AUGUST ISSUE university & college EDITION Happiness Happens Month How University Clearing Works The 5 Stages of Clearing Distance Learning Managing Your Finances Movie Magic Books You Should Read Mind the Wellbeing Gap Exercise Helps Prevent Depression The Importance of Reading Choose The Right Postgraduate Course Take a Break After Your Studies 5 Steps to Take When Looking For a Job Work Shadowing Puzzles And Brainteasers Photo of the Month
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EDITOR’S LETTER Hello everybody! It gives us great pleasure to welcome you to the August Issue of the Careers UK Magazine. Our goal is to be your go-to place for career-related advice. Our aim is to guide you through each step of your career development and job-hunting journey. We intend to be the best career information hub with a great job-hunting platform and an exciting, easy-to-read magazine that is freely available to everyone. We’d love to hear from you on social media if you have any feedback or enquiries!
EDITORIAL
Shareen Akhter & Ellie Smith
CIRCULATION
Kirti Patel & Cindy Bero
MARKETING
Sham Tizora & Aiden Brocklehurst
DESIGN
Meg Swan & Joe Page
EDITORIAL POLICY: The views, comments, statements and opinions are not necessarily those of Careers UK. Careers UK will accept no responsibility for any loss incurred by any person or organisation as a result of using any material from this publication.
Average circulation: Print: 30,150 Digital/Online: 1.4 million Telephone: 0800 865 4770 Email: publishing@careersuk.org
IT
Sky Shazad & James Hall
@careersuk www.careersuk.org 0800 865 4770
we’re on youtube! We know that people learn and digest information in different ways, and we’re keen to cater for all learning styles. We also know not everybody has the time to read our magazines, so we decided to create information that can be accessed on the go.
SPECIAL FEATURES
HappinesS
happens
Month
Most of us can recall the children’s song ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’. However, the Society of Happy People want us to do more than just clap our hands. Since 2000, they have worked to make August designated Happiness Happens month. Happiness Happens is a whole month dedicated to what makes you happy. It is based on the principle that happiness is unlimited, contagious and that sharing one’s own happiness can bring a lot of joy to other people’s lives. The aim of Happiness Happens Month is to spread the joy of being happy and to persuade people to look at the brighter side of life. It encourages people to take stock of their lives, and try to do and think about things that make them happy and to share this joy with others. You can celebrate Happiness Happens Month by doing something nice for yourself – after all happiness starts at home.
Make someone else happy by doing something nice for them. The History of Happiness Happens Month: Pamela Gail Johnson is the Founder of the Society of Happy People (SOHP) and is quoted as saying, “I started the Society of Happy People in 1998 to provide a missing voice for those who are happy and want to express it without having other people rain on their parade”. The Society of Happy People started celebrating happiness with ‘Admit You’re Happy Day’ on August 8, 1999. But the members wanted to let the happy feeling linger a little longer, so in 2000 they expanded the celebration to the entire month. Check out their website www.sohp.com for tips on ways you can celebrate Happiness Happens Month.
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‘for those who are happy and want to express it’
THRIVING AT UNI
Y T I S R E V I N U W S K R HO O W G N I R A CLE Clearing is a second chance for those that didn’t get the university of their choice.
If the university you wanted to attend decides against your application and you still want to go to university, you can go through the process of clearing and find a university that still has places available. This allows you to reapply to universities (although they won’t b your first choice) that have vacancies that haven’t been filled yet.
How to Apply On results day, if you don’t get the grades you needed to get into your chosen universities, you will be told first thing in the morning. If you know that you still want to go to university, type into your browser the name of the course that you want to do and the word “clearing”. There will be several different universities that have clearing places, but you will need to think about whether the places are for you.
What to do if you Haven’t Received any Offers If your offer got turned down on results day, you will need to contact other universities to find out if they have any unfilled places on the course you want to study. Keep in mind that the longer you wait, the higher the chance those spaces will be filled by other students that are going through the clearing process. You will need to apply to as many universities as you can. Before you start the clearing process, go onto the UCAS website and find out which five universities you applied to first, if you don’t remember them. Call the universities which didn’t offer you a place and ask them if they have any more places available for the course you want to study.
You will need to research the different universities that you think you might like to attend. Remember that you most likely won’t have time to go and see them in person once you’re in the clearing stage, so find out what other people liked about the course and what they liked about the university itself. Ring the clearing hotline number and give them the name of the course you wish to apply for. They will then direct you to the correct department and you will have to tell them the results you got. They may also ask for a portfolio of your work so make sure that you have it ready to send to them. You will have to wait about a week before universities will start getting back to you because they will have to read your personal statement and deliberate over your grades. Don’t pin all your hopes on one university by only applying to that one; apply to a variety to increase your chances of securing a place.
UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE EDITION •
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S D N O C E S 60 H S O J WITH “Always have a back-up plan in case things go wrong and you need something to fall back on.”
Josh, from Careers UK, went through the clearing process when he didn’t get his first choice. Here’s some advice that Josh has to offer:
“When you’re calling the clearing hotline, be mindful not to call just one university. Instead, call as many as you possibly can.”
“Give yourself as many options as possible and you’ll have a higher chance of securing a place on the course that you want.”
Keeping calm is key when applying for universities through clearing.
“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket when applying for universities during clearing.”
“Preparing is a significant factor that you need to consider - always research the universities before you ring the clearing hotline.”
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THRIVING AT UNI
the 5 stages of clearing
You wil and find Some unive you, but with d find ou You don’t want on a course yo
STAGE 1 Seek advice from your teachers, career advisors, universities and your college or sixth form. It’s best to get a range of advice from these people, as they are usually the ones that have first-hand experience dealing with the clearing process.
Go back to picked th offering Thi
Key Tip Clearing opens weeks before you get your results, so it’s best to have a look at which universities offer your course, just in case you don’t get the results you wanted.
STAGE 4
Start phoning as many universities as you can. Some conversations could be quite straightforward; they might ask for your grades and then decide if they want to enrol you. However, some universities might want to ask you some difficult questions; similar to an interview. You won’t have done an interview, so they’ll just want to make sure you suit th course. Remember to have a pen to hand to take down any details.
STAGE 5
Key Tip
Once you have decided which offer to take up, you should go to the UCAS website and confirm which university you will be attending. To do this, go to ‘Track’ and click ‘Add Clearing Choice’ and then enter the course code and any details that you are asked for. Once the university confirms it, you will receive a confirmation letter and your UCAS will tell you that you have been accepted.
You’re welcome to accept every offer you get over the phone (so that you have as many options as possible) but afterwards, you’ll have to pick your favourite. You will then have to ring the other University’s back to let them know you’ve changed your mind.
Key Tip Remember to sort out the other aspects of going to University, such as your accommodation and student bank account.
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STAGE 2
ll need to research universities out the courses they’re offering. ersities may offer the right course for different modules, so it’s important you ut all you can before you apply. t to end up in a university you don’t like, ou don’t really enjoy, just because you chose it in a panic.
Key Tip
o the choices that you originally hrough UCAS and see if they’re your course through clearing. is will give you more time to look up some new Universities.
e he n
STAGE 3 Before you call, you should prepare yourself. You need to gather the details and documents of importance, like your results and portfolio (if required). You will also need your UCAS clearing number so that the university can see your original application; you can find this on the UCAS website.
Key Tip Some universities may ask why you didn’t end up getting the grades you needed for your first choice. You should answer honestly here, because they’ll be able to
tell if you’re not being truthful.
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THRIVING AT UNI
THE PROS AND CONS OF DISTANCE LEARNING Distance learning is a way for students to learn remotely without having to attend an educational institute to get qualifications. Students can learn from home, work or on the move. It’s becoming increasingly popular, with over 270,000 undergraduates and 108,000 postgraduates doing their degrees via distance learning. With the rapid increase in technology, there has been a huge increase of tuition and learning through the internet.
PROS
CONS
1. Distance learning is flexible in the
1. You won’t be able to socialise
sense that you can pick and choose your own pace, and work around your own schedule.
2. You can learn and earn by
working full-time or part-time, which sometimes isn’t possible when attending a physical university.
3. Online learning is a lot cheaper
than attending university. Doing distance learning will help you save on costs such as fuel, childcare, or books, and you won’t may end up paying lower prices.
4. You don’t have to travel to and
from the university, so there is no time spent commuting every day or any travel costs involved. Also, if you ever relocate far away from where you used to live you don’t need to worry about changing universities.
UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE EDITION •
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with other students, and you won’t be able to talk to your tutor and recieve the same kind of support. Many people struggle with the isolation that comes with doing distance learning.
2. Learning online can come with
a lot of technical difficulties, such as computers breaking and Wi-Fi not working, which can hinder your progress.
3. Having good time management skills and self discipline is crucial to reaping all the benefits of the course.
4. Some employers may be
reluctant to accept you doing distance learning. They may want you to be entirely focused on your work and not distracted by other responsibilites.
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G N I G A N A M S E C N A N I F YOUR Budgeting can be difficult to do if you’ve never had to do it before... In fact, quite a lot of people struggle with it - the National Student Money Survey showed that over 84% of students struggle to make ends meet. However do not panic, all is not lost! There are lots of things you can do to make managing your finances a little easier to handle.
Choose a Good Student Bank Account You absolutely must shop around before choosing a bank account because every bank has different benefits, so you should know what they all have to offer. Assess how they’ll help you when you’re in sticky financial situations, but be cautious of high interest rates.
Budget Everything There are a handful of expenses that you need to consider when figuring out your budget. You will need to look at your outgoing payments, such as utility bills, rent and council tax, then you can work out how much money you’ll have left over each month. That leftover money can go towards things like food, going out to bars and shopping for little treats. Keep in mind the little extras you pay for on top. A subscription service such as Netflix will take money out of your bank account every month, so you must make sure you have enough to pay for it, or you’ll face going into your overdraft.
save money You should always put money away every time you get a pay-check or student loan. You never know when you might find yourself in an emergency and in need of extra cash. You don’t have to tip half your pay-check or loan into a savings account; start small and work your way up. Put money away after you’ve paid all your necessary payments like utility bills and rent, but before you start spending money on things you want. Also, it’s good practice for when you leave university and need to save money for a house deposit or a new car.
Take on a Part-Time Job If you feel like you’re struggling to live off of just your student loan, then you could consider taking on a part-time job. Having a job will allow you to earn a bit more spending money and will help you out financially. In a survey of 2,128 students, 59% of students were working to fund their time at university. It might be a challenge to manage a job and university at the same time, but it’s the best way to put a bit more money in your back pocket.
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CAREERS UK PRESENTS
MOVIE MAGIC SCENE
Toy Story 4 The final film in the Toy Story franchise made for bucketsful of nostalgic tears and heaps of laughter. The film takes place shortly after where the third film ended and shows how the new owner of Andy’s toys, Bonnie, is struggling to adjust with fitting in at her new school so Woody helps her to make new toy, Forky. From here ensues a whirlwind of events which are both exciting and hilarious.
DIRECTOR CAMERAMAN DATE
The film included a few jump scares which had most people in the cinema jumping out of their skin. This was unusual for a Toy Story film to scare the audience, but it made the film feel slightly different. However, the few complaints that could be made was the ending and the lack of minor characters. Without giving too much away, the ending didn’t feel like it wrapped up the franchise and was actually pretty disappointing. As for the minor characters, there wasn’t enough Mr. And Mrs. Potato Head, Rex, Jessie, Slinky or the other minor characters that made the first three films great.
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Yesterday Yesterday is an amazing take on what could happen if The Beatles ceased to exist and only one mediocre musician remembered them and their songs. Jack, who is a very struggling musician, only ever gets the chance to play in coffee shops; mainly only playing for his friends. His manager, Ellie, who has a longtime crush on Jack tries to get him gigs playing his music but never can get decent venues or a good crowd. That is until a blackout happens and Jack gets hit by a bus. After that whirlwind of drama, Jack discovers that The Beatles no longer exist, and nobody has ever heard their music. The film is a good representation of how most of the time, musicians are only ever heard when people like their appearance, personality or when they are recognized by a big label. Even though Jack knew all The Beatles songs, nobody would give him the time of day because he simply didn’t have what The Beatles had. The film implies that people don’t listen to the music itself, rather they look to the person making the music to see if they are even worth listening to. The film gets really boring and cliché when the messy love story of Jack and Ellie pops up as it doesn’t really add anything to the film. Overall, it was a feel-good film, but it didn’t have a lot of substance to it.
Spider-Man: Far from Home The newest film to the Spider Man franchise is an action-packed, fast moving film that everyone should go and see. Peter Parker, otherwise known as Spider Man, goes on a school trip with his class to Venice where he plans to confess his feelings to MJ and swear off all superhero heroics in the time that he is there. But alas, this is a superhero movie where always villains come raining down, so it is up to Spider Man to save the day. The CGI coupled with the great acting makes for a mind-blowing movie. There is just enough humour to not make it cliché like a lot of superhero movies are and it sticks to the codes and conventions of the superhero genre. The film is centred towards young people which makes it relatable and more enjoyable for younger generations. The mid-credits and postcredits scenes were definitely shockers that deserve to be watched so stick around for those.
CAREERS UK PRESENTS
BOOKS YOU SHOULD READ Educational The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups The Culture Code is an amazing book that shows the reader how successful organisations can be when they use effective teamwork skills. Daniel Coyle, the author, has used several real-life examples of how great teamwork has worked out for some companies and examples of how awful companies not using teamwork can lead to devastating outcomes. There are so many interesting facts that not once does it ever feel dull. This book is a great read for people that would like to improve their leadership or teamwork skills. The skills you can learn from this book can also help you in everyday situations too.
Fluent in Three Months Benny Lewis taught himself how to learn ten different languages and has now passed his knowledge on the subject into the book, Fluent in Three Months. For people who want to learn a new language but are struggling on where to start, read this book. Lewis’ enthusiasm for learning new languages is infectious and will get you up and ready on your path to learning. Lewis also tackles the myth behind older people not being able to learn languages and dismisses the idea. No matter what age you are or what language you want to learn, you should pick up a copy of this book and read it.
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fiction Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry was written by Mildred D. Taylor in 1976 and is set during 1933 in rural Mississippi. The narrator, 9-year-old Cassie Logan, tells the story of what life was like in rural Mississippi during a time when minorities would face prejudice every single day. Throughout the novel, the reader learns about the significance of land and how racism affects everyone involved. The entire novel is seen through the eyes of a child which is different to other novels as most of them are narrated by adults who tend to be more biased and less innocent. There are times in the novel that are completely heart-wrenching and you will find yourself supporting the main characters in every compelling chapter. The injustice that some of the characters have to go through will raise raw feelings of emotion that you never knew you had inside of you. It’s an amazing read and should definitely be on your list of books to read next.
The Handmaid’s Tale The Handmaid’s Tale was written by Margaret Atwood in 1985. The novel is about totalitarian America where after a civil war, the name has been changed to the Republic of Gilead and nearly all women have been made infertile. A woman that is still fertile is named a Handmaid and eventually given to elite, rich families to bear children for them. The story is centred around a Handmaiden called Offred who wants to fight against the patriarchal society and fight for freedom and independence for everyone. The story is an amazing look into what could happen if a country that was once a superpower in the modern day, was to go back to a time when women were considered less than men. This book feels even more frightening and real when you think about the bridge Atwood has created between the world in the book and the world that could be. Needless to say, the book is powerful and strangely perceptive.
WELLBEING
MIND THE
WELLBEING GAP
Nicky Thackray is the Founder of My Zendays, a movement created to help combat stress and inspire people to take radical responsibility for their own lives and happiness Nicky spent 20 years in a number of senior leadership positions in companies including Procter & Gamble, IBM, Balfour Beatty and Sky, where she saw first-hand how stress was becoming more and more of an epidemic, so left the corporate world to teach the principles of mindset, mindfulness and meditation to help people live happier and more fulfilled lives.
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Often there’s a gap between us and the sense of wellbeing that we crave. Practicing mindfulness is one of the single most powerful things you can do for your well-being. Why? Because the 2 major sources of chronic stress we suffer today are:
1. Being preoccupied and
worrying about what’s going to happen in the future
2. Reliving the past,
rehashing painful experiences and ruminating (“I can’t believe they said that”… sound familiar?) The three truths we need to accept in order to have a happier life are:
1. We cannot control the future
2. The past is gone, we can’t change it
3. The only opportunity to be happy is in the here and now
Our brains are happiest when our mind and body are in sync, meaning that we’re consciously present and paying real attention to what we’re doing. Right here, right now. Mindfulness is the opposite of being on autopilot, automatically going through the motions of your dayto-day routine, without really registering, feeling or enjoying any particular moment. It is a powerful habit that you can cultivate; with practice, we can train our brains to bring our attention back to what’s happening here and now, effectively training ourselves to be present.
Here are my top ten tips for how you can bring mindfulness into your day:
1. BREATHE When you first wake up resist the urge to grab your phone, and instead, take a minute to give thanks for waking up, breathe and appreciate where you are right now.
2. BE Wherever you are, BE all there. If you’re in the shower, BE in the shower. Don’t take your body into the shower and let your mind drive up the motorway into the office and start frantically attacking your inbox.
3. MEDITATE Throughout the day take a few minutes to be still, ground yourself and connect with your breathing. When you breathe in say to yourself “I am breathing in” and when you’re breathing out say to yourself “I am breathing out”. It’s simple and it works.
4. WALK And instead of checking texts simply look up and around with curiosity, you’ll notice things you haven’t before, pay attention to how your body feels as you walk.
5. EAT & DRINK Instead of mindlessly eating or drinking while working or watching TV, consciously slow down, taste and enjoy your food.
6. PAUSE Create space between finishing one task and starting on the next and acknowledge small accomplishments throughout the
day. When you get home at night, take a moment to be grateful you made it home. If something annoys you during the day, simply pause and breathe before you respond. As Thomas Jefferson said “When angry, count to ten before you speak. When very angry, count to a hundred”.
7. ACTIVELY LISTEN Be present in your conversations at work and at home. Put your phone down when you’re talking to someone, give them your full attention and show them they’re important. Avoid multitasking – studies show only 2% of us can do it – so most of us are terrible at it (including me!).
8. INDULGE YOUR PASSION What do you love doing? Running? Cycling? Painting? Chilling with some music? Whatever it is, and however hard it is to find time, build it into your day.
9. WATCH YOUR THOUGHTS When you catch yourself worrying about the future or reliving the past, consciously bring your attention back to what you’re doing right now and enjoy that.
10. TRAVEL Being somewhere new forces you to be mindful because everything you’re seeing and experiencing is new. If you can’t travel, then mix up your daily routine. Take a different route to work, go somewhere different for lunch, run a different route, read a different magazine. Do different - feel different.
You can find My Zendays on SOCIAL MEDIA AND www.myzendays.com
WELLBEING
exercise helps prevent depression Research has shown that exercising and keeping active can lower the risk of depression by a third.
“people who exercise regularly are 17% less likely to become depressed” It is extremely important to keep fit and stay healthy!
Researchers collected information from 49 studies around the world and found that people who do regular physical activity are less likely to get depression than those who don’t frequently exercise.
A lot of people fail to acknowledge the numerous benefits of exercise routines and only begin to do so when health complications arise.
The researchers looked at studies that enrolled people without depression, of any age, and asked about their physical activity levels. Researchers then gathered results together, comparing people who did the most exercise in each study with those that did the least. The outcome of the research showed that individuals who exercise often are 17% less likely to get depression than individuals that don’t exercise.
Here’s what exercise can do for YOU: • • • •
Increases energy levels Improves muscle strength Makes you feel good Boosts your physical health Advertisement
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the importance of reading According to The Guardian, 4 million UK adults never read books for pleasure. People that read very often tend to be more knowledgeable and have bigger vocabularies. It can be a cheap hobby to take up sign up to a library and take books home for free! Broaden your Imagination Books can help inspire your creativity to shine through, as they are made so that you can imagine things beyond the realm of possibility! Instead of sitting in front of a TV and staring at a screen, you can read a book and imagine the situation for yourself.
Reduce Stress Reading is great for relaxing the mind and reducing stress. Being able to take your mind off of what’s happening around you and focusing on the content of the book is a massive stress reliever. It’s great to forget about everyday life even if it’s only for half an hour.
Source of Motivation Books are rich with characters having to overcome problems in order to succeed. They often experience problems that people could face in their own lives and then find solutions for them. That’s why seeing characters achieve rather than fail can be the motivation readers need in order for them to succeed. Advertisement
Memory Enhancement Books that are in a series like Game of Thrones or Harry Potter have a lot of content like names, places, different storylines and different personalities. This is an incredible amount of information that you have to digest and remember. As your brain starts to remember more about the content in the books, it will help you to remember more about things in your life.
Expand Your Knowledge Books are a never-ending source of information. Whether they are fictional or non-fictional, all books tend to have some information or even just new words that you’ve never heard of before. With more knowledge comes the ability to make better decisions and choices.
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NEXT STEPS
choose the right postgraduate course At the start of every academic year, people all around the country decide to embark on a quest to gain a postgraduate qualification.
need to do extensive research just to make sure that it is for you and will benefit you in your climb up the career ladder.
There are many reasons for this, including:
Top Postgrad Subjects
• • • • • •
Increasing knowledge Gaining a qualification that will help people to progress in their careers Increasing chances of employability Wanting an academic challenge Equipping you with skills to use in the workplace Networking with experts
With so many people looking for jobs, it’s no wonder that more people tend to stay on at university after doing an undergraduate course. Having more qualifications gives you a head start in front of the competition.
What would be best for you?
According to The Complete University Guide, these are the top ten postgraduate subjects that have the best employability rates: 1. Education - 93% 2. Combined - 90% 3. Architecture, Building & Planning - 82% 4. Subjects Allied to Medicine - 81% 5. Veterinary Science - 79% 6. Medicine & Dentistry - 76% 7. Engineering & Technology - 73% 8. Computer Science - 73% 9. Mass Communication & Documentation - 72% 10. Business & Administrative Studies - 72% Advertisement
In order to pick the best postgraduate course, you should have a look at the courses that would best compliment your undergraduate course. For example, if you did an undergraduate degree in medicine, you could choose from from Geriatric Medicine, Internal Medicine, Orthopaedic Medicine, Regenerative Medicine or even, Respiratory Medicine. It also depends on what it is you want to hone your skills into. Some postgraduate courses will have different topics compared to others even though they are for the same career. For example, nursing has several courses, but one could be for prescribing medicine to patients and another could be for treating patients with diabetes. Before you decide to take on postgraduate study, you should have a look to see if it will benefit you and your career. Will a postgraduate qualification give you a rise in salary? Will it lead to promotions? Will it help with employability? If yes, then you should definitely consider getting the qualification. Most of the time, postgraduate qualifications will help you but you do UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE EDITION •
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NEXT STEPS
take a break
after your
studies Advertisement
Up to 20% Off Last Minute Deals UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE EDITION •
book now! 22
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Taking some time out after you finish your studies gives you a chance to do something brand new and exciting. It’s an opportunity for you to get out there and see the world. Whether you’re feeling a bit stagnant after your years of studying or you want to postpone your career and fancy doing something different for a bit, a career break would allow you to get out there and see the world.
How much time you have Figure out the quickest way to travel if you’re on a tight timeframe. Flying is usually the fastest form of travel, but trains, coaches and ferries can be part of the adventure too.
Your safety Travelling with others is generally safer, especially if you’re going somewhere you don’t know.
Why not travel?
Popular destinations
Of course, you could decide to take a career break and stay at home, but where’s the fun in that? Taking some time out after uni could be the perfect opportunity to fit some adventure into your life and would be a great way to shake up your routine.
• • • • • • • • • •
Travelling is something that almost everyone does on a career break. Your time out would not be complete without exploring some far-flung destinations. You could go on a round-the-world trip! Purchase one ticket and make the rest up as you travel.
Your budget It’s not about how much money you have, it’s about spending it wisely and getting the most for your money.
what you would like to see If you want to spend your time seeing the highlights and tourist spots of a country, your plans are going to be quite different to those that involve travelling slowly and discovering unusual, out-of-the-way places.
Spain France Greece America Dublin Croatia Thailand Turkey Egypt Australia
Travelling after university can be a great way to explore and learn about different cultures. Being able to speak another language is a big advantage, both personally and career-wise. There’s no better way to learn than living abroad, speaking with locals, and immersing yourself in their culture. In-country language courses are also a great way to boost your confidence and learn the basics quickly.
JOB MARKET
• 5 steps to take whe 1
2
Write or update your CV
Build Your Professional Brand
Resear opport
Create profiles on LinkedIn and other networking sites.
Research jobs skills and intere hunting is m
Your CV tells employers who you are. It needs to demonstrate how you’ll add value to an organisation, what you do well, and what problems you’ve helped solve in the past. Tailor your CV to the jobs you’re applying for so employers can see you’ve got the right skills and experience for the role.
A strong personal brand that portrays you in a professional light will provide recruiters, employers, and contacts with a strong positive impression of you.
3
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en looking for a job •
3
rch job unities
s that fit your ests, so your job more focused.
meone at the re interested in ut the required ualifications. ompany website h information as see if they have ob you want.
4
5
Use Job Search Apps
Connect with your contacts
Users can upload CV’s and apply for jobs easily. They can create a CV and apply for jobs. Alerts notify you when your CV has been viewed. Gain access to thousands of job listings, and first-hand knowledge of companies from current and former employees.
Once you’ve created profiles on online networking sites, such as LinkedIn, start using them. Connect with everyone you know because you never know which contact may be able to help you with your job search or put you in touch with someone who can, such as Recruiters and HR Professionals. Advertisement
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work shadowing How do I apply for work shadowing? Securing a position requires hard work and effort. Opportunities are very rarely advertised publicly, so it’s up to you to formally approach the individuals or organisations you’re interested in. Send them your CV along with a cover letter explaining why you would like to shadow them and how you feel this could benefit you. Networking is extremely useful in these situations. Use any contacts made through internships, work placements or paid work to help secure your desired role. Social media, such as Linkedin and Glassdoor, may also be useful in building your network of contacts and asking for shadowing opportunities.
What is work shadowing? Work shadowing involves observing a professional in their job to gain a better understanding of the role. Usually lasting only a couple of days, the purpose of shadowing is to achieve an insight rather than handson experience. Students and graduates often use work shadowing opportunities to get a taste of a job that they might be considering. It also allows you to experience how the same job can be different depending on its setting. Similarly, those looking for a change of career may find it beneficial.
Who can I shadow? When looking for opportunities, it’s important to choose roles that are of interest to you, as the time spent shadowing is short. You also need to be aware of how time-consuming the process can be for the person being shadowed, so preparation and a genuine interest in the area is vital. Some jobs are not suitable for shadowing due to the nature of the work and issues around health, confidentiality and safety. In these cases, it’s still worthwhile contacting the company involved to see if you can speak to someone in the job away from their workplace.
Periods of work shadowing can be arranged at any time, but the more notice you give to a company the more likely they are to agree to your request.
What can I expect? You can expect the person you’re shadowing to show you what they do and explain why things are done in a certain way. You may be able to sit in on some meetings and there may be time set aside for you to ask questions or speak to other departments. Make sure you know where you need to be, who you’re reporting to and what you should wear. Making a good impression at this stage could lead to a more formal placement or at the very least a contact for you to call on in the future.
How will it help my career? The main outcome would be increased knowledge in the industry or role that you’re considering going into. It will help you gain an understanding of the workplace and build your network of contacts, which can be valuable when you come to apply for roles. Most of all, work shadowing brings a job to life and can help you decide whether it’s for you.
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BRAIN TEASERS
PUZZLES AND BRAINTEASERS riddles 1. 2.
What has hands but can’t clap? If a red house is made of red bricks, and a yellow house is made of yellow bricks, what is a greenhouse made of?
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
What has to be broken before you can use it? What begins with T, ends with T, and has T inside it? I’m tall when I’m young, and short when I’m old. What am I? What word is spelled wrong in every dictionary? How can a leopard change its spots? What travels around the world but stays in the same place?
What is full of holes but still holds water? Where can you find cities, towns, shops, but no people?
zoom in for answers Riddles:
True or False:
1. A clock
6. Wrong
11. True
16. False
2. Glass
7. By moving to another spot
12. True
17. True
3. An egg
8. A stamp
13. False
18. False
4. A teapot
9. A sponge
14. True
19. True
5. A candle
10. A map
15. True
20. True
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true or false 11. Some animals can get sunburn. 12. Elephants eat with their noses. 13. New York is the capital of America. 14. The Sun is more than 1 million times bigger than the Earth. 15. Approximately one quarter of human bones are in the feet.
maze
16. The Great Wall Of China is visible from the moon. 17. Sandwich, the food, is named after a person. 18. No bird can fly backwards. 19. Snakes hear noises through their jaw bone. 20. Dolphins use names to identify each other.
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH JACK ETHERINGTON Barnsley Photo taken at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2019, RAF Fairford Enter for your chance to win £50 in Love2Shop vouchers by emailing competition@careersuk.org