1. Geography Planning your Undergraduate Thesis Making contacts and networking

2. Getting started/joining up SussexPlus account Start planning/thinking Using action planning asset Geography: Planning your Undergraduate Thesis Skills, making contacts and networking A private space for your professional development. Using SussexPlus: Planning, sharing, presenting thesis Piloting assets and webfolio for 09-10

3. Getting Started: Registration and Login www.sussex.ac.uk/sussexplus www.sussexplus.wordpress.com

4. Your Research project Who could you contact? Previous Theses included: Problems with locating a new public facility: a new stadium for Brighton & Hove Albion - Brighton & Hove Council, South Downs Joint Committee, Brighton & Hove Albion Cliff retreat at Birling Gap - Wildlife trusts, South Downs Rangers, Local Councils Contradictions and dilemma of responding to Famine: The NGO perspective - Aid Agencies and charities like Oxfam, IDS, Dfid

5. Skills- what will you develop? Interpersonal/ Communication Skills Research Skills Self promotion/ self marketing Resourcefulness/ ability to use initiative Creativity Organisational skills/ managing your time/ your workload An ability to plan Ability to work with people at all levels/ in many situations Networking Interviewing & presentation skills

6. How can you make use of these skills? In your career planning as you may have a clearer idea of what you enjoy doing During your job searching- you will have a better sense of your abilities and experience On your CV to market yourself and your abilities In job applications / competencies During interviews

7. Why is networking important? Generate careers ideas Gain experience Find out about jobs you may not have ever considered Find out what a job is really like- insider information See how your skills and interests fit those of the job Try a career for size without commitment Explore the hidden job market- not all jobs are advertised

8. Where to look for contacts Family, friends, personal contacts Colleagues, tutors, supervisors (part- time work, University) Web pages - www.sussex.ac.uk/careers Sussex contacts network- Alumni Prospects – www.prospects.ac.ukwww.prospects.ac.uk Graduate Recruiters Local business directories/ councils/ newspapers People you meet at conferences/ seminars/ visiting organisations Voluntary work- www.ussu.info/getinvolved/volunteering/projectvwww.ussu.info/getinvolved/volunteering/projectv Searching the web- www.yell.comwww.yell.com

9. How to approach contacts Speculative approaches are most common: Letter or email – www.sussex.ac.uk/cdec/apply- exampleswww.sussex.ac.uk/cdec/apply- Phone call- its good to speak to someone! Employers may not respond to a letter or email if they are busy so follow it up! Arrange a visit / meeting Do your preparation- www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/make_contacts - examples of questions you could ask www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/make_contacts

10. Networking and future career planning Finding out about upcoming vacancies Arrange work experience Internships/ work shadowing/ paid vacation work Attend conferences & meet people Find out about their contacts and networks Visit related organisations - make links Mentoring Thank them- Its good PR to keep the door open!

11. Careers & Employability Support Our information centre - Falmer House Short interviews with a form / letters (20 mins) Events- grad fair/ law fair/ employer presentations Sussex Plus Workshadowing Programme Web based information and resources – look in research section of our website for further information about making contacts www.sussex.ac.uk/careers

12. Scans Files TranscriptAbility Achievement Action Plan Experience Meeting Thought Blog WebFolio Shared PrintedCreate Edit Review Asset SussexPlus Asset Store Published Sounds Movies PicturesCVExportedProforma Profile Activity WebFolio A private space for your professional development G:\Shared\SUSSEXPLUS\HANDOUTSNOV09\S+overviewpranded.pptx