Health and Social Care Introduction There are various options available to Health and Social Care graduates including going into employment, taking further study, starting your own business or taking a year out to travel or volunteer. This factsheet will help you look at career and further study ideas. We recommend that you also view the Career Planning Action factsheet as this will help you consider what you would like to do.
Skills & Employability A Health and Social Care degree provides excellent skills for almost all areas of employment. Skills include: n
Analytical critical and research ability
n
Decision making
n n
Effective communication and listening skills Influence and persuasion
n
Independent thought
n
Interpersonal skills
n
Plan and write reports
n
Research, interpret and organise information
n
Work independently or as part of a team
n
ICT
You will also have gained many skills from work, volunteering or extra-curricular activities. When exploring your options you will need to find out about the skills and experience required for the careers you are interested in and consider if you have any gaps and how you can fill them ready for when you graduate. Your employability will be further improved if you undertake work experience and relevant postgraduate qualifications. Skills and Employability Action Points Action points to help you recognise your skills and improve your employability n n
See the Employability factsheet Skills Assessment (Go to the ‘Careers and Employability’ pages on the website, select ‘Make yourself Employable’, ‘and ‘Skills Assessment’).
Career ideas - the following ideas may require further training or qualifications. There are a number of fields of practice that Health and Social Care students may wish to pursue. These include Family, Group and Community Work, Personal Care and Support Group Leadership. The following are job ideas within these fields of practice.
Related Careers n n n n n n n n n n
Aged Care Worker Child Protection/Welfare Domestic Violence Worker Drugs and Alcohol Worker Homelessness Worker Mental Health Worker Social Housing Worker Safeguarding Working with families Youth Worker
Alternative Career Ideas n n n n n n
Charity/community worker Social Work Civil Service Supervision and management Community Development Workers Teacher