions by asking housemates keep the music down and turning your mobile off. There are those who recommend that you smile throughout the interview “be

Win the summer of a Lifetime! 8 Weeks in Africa!

Real World and Madventurer have come together to provide you with the experience of a lifetime: a fiveweek rural community project in Kenya + a 21-day East Africa Beach and Bush adventure. Current projects are based around the rural villages of Ngumo and Ngecho in the stunning area of the Rift Valley, with breathtaking scenery stretching for mile. The work is to help with the renovation of run down village schools and bring to life the learning process. After five weeks you’ll head off on the Beach and Bush adventure travelling through Kenya. This amazing trip takes you on a journey through some of East Africa’s best game parks and most stunning landscapes. All you need to do is go to the

cause it makes you sound more enthusias

Real World website which is at

tic”; that you have a mirror close by to give the interview a more immediate feel; or that you speak standing up to get your

www.realworld.jobs and register

blood flowing and improve response time. You can take or leave these points, but do answer the phone in a professional manner and practise responding to interview questions beforehand. Try recording your self on tape (perhaps expanding on as

An incredible… “ awe-inspiring… self-enquiring… people-meeting… lentil-eating… culturally astounding… sun-scorched... summer

”

– Richard King, Mad builder Kenya

to receive our regular e-zine. On 10 May 2006 we’ll email you to let you know who the lucky winner is. Good luck! (Flights are not included as part of the experience)

pects of your CV or application form), and when you do this, watch out for um’s and er’s, which are extremely noticeable on the phone. Be enthusiastic and polite, and if you do need time to consider an answer, say so: silence on the telephone is much more obvious than in person.

Madventurer offers the chance to combine volunteer projects in rural communities with adventurous overland travel. Projects typically include building and teaching but medical, conservation and coaching schemes are also frequently run.

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BF BRAINFOOD

NEWS y VIEWS y ADVICE y STRATEGIES

TakeControl ofYourFuture Suffering from a mid-term crisis? Perhaps you are struggling with career indecision or maybe you know what you want to do, but don’t know how get into it. Whatever you are doing, you need this – the Real World planner

START HERE

D o you know what you want to do when you graduate? YES: to 2, NO: to 3

If you’re graduating with a degree of uncertainty, take heart. There have never been so many resources available to help graduates make an informed choice about their futures. The first and often most difficult part of job seeking is to decide what you want to do. Narrow the options down: make a list of jobs you consider ‘career hell’ and balance that with things that really interest you. Talk to your careers service – take personality questionnaires and find out what previous graduates from your course have done. A careers interest survey could help – try ‘What jobs would suit me’ on www. prospects.ac.uk or for a slightly more light-hearted approach try www.testcafe. com. And seriously consider getting some work experience. It’s the best way to get an idea of your skills. If you’re still struggling, a comprehensive step-by-step guide for those with no idea what they want to do is Choosing Your Career by Sally Longson. Also, take a look at What Color is Your Parachute by career godfather Richard Bolles (www.jobhuntersbible.com).

A re you planning a gap year? YES: to 5, NO: to 4

P lanning is the key to a good gap. Perhaps you’re taking time out to consider your career options and get some work experience. Perhaps you’d just like to gain experience of the wider world. What you don’t want is to waste your free time or for your gap year to appear as an embarrassing void on your CV which you can’t justify in years to come (see page 28 for our feature on taking a gap year). Go to 6

D o you feel ready to start applying for jobs? YES: to 7, NO: to 8, NO, I’M NOT A FINALIST: to 9

YES:

NO:

Photograph: Charles Glover

K nowing what you want to do is half the battle. To win through you need to demonstrate your commitment through relevant work experience, a strong CV and a good knowledge of the sector you’re looking to enter. Now, are you going to do a gap year first? YES: to 5, NO: to 6

R esearch the industry you’re targeting: check out your careers service and industry sites (for a list, try www. careersa-z.co.uk). Identify the skills employers are looking for. Do you possess them? Probably the best way to find out if you’ve got the skills (and to get them if you haven’t), is to do work experience. Do you have any work experience? YES: to 11, NO: to 10

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T hat’s good – time is you your side. Thinking about your career early will save you hassle and headaches later on. You’ve got plenty of time to fix up work experience and properly consider your options. Write down what you want to have on your CV before graduation. You can also develop skills and experiences (perhaps travelling or getting involved in a few student societies) that employers consider valuable. Expanding your horizons could also give you a clearer picture of what you’d like to do next. There is no sure fire way to bag your dream role, but you’re on the right track.

Getting your CV in shape is vital. It should demonstrate you possess the key skills employers want. Tailor it to specific firms when the time comes. Your careers service will be able to advise you as well as proofreading your drafts. The key thing to remember is to keep it relevant and concise. GO to 13

If you’re unsure what career area to try, go to 8. For work experience info, go to 10 and if it’s your CV that’s bothering you, try 12.

R esearch the industry you’re targeting; check out your careers service, and industry sites (for a list, try www. careersa-z.co.uk). Identify the skills employers in your chosen field are looking for. Try to visit careers fairs too. To get the most out of them find out which employers are attending before you go and have some intelligent questions to ask. Even with a brilliant CV and breathtaking work experience, ultimately everything may rest on the impression you make at interview, so get some practice in – your careers service should be able to set up a mock interview for you. The best way to test yourself for real, improve your CV, and gain valuable contacts is, of course, work experience. Do you have any work experience? YES: to 11, NO: to 10

Have you applied for jobs and been unsuccessful? YES: to 14, NO: to 15

There’s still plenty of time – don’t get disheartened. If interviews or assessment anxieties are holding you back, your careers centre can give you interview practice and may even film it for you. The careers advisor will help you work on improving your skills. They can offer guidance on how to improve your performance in assessment and psychometric tests too. Or go online to practise at www. shldirect.com. Always ask for feedback from the companies that you’ve approached so far and find someone who’s working in your chosen profession to look over you CV. It could be the case that it’s an extremely competitive industry. Luck and timing can often play a disproportionate part in a candidate securing a dream job. Be persistent. Look at the viability of applying for work experience in the field that interests you: these can lead to offers of full-time employment.

Great. Now assess how relevant it is to the career you’re looking to pursue. Have you kept in touch with any one at the company? A letter updating them on your progress and reiterating your interest in their industry will refresh their memory and help to put you in mind when they recruit.

Is your CV ready to handle it? YES: to 13, NO: to 12

Work experience is highly valued by employers – 25% say it’s almost a condition of employment. For placement information try www. ncwe.com. Also speak to family, friends and friends-of-friends to find out about their work and any relevant opportunities.

Is your CV ready to rock, though? YES: to 13, NO: to 12

So you know what you want to do, your CV’s sorted and you’ve got some work experience in the bag. It’s time to take the plunge and start applying. Make sure you know where jobs for your sector are advertised, and don’t forget to check company’s websites direct – many now advertise their own vacancies. For speculative applications, research each organisation thoroughly, remembering to check the company website, if there is one, and target each covering letter carefully. Good luck!

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BRAINFOOD

CV BOOSTER

VOX POPS

ReadyorNot?

WorkExperience It’s the best way to check out a career – and employers love it. So how do you get it?

Have a Game Plan. Before you take the plunge, ask yourself, ‘What skill areas do I need to boost for the

job I want?’ and ‘What criteria will I be judged on when I apply?’ Remember, not all work experience is equal: some companies might pay more, but others will give you broader experience. It’s very important to do some research before you apply.

The Art of Surprise. Make a list of companies in your sector of interest and target smaller, off the

beaten-track firms (small firms make up 99% of UK businesses). Your careers service can help you with this. Always ring the company and identify the right person to contact, then write clearly about what you want and what you can offer. Follow it up with a polite phone-call.

Temporary Relief. If you’ve got basic typing and clerical skills, sign up with a temping

agency. Recruitment agencies (see www.rec.uk.com) can also place you in a position where you can learn more skills.

It’s Who you Know. Contacts, however tenuous, are invaluable when trying to get work experience at short notice. Use them – others will. Ask the careers service to put you in touch with relevant alumni too.

Do it for Free. Three-quarters of employers prefer to recruit candidates with volunteering experience, according to a survey from the national volunteering charity Timebank. Visit www.timebank. org.uk for inspiration.

It’s all relevant. whether it’s waiting; “ serving in a pub; or flipping burgers on venice beach. it is time well spent. ”

‘I’m too important for this’ and you’re wasting everyone’s time.

The Win-Win Thing. Ideally, offer suggestions on how you could improve the company during your stint. Failing that, think about small ways you can

help once you’re in. Make a good impression and you’ll build invaluable contacts for the future; give off an air of

Mix and Match: Combine any uninspiring/overdraft-busting summer job with unpaid work

experience in the industry you really want to work in. Alternatively, combine a foreign vacation with your vocation. Check out www.vacationwork.co.uk, www.councilexchanges.org and www. bunac.org.uk or www.resortjobs.co.uk.

A survey from the Association of Graduate Recruiters reveals employers don’t believe grads are ready for the world of work. What do you think? Charlotte Brunning, 19, Second year, BSC Government, LSE, University of London. “Uni gives you the opportunity to learn communication and team-working skills. It will leave you independent too as it definitely matures you. But overall, no, it doesn’t give you transferable skills.” Vimalen Ungapen, 21, second year, BSC Management, LSE, University of London “Uni will strengthen your social skills – desirable for all jobs! But courses need a balance of practical work and theory if they are to prepare you properly. But the purpose of most degrees is to enhance knowledge of a specific area, not to get a job.”

Lena Elhassan, 18, First year, BA Design, Goldsmiths College, University of London “University teaches you mostly how to socialise… But it does

talentladder.com), Fresh Minds (www.

management, which is useful for the workplace. Your social and

freshminds.co.uk) and the STEP programme (www.step.org.uk). It’s All Relevant. Whether it’s waiting, serving in a pub or flipping burgers

develop such skills as time

academic development are vital for work.”

on Venice Beach...as long as you can translate your experiences into workplace skills, it is time well spent.

Fateha Begum, 20, second year, BA Anthropology, Goldsmiths College, University of London

And Here’s the Rub: work

“My course is all theory, but you do develop organisational and interpersonal

experience is useless unless you can articulate its benefits

skills – and team work. But these skills need to be exercised at work. That’s

to employers. Have a look at the Gift of the Gab careers article at www. realworldmagazine.com for more.

why it’s important to get a work experience.” By Sabiha Rashid Khan

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barometer

I’LL DO THAT JOB

Youth saviour

Photograph: Yang Ou; Jennifer van Schoor; Stock .XCHNG

What made you set up a helpline? “When volunteering for a mainstream youth helpline called “Youth2Youth” I realised the need to set up a similar counseling service for Muslim youths.” What services does it offer? “It is a confidential helpline for young Muslims, but the service is open to anyone. Because of the absence of these facilities available to the Muslim youth our primary aim is to make sure that our service responds to that particular culture and faith sensitively.” How did you manage while studying? “I took a term out from Oxford to maintain the sustainability of Muslim Youth Helpline. I have made sacrifices but it’s made me very happy. To know you can change someone’s ones life positively is probably the most amazing thing about it.” What’s next? “Well, I no longer help in the Muslim Youth Helpline as I am working on a new project that is called Ansar Youth. I now work with a group of extremely talented boys helping to organise trips, fundraise and generally help to build their self-esteem. It can be hard work at times, but noticing the difference and impact you can have on an individual’s life is deeply inspiring.”

What does the future hold? “I can’t truly say, but I have rejected several opportunities that were available to me because I’m still in education. What I would like to see is the Muslim Youth Helpline open up more branches locally and on a global scale, as there are many youths out there that are in desperate need for help. I would also like young Muslims and non-Muslims to engage and understand their communities and make a difference together.” Do you recommend volunteering? “You should do what is important and what interests you. You don’t necessarily have to make a definitive choice straight away. You can do something from a while, get a spectrum of experiences. It’s good to start early so you can build contacts and develop your experience.” What do you gain? “You learn so much in volunteering, such as how to run projects and networking. University does not teach you these skills. Education is important but it does not always prepare you for employment. You have to get experience though, it’s so crucial.” www.ansaryouth.org.uk/ www.myh.org.uk Interview by Sabiha Rashid Khan

BOO GIV K AWA EY!

FIRST-TIME AROUND THE WORLD

PLANNING YOUR GAP YEAR

Thinking about taking a big vacation after uni ends? Real World has five copies

Where will you go? What do you pack? What are the best companies

of the Rough Guide’s FirstTime Around the World by

to help you? Packed with ideas on where to go and

Doug Lansky to give away. The book covers everything

what to do, including contact details for over 220 organisa-

from budgeting, packing and avoiding scams to staying healthy and finding

tions, this guidebook will make your planning easier, says author Nick Vandome. We

a job abroad.

have five copies available.

Email zoe@ realworldmagazine.com to request a copy. First come, first served!

Recruiting on the up! The UK’s biggest graduate recruiters will hire more graduates this year than ever before according to a survey by High Fliers Research. The research found that graduate vacancies among the big blue-chips will rise by almost 11 per cent this year. Almost half the employers featured in The Times’ Top 100 Graduate Employers are increasing their graduate intake from 2005 levels. Debt-ridden? Students visit the pub less and take more exercise than before, according to an annual survey of student life. The Unite survey found that the average student owes £5,267 – and expects this to rise to £9,692 by the time they graduate. More than 40% have part-time jobs, while others get by on student loans, parents, overdrafts and credit cards. So sue me… Oxford Uni’s plans to make students sign a contract that will compel them to attend lectures may be adopted by others when tuition fees come in later this year. It’s in case students sue if they felt they didn’t receive adequate tuition. Town/gown friction Students bring anti-social behaviour and excessive pressure on housing, according to a report by Universities UK. The study, Studentification, found that while a student population can bring economic and social benefits, it can also mean late-night parties, drunkenness and vandalism.

FREEZING

At the age of just 18, Mohammed Sadiq Mamdani set up the Muslim Youth Helpline, providing counseling services for young British Muslims. He’s won various accolades, including the Whitbread Young Achievers Award. Now 22, he is studying Arabic and Persian at Oxford.

LUKEWARM SCORCHIO!

REAL WORLD REVIEWS THIS MONTH’S TRENDS...

Too cool for school Students think lecturers are stuck-up, disorganised, unpunctual, unfunny, and desperate to be “hip”. A poll of 648 students found many thought academics were “snooty” and had “objectionable facial hair”.

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BRAINFOOD

Classof2006

A job offer, some assessment centres and a change of plan... the latest from our six final-year students.

The Plan: Heather is currently looking for jobs with media-production companies, but is also considering pursuing a career as a drama therapist. Story So Far: “I’m still waiting for production companies to get back to me about going in for work experience,” says Heather. Meanwhile, her final-year project is coming on well and she’s working hard, holding a number of workshops at a local school to research how children perceive appearances – hopefully good experience for her ambitions to become a drama therapist. She hasn’t given up on her plans to travel over to the US to work there for a couple of months after graduation but hasn’t yet had any time to research the job market fully. What’s Next? Heather really wants to make a start on her US plans, but for the moment it’s a case of work, work and more work before her graduation.

NAME: Wing Yee Li DEGREE: English Literature UNI: University of Edinburgh

The Plan: Following a summer placement with charity Cancer Research, Wing wants to find a job which will allow her to give something back to society. Possible options are teaching, social work or working for a charity. Story So Far: As with most of our Class of 2006, Wing is buried under a pile of essays and her deadlines. She’s still found time for her youthwork and a couple of applications. “I’ve applied for the Cancer Research graduate scheme,” says Wing. “But at the moment I’ve got loads of work. However, everything is under control!” What’s Next? “I have a telephone interview with the National Graduate Development programme at the end of the month and I’ve also arranged a couple of days shadowing some English teachers through my contacts at Refugee Awareness,” says Wing. “But to be honest I’m really counting down to graduation now.”

NAME: Lawrence Freeman DEGREE: BA Politics & Sociology UNI: University of Exeter The Plan: Lawrence has decided to apply for internships after uni rather than going straight into a full-time job. He’s particularly interested in an internship abroad. Story So Far: Lawrence has had his first lectures with the Student Associates Scheme, which is a government-sponsored programme that introduces higher-eduction students to teaching. Later, he has the option of doing two paid placements in schools through the scheme. “The lectures have been really interesting, about education and teaching techniques,” he says. What’s Next? A number of Lawrence’s friends are considering taking a gap year and going travelling. “It’s something that I would like to do but my priority is setting up internships,” he says.

NAME: Paul Raven DEGREE: Bsc Managerial/Administrative Studies UNI: Aston University The Plan: After a sandwich year at LogicaCMG Paul felt store management or operations would be his career of choice. Story So Far: After a number of interviews with big retail organsiations including Tesco and Aldi, Paul reconsidered whether long hours as a store manager will suit his lifestyle aspirations. He’s got through to the telephone-interview phase with energy company E.ON following a series of online tests. “It’s for the corporate strategy scheme which is very popular,” he says. “Apart from that I’ve got masses of university deadlines looming coming up over the next few weeks.” What’s Next: An application to the graduate scheme at energy supplier Centrica is pending but it’s quite a long process and Paul wants to give it plenty of time. He’s also got a meeting with the head of marketing at LogicaCMG to discuss possible opportunities.

NAME: Emma Barker DEGREE: BA Philosophy UNI: University of York

The Plan: Emma’s keen to get into consultancy or onto a graduate scheme. Story So Far: Emma has a job! She came out of a gruelling day-long assessment centre with PwC feeling quietly positive and two days later was offered a position with the company. “I think I did well in the partner interview because I relaxed and enjoyed myself,” she says. “Some of the questions were really, really tough but I didn’t panic and that was to my advantage.” She’d certainly advise doing plenty of preparation before assessment centres of interviews. “It helps take the fear factor away.” What’s Next? Emma has accepted the offer and has cancelled an assessment day with KPMG. She’ll start either in the summer or October. Now she’s focusing on her degree. “It does feel strange though,” she says. “I have the job but it seems ages until I’ll start.”

NAME: Alick Varma DEGREE: Bsc Maths & Economics UNI: University of Warwick

The Plan: Having completed an internship at Accenture and run his own business Alick was split between striking out on his own or applying for jobs in management consultancy Story So Far: Alick has accepted a job offer from Accenture to work in their strategy department. “They’ve been really great since then,” he says. “There were a number of questions I had about the job, such as the chances of studying for an MBA or travel abroad, and their managers have been really good at calling me back with the answers.” What’s Next? “My workload is really heavy but once that is over I can focus on getting my business together,” says Alick. He will be running Interns Experience, which was his networking business for London-based interns, over the summer. “Hopefully it will be even bigger this year, we’ve got lots of new ideas and opportunities.”

Photographs: Ed Miller

NAME: Heather McLarty DEGREE: BA Media Performance UNI: University of Luton

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GET REAL ABOUT THE MEDIA

Why is Media so popular? Th tops the charts as the most po fulfilling and creative. It’s of

“A lot of people say ‘I’d like to work in media’ out of thin air simply because it seems attractive and glamorous,” says Glasgow university careers adviser Ann McCart. “But when you actually say, ‘Okay, now tell me what you know about the media,’ they often don’t know much about it.” So what would you want to do? Is it advertising you’re interested in? Or maybe journalism? Magazine or newspaper, consumer or business, local or national? What about TV or radio? Perhaps publishing? Once you have identified a broad area, keep narrowing down the part of the industry you like, until you are very specific. The field is very competitive so you need to get right down to the nitty gritty and consider your options. Identify the skills you’d most like to use (are they really media based skills or more applicable to other things, like PR?). Get involved at university: the student paper, radio and TV stations are there for you to learn from. Apply for work experience. Both these will help you learn which aspect of the media suits your skills best.

2. You need to know your product. “Read the newspaper, study what it does and flatter them and be able to say this is why I’d like to work for you,” says Gary Younge, correspondent for The Guardian. “Don’t go into The Guardian saying, ‘So what kind of stuff do you publish?” This goes for all facets of media. Make sure you know the product: it’s

Myth #2 How do I stand out?

1. Do you really know what it involves?

Myth#1 How do I get in?

NEWSPAPERS

Keep up to date with your chosen field, particularly with what your potential employer has been up to. Read the industry magazines too. This will show your commit-

Links

no good wanting to work on a local newspaper if you don’t read regional news!

MAGAZINES T

As much work experience as possible. “A one-year postgraduate diploma, such as those at Cardiff or City University are good,” says Hannah Pool, a commissioning editor at The Guardian. “If not, take a NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) recognised course. They train you up in law and short-hand, which you’ll need for court reporting.”

“Journalism is such a broad church,” argues Rachel Newsome, editor of Dazed & Confused. “It’s everything from FT supplements to club reviews to women’s magazines, not to mention web stuff. It’s narrow minded to say there’s only one way in.” Some postgraduate courses are excellent, but so is diving straight in at the bottom. Offer to write something for free, but carefully consider each publication’s style. Opportunities can also arise in sales, marketing and distribution.

“Work experience: the bigger the better...”Actually it might a waste of time on a big paper if you don’t combine it with other stuff,” says Gary Younge, of The Guardian. “If you walk into a paper, it’s just like a really messy middle-class living room with lots of people sitting around doing their thing. Mostly you’ll be making tea. You get more responsibilities on a local paper. “

“I need to write masterpieces when I’m on work experience.” A good intern doesn’t necessarily need to write incredible articles, but is eager, keen to do the rubbish jobs, arrives on time and gets on with it. Tailor each application to the employer and do your research. Once you’re in, ask for small writing assignments and for feedback.

Good writing skills and a strong interest in current affairs. Gary Younge: “We sometimes have graduates saying to us, ‘So what kind of stuff do you publish in The Guardian?’ You need to know the product. Read the newspaper, study it, find out the best area for you, then write to the right person and flatter them with your knowledge.”

Having a specialist interest, or two, can really help you target an entry route. Be on the ball and ready to come up with ideas and contacts. You won’t get your hand held so you’ll need to have lots of initiative.

“Boozy lunches in Fleet Street with the boys.” Expect shift work and unsociable hours. Alex, a graduate journalist at The Daily Mirror: “I love my job. But a lot of my friends can’t get around the fact that we are at the news desk’s beck and call 24 hours a day. You have your pager and your mobile on 24/7. It does play havoc with your social life.”

“It’s all glamour and freebies.” Actually, it’s ultra-competitive and poorly paid. Alexandra Shulman is editor of Vogue: “I cannot convey how much I did not want to be a journalist. I had seen two povertystricken people (my parents) who were both journalists, never earning a great deal of money, never having job security, but always, it has to be said, having a very nice time.”

Go To: www.nctj.com

Go To: www.journalismuk.co.uk www.journalism.co.uk

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FEATURE | MEDIA

r? The money can be lousy, it’s very competitive yet it regularly ost popular graduate destination. Then again, it can be hugely It’s official: Media is in need of some myth busting.

TV&RADIO

BOOK PUBLISHING

Well-researched speculative letters sent to the right people, then coming in on work experience (or as in a low-level capacity) still works. The BBC has centrally co-ordinated work experience scheme (www.bbc.co.uk/jobs) that offers between 1,000 and 1,500 work placements a year, although sometimes people write to presenters or producers individually – particularly on a local basis.

“A lot of jobs go unadvertised,” explains an insider. “Work experience is invaluable. If you can prove yourself then you could be first in line when a junior assistant’s role comes up. It’s also an excellent way to develop contacts.” Send in your CV to companies on spec. A common route is also to start via secretarial/ administrative roles.

“It’s impossible to get in...” Okay, it’s not easy, but because of the explosion of channels and services, including digital services, there are more opportunities, even on the presenting side.

“It’s all designing glossy covers, reading manuscripts and helping writers finish their plots.” Yes, but there is plenty of admin, typing, legal contracts, and liaising with printers. According to insiders, only 10% of the vacancies are for editorial positions in large publishing companies. Other areas to consider include production, marketing and sales.

“Get work experience,”says BBC work placement co-ordinator Kathryn Miller. “This doesn’t necessarily mean that an applicant needs to have already worked in the media, but it is essential that they demonstrate some knowledge of the area that they are applying to.”

“Tenacity more than being especially talented,” says one insider. “You’ll need more than a love of books – a flair for the business side of publishing, an eye for detail and good inter-personal skills.” If you can’t find work experience then consider working in a bookshop for the summer, learning about the book biz on a grassroots level.

“Broadcasting is elitist: you have to have gone to a redbrick and be an academic achiever.” Not true. “We tend to look for practical skills and evidence of passion more than a first class honours degree,” says Roger Hammett, head of recruitment communications. “The BBC and a lot of the ITV companies are very keen to get a representative sample of society on air, in terms of regional accents and ethnic minorities.”

“Publishing is all long lunches and celebrity-packed launch parties.” The salaries are very low, the hours are long and few publishing applicants realise how stiff the competition is for editorial posts. “You might have to start at the bottom,” says our insider, “but once you’re in it’s even harder to find a second job.”

Go to: www.skillset.org

Go to: www.thebookseller.com

ment to your chosen path and employers will take you seriously, especially when you apply for work experience. It will also help if you know the company when you’re scouting for a job. Find out who is in a position to give the jobs out at each company: it only takes a phone call. “I get a few CVs sent to me each month just because people have seen my name on the company website. This does not mean I have any power to hire or fire,” says Mark a publishing assistant.

3. Do as much work experience as possible. But be realistic about it – you won’t be handed stories on a plate. To make the most of it; apply early; throw yourself in; show more enthusiasm than the last intern; watch and learn. Work experience is a good way to make contacts and get to know the industry. Getting experience at a large company is very competitive but you will get a good overview of the industry while working there and this may help you tailor your career plans. The benefits of doing work experience in a small company are also manifold, and you are much more likely to be given some responsibility. “It’s more important to be able to show the skills you’ve gained rather than name-dropping where you gained them!” says BBC work placement co-ordinator Kathryn Miller. “Any work experience is good work experience, independent production companies are an excellent place to gain experience and even a couple of days working as a runner on a small production put you ahead of the competition when you’re applying for a full time job after university.” And since many job opportunities go unadvertised, work experience gives you the insider’s edge. If you can prove yourself to the editor then you could be the first in line when a junior assistant’s role comes up.

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FEATURE | MEDIA

“

go in with your eyes open. give it 100 per cent because that’s the level you’ll have to compete at. media is not a field where employers come to you; you have to make yourself irresistible to them.

”

see it as a personal slight. You’ve got to be fairly thick-skinned. You may have to be turned down by 30 firms, before the 31st gives you an offer.” As one journalist says, “I know some really successful magazine editors wall-papered their walls with

some good cuttings

rejection letters before they got a job.” And remember that nepotism works. Build contacts

and good internet research skills will put

while on work experience and make friends with peo-

“It’s reassuring to do another year of uni,” says one journalism postgraduate student.

you in the top percentage of entrants for journalism work ex-

ple who might be able to give you a job at some juncture, be they the friend of an

“But I don’t think it’s all that necessary. I have friends who’ve gone straight into

perience. If you’re looking to go into pub-

aunt or the friend of a friend of a cousin twice removed…

their jobs and are doing correspondence courses or just learning on the job.” Qualifications are usually less important than passion, ability and experience. Postgraduate diplomas can be very good, as they will often fill gaps in your

lishing, courses in proofreading, editing and IT skills can be helpful.

knowledge and create a strong network. But they can be competitive. You need a good portfolio and should have evidence of your own determination. It’s not just about working for your student TV station; you need to show your dedication. And that means work experience. Newspaper journalism is really the only area where some kind of postgraduate training is seen as necessary (yet even this can be a short NCTJ-recognised course). On-the-job training is often more useful and beneficial.

viewing and university alumni networks available at your careers service. Stay in touch with the managers you work under by sending the occasional email.

Because media is such a broad field, you have many options, but it’s unlikely that a

ply rely on sending dozens of CVs off for jobs in The Guardian’s Monday media section. Media can be a difficult area to break into because there are very few direct entry programmes. Often the few that there are aren’t even advertised. Of the few graduate programmes, such as Pearson for publishing and those on national newspapers, most are very competitive. Such schemes are rarely widely advertised and you will need to actively seek them out. The sector is typified by fairly low, suppressed wages and short-term (daily, weekly, or monthly) contracts. Going through brochures in a careers library isn’t going to be much use in your job hunt. It’s about networking. Well-crafted speculative letters could

potential employer will hire you just be-

also get you work experience, if not a job.

compete at.” Media is not a field where

cause of the witty eloquence of your CV. If the necessary expertise isn’t on it, you won’t get the job.

Tailor your letter, as well as your CV, to the company in question - flatter them by proving how much you know about their

the employers come to you; you have to make yourself irresistible to them. “Tenacity is more important than being

With media it helps to find out what an employer needs - where his or her pain is and offering a solution to take it away. For

product. What do you like about it? Or, if you feel adventurous, how could the product be improved?

especially talented,” says one publishing insider. “You’ll need more than a love of books. We look for a flair for the business

a production company, this might mean you offer to come in and work for free one day a week; for a magazine editor, this

Above all, be prepared to do anything. There may be labour shortages in various areas of your chosen field, such as set

side of publishing, an eye for detail and good inter-personal skills.” While this may be a harsh reality for

means taking the time to come up with some extremely informed ideas as to how

craft roles and compliancy in television, and starting there is a good way in.

graduates, it does provide an almost open field once you’re in the industry. As re-

4. Do you take a postgraduate diploma, or apply directly for a job on graduation?

5. Know what you need to do to get the relevant skills.

to fill a few pages. Make use of the skills you have and learn to market them to their full advantage. Also find out what will make you stand out when you apply. Having a basic knowledge of QuarkXpress or InDesign,

6. Be unconventional and make your own opportunities. Most opportunities are invisible. Don’t sim-

7. Don’t take rejection personally.

Being able to network is just as important as having the right experience: without either of them you won’t find a job in the media industry. You should be quite ruthless with any contacts, however tenuous or distant. Also try informational inter-

8. Accept that there is no established route in. “It used to be that you started on your local paper,” says Gary Younge. “Do your time there, move onto an evening news and then a national. It doesn’t really happen like that anymore.” This is what causes trouble for most graduates trying to get into the media industry. “You need to know how competitive it is and go in with you eyes open,” says this insider, “and give it 100 per cent, because that’s the level you’ll have to

cently as 20 years ago, if you began life as a print reporter, you didn’t end up in tele-

“Often students aren’t used to it,” explains Roger Hammett of the BBC. “Suddenly, in

vision or PR as you can do now. The industry is fluid and always changing, and as a graduate entering the field, your options

the media, they get rejections and they

are numerous. n

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We are an equal opportunities employer

Will most industry-leading companies really make the most of your talent? Years at university only to become an expert in photocopying. Hanging round the boss’s desk waiting for instructions. And a pay rise. Better join the Enterprise Management Training Scheme to make sure that’s not you. We’re an international car rental company with a multi-billion pound turnover, that teaches you to run your own section of the business in as little as two years. You’ll learn about everything from sales, marketing and customer service to operations and finance, so you can make crucial business decisions and reap the rewards. You could be promoted twice in one year. Earn in two years what could take you five elsewhere. We’re here to make the most of your potential, not let it wither and die. To apply visit www.enterprisealive.com/realworld or call 0870 850 1232.

YES, I’D LIKE TO SPEND AN ETERNITY IN MY BOSS’S SHADOW, NODDING AT DECISIONS, TAKING NOTES AND THEN TYPING THEM UP, UNTIL MY IDENTITY DISAPPEARS INTO THE ETHER AND I BECOME ONE WITH THE PAPERWORK. NO, I’D RATHER JOIN ENTERPRISE, SO I CAN RUN MY OWN BUSINESS WITHIN 2 YEARS – I’LL BE IN CONTROL, RECRUITING MY OWN TEAM, AND HEADING FOR MY NEXT PROMOTION.

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The Chartered Institute of Marketing is the world's leading professional marketing body, defining the marketing standards that operate in the UK and championing best practice globally. Our qualifications have been developed based on the skills that employers are looking for when recruiting marketers, so if you're looking to get into marketing or move up the career ladder, CIM qualifications can help you. Whatever your academic or professional background, and however new to marketing you are, there is a level of qualification for you: • Introductory Certificate in Marketing • Professional Certificate in Marketing • Professional Diploma in Marketing • Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing With flexible study options at CIM accredited centres worldwide, you can choose exactly how and where you want to study. For more information: Telephone: +44 (0)1628 427120 Email: qualifications@cim.co.uk www.cim.co.uk/learningzone

20/2/06 13:48:51

THE ON MOVE rt Careers in transpo not top and logistics may the polls when it comes to sought eers after graduate car t finds but Steve Smethurs er a the sector can off global career with t. plenty of excitemen

It’s challengan exciting industr y. irst the good news. It’s it’s reasond l to the economy. An ing. Fast-moving. Vita , tend to too es mm gra duate pro ably well paid. The gra senior manto you ck t-tra fas to be thorough and aim agement positions. skills council, Skills woman for the sector Nikki Hoople, spokes y that successustr ind y “An list. ular evange for Logistics, is a partic atoes from tom fresh llenge of bringing fully picks up the cha from their s per spa new in Januar y, or gets Kenya to your plate t – anywhere in the to your front-door ma g print site in London got to be an excitin und four hours, has country – within aro industry,” she says. sport/logistics has is the bad news, tran Unfortunately, and this n misunderstood,” con ge problem. “It is ofte something of an ima ustr y’s ind UK of one e rtently, it has becom cedes Nikki. “Inadve t needs to change to this is something tha and rets best-kept sec

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FEATURE | TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS | CASE STUDIES

Daksha Hirani, 24 Job: Branch manager, Enterprise-Rent-aCar, Waterloo office Degree: 2:2, Retail management, University of the Arts, London Why Enterprise? I went to a recruitment fair and there was an Enterprise-Rent-A-Car stand. It just kind of jumped out at me. I’d never thought of it before then. Best thing? When I come into work, I know I’m going to have a laugh. The fun factor in our office is amazing. It makes the day go quicker. Worst thing? My only really daunting challenge was the congestion charge. But we came up with a plan. You learn to work with it, rather than against it. Advice: Get in there as quickly as possible. it’s such a fastmoving business and jobs go like hot cakes. And try to enjoy yourself once you’re in. It’s fun and it’s fast. It was Easter in her final year and Daksha still hadn’t got round to giving a job much serious thought. But she went with a friend along to a recruitment fair. “I just took some of my CVs along, and thought I’d pick up a couple of application forms. I had no idea what I was heading towards,” says Daksha. It turned out that she was heading towards the Enterprise stand. “They asked me if I liked meeting people, if I liked a challenge… the more they talked about it, the more it sounded like my personality in a job.” Daksha says that her role with Enterprise involves pretty much everything she did in her degree – such as HR, logistics, business management and finance. And she recalls that on her first day as a management trainee she glanced at the clock, after what seemed like 10 minutes, and four hours had gone by. “To be able to not look at your watch all day and for the days to fly by is great in any job.” Now manager in the busy Waterloo office, the days still speed along. “I enjoy my role because everyone’s really motivated and focused. At some places the attitude is that ‘it’s just a job’, but here your promotion is in your hands; you’re in charge of your own career. Every day is different. You have challenges to meet every single day and you have to overcome them.”

ller

y Photographs by Ed Mi

– the industr y.” Logistics consider a career in fifth s encourage people to UK’ the A to B – is ss of getting things from iessentially the busine ple across 65,000 bus peo ion mill 1.75 ying biggest industry, emplo that’s and – ent ym plo em six per cent of all nesses. It accounts for transport. ount the crossover with acc into e tak before you development at al director of profession Dorothea Carvalho, is another who LT), (CI rt spo Logistics and Tran ’re Chartered Institute of career option.“If you tes to consider it as a It’s recommends gradua ed. bor be to ng goi te level, you’re never coming in at a gradua of peolot a rt, spo tran in ver y exciting. And ver y fast-moving and ommend people to n for it. I’d certainly rec ssio pa l rea a e ple hav bit more research.” consider it and do a pool of 600 or so lodraw, naturally, on the ers ruit Many big rec rt planning degrees. 250 who take transpo gistics graduates or the dular nature of dee into account the mo However, most also tak ss administration ine bus and iness studies grees and look at bus

ally have a logistics/ that these courses usu graduates too, given also be considered, n-business degrees will transport element. No ting than degree. given a higher weigh because “fit” is often proximately 10 graduap s ruit example, rec Christian Salvesen, for pae each year. The com graduate programm m. ates into its two-year imu min 2:1 a for s ask rees – however, it doe ny will look at all deg says the elopment co-ordinator, dev and g nin trai r, Shelley Garne r a maafte ility.“We’re for pure academic ab company isn’t looking se.” sen n mo com ship, independence and turity of outlook, leader explains he Hig nne Joa er ain, HR manag At DHL Exel Supply Ch en opportunities s (37 in 2006) will be giv ruit rec te dua gra ir that the the graduate out ugh be encouraged thro ver y early on and will e opportu“Th . ple peo nt ere rk and meet diff programme to netwo pen. With hap ke them you do have to ma nities are infinite, but ichever wh in eer car ir ple can shape the initiative and drive peo she says. direction they wish,”

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FEATURE | TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS | CASE STUDIES

“

I would really suffer in a monotonous job but here at maersk you never know what the day is going to throw at you.

”

career in tain drawbacks to a Zenobia Rajkotwala, 25 However, there are cer relocation are s one big two e Job: Graduate trainee, The Maersk Company Ltd “Th rt. spo tran and s istic log s, we need Degrees: 2:2, Industrial Economics, University of he.“Like other employer and shift-work,” says Hig n. For Warwick; MA International relations, University s of hours and locatio term in ible flex be to graduates of Nottingham within the ere wh any rk wo ld cou y their first 18 months, the to ed ask be ld their hours – they cou Why Maersk? I was looking for jobs online when I saw Maersk. I grew up UK. It’s the same with .” shifts – and on rotation ht nig or in Denmark and I was really impressed with what they were offering. late ly, work ear at r cto ple development dire Best thing? I would really suffer in a monotonous job and here you never Nick Streatfield, peo job that nger stance – “It’s a stro know what the day is going to throw at you. n eve Geodis, takes an uires 100 demanding and it req is it Worst thing? Probably being based in Felixstowe for a time. But that was – f hal by e don can’t be should go because I couldn’t drive and public transport in Suffolk isn’t the best. It’s not something you per cent commitment. s But once I passed my driving test things got much better. it,” he says.“Graduate to ted mit com fully into unless you’re , the skills ple Advice: You don’t need a huge amount of shipping knowledge before peo the e hav – do I need to ask themselves you enter this profession, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. If l?” hau g lon the for dy big money is a major motivator for you, then forget it. But there are determination, am I rea up gro y, bur Sud ah concedes Sar some fantastic aspects – how many graduate schemes will guarantee “It is a tough industry,” , Wincanton pment co-ordinator at expatriation within two years? resourcing and develo tes each year. dua gra 20 ly ate xim which takes on appro y rewarding.” Despite having an economics degree, Zenobia worked out quite early ment, but it is also ver “It demands commit that banking wasn’t for her. “An internship at HSBC ruled it out. It just ry of sala a on y ustr ind enter the didn’t excite me. The money would have been great, but it’s not a big Graduates typically ton can Win their first year, and at motivating factor for me. If you hate your job, money can only take £20,000 to £25,000 in lier grad a buddy from an ear ch, you so far.” coa a they are given rter qua Zenobia wanted challenge, variety and to meet lots of people – but iews every month and rev e anc form per e, schem er as a group had no idea who she wanted to work for, or even in which sector. eth tog get tes dua ly reviews when all gra Fortunately, a chance sighting of the Maersk website proved to offer the future. eriences and plans for an ideal opportunity. The Danish shipping chain’s graduate and talk about their exp ent propm elo dev ent em a manag programme even offers several rotations. “It was perfect,” she says. Wincanton also offers by ited red Her rotations have included a stint in Felixstowe, trying to save r 18 months, which is acc gramme, spread ove ement. nag money on supply chains for big retailers; in the commercial Ma & ship der Lea the Institute of you’re cut department tendering for new business; and then a bit of “nitty that it’s easy to see if s say lho rva Ca T’s CIL gritty” in operations – making sure containers were on time and on e ability to use “Th tor. sec t por ans the quay. “It gave me a good grounding in what makes goods go out for the logistics/tr to e hav lly rea you tely vital. And from A to B,” she says. “We all go into shops such as Woolworths, but technology is absolu bly it’s proba find figures daunting you never realise the effort involved in getting the goods there.” She be numerate – if you litht, brig are is currently right at the heart of things, working in Canary Wharf on uld consider. But, if you not an area you sho n the integration of Maersk and P&O. t you will get a job, eve fee r you on k thin erate and can Next for Zenobia is to apply for a two-year expatriation as part of right s.co.uk if you don’t have the Maersk’s international graduate programme, and she has 90 www.careersinlogistic re org countries to choose from. But is it all too good to be true? “Almost,” work experience. The www.skillsforlogistics. s .uk nitie she says. “It can be quite scary. You’re given a lot of independence .org ortu iltuk w.c opp ww are huge early – and you’re expected to deliver.” www.goskills.org re.” n the out

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First for graduate recruitment

RealWorldAd.qxp

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Actuarial Analyst Towers Perrin is a global professional services firm that helps organisations around the world optimise performance through effective people, risk and financial management. The firm provides innovative solutions to client issues in the areas of human resource strategy, design and management; actuarial and management consulting to the financial services industry; and reinsurance intermediary services.

Apply online at: www.towersperrin.com

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Excellent benefits, London based Working within a multi-disciplinary team, you will learn the fundamentals of actuarial consulting as you will work in a team with experienced consultants to support major clients in all aspects of actuarial consulting, including financial modelling acquisitions and market surveys. You will undergo an extensive training programme in order to gain valuable problem-solving skills that are needed to become an effective actuarial consultant. Vacancies are within the areas of employee benefit services, life and general insurance. Training: ■ You will be given every encouragement to develop your career, both by formal training and involvement in a wide variety of client assignments ■ You will be encouraged to develop your skills that best suit your particular talents and ambitions ■ Development of technical, consulting and management skills, backed by an extensive training programme ■ You will work toward qualifying as a Fellow of the Institute or Faculty of Actuaries; regular study leave with tuition and materials is paid for by the company.

■ Assessing and designing management systems, claims processes and actuarial procedures. ■ Resolving client queries and helping to maintain client relationships.

Requirements/qualifications: ■ 3 high A level grades (including grade B in mathematics) ■ Minimum of a 2.1 honours degree, preferably mathematics or scientific discipline ■ Commitment toward attaining a professional qualification ■ Excellent interpersonal skills ■ Ability to function professionally and proactively in a team environment.

Responsibilities include: ■ Developing financial projections for a company or product line ■ Designing and developing benefit strategies

20/2/06 18:03:17

TAKE OFF TIME Ev er y ye ar mo re th an 20 0,0 00 yo un g pe op le in th e UK ta ke Start planning. Preparation is key. Talk to your careers service, and anyone you know who took a year out before plunging into the job market. Check out specialist websites such as www.gapyear.com and www .yearoutgroup.org. There are many gap -year books on offer, some better than others, head down to your local book store for a browse or read the revie ws on Amazon.co.uk to check out whic h one might be best for you. Also, consider gaining a language or a voca tional qualification such as Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).

Think CV. Don’t approach a gap year as time ‘off’ – it’s time out from the job market, and too valuable an opp ortunity to waste. Employers love gap years: in Time Well Spent, a report published by volunteering charity Com munity Service Volunteers and the Asso ciation of Graduate Recruiters, ever y company that responded agreed “a cons tructive gap year helps prepare youn g people for the workplace”. But gap years are now so common that taking one big holiday won’t be seen as part icularly impressive.

Plan your re-entry strategy. Befo re you go, you’ll need to think about how your gap plans affect job app lications. Without preparation, you migh t find your gap year doubling in length of its own accord. Finding an internet conn ection to e-mail your job application isn’t going to be an easy in the jungle. If you want to apply for graduate recru itment schemes, research important dates (application deadlines, inter view s, ass essment days) before you go, and try to fit your plans around them.

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take

FEATURE | GAP YEAR | CASE STUDIES

The Conservationist

David Bell, 22, graduated from Newcastle University in 2005 with a degree in zoology. He is now working for Aardvark McL eod, which offers tailor-made fly-fis hing holidays. He plans to build on his experiences to deve lop a career in conservation.

Gap Year Experience: David spent two weeks as one of the first volunteers at the Alladale in Scotland. It is owned by Paul Estate Lister, who hopes to bring back wolves, lynx, bears and wild creating a safari-style game boar by reserve. David took part in a rang e of cons ervat ion activities including helping to collect and colla te data about the local fauna and wildlife. The project is run Worldwide Experience. He then through went on to spend a month in Nairo bi on a training course for safar run by an organisation called i guides Ecotraining. What was your motivation? I’d taken a gap year before uni and

worked on safari in Zambia with Gap Activity. The experienc e inspired me to change my degr ee from Mechanical Engineering to Zoology. When I saw an article on what Paul Lister was doing I wrote to see there was a position available if for a volunteer.

What skills

did you learn? In Scotland it was great to be able to relate what I’d learnt at university to real life. I saw how you would go about starti ng to develop a game reserve. On the training cours e in Africa the training ranged from tracking to approaching dangerous gam e on foot. Best part: Scotland was a real wilde rness experience and the surro undings were amazing, as was the accommo dation, which was set in a wood en lodge. Through both the projects I got a good unde rstanding about how a game reserve works, which is vital if I want to pursue a cons ervation career. Worst part: The rain in Scotland! Sometimes we had to cancel outside activities such as collecting data. Did it improve your employability ? Yes. If you want to go into conservat

ion you are more likely to be taken seriously if you’ve done volun teer work, than if you just have a degree in it. Both the experiences look good on my CV. It also helps you find out what you’d like to do. A number of people on the safari course were considerin g doing it as a career and had realised it wasn’t quite what they’d expe cted.

Advice to students considering a gap year? Try to keep busy. Use your time: don’t just sit aroun d. Get experience in anything that you want to do now – it’s harder when you have a caree r.

a gap year . Real World talks you through your options. Money. If you are skint, think about a working gap year. Check orga nisations such as BUNAC (www.bunac. org.uk) Temping or gaining office work will also raise funds. It’s also worth seein g if you can get a grant. “There are millions of pounds out there available from local funds and charities,” says Tom Griffiths, founder of gapyear.com (see www. gapyear.com for advice on this).

Be independent. Getting acro ss the world to exotic locations may be a considerable outlay, but once you’ re out there, as an independent trave ller, things will be considerably less expensive .

Don’t dismiss the UK. Very few students plan to spend their spend their gap years volunteering in the UK but while heading abroad can be grea t experience, don’t discount home. Wha t it loses in tropical fascination, volun teering in the UK more than makes up for in its flexibility and its heavyweight pres ence on your CV. Check Community Service Volunteers (www.csv.org.uk), Mille nnium Volunteers (www.mv-online.gov.uk) British Trust for Conservation Volu nteers (www.btcv.org.uk) and www .do-it.org. uk. Also consider work experienc e.

Teaching abroad. The most popular and well-developed area of the structured gap sector is teaching English, though opportunities to teac h other subjects are growing rapidly. Some organisers require applicants to have a TEFL certificate, but many prov ide training of their own, and some pay local wages. CIEE (www.councilexch anges. org.uk), Teaching & Projects Abro ad, ito-i, VSO (www.vso.org.uk) and a host of others all operate schemes in a massive variety of countries. See www .tefl. net for details of courses.

BY S H AP R G TO O PH

OU G N

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canada work & travel in

BUNACâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Work Canada programme offers graduates the chance to spend three to twelve months on a working holiday in Canada. 12-month Work Authorisation obtained through BUNAC Chance to take virtually any job, anywhere in Canada Choose a BUNAC flight or make your own arrangements Support services of BUNAC in the UK & SWAP in Canada

020 7251 3472

www.bunac.org

Contact: Richard Wright, BUNAC, 16 Bowling Green Lane, London, EC1R 0QH â&#x20AC;˘ E-mail: canada@bunac.org.uk

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FEATURE | GAP YEAR | CASE STUDIES

The Traveller

Hannah Simmons, 24, graduate d from the University of Swansea with a degree in statis tics. She now works as a statistician for insurance company Alliance Cornhill. Gap

Year Experience: Hannah trave lled the world on a sevenmonth solo trip. Her destinatio ns included Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. By work ing during a pre-uni gap year and carefully saving her money she was able to fully fund the trip herself. What was your motivation? “I really didn’t know what I want ed to do as a career after university and having spent my gap year before uni working in a bank I wanted to take a year out. I planned it carefully throughout university – I didn’t want to miss anything!” Did you gain any skills? “Loads of confidence and independence. I really learnt about getting on with people. Sometimes during education you don’t really meet people who are so different to yourself but this soon changed when I was trave lling.” Did it increase your employability ? “It didn’t do it any harm and it was something good to talk about when I was in interviews. Best bit? “All of it! I think you tend to remember the places by the people you meet and that’s what I enjoyed most.” Worst bit? “Sometimes arriving alone in a strange country could be daunting. But it was nothing a good night’s sleep couldn’t cure. ”

Advice for students cons

idering a gap year? “I found sites such as www.gapyear.com really useful to arrange to meet up with people. Plan your trip. I’d also consider doing voluntary work .”

“vo lu nt ee r! yo u wil l ge t so mu ch mo re ou t of yo ur tim e ”

The Volunteer

Catherine Dawes, 22, graduate d in English and Philosophy from the University of York. She is now studying for a post-graduate qualification at the London College of Communication. Gap Year

Experience: Through i-to-i, Cath erine spent eight weeks on a community development proje ct in Bolivia, and eight weeks in Lima, Peru, as a translator for www.manuela.org.p e. In between projects she trave lled through South America. The project in La Paz, Bolivia cost £1,295 for 8 weeks, including accomodation. The project in Lima, Peru cost £1,59 5 for eight weeks, including food and acco mmodation. Catherine funde d her travels by working for seven months in media sales.

What was

your motivation? “Because I was going on my own I decided to travel with an orga nisation rather than arrange it myself. There was a huge range of proje cts on offer.” What skills did you learn? “My Spanish improved, as did my confidence. Being out there on your own means you have to get used to talking to complete strangers. I learnt how to take the initiative and get involved in situations. You also have to get used to working with people who are very different to you.” Best part: “I had so many amazing once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as swimming with dolph ins in an Amazon river.” Worst part: “I’d originally meant to work on a newspaper in Lima and it was disappointing when that fell through.”

Did it impr

ove your employability? “Yes, it improved my Spanish and the projects I worked on always come up in interviews. I’ve also got more direction. While I was away I met a travel writer. When I got back to the UK I arranged work experienc e, which really confirmed that I wanted to go into feature writing.”

Advice to students

considering a gap year? “It’s worth volunteering or doing work while you are away , you will get so more out of your time.” WWW.REALWORLD.JOBS RW 31

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CSV

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feel good. Full time volunteering with CSV gives people the opportunity to learn new skills, improve job prospects and most importantly help others. You could be providing support to people with physical or learning difficulties, or mental health issues. You could be helping older people, the homeless or people in the youth justice system. Full time volunteers live away from home and are provided with food, accommodation and a weekly allowance. You don’t need any previous experience or qualifications – just commitment. A full time placement can last for between 4 and 12 months.

‘‘

It’s such a fulfilling experience and a brilliant way to try something out . . . It’s such a supportive environment and organisation to be part of. The job satisfaction is great too. Seeing a child you work with change is amazing. Rachell Beddow, current CSV volunteer

At CSV we pride ourselves on pioneering new solutions and innovative ways to tackle society’s needs. Over 40 years’ experience helps us to know where to focus energy and ideas so that CSV, its partners and volunteers really make a difference to people’s lives.

Call O800 374 991 or go on-line www.csv.org.uk/ftvol and feel good today

’’

Demonstrate Commitment MSc Accounting and Finance Employers value evidence of commitment to your chosen career. The MSc Accounting and Finance will demonstrate your commitment and give you the opportunity to extend and deepen your knowledge of financial management and accounting. • Excellent location and facilities. • Ranked 4th in the 2005 National Students Survey*. • Accounting and Finance at Exeter top-rated for research. • 30 years experience delivering finance and investment masters graduates. • UK/EU applicants are eligible for one of five 50% Golden Jubilee Scholarships. 2006 Entry only. *For undergraduate accounting and finance

School of Business and Economics Serious about Business and Economics www.exeter.ac.uk/sobe/postgraduate

universit y of

CSV creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their community. CSV is a registered charity no. 291222.

Gap year & vacation work Wesser & Partner

Wesser & Partner are pioneers in charity fundraising and raise funds on behalf of St John Ambulance by recruiting supporters from members of the public who commit to making an annual donation.

The Job Role

Our fundraisers talk directly to individuals, informing them of both local & national projects undertaken by St John Ambulance for which the charity needs continuous financial assistance, and trying to recruit them as supporters. Our fundraisers work & live in teams of about 5 and in numerous locations across the UK.

exeter

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS For further information please contact Shirley Learmonth, email: sobemsc@exeter.ac.uk or telephone: +44 (0) 1392 263230 www.exeter.ac.uk/sobe/postgraduate

THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Become a ski, snowboard or diving instructor

The International Academy provides opportunities for people to pursue their sporting interests and perform them to a professional level. So, if you’re looking for a worthwhile and valuable gap year experience, the International Academy offer instructor training courses in skiing, snowboarding and scuba diving that culminate in professional, worldwide recognised qualifications. Courses range from 5 to 12 weeks in duration and take place in some of the world’s finest destinations including the Canadian Rockies, the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in the USA and the Southern Alps of New Zealand. New Scuba Diving courses will also be available in the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea, the Caribbean and the Maldives. The courses are open to people of all standards and start dates vary throughout the year. T: 0870 060 1381 www.theinternationalacademy.com

The Rewards

Fundraisers are paid an hourly rate plus bonuses so your pay depends on your results. On average a good fundraiser earns £1500 per month. Put simply – The harder you work, The more you earn! Wesser & Partner will also provide free accommodation and use of a team car.

work or volunteer

abroad with BUNAC

Be more than a tourist! Combining working or volunteering with your travels can add a whole new dimension to your overseas adventure. With nearly 45 years of experience in the field of work and travel programmes, BUNAC provides you with the opportunity, choices and support to make your work or volunteer experience as worthwhile and successful as possible.

To discover more about Wesser & Partner and the unique opportunities available to you, please visit us at:

www.wesser.co.uk or Phone us on: 01438 356 222

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To find out more about BUNAC's opportunities in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Peru, Ghana, South Africa and Cambodia, visit our website or call (020) 7251 3472.

www.bunac.org

All you need to be, is confident, persuasive and have a great personality!

20/2/06 18:25:47

FEATURE | GAP YEAR | CASE STUDIES

The Teacher

James Bonsor, 24, graduated in maths from Trinity College Cambridge in 2002 . He is an associate consultant for PWC Strategy Group. Gap Year Expe

rience: James spent a year teaching English in China with the Council on International Educational Exch ange. At the time, he earned around £200-£300 per month, including accommodation. What

was your motivation? I’m half-C hinese and I have always wanted to go to China to learn about the culture and improve my Mand arin. Because I didn’t have a big bankroll I need ed to do something that would be self-sustaining.

What skills did you

learn? You develop a range of skills, particularly organisation, presentation and communication. I became fluen t in Mandarin and also developed an understan ding of the culture. Best part: Living in a different place and having exposure to a very different lifesty le and society. Working there meant I was more integrated than I would have been had I just trave lled around. Worst part: I was out at the time of the SARS outbreak. For six weeks I only left my building once.

Did it impr

ove your employability? It did. For a start, living abroad for a year makes you much more mature and responsible. I also learnt good organisation and presentatio n skills, plus how to interact and coach people.

Advice to students considering a gap year?

Be careful not to waste your time. If you do take a year out it’s an amazing oppo rtunity and you should really think about how you can get the most out of it. Don’t look back and say “I wish I’d done that”.

“Wo rk ing is a gr ea t wa y to fin d ou t wh at yo u lik e to do ”

The Worker

Gemma Finikin, graduated from the University of Hull in 2003 with a degree in English and com munications. She is director of the London office of Breakfast Network, a networking events organisation. GAP

YEAR EXPERIENCE Gemma spen t a year in New York on a work ing placement arranged by the Moun tbatten Internship Programme. The programme offers graduates year long internships and costs £1,995. Interns are paid $448 (£256) every two weeks and accommo dation is provided. Most placements are office based and entry level Gem ma worked with a small rapidly grow ing company Breakfast Network. At the end of the year the comp any hired her. What was your motivation? I want ed to do something that woul d give me some life experience and set me apart from other grad uates. What skills did you learn? My job ranged from administrative tasks, like setting up the networking events, to bringing in new busin ess and clients. I learnt how to manage my time and motivate myself. Best part: The job was fantastic as was the chance to get to know New York. I’m still good friends with many other interns on the prog ramme. Worst part: There was so much that I wanted to do and I couldn’t fit it in! Did it improve your employability ? Absolutely. I learnt how to communicate with people on all levels and developed my confi dence Advice to students considering a gap year? It’s great to travel but do something worthwhile. Work ing can be a great way to find out what you would like to do and will set you apart from other grad uates.

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Grasp the potential. Create the future. Being the best takes passion. It takes focus. And it takes a single-minded determination to excel in everything you do. That determination has seen us awarded General Insurer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards for two years running. It’s also fuelling an exciting future – and now we need the brightest and most ambitious graduates in the UK to be part of it. Yes, you’ll get all the support you need to build an outstanding career. Personalised training and development for example, giving you a broad mix of technical, commercial and leadership skills. To find out more information and details on how to apply please go to www.allianzcornhill.co.uk/careers/graduate.htm

Applications are welcomed from both students in their final year and recent graduates.

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GROW YOUR OWN ACCOUNTANCY CAREER IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) is one of the leading professional accountancy bodies in the UK and the only one that specialises in the public services. With public services now accounting for nearly half of the global economy, this really is a sector that will give you excellent career prospects.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF STUDYING WITH CIPFA? Gaining a CCAB (Consultative Committee of Accountant Bodies) accountancy qualification like CIPFA, will open doors for you and give you the opportunity to reach the very top in management. Graduates from any discipline can apply. Those from accountancy, business or finance degrees are often exempt from certain parts of the course. The course will develop your skills in business and management as well as accounting, knowledge that is applicable to all economic sectors.

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There are many public sector employers currently looking to recruit graduates to study for the CIPFA qualification, such as Audit Commission, NHS, London Boroughs and the Metropolitan Police. Thanks to its unique combination of technical and financial management skills, the CIPFA qualification is equally valued in the private sector. For example firms such as such as Baker Tilley, KPMG, and Pricewaterhouse Coopers have staff with CPFA status.

WHERE CAN I GET FURTHER INFORMATION? To see a full list of employers currently taking on trainees visit; www.cipfa.org.uk/eandt/current/vacancies.cfm or call one of our Education Advisers on 020 7543 5846 or e-mail choices@cipfa.org

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AT THE HEART OF YOUR CAREER

Figure it out Accountancy and actuarial firms have a reputation for being unexciting. but they are among the biggest graduate employers in the UK and graduates flock to apply. there must be a reasonâ&#x20AC;Ś Kate Hilpern explains. y Photographs by Ed Miller

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FEATURE | ACCOUNTANCY | OVERVIEW

hen Terry Jones of Association of Graduate

checks on their application forms and others apply without any

Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) recently arranged to talk to a group of undergraduates

real understanding of the job or sector. We don’t try to trip people up in interviews because we see the aim as an opportunity for

on careers in accounting, he was met with a roomful of yawns. “They all assumed it’s a really boring job,” he recalls. “But the variety and responsibility involved

them to demonstrate their interest and experience, but we would expect people to have thought through some examples of their skills and to have done some investigation into the job they’ve

in accounting has improved dramatically in recent years.” Sarah Churchman, director of student recruitment

applied for and the industry.”

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), agrees. “In fact, the increasing regulation, post-Enron, which we all thought would be bad news for the profession, has actually created enormous opportunities. There is now greater clarity about the two channels of service we offer – audit and non-audit work. This means graduates can opt to go into straight accountancy services or more advisory services.”

Who is hiring? Increasing numbers of organisations in anything from broadcasting and fashion to football and retail are now hiring accountants. Other – in fact, most – accountants are employed in public practice, where the profession is dominated by four multinational firms. The Big Four, as they are known, are PwC, Deloitte & Touche,

Hence the preference of some of the big accountancy firms for the label “professional services” when describing what they do. The breadth of work available means it doesn’t matter what your degree subject is, says Sarah. “We have graduates with degrees in languages, science and business studies. The range is big because the important thing is not your discipline but your passion to work in this industry.” Most of the biggest firms will specify that they require a predicted 2:1 although a number of today’s accountants will accept a 2:2.

Ernst & Young and KPMG. Meanwhile, accountants working in the public sector or in local and national government, who are commonly known as “financial managers”, are responsible for the administration and use of public money. Many employers offer training to graduates, which will involve gaining a qualification with one of the key professional accountancy bodies. The good news is that these employers often have a structured programme, combining the practical experience required with opportunities to study for the examinations. Some companies offer excellent packages to cover the cost of studying, including tuition fees and paid study leave.

What is it like? The potential financial rewards may play a big part in explaining the popularity of tax and accountancy, a newly qualified accountant with one of the major firms could expect to earn about £35,000 per year, more if based in London. But it’s not easy money. The main comment echoed by all trainees and ex trainees is “it’s hard work”. From day one there is pressure to deliver the goods and come up with creative solutions. Like all employers of accountants,

How do I qualify? Trine Moreira, business relationship manager at Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), says that graduates should gain some understanding of the different professional qualifications on offer, particularly since employers tend to favour certain

PWC is looking for motivated people who are genuinely interest-

qualifications over others. “Each one has a different focus,” she says.

ed in business and therefore have some commercial awareness. So if you’re interested, start reading the business pages. “In addition, we want strong team players rather than sole traders –

“Ours is very broad and enables graduates to work in any sector.” Other examples include the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) qualification, which is aimed

ecause of the size of our clients – as well as good relationship b builders because you’ll be working both with clients and lots of members of our staff,” she says. “You’ll also need to be commit-

at people who know they want to work in the public sector, and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification aimed at people who want to be management ac-

ted to studying because the professional qualification involves passing institute exams that are probably the toughest you’ve ever done, irrespective of whether you’ve studied accountancy

countants, where practitioners analyse the performance of a business to advise on how it can develop. Meanwhile, actuaries can do the qualification provided by the Institute of Actuaries in

at university. The support is very much there for you, but it does involve hard work.”

England and Wales or the Faculty of Actuaries in Scotland. “Once you qualify, the world is your oyster,” says Ruth Stokes,

Contrary to popular opinion, however, you don’t have to be highly numerate. “It’s more important to have strong analytical

head of recruitment operations at KPMG. “At KPMG, for example, you can stay within the firm, where popular opportunities include

skills,” she explains. Sarah Shillingford, graduate recruitment partner at Deloitte, advises wannabe accountants to do as much preparation as

international assignments or a secondment to a client, or you can move into a business career.” Indeed, a large proportion of CEOs in the FTSE100 companies

possible before applying. “Many graduates don’t even do spell-

started out as accountants.

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0062 ICAEW Ad

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JUST WHAT IS THE ACA AND WHERE EXACTLY CAN IT TAKE YOU? The ACA is the business qualification for people who want exceptional rewards, career choice and the challenges that come from working at the highest levels of business. With the prestige of the ACA qualification behind you, your reputation will precede you. As an ACA qualified chartered accountant, you’ll embark – on a career of limitless possibilities. It will give you the ability to work with pretty much any employer, of any size and in any sector you choose – in business, commerce, the public sector or even at the head of your own venture. So, where exactly can it take you? Well, where exactly do you want to go? With over 3,000 young people entering ACA training contracts every year, with the intention of qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, the only certainty we can provide is that the qualification is your passport to unlimited career opportunities in the business world. To get all the facts about the ACA and discover more about the opportunities available, visit www.icaew.co.uk/careers or e-mail realworld@icaew.co.uk

ACA GET THE FACTS. DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITIES.

THE BUSINESS QUALIFICATION

FEATURE | ACCOUNTANCY | CASE STUDY

“

ou need to be confident. After all, a big part of my role is Y to understand how the client’s business works.

”

James Cooper, 23 Degree: Digital business and e-commerce (1st) Nottingham University Chartered Body: Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) Employer: Ernst & Young If you like meeting and working with different people, and enjoy investigating, there’s a good chance you’ll like accounting, believes James Cooper, 23, a trainee accountant at Ernst & Young. “The most pleasing thing about my job is exposure to clients,” he says. “Right from the word “Go”, I was chucked in at the deep end meeting clients on a daily basis, where it’s my role to gather information from them to help prepare for an audit.” It requires confidence, says James. “You need to be able to introduce yourself and get people to talk you through the most relevant things to help you do your job. After all, a big part of my role is to understand how the client’s business works.” Equally satisfying, he says, is the opportunity to work in a variety of teams. “Each client is assigned a different team, which is refreshing. It means you need to be friendly and easy going, as well as ready for a challenge because they’ll always be some people who you don’t work quite so easily with as others.” James did his degree in digital business and e-commerce at Nottingham University. Between his second and third years, he decided to apply for an internship at Ernst & Young. “We were exposed to the big accountancy firms in our course, so I didn’t really think about banks and other businesses.” He was immediately surprised by the level of responsibility he was given in such a short space of time. “So I was pleased when they offered me a job upon graduation.” Having graduated in 2004, James joined Ernst & Young that summer. “As soon as I started, I studied the Chartered Accountants qualification, which is offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland,” he recalls. “Then, after a set of exams, I was placed in the workplace with some regular training in between. Another eight months later, I was back to college for a solid three months, ending with another set of exams and it was after that when I really felt I was starting to make a difference to the company. I’d learned the technical knowledge and was able to really apply it in my everyday work.’ For more on ICAS >> p.47

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FEATURE | ACCOUNTANCY | CASE STUDY

“

I wanted a career where I could use maths everyday, but not be stuck in an office all the time.

”

Stephanie Pilling, 23 Degree: Maths and Statistics (1st) University of York Chartered Body: Institute of Actuaries Employer: Hewitt

For more on Institute of Actuaries >> p.47

“Although it might sound geeky, I wanted a career where I could use maths every day, but not be stuck in an office all the time,” says Stephanie. She also wanted a job where she could continue to study for a recognised qualification and where she’d have a lot of client contact. Becoming an actuary provided the solution. While Stephanie gained a first in maths and statistics from the University of York in 2005, it’s not obligatory to have a mathematical background, insists the Institute of Actuaries in England and Wales. Actuaries have degrees in anything from Spanish to geography, but the one thing they do have in common is an interest in maths, simply because the job involves providing commercial, finance and prudential advice on the management of assets and liabilities. “I made my decision to become an actuary in my final year at university, as a result of talking to companies at careers fairs about the different departments in financial firms,” says Stephanie. The next step was to apply to companies. “I approached my careers centre and got a booklet listing every single actuarial company. I decided I liked the idea of pensions because the consultancy side of the work was greater. I knew I wanted to stay in the north of England too, so I chose the companies that fitted the bill, looked at their websites and applied to what seemed to me to be the best of them.” Stephanie’s first reply was from Hewitt and after a day at an assessment centre, she was offered a job. “I joined the company in September 2005 and got sent on numerous training courses to get up to speed with the technology that the company uses as standard,” she says. “Then we started with some basic calculations and as we grew in confidence, we were given more complicated work, such as doing valuations for pension schemes and preparing bulletins for clients around new legislation in the world of pensions.” Now that newer graduates have joined Hewitt, Stephanie’s work has moved up a notch to involve checking the work, rather than doing it, and once she’s qualified as a fellow with the Institute of Actuaries she’ll move up to become the scrutiniser. Her long-term aim is to be out there meeting clients in a consultancy role.

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ARE YOU DET ERMI NED?

http://careers.bloomberg.com

IF YOU ARE WE WANT YOU If you are looking for a challenging career with training opportunities at one of the world’s leading financial companies, look no further. We’re Bloomberg and we’re looking for you. Find out more about the diverse opportunities we have to offer you at careers.bloomberg.com

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FEATURE | ACCOUNTANCY | CASE STUDY

“

All the study is a big commitment because you study after your working hours. But it’s worth it because it opens so many doors.

”

James Pritchard, 26 Degree: Economics (2:1), University of Hull, Masters in Economics and Finance, University of York Chartered Body: ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Employer: Centrica

For more on ACCA >> p.47

For someone who still hadn’t decided on a career when he graduated, James Pritchard couldn’t believe it when he was announced the 2005 Trainee Accountant of the Year by the industry magazine, Pass. “They told me I had a broad range of experience and that I was very good both technically and commercially,” says James. Indeed, he is testament to the fact that accounting is no longer just about bean counting. “I’m doing my training with Centrica and my current role involves working for our downstream business British Gas, where I support their marketing, propositions and retention development. So when they are trying to develop new products, win new customers or retain old ones, it’s my job to provide the financial support for that. It’s really stimulating.” Having gained a 2.1 in economics from the University of Hull in 2001, James did a summer internship with HSBC in commercial and corporate banking. “That made me realise I wanted to work for a large organisation, but to help me work out exactly what role, I decided to do a masters in economics and finance at the University of York.” It was there that he concluded accountancy is a good entry into business, that it is challenging and varied and provides excellent opportunities to work internationally. James’ next step was to pick out a handful of companies he liked the sound of from the Times Top 100 Graduate Recruiters. ‘I wanted to work in energy and managed to get onto Centrica’s scheme,’ he says. Usually, trainees at Centrica do three 12-month placements. “But I did about five or six shorter ones,” says James, who joined the firm in September 2002. “Now, I’ve moved into a more challenging roles than the previous ones and it’s my first step towards a commercial role, which is what I’d like to do.” Qualifying with ACCA is hard work, admits James, who is about to finish the three-year training period. “It’s a big commitment because you study around your working hours, which means giving up lots of weekends and taking lots of exams. But it’s well worth it because it opens so many doors,” he says.

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No NAO. No news. Without the NAO’s audits and reports into public spending, real news stories would be a bit thinner on the ground. Every day, we’re mentioned in newspapers and on TV about all kinds of stories connected to public spending. Because that’s what we do: ensure that around £800bn a year is spent wisely. If the range and scale of our work surprises you, so will the opportunities. We’re one of the few public sector organisations to offer graduates ICAEW Accountancy training, with a three-year professional training programme that’s built around annual block release periods. We aim to reflect the diversity of the public we serve.

When you get here, you’ll realise just how supportive the culture is. So much so, that by the end of your training, you’re quite likely to have seen an entire audit through to completion. Your starting salary will be £23,369, and benefits include a final salary pension scheme and free life assurance. Moreover, our London office has a subsidised staff restaurant and a gym. From August 2006, we’ll be offering the chance to work and train in Newcastle. Find out more at

www.nao.org.uk/graduates

FEATURE | ACCOUNTANCY | CASE STUDY

“ Meena Anandalingham, 27 Degree: Physiology and Pharmacology (2:1) UCL Chartered Body: CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) Employer: Citigroup

We get the relevant time off to attend courses and take the exams. Some of the courses are even run in-house now

”

It was when Meena was in the final year of her degree course that she decided on a career in accounting. “I found I preferred the mathematical analysis, which we were increasingly focusing on in the course, to the scientific lab work,” admits Meena, who graduated in 2001. Next, she decided that the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification would suit her needs best. “With management accountancy, the skills you learn really focus on advisory work and looking to the future. I liked the idea of that,” she explains. Having set her heart on working for Citigroup – because of the work/study balance that the company is renowned for – she was thrilled to find out she’d got in and she began her accounting career in October 2001. “The assessment process was quite rigorous,” she recalls. “It was a full day, with three sets of interviews, group discussions and calculations and tests throughout the day. But it was very fair.” Meena was particularly pleased to discover that the lessons she learned from the foundation level of her CIMA qualification were transferable from day one. “It was really satisfying to be able to use what I was learning in college in my day-to-day work,” she says. “In fact, I’m still applying what I learn for the qualification every day.” So far studying while working has been well balanced for her. “We get the relevant time off to attend courses and take the exams and some of the courses are even run in-house now. With tutors coming here, it makes attending classes a lot easier.” Meena has worked in a variety of challenging roles in her career to date, and is currently looking after the primary business within the fixed income department. “A team of three of us are working together,” she says. She particularly enjoys the management side of her job, which has kicked in during the last year. She also points to the satisfaction of developing her skills and always having support on hand. She is looking forward to qualifying with CIMA and moving into even more challenging work. For more on CIMA >> p.47

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#VJMEJOH WBMVF GPS EFWFMPQJOH CVTJOFTTFT PKF (UK) LLP is registered to carry on audit work by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. PKF (UK) LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for investment business activities.

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Accountants & business advisers

20/2/06 13:43:39

FEATURE | ACCOUNTANCY | PROFESSIONAL BODIES & INSTITUTES

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANCY The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland trains accountants across the UK not just in Scotland. It was the world’s first professional body of accountants, receiving its Royal Charter in 1854. “The Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification is recognised internationally as one of the most prestigious you can have. That’s largely due to the fact that it’s not easy to get,” says Anne Farquharson, marketing manager at ICAS. “We have a very tough education syllabus with structured work experience and there is lots of competition for training positions.” Don’t confuse ICAS with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales is the largest professional accountancy body in Europe, with over 125,000 members. Its qualification, which is achieved over three years, is the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA). The exams are also seen as extremely tough. There are approximately 2200 ICAEW training offices throughout England and Wales. Firms typically look for 2224 UCAS points and a 2:1 or 1st in any degree discipline. www.icas.org.uk

www.icaew.co.uk

“

management accountants look to the future (rather than the past, as in auditing accounts). They can analyse the performance of a business and advise on development

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANCY

”

Graduates interested in becoming management accountants will usually take a Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification. Management accountancy is a far cry from ‘bean counting’, claims the organisation. Indeed, management accountants look to the future (rather than the past, as in auditing accounts and tax returns). They can analyse the performance of a business and advise on how it can develop. Like most accounting qualifications, CIMA training is a combination of exams and practical experience. It usually takes graduates around three years. Although most CIMA students have a degree in accounting and finance, any degree subject is acceptable.

STAMP OF APPROVAL ACTUARIAL INSTITUTES Actuaries provide commercial, financial and prudential advice on the management of assets and liabilities – most especially where long-term management and planning are critical factors. Although most actuaries come from a mathematical background, the profession welcomes other degree disciplines too. Once employed by a firm, you can start studying for the qualifications required to become a member of the Institute of Actuaries in England and Wales or the Faculty of Actuaries in Scotland. There’s no fixed time, but most people take about five or six years to train. You’ll need to be a good communicator with a strong mathematical ability, as well as someone who can think logically and see the bigger picture.

www.actuaries.org.uk

FLEXIBLE QUALIFICATION The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) claims to be the largest and fastest-growing international accountancy body, with 320,000 students and members in 160 countries. So if you’re an aspiring globetrotter, this may be the qualification for you. This accounting qualification offers great flexibility as students only have to decide what type of accountant they want to be after the 9th of 14 exams. Graduates take an average of three years to gain the qualification and they work in the corporate sector, public services, private practice and the not-for-profit sector. Students come from all degree backgrounds and may be exempt from certain exams – if, for example, they have a degree in law or management. Strong analytical and interpersonal skills are more important than being brilliant at maths because today’s best accountants need to be able to turn financial information into business information and then communicate it back to the business to act on. www.accaglobal.com

www.cimaglobal.com

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The highlights of success as an actuary Actuaries are some of the brightest people in business today, with the intellectual ability to develop a meaningful picture of the future based on past and present information. Your mathematical expertise, statistical knowledge and problem-solving skills can help financial institutions and governments evaluate the long-term financial implications of their decisions. In the process, you will enjoy a wide variety of career opportunities and immense work satisfaction in what is a well respected and very well paid profession. Although maths, statistics, engineering, science and economics degrees are favourite, any graduate with strong numerical skills can qualify as an actuary.

The full study programme usually takes between three and six years, at the end of which you will have achieved an internationally recognised and coveted qualification. Thereafter, your future really is up to you, with lots of prospects at managerial and board level in both private and public sector organisations, in the UK or indeed around the world. If you want to find out more about achieving outstanding success as an actuary, visit our website, email careers@actuaries.org.uk or contact The Actuarial Profession at Napier House, 4 Worcester Street, Oxford OX1 2AW or call 01865 268228.

www.actuaries.org.uk

Durham’s Masters will help your career reach new heights The period following graduation from an undergraduate degree is one of the most crucial in your life – decisions taken at this point will alter your career path and irrevocably change your life. Whatever your first degree, from anthropology to zoology, a Durham Business School Masters degree can help you gain a competitive edge in an over-crowded job market. Durham Business School offers the following masters programmes, aimed at recent graduates looking to move into business, economics, finance and management. You’ll also obtain a qualification from one of the UK’s leading academic universities and top ranked business schools.

MA Programmes

� MA Management (full-time and distance learning) � MA Financial Management � MA Human Resource Management � MA Marketing � MA Enterprise Management Durham Business School’s Masters programmes offer you an exciting opportunity to study in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and be taught and guided by staff with up-to-date theoretical and practical knowledge of key areas of business and management. "I found the MA Management to be a highly informative and engaging course that opened my eyes to the world of business. It provided ample opportunity to further my key skills and provided an excellent platform when applying for graduate recruitment schemes. The staff at the Business School were both well-versed in their fields and thoroughly approachable, which made for highly enjoyable tutorials and seminars, and I would thoroughly recommend a Durham Masters." Andrés Sanchez - MA Management For further information on MA Programmes contact: Tel: + 44 (0) 191 334 5539 Email: ma.admin@durham.ac.uk or visit www.durham.ac.uk/dbs

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MSc Programmes

� MSc Corporate and International Finance � MSc Finance � MSc Finance and Investment � MSc Economics and Finance � MSc International Banking and Finance � MSc International Money, Finance and Investment Teaching in the Department of Economics and Finance was rated as excellent with the award of 24/24 in the 2001QAA Subject Review. Research in the Department has been recognised as of international excellence with the award of 5A in the HEFCE Research Assessment Exercise "Studying an MSc in beautiful Durham is like doing a 'Wall Street' degree in 'Hyde Park', We have virtual trading facilities - Stock-Trak; a superb guest speaker programme; and the opportunity to study with some of the highest quality graduates from all over the world. Much of the knowledge and skills I have gained at Durham will be an essential part of my professional life." Sheldon Ma - MSc Finance and Investment For further information on MSc Programmes contact: Tel: + 44 (0) 191 334 5134 Email: pgadmissions.economics@durham.ac.uk or visit www.durham.ac.uk/dbs

makers of business leaders Durham Business School is committed to embracing diversity

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BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY

master your future

With a professional degree from the Business School The Business School at Bournemouth

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University has an enviable reputation

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for professionally accredited programmes with consistently high

MSc Accounting & Management

Programmes are available on a

MSc Corporate Governance (with Graduate Status of ICSA) ● MSc Finance & Law

part-time, full-time, or distance

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MA Financial Services

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MA Managing Financial Strategy

Great Location – Excellent Teaching –

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MA Taxation

Brilliant Careers

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ACCA

graduate recruitment rates.

learning basis. Please contact the recruitment office to discuss your individual needs on 01202 967225 or email business@bournemouth.ac.uk

For the full list of related Business & Management programmes, log on to www.courses.bournemouth.ac.uk

Finance Graduate Programme Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire DSG international is Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading electrical retailer and a FTSE 100 company with businesses in 14 countries. We are proud of our Finance Graduate Programme, which offers you an exciting opportunity to work in partnership with the business to promote the growth of our market leading brands. We are CIMA accredited, offering top quality on-the-job training which will count towards that vital CIMA qualification. To succeed you will need to be a motivated individual who can lead our business into the future. You should expect a minimum of a 2:1, preferably have a strong maths A-level, initiative, and the confidence to liaise comfortably with senior management. A second European language and a desire to work in different European locations in the future would be of particular interest to us. We can offer you an exciting and challenging international career with opportunities on a scale few others can match, as well as a competitive benefits package, which includes broad commercial exposure, excellent support, world-class training and development, flexible working, pension, bonus and share schemes. Please forward your CV to recruitmentsharedservices@dsgiplc.com and tell us what makes you stand out, and how you can contribute to the continued success of our talented Finance team. Closing date for applications Friday 31 March 2006.

Want something more? Want a management development programme that doesn’t just churn out identikit managers? A programme that instead is designed to help you become everything you can be? One where your contribution is valued and you’re positively encouraged to make a difference? One that doesn’t involve instruction in tea-making? See what we’re about, and apply, at

www.nationwide.co.uk/graduate 20098 A4 ad AW.indd 1

VOTED THE UKʼS BEST LARGE EMPLOYER

2005

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You’d be surprised what we get up to…

Graduate Opportunities Nationwide – Autumn 2006 Few people realise just how much we get up to at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Take the 100 or so of our people for instance, who form the cast and crew of our annual charity pantomime. It’s proved a great way for them to meet people from across the firm, up and down the country, but it can also be demanding on their time. Luckily, as part of a supportive team, they’ve been able to strike the right work-life balance. Just one of the many surprises you’ll discover here. Another big surprise is that careers at PwC are about much more than simply number-crunching. Whether we’re auditing a company’s financial results, identifying the commercial risks they face or helping with tax planning, it’s all about getting beneath the skin of other organisations.

So, wherever you join us, you’ll be dealing directly with clients from the start, while working towards a professional qualification. And since the challenges we face span virtually every industry sector, the depth and breadth of experience you’ll gain will set you up for an exciting career. Even more surprising, you don’t need a business or finance degree to join us. Yes, you’ve got to be comfortable with numbers and you must have a strong academic record. But the subject of your degree is less important than your willingness to contribute and your eagerness to learn. Find out more at www.pwc.com/uk/careers/ Go on, surprise yourself.

© 2006 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (a limited liability partnership in the United Kingdom) or, as the context requires, other member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.