EMPLOYABILITY Career Plan for second & penultimate year students Introduction There are many ways to develop your employability and personal skills during your time at university. Such skills are highly valued by employers and course admissions tutors who look for more than academic achievement alone. This guide suggests ways in which you could develop these skills. Please note that the action points in this guide are not necessarily in order of importance. Read through the whole plan and pick out the parts that are relevant to you.
Careers Checkpoint: The year to… Make decisions (and gain more experience) CAREER P LAN N IN G Decide on your first move after university ü
Employment § Find out about internships/Jobs/when to apply § Organisations you want to work for/how they recruit.
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Further study § Find out about funding
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§ Application process
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Where to find help §
Go to the Hardy Resource Centre for information and resources
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View resources on the BG Futures section of Blackboard
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Book an appointment with an adviser for further help with career options
EMP LOYM ENT & S KILLS ü
Participate in work experience i.e. §
Part time
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Vacation
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Volunteering _________________________________________ ü
Get your CV up-to-date
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Find out how to fill in an application
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Attend a mock interview session
Where to find help §
Go to the Hardy Resource Centre for information and resources
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View resources on the BG Futures section of Blackboard
(Quick guide infographic - https://magic.piktochart.com/output/14822665-second-year-career-plan)
Get Set
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Career Planning Researching a career in your second/penultimate year is about finding out specific information on what qualifications and experience you need and filling any gaps in your knowledge or work experience.
Decide on your first move after university Employment The Resource Centre has information and resources to help you research a career and staff are available to answer your questions. n
http://issuu.com/bgcareers/docs/resources (List of books and publications)
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http://www.librarything.com/catalog/BGcareers (Books available in the Resource Centre/Library)
Action points View the following factsheets: n
Career Planning: gain experience, develop your employability, review choices and take action Job sectors (include employer, job and postgraduate study information)
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Options with your course (Includes career ideas/postgraduate study ideas)
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View Job Profiles to find out about recruitment. Go to the Job Profiles page on the BGfutures module on Blackboard.
Postgraduate / Further Study There are various levels of postgraduate study including taught courses, research and professional qualifications. Find out about the various levels and types of postgraduate study by going to: www.prospects.ac.uk/about_postgrad_study.htm. You will need to consider carefully what you hope to gain from further study and look into the financial implications. Action Points Go to the Further and PG Study section on Blackboard for information on finding and applying for a course, funding information and more. The Further and PG Study section of Blackboard also contains a Postgraduate Study Bulletin which includes the latest study fairs and funding information. Go to www.prospects.ac.uk and select postgrad study, for advice or to search for a course. Essential information: n
A guide to Postgraduate Study (factsheet)
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A guide to Postgraduate Study Funding (factsheet)
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Postgraduate Study section of the Resource Centre
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Start your own business You may consider starting your own business or becoming self-employed. View the information in the Resources Centre or take a look at www.prospects.ac.uk and search under ‘selfemployment’. Action points: View the Self-employment (factsheet) You can get advice about starting your own business from the Business Development Manager. To book at appointment you can complete a One to one appointment form available from the Resource Centre or bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk
Employment and skills Work Experience n
Voluntary work Volunteering is a good way to gain experience and make links with employers in the area of work you are interested in. There are a range of opportunities to volunteer both on and off campus.
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Work placements Many employers offer specific programmes for second / penultimate year students. This provides valuable work experience as well as the chance to gain an insight into a career you may be interested in.
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Part-time / vacation work This not only makes financial sense but you can also use the opportunity to gain experience in a career you are interested in and add any knowledge or skills gained to your CV.
Develop Skills n
Computer skills Students of all degree disciplines need to be computer literate and familiar with word-processing packages, email and the internet. Useful computer skills include knowledge of: Databases (i.e. Access), Spreadsheets (i.e. Excel) and Presentation skills (i.e. PowerPoint). The ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) qualification covers all of these packages and is an internationally recognised qualification which enables individuals to develop and demonstrate their computer skills. See www.ecdl.com for more details. Other useful computer skills include Web design skills (i.e. FrontPage, Dreamweaver, HTML)
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Develop a hobby or interest: Such as art and design, music or sport
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Gain accreditation for practical skills: e.g. First Aid, British Sign Language.
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Language skills: Learn a new language. Languages are valued by many employers and demonstrating that you have these skills can enhance your CV when applying for graduate jobs.
Find a course: www.lincolncollege.ac.uk | www.learndirect.co.uk Action Points View the following factsheets n
Volunteering Work experience
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Where to find part time work
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Jobs+ Vacancies Board (http://bishopg.prospects.ac.uk)
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Create / Update CV and covering letter Some employers begin to recruit at the start of your final year so ensure your CV is kept up to date. n
Go to the Resource Centre to view information to help you write a CV. Also, see the Jobshop page on Blackboard.
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Get your CV checked. Drop off, post or email your CV to the Careers Advisors who will contact you within five working days about your CV. You can do this via the Resource Centre or email careers@bishopg.ac.uk.
Advice and Information
Go to the Resource Centre in the Hardy Building with your initial enquiries or email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk. You can discuss your plans and ideas with a Careers Advisor; you should also do this even if you have no idea of a possible career path. Please email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk to request an appointment booking form.
BG Futures: Careers, Employability and Enterprise Operates in accordance with the University Diversity and Equality Policies. If you require this document in an alternative format, for example in large print, please email us at bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk For more information go to Blackboard or www.bishopg.ac.uk/careers