23/09/ Finding career and course- related work experience What BMS students need to know Alison Clay, Careers Adviser Dr Louise Robson, Dept of BMS

“Over half of recruiters warn that graduates who have had no previous work experience at all are unlikely to be successful during the selection process and have little or no chance of receiving a job offer for their organisations’ graduate programmes.” “..over a third of this year’s entry-level positions will be filled by graduates who have already worked for their organisation” High Fliers, January 2013 (survey of The Times Top 100 employers) ‘Expectation’ Gives you an edge - degree alone is not enough Develop technical & transferable skills Commercial / organisational awareness Make valuable contacts Find out what you do / don’t want to do Putting learning into practice Earn ££ (hopefully) Enjoyable

EG application / interview questions Of the work experience (you have already gained) which did you enjoy the most and why? What did you learn from it? Please describe key situations where you have worked as part of a team, your contribution and the difference you personally made. Highlight your contribution to an event or project, detailing how you resolved problems encountered and ensured a successful completion.

Employers wish-list Technical, workplace or discipline-specific skills Transferable skills / attributes: common sense; curiosity; communication; commercial awareness; initiative; creativity; interpersonal; teamwork; negotiation; networking; self- management; self-motivation; problem- solving; confidence & assertiveness; flexibility; willingness to learn

EG: What do AstraZeneca want? Innovation (produce novel ideas, generate options and alternatives) Commitment to core values Analytical thinking diagnosis & developing solutions Skill development (personal effectiveness, IT, business driven skills Business awareness Team Players (who can make a difference) Enthusiasm & Drive (good ideas depend on good people) Technical skills

Some options.... Summer 2014 apply at start of L2! 1-year placement in industry (DEE, Helen Thorpe) Summer internships (lab or otherwise) Lab based work experience ( Dr Louise Robson) Organise own ‘placement’ This summer / other time - boost your CV Work shadowing and insight days Volunteering Part time / temp. work Clubs & societies / other extra curricular Organise your own ‘placement’

Which should I choose? What career? –Course-related? Other? –Test various options? –Careers with my degree: –Talk to your tutor –Talk to a Careers Adviser Practicalities –Duration, location, finance… Enjoyment

Explore a combination of: Advertised opportunities Speculative approaches Using your network of contacts Schemes for BMS students: −DEE −Summer Studentships Finding work experience

Advertised opportunities My Vacancies: –Searchable job site –The Sheffield Internship Scheme –OnCampus Placements Links to other useful websites: Your academic department Trade directories, magazines, journals eg: New Scientist Professional associations and learned societies Company/organisations websites Internet search Ask at the Careers Service….

Create your own opportunity Identify: Type, where, when and for how long? Sector? Role? Paid? Other criteria? Identify: appropriate organisations and named contact Target CVs and covering letters to named contact Follow-up named contact after 3-4 weeks

Identifying organisations to approach Occupational profiles: (‘Employers & vacancy sources’) and at targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/ Directory of British Associations eg, ABPI Careers Service information resources: Yellow Pages – Google Your networks……

Networking for success Do some research & get talking: Tutors and lecturers Neighbours, friends, acquaintances – join University and/or other clubs and societies Careers Service events eg, fairs, panels, networking Join ‘professional’ societies (eg, Society of Biology; Students In Free Enterprise - SIFE) Attend conferences / open days / networking events Go to trade fairs Work shadowing Social media

Social media - LinkedIn Set up your online profile (like a CV) Search for people you know (family, friends, colleagues) Join relevant groups (professional contacts / group discussion) Search for companies (vital stats / employee profiles / employees’ group membership) Search for work experience

Other social media Twitter Follow professionals / organisations of interest (gather useful information) Look for job ads and work experience Re-tweet and comment on hot topics (develop a professional reputation) Facebook Search for pages and groups by specific graduate recruiters, career sectors, careers services and jobs ‘like’ employers you are interested in and take an active involvement in their Facebook page What’s your digital footprint like?

1 year placement as part of your degree, making it a 4 year degree Placement taken after year 2 Placement must contribute to learning outcome of your degree and be approved You are responsible for finding placement ( with support from the Careers Service) 2.1 or above Many don’t accept applications after end November 2013 Degree with Employment Experience Qs? Drop-in with Helen Thorpe (Careers Service) Tues & Thurs 1-2pm

Organisations targeting University of Sheffield students

Work experience abroad? my International career

Applying for work experience Make it professional and effective! PUT YOURSELF IN THE EMPLOYER’S SHOES: show you are a good match by demonstrating your skills, interests, qualifications – research employer / industry, and what you have to offer General tips: Application reviews available Careers Service

Make the most of work experience Skills for Work Certificate: The Sheffield Graduate Award:

Other activities to develop your skills Skills for Success: USE: enterprise.shef.ac.uk/ enterprise.shef.ac.uk/ Experience Sheffield: Taste of Work: Ask in your Department

Handout: Finding work experience – Information for BMS students

23/09/ Careers Service Glossop Road (behind SU building) Open 9am - 5pm Mon to Fri (11am – 5pm Tues) Student Jobshop – 285 Glossop Rd (temp. move) Open 10am – 3pm Mon to Fri (11am – 3pm Tues) Where to find us…..