CHOOSING A CAREER Nicola Urquhart Careers Adviser

Agenda What is a career? What are the options? How can the Careers and Employability Service (CES) help?

What is a career? Not necessarily a linear, planned sequence of events Career choice is not an event or occasion Career choice is a process

Why is choosing a career so difficult? ALL JOBS which match your goals, needs, values, personality & require your skills, qualities & qualifications in the desired location where there are prospects for the future

What are the options? Employment with training Employment with study Academic study Time out/travel

Jobs directly related to subject

What subject did they study at university?

Jobs that are not directly related to your subject Many employers value the skills you have gained more than the subject Communication Teamwork IT Research Analysis Writing Ability to work under pressure

How to make a career decision

Two alternative starting points Start from yourself and work out Start from your opportunities and work back Or, combine the two!

Many factors affect choice Your values and motivations Your personality Hours Benefits Location Pay

Key Skills and Strengths Organiser Analytical Conscientious Able to prioritise Attention to detail Team working Leadership /Choosing/strengths.htmhttp:// /Choosing/strengths.htm

Values and motivations To have autonomy and define your own priorities and schedules To work in a role that supports your personal life To have power and influence To have security and predictability To be a catalyst for change To use creativity and self expression To be recognised as an expert To work in accordance with personal, spiritual or ethical ideas To have social status as a result of your job

Personality Energetic Resilient Creative Risk taking Relaxed Persistent Co-operative Sensitive Choosing/personalstyles.htmhttp:// Choosing/personalstyles.htm

How can you identify your skills/what you would enjoy in a job? Work experience Study Extra-curricular activities Careers Employability Award Career questionnaires

Career Questionnaires _login.htmhttp:// _login.htm

How to research careers Prospects/Careers and Employability Service websites t.htmhttp:// t.htm

Researching Careers Overview of the sector Job descriptions Salary and conditions Entry requirements Training Career development Employers and vacancy sources Related jobs

Researching Careers Vacation/part-time work Internships Insight days Work shadowing Networking Kent Alumni Careers Network

Researching Careers Check job vacancies to find out about the types of roles being advertised Graduate directories Careers and Employability Fairs

So much information! How can you keep track of your research? MyFolio Kent Union Employability Toolkit Your own careers notebook/mindmap

advice/general-advice/start-your-career-hunthttp:// advice/general-advice/start-your-career-hunt

What if I’m still stuck? Make the most of opportunities (planned happenstance) Think about it little and often Make an appointment to speak to a careers adviser

Some tips on choosing a career Take time over your choice Get to know yourself, your employability skills, values, personal qualities etc. Talk to others but make your own decision Do the research Keep an open mind - Stereotyped pictures of jobs are rarely accurate Use the Careers and Employability Service

Once career choice has been made Find out how that sector recruits Research employers/courses Apply Discuss your ideas if you are uncertain Change your job-hunting/application methods if they are not working

How can the CES help? ‘Choosing a Career’ booklet Free careers literature Reference files & books IT facilities Talks and presentations Quick query drop-in sessions Careers guidance interviews

Careers and Employability Service Web Site:

Careers and Employability Service Web Pages I want to work in …. What can I do with my degree in … Choosing a Career Theories of career choice theories.htm theories.htm Careers Employability Award on Moodle What makes us happy at work satisfaction.htm satisfaction.htm Example CVs & Covering Letters

Careers Employability Award  The module takes about 12 hours to complete  But this can be done at your own pace You do this by completing:  9 quizzes  3 short assignments  1 feedback form

Speak to an adviser: Quick query, drop in and speak to an adviser 10.30am pm and 2.00pm-4pm Monday to Friday. E and an adviser will respond to your query. You can also book a longer career guidance appointment over the phone or pop in.

CHOOSING A CAREER Nicola Urquhart Careers Adviser