© Career Development and Employment Service Planning your career

© Career Development and Employment Service Learning outcomes By the end of this session you will: be aware of the importance of career planning as an ongoing process be able to identify the key elements of effective career planning be aware of useful resources to support career planning understand the ways in which CDES can support students and graduates Department of Student Services2

© Career Development and Employment Service Career planning – what is it? The continuous process of assessing your skills, knowledge, values, interests and constraints to enable you to understand the dynamics of the world of work and to make and implement career decisions Department of Student Services3

© Career Development and Employment Service Why do it? For yourself, to allow you to... make informed choices secure a good fit between you and a chosen role achieve your goals eg. job satisfaction, recognition, status, financial reward enhance your employability develop the ability to be responsive to changing work environments and demands Department of Student Services4

© Career Development and Employment Service Why do it? To meet employer expectations and position yourself in the jobs market you need to demonstrate.... motivation relevant skills sector and business awareness specialist knowledge (if relevant) awareness of professional conduct Department of Student Services5

© Career Development and Employment Service Why do it? “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” Benjamin Franklin Department of Student Services6

© Career Development and Employment Service Stages of career planning Department of Student Services7 Assess and review Set goals Research Take action © AGCAS, 2009

© Career Development and Employment Service Stage 1 - Assess and review Ask yourself questions.... what skills do I have and what evidence can I provide for them? what motivates me? (status, financial reward, closing a business deal, social/political issues, making a contribution to the community) Try using careers questionnaires such as Prospects Planner to help you identify your skills and interests and “match” these to different job areas Department of Student Services8

© Career Development and Employment Service Assess and review  Other factors which can influence your planning family commitments and priorities financial constraints expectations of significant others self-confidence health geographical mobility legal restrictions eg. work permits (lack of) occupational and labour market awareness Department of Student Services9

© Career Development and Employment Service Assess and review Optional exercise on career motivation Department of Student Services10

© Career Development and Employment Service Stage 2 - Research What’s out there? Find out about job roles, sectors, organisations and employers Issues to consider entry routes and requirements; availability of opportunities; entry level competition; salaries; promotion prospects; future sector trends; size and culture of specific organisations Department of Student Services11

© Career Development and Employment Service Relevant resources prospects.ac.uk targetjobs.co.uk careersadvice.direct.gov.uk professional institutes networks - talk to people in your network about their jobs and employers, their likes/dislikes, current and future issues in the sector, how they chose their current job Department of Student Services12

© Career Development and Employment Service Stage 3 – Setting goals Having reflected on your abilities, preferences and priorities, and researched the potential opportunities, the next step is to evaluate this information to allow you to gain an overall sense of direction. Department of Student Services13

© Career Development and Employment Service Setting goals At this stage you might:  weigh up the pros and cons of different job roles – which would best match your assessment of your skills and abilities?  compare the culture and values of different sectors and organisations, eg “not for profit” vs the private sector  consider whether you can meet the basic entry requirements and if not, are you in a position to gain the additional training/experience needed? Department of Student Services14

© Career Development and Employment Service Setting goals Through this process you should be able to identify some areas of potential interest, but this will not necessarily mean that you have reached your “career decision”. The goals you identify could be quite specific, eg “to become an account executive in an advertising agency” Or they could be much broader in their nature, eg “to work with vulnerable people”, or “to extend subject knowledge via postgraduate study” In either case you have identified a positive starting point from which you can move your ideas forward. Department of Student Services 15

© Career Development and Employment Service Making goals realistic It may be helpful to reflect on your progress and to seek feedback to check the feasibility of your goals Careers consultants can offer an opportunity to discuss your plans and to check that you have considered the relevant issues. If you have not been able to find all the information you need, the consultant may be able to make suggestions as to how these gaps can be filled. Any contacts you have who work within your chosen area(s) may be able to provide another perspective on factors you should take into account. Department of Student Services16

© Career Development and Employment Service Making goals achievable It is important the goals you set yourself are achievable and so you may need to: break your overall goal down into a number of specific steps Think about timescales – sometimes these can be imposed upon you, eg an application deadline, otherwise set your own targets and deadlines Department of Student Services17

© Career Development and Employment Service Stage 4 - Taking Action This could include identifying: opportunities to enhance your employability e.g. work experience, further study, volunteering how and when to make applications vacancy sources opportunities to develop your job search and application/interview skills, eg through CDES workshops or 1-1 advice Department of Student Services18

© Career Development and Employment Service....and back to.... Assess and review with the benefit of hindsight, experience and feedback, re-assess and review your career plan tweak it or substantially change your strategy? identify a plan B? in light of changed circumstances, needs or preferences, do you want to change career goal? Department of Student Services19

© Career Development and Employment Service Summary Planning helps you to make more informed choices and allows you to meet employer expectations more fully Self awareness and opportunity awareness are essential first steps Set achievable goals and do not worry if initially they are broad in nature Develop a plan of action – how will you achieve your goals, what resources are available and when are your deadlines? Review your progress, and adjust plans if needed Seek support from CDES throughout the process Department of Student Services20

© Career Development and Employment Service Career Development & Employment Service (CDES) This service has a presence at both City and North campuses and offers guidance and support to all students and to graduates for up to 3 years after they leave. This includes:  the opportunity for individual discussion on areas such as career planning and job/work experience search  workshops on a variety of job search topics  information on careers events and activities For more details on the services offered and on how and where to access them please refer to the website: Department of Student Services21

© Career Development and Employment Service Career Development & Employment Service (CDES) The University Employment Service provides access to vacancy information for full time and part-time opportunities, vacation work and internships. For details on how to register go to: service/home.cfm CDES Contact information: North Campus: 1 st Floor, Tower Building, Tel: City Campus: 8 Goulston Street, Tel: Department of Student Services22