School of Economics 29th January 2013 Careers and Employability for Stage 1 students - What can I do with my degree? - How can I make myself more employable? Jenny Keaveney Careers Adviser Careers & Employability Service

What this talk will cover  What can you do with an Economics degree?  How to make yourself more employable – whatever career you choose!  Gaining experience  How the Careers & Employability Service can help you

What can I do with my Economics degree? What do you want to do?  Become an economist?  Work in business or finance?  Work in the public sector?  Work abroad?  Do something else?

Some well-known Economics graduates

Why is an Economics degree useful? There are few subjects where students can be dealing with the mechanics of practical business matters (costs, demand, market structures, incentives) one minute, the intricacies of human behaviour and interaction (consumer choices, information, game and behavioural theory) the next, before seeking to identify the causes of environmental problems or the current financial crisis, and evaluating potential solutions. For example, what will be the effect of the government extending the right to flexible working? Or is Cameron correct in stating that “you can’t borrow your way out of debt”? These are topical issues of the moment, and of huge importance to the whole nation, and it is we economists who have the tools and knowledge to be able to contribute towards sensible solutions. Professor Phil Whyman View, Master, Slide Master to change this text to the title of your presentationPage 5

Jobs where an Economics degree is particularly useful  Accountant  Actuary  Civil Service (inc. Government Economic Service)  Economist  Investment analyst  Journalist  Market researcher

Some of the jobs obtained by 2011 Economics graduates from Kent University  Trainee Chartered Accountant  Tax Adviser  Business & Communication Analyst (Apple)  Pensions Administrator – Consulting firm  Investment Support Associate  Insurance Broker – Terrorism & Political Violence (Willis)  Trainee Merchandiser - Retail  Petroleum Economist  Arbitrage Operations Manager

BUT …. There is more to you than your degree!

What is Employability? ‘A set of attributes, skills and knowledge that all labour market participants should possess to ensure they have the capability of being effective in the workplace – to the benefit of themselves, their employer and the wider economy’ (CBI, March 2009)

What employability skills are graduate recruiters looking for? Communication Report writing Team working Leadership Planning and organisation Project management Enterprise Problem Solving Reflection Adaptability Energy Drive and resilience Integrity Reliability Enthusiasm/passion Self awareness Confidence Contextual/cultural awareness Capacity to develop Numeracy Positive attitude Business and customer awareness IT skills

What skills can you gain from studying for an Economics degree? Communication Report writing Team working Leadership Planning and organisation Project management Enterprise Problem Solving Reflection Adaptability Energy Drive and resilience Integrity Reliability Enthusiasm/passion Self awareness Confidence Contextual/cultural awareness Capacity to develop Numeracy Positive attitude Business and customer awareness IT skills

How else can you develop these and other skills? How the Careers and Employability Service can help you Get involved and get rewarded with Employability Points Other ways to develop employability skills

Moodle Careers Employability Award Assessed by a range of quizzes and assignments “The most time-effective way to increase your chances of getting a graduate level job” Takes about 12 hours to complete On completion you will get a University of Kent Careers Employability Award to add to your CV Get 40 Kent Employability points for successful completion of the module.Kent Employability points

Employability Points Over 200 rewards offered last year from 86 sponsor companies Internships, work experience, training experiences, project placements, vouchers Get involved – Get rewarded!

Gaining experience: Summer Internships Career related work experience Offered by many employers Often used to talent-spot future graduate recruits Opportunities in economics, finance, business etc Priority is normally given to second-year students for internships Deadlines may be early in your second year “A dress rehearsal for a graduate job” Page 15

Which employers offer summer internships? Economics  Bank of England deadline 12 November 2012  Frontier Economics – deadline 11 Jan 2013  Institute of Economic Affairs – deadline May 2013  Government Economic Service – opens January 2013  Institute for Fiscal Studies – deadline February 2013 Finance  Major accountancy firms  Investment banks  Retail banks  Insurance companies Other areas  Energy companies, manufacturing companies, transport companies, think-tanks Page 16

Bank of England This scheme is for first degree students in their penultimate year. Our undergraduate internships pay £65 per day, and run for between six and eight weeks. You'll focus on an individual research project - working closely with economists and analysts to collect and analyse data. Graduate offers are often made to outstanding performers at the end of the internship “The work was interesting, relevant and enjoyably challenging. The working environment and atmosphere were fantastic and rather unique because there was a semi-academic feeling but in a professional context. I was lucky enough to experience lots of other fascinating things which were not directly related to my work, such as a pre-MPC meeting” View, Master, Slide Master to change this text to the title of your presentationPage 17

Frontier Economics Short term Internships: in London and Madrid for Summer 2013 and in Cologne any time in 2013 I have been working on a strategy project for a retailer examining the effects of the credit crunch on consumers and a research project for a mobile phone company on the market for swiping your phone in shops to make payments frontier/intern/ View, Master, Slide Master to change this text to the title of your presentationPage 18

Gaining experience: other opportunities Insight Days  Professional services firms (eg PwC, Ernst & Young),  TARGET events, e.g. “Women in Investment Management” (November) Small and medium-sized employers Alumni Careers Network Personal contacts and networks Any work experience can be used to demonstrate your employability skills – even if the work has no relevance to your planned career Page 19

Alumni Careers Network Helps current students gain an insight into careers through contact with Kent alumni. Information and advice by phone/ or in person: work-shadowing possibilities. Visit the Careers Service and we will show you how to access the Careers Network.

Making Applications Prepare, prepare, prepare Make yourself stand out Research the company Sell yourself – highlight your skills Get help and advice from careers and employability advisers Beat the deadlines!

The Careers and Employability Service – how we can help you Careers Talks and Workshops Careers Resources Room Comprehensive website Vacancy Database Alumni Careers Network Annual Careers and Employability Fair Drop In - Quick Query Careers Guidance Interviews Open 9-5, Monday - Friday

Careers and Employability Service Web Pages What can I do with my degree in Economics? Internships & Work Experience Applications and Interviews Example CVs & Covering Letters Vacancy Database Employability Skills

Speak to a careers or employability adviser: Quick queries: drop in and speak to an adviser 10.30am pm and 2pm-4pm Monday to Friday. You can also book a longer careers guidance appointment over the phone or pop in.

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Action Points Note deadlines! Perfect your application technique Develop your skills: take advantage of the various initiatives offered at Kent Make use of the Careers and Employability Service.

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