'06 November by Real World

CAREER ADVICE + INSPIRATION + JOBS + GRAD NEWS + YOUR FUTURE www.realworldmagazine.com

NOVEMBER 2006 FREE TO STUDENTS

INTERVIEWS 10 WAYS TO NAIL KILLER QUESTIONS PLUS: JOBS IN RETAIL, FMCG AND SCIENCE

MAKE THE MOST OF EMPLOYER PRESENTATIONS REALW.0611.COVER.indd 1

CLICK HERE FOR INDEX OF RECRUITERS

FOCUS ON

ENGINEERING 6 GRADUATES GIVE US THE

LOWDOWN ON WORKING LIFE 22/11/06 11:32:49

BE motivatEd FiNaNCiaL SaLES, data aNaLYSiS, tECHNoLoGY aNd JoURNaLiSm CaREERS Welcome to the challenging world of financial information and technology. You will be exposed to many possibilities and be empowered to take advantage of them. You will be rewarded for your dedication and creativity, and will advance rapidly when you embrace the challenge.

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NOVEMBER | 2006

Contents On the cover

cover STORY 06 10 ways to nail your interview We bring you the commandments that will help you to ace those killer interview questions. z

UPFRONT

05 Editor’s letter

brainfood 10 Recruitment nightmares Ever come out of an interview feeling frustrated at the whole process? You’re not alone. 12 T hings you should know How should you prepare for working life? Plus CV booster How to set up your own university society. 13 O ne big question We solve your career dilemmas. 15 R eal World online Take a look at the vast collection of case studies on our website.

RW FEATURES

16 Build an amazing career Want to know how to get the best out of work experience or an internship? 18 Present and correct Employer presentations are a useful way of getting an insight into the mechanisms of companies you think you might want to work for. z 22 R etail therapy What’s in store for graduates considering a career in retail? z 26 Get real about the media We de-mystify some of the myths surrounding creative industries. 30 F ast company Elena Pfautsch finds out the meaning of Fast Moving Consumer Goods. z 34 R e-branding the science geek Doing a science degree doesn’t just mean a career as Piya Sinha-Roy discovers. z 40 S earch engine Looking for an engineering needn’t be an overwhelming task as we reveal. z

in the next issue >> Teach first: Have you ever thought about working in a challenging secondary school? With the aid of a company-led scheme you could be teaching children in London or Greater Manchester. Postgraduate study: We bring you the lowdown on the pros and cons of extending your student life.

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For all the latest vacancies and employers currently hiring graduates turn to this invaluable guide of jobs in this issue and online. z

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GEOLOGY/GEOPHYSICS PETROPHYSICS PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY PRODUCT/PROCESS RESEARCH ENGINEERING: RESERVOIR/PETROLEUM WELL PRODUCTION PROCESS ASSET MAINTENANCE PROJECT/FACILITIES DISCIPLINE

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Expertise is something you’d expect to find at Shell. What really makes the difference is our business commitment; the way we turn new concepts into successful solutions.

renewables, such as wind and solar energy. But the future begins with today’s fresh talent, which is why we’re so keen to attract and develop people like you.

This is a company in which people are respected not just for their technical knowledge, but also for original ideas and forward thinking. With Shell, you’ll be dedicated to innovation – helping keep us at the leading edge.

So if you want to work with a diverse team, take your potential to Shell. You can make an online application right now – just visit our careers website.

And our leadership isn’t just in oil, gas and chemicals. We’re also a major player in

www.shell.com/careers

Shell is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Take it

The chance to manage your career

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Photograph: PM Images, Getty Images

Editorial: 020 7735 2111 Editor Catherine Watson Art Director Jennifer van Schoor DESIGNER Yang Ou

building blocks

“A

journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step,” as the Chinese proverb goes. And the same is true of your job search. Although it might seem like a daunting task, you need to start laying the foundations now to cement

your future career. This issue of Real World is chock-full of ideas, with everything from ways

Sub-Editor Joy Persaud

SALES: 020 7735 4900 HEAD OF SALES Paul Wade SALES Josh Marshall, Harmesh Sansoa

DISTRIBUTION: 020 7735 4900 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Mitul Patel

ADMIN: 020 7735 4900 OFFICE MANAGER Marie Tasle Managing Director Darius Norell

Real World Magazine 22-26 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ Tel: Advertising 020 7735 4900 Editorial: 020 7735 2111 Fax: 020 7840 0443 www.realworldmagazine.com Real World is published in the UK by Cherry Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written permission of the publishers. We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs or for material lost or damaged in the post.

to boost your CV, to how to get the most from employer presentations. Placements are a great way to build up your résumé. If you are a penultimate or final year student, now is the perfect time to start lining up some work experience or internships for the summer. Application deadlines for summer placements are usually in January, so by starting your research process now you’ll have plenty of time to decide which companies to target. One of the most common complaints we hear from recruiters is that applicants haven’t prepared fully for their interviews, so this issue’s cover feature focuses on interview techniques. We bring you the lowdown on how to nail tricky interview questions (and we also tell you what howlers to avoid). Once you have sussed how to handle interviews you will be one step closer to securing your dream job. For those of you considering a career in engineering, turn to our feature, “Search engine”. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer choice of engineering jobs out there, but this doesn’t have to be the case. We profile six graduates who have all gone down different engineering career paths and love the jobs they’re in. One of the best ways to start your job search is to use our website. By registering at www.realworldmagazine.com you will receive job alerts tailored to your needs. You can also build up knowledge of your chosen career by using our in-depth features and case studies. As always, I would love to hear from you, so if you have any questions about your career, or life in general, then please drop me a line. Catherine, editor catherine@realworldmagazine.com

CONTRIBUTORS

MITUL PATEL

elena Pfautsch

Mitul is our very own marketing/ distribution manager. Having graduated in 2004, Mitul decided to take time out to travel and spent five months in Barcelona doing a marketing internship before he joined Real World. Since joining, no two weeks have been the same; he’s already organised Real World’s presence at 10 careers fairs in one week, and he is always on the move.

Elena studies international cultural and business studies at the University of Passau, Germany. She is interested in all aspects of life, from everyday commodities (see her article on fast moving consumer goods on page 26) to world politics. When she graduates she would love to work in inter-cultural management from Germany to Asia.

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10 ways to NAIL your

COVER STORY | INTERVIEWs

interview

Photographs: iStockphoto

Interviews are one of the most important parts of any recruitment process. WE HAMMER HOME HOW TO PREPARE FOR THEM PROPERLY. Here’s what to avoid... 1. Don’t do your homework “I usually get 80 applicants for four or five posts,” says one employer. “People who haven’t bothered to research our company get

define your long-term career goals. It’s the interviewer’s prerogative to direct the flow so don’t interrupt him, but by the conversation’s end aim to have conveyed what makes you the one to hire.

discarded straight away.” According to Ron Miller, author of Promoting yourself at Interview, there is simply no excuse for not swotting up as much as you can on your interviewer’s firm. “Being asked, ‘What do

3. Don’t practise beforehand “People don’t practise enough,” says Dr Peter Hawkins, author of The

you know about us?’ and replying ‘Not a lot’ indicates that your interest in the company is insufficient,” he stresses. So get to grips with the company’s products and services, its structure, and the role for which you are being considered. Equally important is researching the industry – major players and key events. Use the internet, libraries and trade magazines. Nothing beats an insider’s perspective and if you don’t know anybody who works in the specific or related field, use your careers service – they might have contacts with recent alumni working in the industry.

Art of Building Windmills – Career Tactics for the 21st Century. “Have a look at the company website to look at key words and terminology so you’re speaking their language. You need to present yourself in a way that they’ll understand. I’d even advise people to video themselves to see how they come across.” Ask family friends who work in business or related fields to give you a mock interview and always get feedback. This will eliminate the risk of waffling and provide an opportunity to see whether you express yourself with good diction and grammar.

2. Forget yourself Many people make the mistake of not reflecting adequately on their motives and qualities. So, just as you investigate your employers, look at your personal reasons for applying (take note - “I need some money” won’t do you any favours), what interests you about the company. Ask what your strengths are (have examples at hand) and

4. Dress inappropriately “Interviewing can be an imperfect way of assessing somebody. A lot of interviewers make up their minds in the first two minutes and spend the remaining 28 re-enforcing their judgement,” continues Hawkins. First impressions count. Appearance is not more important than what you can offer as a person, but attend your job interview in shorts,

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COVER STORY | INTERVIEWs

“

Even if you were kidnapped by aliens last night, or the dog ate your car keys, get to your interview on time

1096 2 7 5483 1

”

shades and flip-flops and you can kiss employment goodbye. Every company will have its own clothing culture, so if in doubt pay a visit

8. have an Attitude problem Okay, you’re nervous, but nerves needn’t inhibit enthusiasm – a

to their offices to see for yourself. But even if the industry is casual, err

quality that might set you apart from the rest. Big attitude mistakes

on the side of smartness. On the big day, take a comb or hairbrush, an umbrella should it rain, and a handkerchief. Forget about

include appearing overly desperate for the job, too cocky, too laidback or even too modest. “You need to be somewhere in the middle,”

excessive make-up, jewellery or cologne and don’t stink of cigarettes

says Hawkins. “Being too brash is a problem, but under-confidence

or that pre-interview shot of whiskey that you wouldn’t have swigged had you properly prepared. Oh, and don’t forget to wear a smile.

can be bred especially after one or two rejections. So build up feedback at interviews. If you fail it might not be because of bad interview technique, it could be that the job just didn’t suit your

5. Get there late

interests.” If it’s any consolation, many experts feel that interviewers

Ouch! It’s hard to imagine a worse way to start. If you can’t be relied upon to be punctual for a first meeting, what hope is there for the

aren’t a very competent bunch anyway.

long-term? Even if you were kidnapped by aliens last night or your

9. Question catastrophe

dog ate your car keys, get to your interview on time. Plan your journey well in advance and leave home with extra time, bearing in mind

You can never be sure what you will be asked but certain stock questions are more likely to arise than others and you should be

traffic, weather and the state of our nation’s transport system. If you’re

ready for them. Go through practice questions we have included

early it will be a good opportunity for some relaxed preparation and tidying up your appearance. But at the same time don’t get there

here. Bear in mind classics like: “Why do you want this job?”, “What are your weaknesses?” (it’s no good saying you haven’t got any)

too early or you might find yourself stewing in reception for half an hour. If this happens, grab a coffee at a nearby café.

and, “What other companies have you applied to?” You might be asked to deal with killers like: “Sell me this product!” (pointing to a glass of water), or situational questions (“What would

6. Forget to bring your application form It might be a while since you wowed potential employers with tales of leadership and teamwork, and in all probability you will have sent

you do if…?”). These are best prepared for by creating tricky scenarios yourself and practising how to cope with them. Listen carefully to the questions. “You’re allowed to pause,” says one graduate recruiter,

half a dozen application forms off, tailored to different companies. So re-read your form and be in a position where you can elaborate upon it. The same applies to your CV. Take a spare copy with you and

“But more than 15 seconds and it looks like you can’t think on your feet.” The solution is practise, practise, practise. Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes and make a list of 20 questions you could be

be prepared to be asked about why you took that gap year after school, or got those poor results. If you are asked about a negative area, finish on a positive note: how you turned a failure into a success, the lessons learned and how you have matured since then.

asked. However, beware giving memorised responses, especially as you’ll probably forget parts in the process. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so and offer an educated guess, rather than launching into an elaborate web of lies.

7. Bad body language and the fishy handshake Don’t slouch or avoid eye-contact (especially important when being interviewed by a panel). Also, practise the art of the handshake with

10. Don’t ask questions One sure-fire way to goof is to answer “What questions do you have?” with:“Nah, I think we’ve covered it all.” Turning the tables is one of the

someone you know – too limp is yucky and a bone-crusher is just offensive. Body language should be positive. Ask for feedback in practice interviews – you might not be aware that you fidget with

most feared interview situations but failure to pose relevant questions makes you look unenthusiastic, unimaginative or both. As the old cliché goes, “an interview is a two-way process.” Make sure you’ve

clothes or scratch body parts. Don’t forget to thank the interviewer before you leave.

prepared a list and try to find questions you’d really like answered. But never ask: “How much do I get paid?” n

What others have done (and you shouldn’t!) in interviews

1) When the applicant arrived for his 12.30pm interview, he pulled out a sandwich and milkshake, which he proceeded to eat and drink – because, after all, it was lunchtime. 2) Rather cheekily, the applicant asked to see the interviewer’s CV to see if the interviewer was suitably qualified to interview him. 3) Totally inappropriately, the candidate wore a tracksuit for an interview with a financial organisation. 4) To illustrate multi-tasking abilities the applicant wore an iPod, saying she could listen to the interviewer and music simultaneously. 5) When asked by the hiring manager about his career goals, the candidate replied: “To work the least amount of time possible until I can get your job.” 6) Halfway through the interview, the applicant’s phone started

ringing. Rather than apologise and switch it off, he decided to answer it and engage in a five-minute conversation. 7) The applicant bounced up and down on the office carpet and told the interviewer she must be highly thought of by the company to get such a thick carpet. 8) When the candidate was asked if he could have dinner with anyone, either alive or dead, who would he choose; he answered he would prefer someone alive. 9) During the interview, an alarm clock went off in the applicant’s briefcase. He took it out, shut it off, apologised, and said he had to leave for another interview. 10) Asked why she wanted to work for a company, the candidate said: “That’s a good question. I really haven’t given it much thought.”

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NEWS y VIEWS y ADVICE y STRATEGIES

Recruitment Nightmares Have you been involved in a recruitment process where you’ve found a company’s behaviour deeply frustrating? You are not alone, reveals Navtej Johal

Angry mob So what are these employers doing that’s so wrong that it is resulting in a mass of angry graduates? The research, which surveyed more than 2,500 graduate job seekers from a

variety of sectors, found that the top complaint from graduates is “not hearing back from a company at all” (66%). Also, “no feedback being given” (60%); “job that was advertised changing or no longer being available” (32%) and “long delays before attending final interview/assessment centre” (22.5%) were the other top gripes. Satnam Aujla, a law graduate from Wolverhampton University, reveals an unpleasant experience he had for one of the first jobs he went for: “The company I applied for couldn’t make up their mind as to which of the two or three candidates they wanted. Rather than coming to an informed decision they just waited to see which candidate gave up waiting for a decision first. “They didn’t get back to us within the stated time and the person who hadn’t moved on to look for something else ended up getting the job,” says Satnam. Also among the top eight negative interview experiences encountered by those surveyed were “incorrect salary information” and (the highly unprofessional) “interviewer getting my name wrong”.

Damage limitation Such poor treatment of candidates could be damaging to the organisation in the future. Becky Remington, head of graduate services at Reed Consulting, agrees that employers need to shape up their behaviour. “This is a real wake up call for organisations who often forget that potential employees can also be existing or potential customers. “Employers need to ensure that every part of their recruitment process runs smoothly from attraction all the way through to the final offer stage to protect their business performance and employer brand”. Fighting for talent Becky believes that there is currently a “war for talent in graduate recruitment, where candidates often progress quickly to senior levels of the organisation”. In accordance with this, she feels it’s important for employers to “treat their applicants as future company directors when designing and delivering their recruitment processes”. Other findings showed that 58% say that following first hand experience of applying to

Photographs: iStockphoto

There may have been many times when you have left interviews or recruitment fairs feeling as though you didn’t sell yourself as well as you could. Maybe you weren’t as eloquent as you thought, or maybe that tie just didn’t go with that shirt? Either way, it’s rare that we think of the employer as the one who needs to review their conduct, right? Wrong. Research has revealed that nearly a quarter of graduates have turned down a job after being deterred by an organisation’s behaviour during the recruitment process. The research found that close to one quarter (22%) had turned down a job offer because they were put off by an organisation’s conduct. Worryingly for potential employers, 34% of graduate job seekers have actively switched brand loyalty after a poor experience while applying for a job with a brand, according to the study carried out by Reed Consulting.

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Photographs: iStockphoto

I hated my degree, so I “ took a gamble and started over with a different one ” Stuck doing a degree you don’t like, but think you can’t change it? Think again. Lucy Beaumont started a degree in psychology at the University of Reading, but soon realised it wasn’t right for her and changed to biology. Although it meant starting again from scratch, she says it was the best decision she’s made.

Why did you decide to change degree course?

I changed course as it wasn’t really what I was expecting. Having come from a science A-level background I thought it was a bit airy fairy, and preferred one of the biology modules I was doing. I tried to swap so that I wouldn’t have to repeat the year but the biology department wanted me to start from the beginning. How did you get your job as

Q should treat candidates “ employers fairly, like future colleagues ” work for an organisation their perception of the brand has changed, of these 66% said their view is now less favourable. Furthermore, 93% said they would tell their family and friends if they had a negative experience with a brand when applying for a job, while 40% said a negative recruitment experience would definitely make them less likely to consume or purchase a brand’s products and services. Only 16% said they would not change their brand habits. Here are some opinions from the students polled by Reed Consulting: “They took almost five months to get back to me on the outcome of the online application forms. Although this was the first company I had applied to, by the time I heard back from them I had already accepted an offer elsewhere.” “I applied for a marketing assistant position and was invited for an interview for which I had to prepare a presentation. At the start of the interview I was told the position had changed and they were really looking for a

marketing manager with management experience. It felt like a complete waste of my time and theirs.” “I was interviewed by someone who was not part of the planned interview panel and was unprepared.” “I had gone through the second stages of interview with a media company in London and I was told in writing that I hadn’t met their requirements. A month later, they wrote to me and said that they liked me and would like to offer me the job. I have rejected their offer because I felt insecure with their uncertainty.” While it’s understandable that an employer might not have the time to give feedback to every candidate it sees, there is certainly no excuse for unprofessional conduct in the interview room itself. It’s time that employers started dealing with their candidates fairly and treating them like future colleagues. Otherwise they may be the ones out of a job.

intelligence analyst with the Metropolitan Police? I applied for my job through an advert in The Guardian. It was the only one I applied for and magically I got it! What skills are imperative in your line of work? Skills for my line of work include analytical skills, good knowledge of computer software (Excel for example) and ability to pick up new software (mapping, police databases and so on), and you need to be numerate.

hat advice do you have for a W student who is considering changing their degree? If it’s a change for something you really want to do then go for it, otherwise you’ll always be thinking ‘what if?’. Also don’t worry about being in the year below (i.e. with people a year younger) as it really doesn’t matter; you’ll still stay friends with all the people you’ve already met and you’ll meet more people as well. At the end of the day it’ll mean a year extra at university, which is always going to be better than getting a job!

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BF BRAINFOOD WORKING LIFE

CV BOOSTER

4Thingsyoushouldknow

Set up a society

There is plenty of information out there about how to get a job. But where’s the help for when you start work? We asked entrepreneur, former UN diplomat, publisher and author Peter Carvell four things he wished he’d known when he started his working life.

It’s easy to get swept along during Freshers’ Week and sign up for every society on offer, from angling to zoology. But have you thought about setting up your own society? It’s easy... OK, hands up. How many of you signed up for a society during Freshers’ Week that you didn’t really have any interest in joining? You’re not alone. Every year hundreds of students hand over subscription fees to a society but subsequently never attend any of their meetings. But it needn’t be this way. You can create a society that directly reflects your interests and needs. You might not realise it, but it is pretty straightforward to set up a society. Leicester University graduate (and fashionista), Rosalind Spencer, set one up during the second year of her studies. “I set up the fashion appreciation society because there really wasn’t anything like it at the university. I was surprised how easy it was to do. “All I did was contact the students’ union executive committee and they gave me a pack of information about setting up a society,” she says. To get going, you will typically need to write a constitution, setting out the aims and objectives of the society. These must not conflict with the student union’s aims in any way and must be considered different to existing societies. You will also need to have a minimum number of members which could be anything from 15 to 30. “My experience as society president was really useful when it came to job applications and interviews,” reveals Rosalind. “I could demonstrate organisational skills and creativity, which is exactly what I needed for my job as a conference organiser. “I organised a trip to the Clothes Show Live in Birmingham, which was really popular. I also worked with the university’s charity society to put on a fashion show to raise funds for children with spina bifida.” To set up a society of your own visit your students’ union and speak to the person in charge of societies. All it takes is a bit of inspiration and some hard work, and you could transform your CV.

Make a grand plan It’s a foolish affectation

society. You help your friends; they help you. Have cards made and give them out

to have no idea of what you

generously. The old cliché is still true. It’s

want, as, without a plan, you can drift from one wrong

the people you know who will get you to the job you want; it’s up to you to be

job to the next. Map out your priorities. Do you want to become rich? Do you want to start your own company at some time? Do you want to work abroad? Do you want to work within a large or small company?

good enough to get it.

Enjoy life Life can become very serious as

you start working, and you can become very boring. Not possible? Sadly it is. A lot of work is not particularly exciting,

And so on. Think clearly about your next 20 years, then work towards

and it is easy for a newcomer to be beaten down by it. Not

achieving your ambitions.

you. Stay an optimist, and be the kind of person that others enjoy

Learn about money

It doesn’t matter if your aim is wealth or not; if you understand money, you are ahead of 90% of your peers. Learn how to read a balance sheet, how to make budgets, and how the City works. At home, learn how to handle your personal money, how to invest, save and spend. That doesn’t mean an obsession with money; it means you become that rare person who knows the role of money in every part of your life.

having around. More people have lost a promotion or a new job because of their attitude rather than their work qualifications. Like yourself, like other people, and smile. Look around your offices and see how many smile. The last survey I saw suggested the number to be one in seven. Be that one. Peter Carvell is the author of the new bestseller Silver Wolf. He has used his

your future lies with the people you “know, and the people they know ” Keep that Little Black Book going Your future lies with the people you know, and the people they know. Contacts, contacts and more contacts are what we need to climb the ladder. Enjoy a social life, nurture your friends, and keep adding names to your black book. You are now part of the friends barter

experiences to write a book for the 50+ generation that, he hopes, will change the life of millions – could be a great Christmas book for your parents! Silver Wolf by Peter Carvell is published by DelanceyPress at £9.99 and is available from bookshops or direct from amazon.co.uk.

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WORDS OF WISDOM

OneBigQuestion I’m a final year history student and am thinking about a career as a solicitor. I am on course for a 2:1, but the only thing is my A-level grades fall short of the requirements asked for by the majority of commercial law firms. Is it still worth me applying? Also, I am considering taking a gap year between university and law school. Do you think this is a good idea? Rachel, Manchester University

Photographs: iStockphoto

Let’s face facts: competition for solicitors’ training contracts is fierce. Many law firms have online application systems that automatically filter candidates based on the relevant information. But that’s not to say there is no hope. The best thing to do is target the selection of firms you are most interested in and contact their recruitment managers directly, explaining why your UCAS tariff falls short of their requirements. You may find that some firms will be flexible about A-levels, preferring to focus on other achievements. A gap year could be a great idea. What you do during that time could really set you apart from your contemporaries. If you are serious about a career in law then why not try to secure some legal work experience or do some voluntary work overseas. Good luck! For more information about a career in law visit our website: www.realworldmagazine.com If you have any questions at all about your career – or your life in general – email us at: editor@realworldmagazine.com

FROM NEW RECRUIT TO HIGH FLYER

CHANGE THE WORLD 9 TO 5

Kogan Page, £9.99 Real World has five copies of this brand new guide, which has “no-nonsense advice on how to fast track your career”. This is ideal for finalists whose working days are just around the corner. You can also purchase a copy with 10% off at www.kogan-page.co.uk. Just key in the code MF220.

Short Books, £8.99 This is the latest offering from the publishers of the bestselling book Change the World for a Fiver. It contains 50 simple everyday actions we can all do to change the world. We have three copies to give away. To find out more about the founders visit: www.wearewhatwedo.org.

BO GIVOK AWA EY!

Email catherine@ realworldmagazine.com to request a copy. As always, it’s first come, first served!

JOBS YOU NEVER THOUGHT OF...

Performance Engineer “I work for Rolls-Royce, testing and monitoring aeroplane engines. At the moment we are testing the Trent 1000, which is an engine that is not yet in service. We will build a series of engines and then test them to understand whether the engine does what we thought it would. If not, we make modifications. We need to demonstrate to regulators that it is safe to fly. I look after performance data: for example, looking at the speed, pressure, and temperature of the whole engine. “Before university I wanted to be a pilot. I realised that most people who are pilots have a degree. So I decided on aeronautical engineering as a subject. One summer in particular I worked for a software company that produced flight simulators. I realised that becoming a pilot was not what I wanted to do. I did a summer job with Rolls-Royce as part of my course, which I really enjoyed. I applied to come back as a graduate and was accepted. You move around departments on the graduate training scheme. “I am part of a group known as NOISEmakers, a group of young scientists and engineers doing all sorts of science and engineering-related jobs. We are campaigning to get young people to take an interest in science and engineering. A lot of young people enjoy science and maths, but don’t know what job they could do with such a degree. There are some really challenging and exciting careers. We are also trying to emphasise that we are normal and we want to break down existing stereotypes – we do have a life outside of work! “On the website we’ve each got a profile with bits and pieces that might catch someone’s imagination.” To go to the website visit: www.noisemakers.org.uk Vicki Morris was interviewed by Catherine Watson

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RE + C EM RU P ITI LO NG Y E NORS W

aPPLY ONLINe

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+ mORE JOBS + ADVICE +

list of advertisers Aldi ATOC Atkins Atomic Weapons Establishment Bloomberg Corus Group Chartered Institute of Marketing Dublin Institute of Technology Enterprise Rent a Car GlaxoSmithKline Goodrich Control Systems

09 Grad 2 Business 29 38 Heriot Watt University 50 40 Lockheed Martin 50 MWH 29 42 PricewaterhouseCoopers 52 02 Royal Air Force 44 46 Royal Navy 48 RWE NPower 34 24 Schlumberger 51 Shell 04 29 Territorial Army 50 24 Thales 48 20 32

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BRAINFOOD

RealWorld Online If you are a fan of the magazine, you will love our fortnightly newsletter. Every two weeks we will send you details of the latest jobs, and bring you great competitions and book giveaways. To receive the newsletter simply register your details at www.realworldmagazine.com

Did you know our website contains tons of case studies from recent graduates? We bring you four reasons why they could help you with your job search. To read the case studies visit www.realworldmagazine.com 1. COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT We pride ourselves on the editorial independence of our case studies. Every one of our case studies is written after an extensive interview with the graduate and they are entirely independent from the companies. Employers cannot pay to have a case study included in the magazine or website, unlike some other careers magazines.

which is why we profile as many of the key industries as possible. In total, we produce case studies for 18 distinct industry sectors. We cover everything from accountancy to technology; so whatever specialism you’re interested in there should be a case study that is relevant to you and your career plans.

4. REGULARLY UPDATED Every month, new case studies are added to our website, so check it regularly to see if there is any new information on the area in which you are interested. We also keep case studies archived to give you the fullest possible picture of the realities of working life after graduation. Searching the archived case studies couldn’t be easier: select the sector you are interested in from the left-hand side of the 3. BROAD RANGE OF JOBS homepage and it will bring up a list There are a lot of graduate jobs out there, of case studies we have on file. 2. HONEST VIEW OF WORKING LIFE The aim of the case studies is to bring you an honest appraisal of what it’s like to work at the featured company. We cut through the marketing spiel so often found in graduate recruitment brochures. We ask about working conditions, job satisfaction, hours, and – just as importantly – how the graduate got the job. Case studies are a fantastic way of getting an insight into the typical working day of recent graduates.

Have you seen our digital edition? In addition to all the features in the print edition, this month you’ll also get access to our superb CV clinic. The digital edition is fully searchable so you can find previous features at the touch of a button. All you need to do to access it is to register at www.realworldmagazine.com

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building an amazing career When you start work there are some important rules you should remember to help your job go smoothly, and the same principles apply to internships and work experience. Real World brings you 15 steps to help you cement your career path

working from a clean slate, so make sure your first impressions count. Don’t sit at your desk twiddling your thumbs, be proactive from the start; if you aren’t given work straight away then volunteer your services to the people around you.

sional.” As a general rule, don’t put anything in an email that you wouldn’t say to your boss face-to-face. Likewise don’t get the reputation as the person in the office who forwards all the joke emails. People receive enough spam without having their in-boxes cluttered with huge, unnecessary emails.

Hit the ground running The first two weeks of any job or internship are more important than any other fortnight you spend in the role. “Your first strategy is to listen, learn, and ask intelligent questions,” advises John Lees, the author of Take Control of Your Career. He adds: “Find out who the key people are in the organisation – the people who

will make decisions about your future.” It is important not to underestimate the importance of these two weeks, which could ultimately have a huge impact on the rest of your career. You are

2 3

Be enthusiastic You will not be expected to know everything when you first start an internship or job, but what you lack in knowledge you can make up with unbridled enthusiasm. No matter how menial a task you are given make sure you go about it with gusto.

No one is going to be impressed by the intern who huffs and puffs about doing the photocopying. Even simple things like offering to make cups of tea can also make a big impression on your new colleagues. Arrive on time It sounds obvious, but tardiness will create a negative impact on your profile at work. Arrive promptly to work – and not just on your first day. Coming into work late will reflect badly on you, and can even damage team morale. This means you should be logged onto your computer and be ready to work at the time stipulated in your contract. Regardless of how little work you have got on, sauntering in with a coffee in hand, half an hour after everyone else, will do you no favours.

Treat emails like any other professional work “Because you can write emails quickly and even hold conversations over email systems, do not be too loose with your writing,” warns Hugh Karseras in his book From New Recruit to High Flyer. “Remember everything you write on email is saved by the or-

ganisation as a matter of law. In the event of any kind of litigation or regulatory enquiry, lawyers will pore over email histories, and you will want to make sure that you are absolutely clean and profes-

Set goals for yourself Even when you have just started out in a job it is important that you look to your future. Write down on a piece of paper what you want to achieve professionally in one, five and 10 years’ time. Ten –

or even five – years might seem like a long way off, but having structured career goals will help keep you focused and improve your prospects up the career ladder. You might not land your dream job straight out of university, but knowing where it is you want to go will help that dream to become a reality.

Put in the hours Just because your contractual working hours are nine to five, it doesn’t mean you should be bolting out the door at one minute past five. This is especially true for internships when you only have a limited

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FEATURE | CAREERS

amount of time to make a good impression. By putting in those few extra hours you will prove your willingness to work and commitment to the job. However, don’t just stay late for the sake of it. Depending on the culture of the company, this can be viewed just as negatively as leaving early. If you are sure you are finished for the day, go home.

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Don’t be afraid of making mistakes As the saying goes: “To err is human…” Everyone makes mistakes: it’s as simple as that. The important thing to remember is not to try to hide them. The earlier you tell a supervisor about an error that has been made, the sooner it can be remedied. The longer you leave it the more seri-

ous the problem is likely to become. But remember that while making a mistake can be tolerated, making the same mistake twice will be viewed as highly unprofessional. Think for yourself At university you will have developed analytical and problem-solving skills, and there is no reason why these abilities can’t be transferred into the workplace. So, before immediately turning to your supervisor or boss for advice, see if you can decipher the problem yourself. Naturally,

there will be times when clarification will be needed from a higher authority, but if you can demonstrate that you have given the problem some serious thought you will rise in stature in the eyes of your boss.

Don’t forget you are always on show “After a while, you will develop a level of comfort with colleagues and bosses at work, and it is easy to let your guard down,” cautions Hugh Karseras. “I have seen colleagues at Christmas parties get so drunk that they utterly embarrass themselves.

The lesson to remember is that every interaction is important and you must always put your best side across.” It doesn’t matter how informal the event is – you should always maintain a professional demeanour. Be wary of corporate events where alcoholic drinks are regularly topped up; if you can’t handle your drink stick to orange juice! What not to wear “Dress for the job that you want, not for the job that have,” advises one graduate recruiter. Even if the dress code is casual think carefully about what you are wearing. Only wear jeans if you are absolutely sure they are acceptable – and don’t wear them if they have any holes. As Trinny and Susannah will tell you, what a person wears can reveal a lot about their personality. If you look sloppy your boss might assume your work will be sloppy too.

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Develop your skill set “As soon as you start talking to people you will discover the skills they use to fulfil the roles they are in,” notes John Lees. “You need to take stock of your skills – and learn how to communicate them to others.” It may seem like an alien concept but you should give

careful consideration to the skills you possess. What is it that you are good at? If you have meticulous organisational skills, let this be known to those on high. Compile to-do lists How do you measure what you have achieved on a daily or weekly basis? A to-do list is an excellent way of keeping tabs on what you’ve done and what you still need to do. Get into the habit

at university of making a to-do list of things you need to do daily. By ticking the items off you will get a sense of achievement and will be able to better prioritise your more urgent jobs. Know the organisation To land the job or internship in the first place you will need to thoroughly research the company you are planning to work for. Continue to find out as much information as you

can about the organisation right up until your first day. Once you start work, ask yourself: “Are there any gaps that could be filled?” Make a note of areas with room for improvement and suggest to your line manager any changes that could be made. Ask for feedback You should receive regular feedback on your progress at work, but if this is not the case, ask for it. However, you should be wary if too much praise is heaped on you. “As a general rule you should

treat all praise and appreciation with a certain degree of scepticism,” suggests Hugh Karseras. “And focus only on continuing to improve.” Actively network Although you might not like the word “networking” it is an essential part of working life. If you are trying to get an internship or job use your existing contacts to see if they can help get a position. Even if your friends or relatives can’t help you directly, they might know someone who can. Once you have secured an internship continue to make connections in the organisation. Even if you are not working directly with someone they might be able to help you to secure a permanent position in the future. n

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FEATURE | PRESENTATIONS

nown as the milkround, the annual presentations given by recruiters to universities across the country, continue to happen like clockwork. The milkround typically comprises visits by large, blue-chip companies with equally large recruitment budgets. But, increasingly, smaller companies have started to visit campuses too. Employers from a range of industry sectors attend universities to give presentations and sometimes interview finalists. However, if you are considering a career in something like social work it is unlikely that suitable recruiters will come to your university and make a presentation. Typically, the milkround focuses on five major areas of recruitment: banking, finance, management, consulting and law. Presentations can be small or extravagant affairs and may be held on campus, at a nearby venue, or at the company’s own offices. Presentations can take many guises and some will be more formal than others. Generally, recruiters will bring along some company brochures and a stand with details about the careers they offer. A presentation will usually be given by someone from human resources, or whoever is involved with graduate recruitment. They will explain what opportunities they offer graduates and give an overview of the recruitment process. You will be provided with information about the company’s ethos, the application procedure, a typical day of a recent recruit, and get a feel for the people that work there. It may sound obvious, but pay attention throughout the presentation. It will look unprofessional if you ask a question that has already been answered during the talk. Take a pen and paper with you so that you can make notes during the session. While you are doing this also try to formulate one or two

The milkround has come a long way since the days of dodgy overhead projectors and platefuls of cheese and pineapple on sticks. Nowadays you should treat presentations like mini-interviews, so don’t forget to take it easy on the free booze…

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answer session, or, if you prefer, wait to ask one of the company’s representatives later on. For ideas on what to ask, see the box: “Do your homework”. Drink in moderation Presentations are typically followed by the chance to chat to company representatives over drinks and canapés. This is one of the most important parts of the presentation process, so do make the most of it. Remember, just because there is free booze on offer doesn’t mean you should quaff as many glasses of vino as you can muster. Getting drunk will reflect badly not only on you, but also your university. There is a time and a place for boozing – and that’s at the students’ union, not at the expense of one of the country’s leading companies. More often than not, firms bring along recent recruits who hail from your university. This will be an invaluable opportunity

Photographs: iStockphoto

questions that you can ask after the presentation. You can either ask the question in front of the audience immediately after the presentation has been given during the formal question and

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OUR MOST IMPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENT

IS SAVING PEOPLE’S LIVES. Are you wondering what engineers and scientists might be doing at GSK? For starters, applying brilliant thinking to the design, development, process and manufacturing technologies that deliver lifesaving drugs to people around the world. With operations in 119 countries and a manufacturing capital investment budget of over £500 million, we produce medicines that ensure we’re in a position to change the lives and prospects of millions. Our 3 year technical development programme will offer broad-based, structured development for technically skilled individuals who wish to develop their careers in an organisation where you can see not only your impact on the world, but also your whole future ahead of you. And whatever your career goals may be, if you’re capable and have personal ambition and drive, we’ll support you every step of the way with all the learning and development opportunities you need to enable you to flourish. The programme involves placements in at least two of our business areas, at different sites so full mobility is essential.

Disciplines sought for Global Manufacturing & Supply: • Process Engineers/Chemical Engineers & Pharmaceutical Engineers • • • • • • • •

Chemists - Analytical, Physical, Physical Properties, Organic Microbiologists & Biochemists Statisticians & Chemometricians Mechanical Engineers Electronic/Electrical & Automation Engineers Device Technologists (Polymer Scientists) Physicists Pharmacists & Formulation Scientists

If your expertise at either a graduate or post-graduate level is in any of the disciplines below, you can take the first step toward a career that’s challenging, exciting and incredibly rewarding by going to www.gsk.com/careers/uk-students-graduates.htm

gsk.com/careers GSK is proud to promote an open culture, encouraging people to be themselves and giving their ideas a chance to flourish. GSK is an equal opportunity employer.

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& FEATURE | PRESENTATIONS

“

where else will you get the chance to speak to many attractive ex-students who have good jobs?

”

to network. Although these graduates are obviously there to promote the company, you will usually find that they will give

you an honest assessment of working life at their firm. They will be able to tell you, amongst other things, how to prepare for

press, so you can also check your university’s newspaper for any upcoming events. You might find that there are too many presentations

scheduled at your university, with some companies clashing with

interviews, the pay and conditions, and what working life is really like. If you get chatting to someone and like the sound of what

others. In this case, plan carefully which companies you need to target. By doing research before the presentation you will be

they do, be sure to make a note of their name, and if possible

able to draw up a shortlist of company presentations you want

take a business card. When it comes to applying for a job at that company it will

to attend. Think of reasons why you are interested in your chosen companies as this will help formulate answers when it comes to

impress the recruiters no end if (a) you mention you attended one of their presentations (a lot of time and effort goes into co-ordinating these presentations, so recruiters want to know their efforts haven’t been wasted), and (b) name-drop the person you spoke to. It will show you are serious about the company. Once you have made initial contact with an employer at a presentation you will probably find it much easier to get an interview. While you don’t have to

completing application forms.

Do your homework Before the presentation it is definitely worthwhile doing a bit of research on the company. The internet will be a great source of information, and you will probably find that your careers service also has details about the company in question. You should also come to the presentation with some pre-prepared questions. Things you could ask include: • “What do you enjoy most about your job?” • “What qualities do you look for in graduates?” • “What was your motivation in applying to Company X?” • “What are the promotion prospects like?” Don’t waste the recruiters’ time by asking questions that could be answered easily by looking at their website or reading their recruitment literature.

attend a presentation to apply to a particular company, it will help to give you a better impression of the firm. For example, if a company arrives at your university and, out of 20 employees who attend the presentation only one is a woman, it might make you think twice before applying to the firm because of its apparent lack of diversity. Likewise, when discussing the typical day of a recent recruit you may realise that a company with a long hours culture really isn’t for you.

Dressed for success

It is always difficult to gauge what to wear to a presentation. As a general rule of thumb you should dress smartly – this means wearing a suit for both men and women. However, if the presentation is by someone like a small IT company, you might get away with wearing

something smart/casual, in which case use your judgement. Whatever you do, don’t turn up straight from the hockey field wearing your

tracksuit covered in mud. Your appearance might be memorable to the employers, but it is likely to be for the wrong reasons. Presentations differ in length with some lasting just half an hour or so.

before you attend the presentation If you want to attend a presentation, make sure you note the following points: • Check your careers services regularly to see which companies are presenting • Sign up early – places are limited so don’t delay getting your name down • Wear a suit – or smart/casual if more appropriate to the company • Arrive at the presentation on time • Keep an eye on your careers service notice board as dates and times might change

Be prepared Your careers service will have a list of companies who are presenting; make sure you sign up well in advance of the presentation as places can go quickly. There are so many universities nationwide that it is impossible for recruiters to visit all of them. If a company you are interested in isn’t presenting at your university, contact the company’s graduate recruitment department to see if they have any presentations planned near you. In addition to listings in careers services, many companies also advertise their presentations in the student

Always get to each presentation on time, but remember you don’t have

to stay right until the end. Having a chat with the recent recruits can be great fun.

Think about it – where else will you get the chance to speak to many attractive ex-students who have good jobs earning wads of cash? All in all, the milkround can be an extremely useful way to meet prospective employers. Remember that it is a two-way process: not only is it a great opportunity for you to see if you like the company, but recruiters will also be assessing whether you could be a good “fit” for their organisation. Just as important as finding out if you would like to work for the company in question, is discovering that you wouldn’t want to work for them. If nothing else, it will be a great way to feed yourself and have a night off from beans on toast! n

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FEATURE | RETAIL | CASE STUDY

NAME: SUSANNAH ROSE / AGE: 25 UNIVERSITY: 2:1 IN SOCIOLOGY FROM UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE JOB TITLE: ALLOCATOR FOR COAST STORES WHAT DO YOU DO ON A TYPICAL DAY? I’m responsible for allocating jewellery, accessories, woven and tailoring tops. I’m in charge of allocating to all Coast stores and all concessions to achieve optimum stock levels. I’m involved with analysis of products – to ensure they’re selling well, and that they’re sent to the right store. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES DO YOU NEED FOR A GRADUATE RETAIL ROLE? I think a background in retail is helpful. If you want a position in head office merchandising there is a lot of analysis involved, so it is useful to have knowledge of databases, especially Excel. I did a bit of analysis at uni, but there is also lots of training on the job and several courses they send you out on. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO EMBARK UPON A RETAIL CAREER? I have always worked in retail. When I finished university I went into a managerial retail role. However, I wanted to get a different view and join head office. I really love fashion and it was good to get into a role where I could use that interest. I got the job by registering with a recruitment agency. WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF THE JOB? There is a lot of communication with different departments: design, buying, marketing and the distribution centre. We have to make sure we’re sending the right products to the right store. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS CONSIDERING A CAREER IN RETAIL? I would definitely recommend retail as a career. It is a really good sector to get into. People here are quite lively and everyone is good fun to work with. BRIEFLY, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOB? It’s fun, different everyday, and challenging.

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THE RETAIL INDUSTRY MAKES UP A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE UK’S ECONOMY AND WITH GROWTH IN ONLINE RETAILING THE INDUSTRY IS LOOKING HEALTHIER ALL THE TIME. SO WHAT’S IN STORE FOR GRADUATES CONSIDERING A CAREER IN RETAIL? PHOTOGRAPHS BY YANG OU

RETAIL THERAPY

hen you hear the word “retail” what’s the first thing that comes into your head? Stacking shelves? Folding jumpers in a clothes store? True, all of these

things are part of the retail industry, but they are not the whole picture. For graduates, retail offers an exciting career with many different opportunities – everything from merchandising to marketing. Graduate merchandisers are in charge of making sure the correct number of products arrive at the correct store at the correct time. They liaise with the retail buyers who purchase the merchandise. Buyers are responsible for planning the types of products that appear in stores, whereas the merchandisers set the prices and ensure that a profit is made. Graduate schemes for retail managers are among the most sought-after by university leavers. As the manager of a store or a department, graduates must manage staff, meet customer needs and ensure that sales of products go well. The day-to-day tasks of a retail manager vary depending on the needs of the company but overall the manager needs to make sure the store is performing well and that it is hitting its profit targets.

NAME: CATRIONA DUNCAN / AGE: 24 UNIVERSITY: FIRST CLASS HONOURS IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FROM EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY JOB TITLE: COMMERCIAL MANAGER OF LINGERIE AND BEAUTY AT M&S IN BRENT CROSS WHAT DO YOU DO ON A TYPICAL DAY? There isn’t one in this job, and that’s what makes it so interesting. Yesterday was varied. Amongst other things I was planning sales for Christmas; I had a sales meeting; I was performance coaching, and was probing sales performance. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES DO YOU NEED FOR A GRADUATE RETAIL ROLE? In terms of qualifications – you need a degree, but it doesn’t have to be a specific subject. The key aspect for recruitment is qualities. People skills are vital. You also need to be able to work in a fast-paced and ever changing environment. Those who have done some research into retail are the ones who will do well. Why did you decide to embark upon a retail career and how did you get the job? When I left university, I wanted a job that would be peoplefocused and retail is just that. You are interacting with customers, as well as teams of colleagues, so you are always surrounded by people. I applied online and was sent a series of tests, including aptitude tests. I was then invited to an assessment centre, which included an interview. WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF THE JOB? The diversity – you juggle several things on a daily basis, which keeps the job fresh. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS CONSIDERING A CAREER IN RETAIL? Try to gain experience in the company you are targeting. For example, M&S takes on temporary staff over Christmas; it’s a good way to learn about the company’s culture and find out whether it’s going to suit you. BRIEFLY, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOB? It is diverse, fastpaced, and also people-oriented.

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Want a career that is dynamic, creative and challenging? Marketing is one of the most popular career choices today, and with good reason. Not only is every day different, but you get to use your intelligence and your imagination. Currently 1 in 7 of all UK students are hoping to work in this unique industry — so it's no surprise that competition in the job market is becoming increasingly tough. Now you can join the Career Partner Scheme and get a head start on the rest. Membership is free and on registering you'll receive a free CD-ROM kit containing all the information you will need to get your marketing career off to a flying start.

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Make your career in marketing

YES, I WANT MY ONLY ROLE IN BUSINESS MEETINGS TO BE SERVING COFFEE, SO MY MIND BECOMES LOST IN THE MIST OF THE STEAMING DRINKS I POUR. We are an equal opportunities employer

NO, I’D RATHER JOIN ENTERPRISE, SO I CAN BE THE ONE LEADING THE MEETINGS AND RUNNING MY OWN BUSINESS WITHIN TWO YEARS.

MANAGEMENT TRAINING SCHEME Will most industry-leading companies really make the most of your talents? You’ve spent all those years at uni, so the last thing you want is to end up as an expert in photocopying and making coffee. Better make sure that’s not your fate by joining the 1000 plus graduates who enter the Enterprise Management Training Scheme each year. We’re an international car rental company with over 440 locations across the UK, Ireland and Germany and a multi-billion pound turnover. And we’ll teach you how to run your own business in as little as two years. You’ll learn about everything from sales, marketing and customer service to operations and finance, so you can make crucial business decisions and reap the rewards. You could be promoted twice in one year. And earn in two years what could take you five elsewhere. We’re here to make the most of your potential, not let it wither and die. To apply, go to www.enterprisealive.co.uk or call 0870 850 1232.

Come alive

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FEATURE | RETAIL | CASE STUDY

“

IT IS A ROLE WHERE YOU MAY HAVE TO ROLL YOUR SLEEVES UP

“With the opportunity to manage a store within weeks, our graduate trainees progress quickly to managing a multi-million pound area of four to six stores as if it were their own business,” comments Peter Casey, a managing director with Aldi. “Here at Aldi we are constantly looking for the next bright, enthusiastic and talented individual who could play a significant role in our business through the graduate training programme.”

arketing is also an important part of the retail industry and is a popular route taken by graduates. Marketing executives are responsible for, among other things, product development, advertising and promotions. The roles vary depending on the size and type of organisation, and the job differs depending on whether the key aim of the role is to raise the profile of a product or of a service. So is now the right time to get into retail? Clare Price, Tesco’s graduate personnel manager, thinks so. “From a Tesco perspective, now is a great time to get into retail because there are so many different opportunities across the business for fantastic careers. All graduates have opportunities to do a variety of roles and do not necessarily have to come through the graduate scheme.” Indeed it is an exciting time for retail especially because of the expansion of online and home shopping. Internet shopping does particularly well in the run up to Christmas and leading retailers want to capitalise on the growth of the online market. One of the most successful online retailers is Ocado, which is responsible for the distribution of Waitrose groceries via the internet. Overall, retail is an excellent avenue for graduates to go down. The work is varied and interesting. The sector as a whole continues to evolve as consumer behaviour changes and advances are made in technology. Linda Graham, Marks and Spencer’s graduate and business placement programme manager, thinks there are a number of reasons why a retail career is appealing to graduates. “You get job satisfaction,” she says. “It is hard work, but you have autonomy and that’s what people are looking for.” n

NAME: GILLIAN FRANCEY / AGE: 23 JOB TITLE: GRADUATE TRAINEE MANAGER AT SAINSBURY’S UNIVERSITY: 2:1 IN BUSINESS STUDIES FROM UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER, NORTHERN IRELAND

”

WHAT DO YOU DO ON A TYPICAL DAY? When you start on the graduate scheme you are a trainee manager and shadow department managers to get an overview of the store and how it operates. I am responsible for overseeing the running of my department which includes dealing with any customer queries, communicating information to the colleagues in my department, people management, ensuring the department is well manned and providing great service. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES DO YOU NEED FOR A GRADUATE RETAIL ROLE? You need to be customer-focused; this really is a face-to-face role where you have to be prepared to roll your sleeves up. Within three months I was in charge of the checkout – for that you really need to be totally organised to get everything done. You also need to have a bit of patience as you are responsible for a large number of colleagues with different needs. You also have to be tough as you do sometimes have to take disciplinary action, which can be hard. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO EMBARK UPON A RETAIL CAREER? HOW DID YOU GET THE JOB? I didn’t just want to sit in an office. I wanted to work in retail because it is customer-focused. Also, there is a lot of opportunity to move about, and it is quite easy to progress through the company. In five years you can become a store manager if you meet the right criteria. WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF THE JOB? The work-life balance. The hours are long; I start work at 7am. You need to be prepared to work weekends and evenings. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS CONSIDERING A CAREER IN RETAIL? Get retail experience, even if it’s only part-time. I came in with only three months’ experience, so I was learning from the start. You also need to be aware of the long and unusual hours. Doing a placement is also a good idea. Your careers service will be able to help and there is also a lot of information on the internet.

BRIEFLY, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOB? Challenging, satisfying and rewarding.

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JOURNALISM UNCOVERED ZARA RABINOWICZ EXPLORES THE MYTHS OF THE MEDIA INDUSTRY, TAKING YOU THROUGH THE PROS AND CONS OF THIS COMPETITIVE SECTOR.

“W

hoever controls the media; the images; controls the culture,”

some work experience to clarify your desired sector. Chris Wheal, a freelance journalist and Chair of the Professional

declared the poet Alan Ginsberg, and it is this potential which attracts so many

training committee for the National Union of Journalists suggests that, “you take everything and anything you can get. There is such a broad church of journalism, try everything, as the

graduates to the field. A recent survey undertaken by careers website, www.prospects.ac.uk revealed that approximately 40 per

experience you get is absolutely invaluable”. Also this puts you on the insider track for company information, after all. Chris says,“Jobs might come up that you can take advantage of.

cent of graduates intend to enter a graduate work role, and out of this figure, 12.7 per cent want to work in the media. Before we even calculate all the established professionals in the industry, your

And whatever happens you’ll get a reference.” Make sure you apply with plenty of time to the larger companies – they get approached a lot and June to August are their busiest times.

chance of getting a position has already been narrowed down to 1 in 4. Now take in consideration that the expected graduate starting salary is £20,300 – yet the average starting wage for an editorial assistant is around £15,000. Feeling aggrieved yet? This is not to say that it is an impossible dream, just to make

Try the BBC for media related placements: http://www.bbc. co.uk/jobs/workexperience

you aware of how hard the competition is, and to make sure you are determined enough to persevere in your field. Four factors underwrite this competitive market sector;

some more. Know everything there is to know about your field – and don’t get complacent. Keeping tabs on changes to the market mean you will be in a good position to seize

Determination, Drive, Talent and Luck. Ok, well you can’t do anything about the luck part, but everything else is down you. But we’re a friendly bunch here at Real World so we thought

opportunities that arise. Polish up on your computers skills – there is a growing online media sector which is always on the lookout for competent PC and MAC users.

we’d give you a few guiding steps. KNOW YOUR MARKET The media is a vast body of different possibilities – at this stage it is your job to narrow down the options before you even attempt to start getting work. Consider your skills and your interests – have you always hankered after the television world, and wish to get into presenting or directing? Perhaps you are a great designer and would be more comfortable editing web pages for the online media? Or does publishing seem more your thing? Investigate the different sectors and sub sectors and try to learn all you can about what is required fir each role. Perhaps there are some skills you can brush up on to place you ahead of the competition?

Flic Everett, Guardian columnist reflects on how technology has altered her working life: “When I started, I didn’t even have a word processor – I used to type hard copy and post it to the magazines. Then it was disks, which also had to be posted. Then faxes - when I got my first fax machine it seemed like a technical miracle. Now, of course, I send all my copy – and get my briefs – via email. The internet is the biggest change, though. And finally, mobile phones mean you’re never free of an editor breathing down your neck. Subscribe to media websites and bulletins, this way you will get the weekly news and jobs straight into your inbox. Ones to check out are www.mandy.com, www.journalism.co.uk and www.mediaguardian.com.

GET INVOLVED Once you have a better idea of what you want, try getting

GET AHEAD OF THE CROWD While it isn’t imperative that you undertake further training,

KEEP UP TO DATE Once you have a better idea, research, research, and research

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23/11/06 14:39:29

FEATURE | MEDIA

GET REAL ABOUT THE MEDIA

TV & RADIO

BOOK PUBLISHING

ONLINE MEDIA

“Journalism is such a broad church,” argues Rachel Newsome, editor of Dazed & Confused. “It’s everything from FT supplements to club reviews to women’s magazines, not to mention web stuff. It’s narrow minded to say there’s only one way in.” Some postgraduate courses are excellent, but so is diving straight in at the bottom.

Well-researched speculative letters sent to the right people, then coming in on work experience (or in a lowlevel capacity) still works. The BBC has centrally coordinated work experience scheme (www.bbc.co.uk/jobs) that offers between 1,000 and 1,5000 work placements a year.

“A lot of jobs go unadvertised,” explains an insider. “Work experience is invaluable. If you can prove yourself then you could be first in line when a junior assistant’s role comes up. It’s also an excellent way to develop contacts.” Send in your CV to companies on spec. A common route is also to start via secretarial/ administrative roles.

This is a rapidly expanding sector of the market, with established webzines, newsletters and resources, with more arriving every day. Computer skills are a must, and Web literacy necessary to surf with the big boys. Because this is such a fast growing sector there are more opportunities for those starting out as juniors.

“Work experience: the bigger the better...” Actually it might be a waste of time on a big paper if you don’t combine it with other stuff,” says Gary Younge, of The Guardian. “If you walk into a paper it’s just like a really messy middleclass living room with lots of people sitting around doing their thing. Mostly you’ll be making tea. You get more responsibilities on a local paper.”

“I need to write masterpieces when I’m on work experience.” A good intern doesn’t necessarily need to write incredible articles, but is eager, keen to do the rubbish jobs, arrives on time and gets on with it. Tailor each application to the employer and do your research. Once you’re in, ask for small writing assignments and for feedback.

“It’s impossible to get in...” Okay, it’s not easy, but because of the explosion of channels and services, including digital services, there are more opportunities, even on the presenting side.

“It’s all designing glossy covers, reading manuscripts and helping writers finish their plots.” Yes, but there is plenty of admin, typing, legal contracts, and liaising with printers. According to insiders, only 10 per cent of the vacancies are for editorial positions in large publishing companies. Other areas to consider include production or marketing.

‘No one takes online journalism seriously’. Actually, online journalism is often the FIRST place people check for breaking news! Richard Burton, editor of Telegraph.co.uk finds that one landmark stands out for him. “The 11 September attacks in 2001 were a fantastic challenge when Internet journalism entered a new era.”

HOW DO I STAND OUT?

Good writing skills and a strong interest in current affairs. Gary Younge: “We sometimes have graduates saying to us, ‘So what kind of stuff do you publish in The Guardian?’ You need to know the product. Read the newspaper, study it, find out the best area for you, then write to the right person and flatter them with your knowledge.”

Having a specialist interest, or two, can really help you target an entry route. Be on the ball and ready to come up with ideas and contacts. You won’t get your hand held so you’ll need to have lots of initiative.

“Get work experience,” says BBC work placement co-ordinator Kathryn Miller. This doesn’t necessarily mean that an applicant needs to have already worked in the media, but it is essential that they demonstrate some knowledge of the area that they are applying to.”

“Tenacity more than being especially talented,” says one insider. “You’ll need more than a love of books - a flair for the business side of publishing, an eye for detail and good interpersonal skills.” If you can’t find work experience then consider working in a bookshop for the summer, learning about the book biz.

Be computer savvy and do your research. Vacancies and opportunities arise regularly - but you have to be quick to get them. Specialisation in a category often helps - be it medicine, technology or films. Gain skills that your employers will want. Particularly important in this is computer know how.

“Boozy lunches in Fleet Street with the boys.” Expect shift work and unsociable hours. Alex, a graduate journalist at The Daily Mirror: “I love my job. But a lot of my friends can’t get around the fact that we are at the news desk’s beck and call 24 hours a day. You have your pager and your mobile on 24/7. It does play havoc with your social life.”

“It’s all glamour and freebies.” Actually, it’s ultra-competitive and poorly paid. Alexandra Shulman is editor of Vogue: “I cannot convey how much I did not want to be a journalist. I had seen two poverty-stricken people (my parents) who were both journalists, never earning a great deal of money and never having job security.

“Broadcasting is elitist.” Not true. “We tend to look for practical skills and evidence of passion more than a first class honours degree,” says Roger Hammett, head of recruitment communications. “The BBC and a lot of the ITV companies are very keen to get a representative sample of society on air, in terms of regional accents and ethnicity.”

“Publishing is all long lunches and celebritypacked launch parties.” The salaries are very low, the hours are long and few publishing applicants realise how stiff the competition is for editorial posts. You might have to start at the bottom but once you’re in it’s even harder to find a second job.

‘The market is now saturated - there is no room for advancement’. Not this sector! Constant technological changes encourage journalists to increasingly re-evaluate their skills - some of the new mediums now are podcasts, and mobile phone broadcasting!

www.nctj.com

www.journalismuk.co.uk www.journalism.co.uk

www.skillset.org

www.thebookseller.com

www.getsmaart.com www.w3schools.com

MYTH NO.1 URLS

Photographs: stock.xchng

MAGAZINES

As much work experience as possible. “A one-year postgraduate diploma, such as those at Cardiff or City University are good,” says Hannah Pool, a commissioning editor at The Guardian. “If not, take a NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) recognised course. They train you up in law and short-hand, which you’ll need for court reporting.”

HOW DO I GET IN?

NEWSPAPER

MYTH NO.2

Why is Media so popular? The money can be lousy, it’s very competitive yet it regularly tops the charts as the most popular graduate destination. Then again, it can be hugely fulfilling and creative. It’s official: Media is in need of some myth busting. Real World provides a reality check.

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FEATURE | MEDIA

it certainly can be a useful path into the competitive world,

Persevere Against the Odds

with training in a variety of specific skills. Often the tutors for these courses will be former media bigwigs, with a bulging

This is a difficult market to crack and if you are going to be discouraged at the first rejection then maybe it isn’t for you.

contacts book, and well-placed to get you some quality work

Remember that rejection in the selection process is not an

experience. Chris recommends that “you look at the standard of the course, and what equipment they have, and

indictment of your value as a professional. The fact that you were not selected by a particular employer doesn’t mean that

make sure you research it thoroughly. You don’t have to do a

you will not be the perfect candidate for the next. The good

four year course as there are many respected shorter courses available. It’s practical to do a recognised course, and you

news is that life goes on, and there are many other employers who will be interested in the value you would bring to their

should check out the accredited councils – the NCTJ, the

organisation.

BJTC and the PPA”. Links are www.nctj.com, www.bjtc.org.uk, and the www.

Keep trying, and focus on improving your skills all the time. Stay interested in the world around you, and read the papers to

ppa.co.uk.

learn about current affairs.

Getting into the Media Interviews by Zara Rabinowicz Napoleon once said: “I fear three newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets,” and this teaches us to respect the power of the printed word. Real World seeks out acclaimed journalists and sees what they have to say for themselves. Guardian writer; NUJ Chair, and journalist extraordinaire: Chris Wheal shares his story of starting in the media Why did you want to embark on a career in journalism? When I was eighteen I wrote a letter to the Independent that got published, and received four responses. I thought then, “Right, if I’m good enough to get published I should be paid for it.” How did you get started? I wrote for a student magazine at college, and then when I graduated I just wrote to everyone. I wrote a four-page CV that was cheeky enough to get noticed, and I got hired by Electronics Weekly and it went from there. My degree was in Modern European Studies and this proved useful in many jobs and I had lots of specialist knowledge to draw upon, though it didn’t really relate to my first job on the electronics magazine! What would you advise to hopefuls? Get as much experience as possible. It’s worth travelling to get experience as it’s so invaluable, plus the fact that you have travelled shows you are serious about it. Employers have a lot of choice and they want journalists who are going to be keen, with fire in their belly to get stories. Do whatever the editor wants, become that person and learn to have the skills they want. Make the most of any opportunities. There is no set route to success – some is luck, some is charm, plus good manners and persistence come in handy.

Sexpert Flic Everett has a hectic schedule. If she’s not composing her latest book (most recently “The Girls Guide to Getting It On”), she’s giving sex tips on Key 103FM – her weekly radio show. Fitting this around lots of nooky with her husband (well she is a specialist) she also maintains columns for The Express, The Mirror and Company, to name a few. Plus she regularly shops for kinky clothes to sell in her vintage shop. So how did she achieve this feted place in the media world?

“

WORK EXTREMELY HARD AND TAKE ANY JOB YOU CAN

”

Did you always want to be a journalist? When I was a little girl I always thought I’d be an artist. I was an only child and spent a lot of time drawing and painting. But when I was eight, I do remember making lots of little women’s magazines – I drew all the pictures and wrote the articles (interviews with the Queen, things like that!). I didn’t think seriously about being a writer till my late teens – until then, I intended to go to art college. What were the steps you took to get into journalism? I went to Sheffield where I did a broadcasting course, but I only started writing when I left college. At first I had to write for free for The Big Issue in Manchester, so I could get some work published – then I went to see the Manchester Evening News and they commissioned some of my ideas. A couple of years later, they gave me a column, and by then I’d started writing for glossies like Company. That must have been tough! What skills helped you succeed in your career? Mainly, determination and motivation. It helps to get on with most people, too – I don’t think you can be a journalist if you’re not

sociable and interested in other people, so you can be a good listener and ask the right questions. Self belief is crucial, too, it’s a world of constant knock-backs. So if you’re not 100 per cent convinced of your ability, I wouldn’t recommend it. I’m also extremely hard-working, even when I’d much rather stay in bed. Is it stressful being a freelancer? Yes, because I never know where the next cheque is coming from, and there’s no guarantees. As my friend Bill says, “Being a columnist is like being a football manager – you know you’re going to go, you just don’t know when.” You can never relax and assume everything’s ok, because your whole livelihood rests on an editor’s whim. What is a typical day like? I don’t want to be clichéd, but there isn’t one. If I’m working at home, I get to the Mac in my office at about 10 (or 11 if I’ve overslept), answer emails, make a few phone calls, and work till lunchtime. Go downstairs, talk to cats, make lunch, back at 2, more work, finish about 6. Or if I’m meeting my son after school, I stop at 3.30 and go for a coffee with him at Café Nero, then do a bit more when I get in. If not at home, I’m probably at the vintage shop I run with my husband, Rags To Bitches, www. rags-to-bitches.co.uk, or out buying for it. Or I’m at the BBC doing radio interviews, or out interviewing someone for a feature. I present a phone-in show on Key 103 FM on Sundays as well. So on Sunday I write the script and sort out guests for that. What advice would you give students looking to get ahead in the media? Work extremely hard; take any job you can, because it’s more competitive than anything else except perhaps acting. Be sure you’ve got talent, because if not, you’ll be wasting your time. And essentially, do what you’re told. I know it sounds bizarre, but so many students get work experience then do what they think they’re being told, rather than what they’re actually being told. So listen carefully.

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Find your job online @ realworldmagazine.com

Science Jobs

Search A new online experience. page79.indd 1 AD_TEMPLATE.indd 1

12/10/06 23/11/06 17:53:07 14:53:47

FAST COMPANY Think of a brand. If you come up with Mars, Coca-Cola or Persil then youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re talking about Fast Moving Consumer Goods. This is a multi-million pound industry, as Real World reveals Words by Elena Pfautsch Case Studies by Catherine Watson

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FEATURE | FMCG | Overview

ave

you

ever

wondered

who

designed the wrapper of your favourite snack bar? Where your deodorant was produced? Or how that cream cheese made it safely to your supermarket on a very hot summer’s day? Welcome to the world of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). Take note: it is fast, it is demanding, and it will never bore

you. Every item that leaves your supermarket’s shelves within a few weeks of being placed there was produced by the FMCG industry. Most FMCG are produced by global giants. As a graduate on

an FMCG scheme, you will enjoy all the advantages of a big company with global expertise, and still work in small groups of 10 to 15 people, as does Simon Smith. Two and a half years ago, Simon started on the graduate leadership program at Unilever. He now works as an account manager in the customer development team. He savours the high level of job satisfaction since “the results are always visible in the end”. Matthew Thom works as a product change manager and has been with Kraft Foods for a year now. He much enjoys the “big company feeling” of the job. He is allowed to make a lot of decisions on his own, and says that “you’ve got to move quickly to keep up with the pace”. “It is very motivating to take part in producing goods everyone knows,” notes Rebecca Pitting, a management trainee in procurement. Like Matthew, she is part of the graduate scheme at Kraft Foods. While on placements, she developed her potential and creative ideas. Naturally, the graduate scheme is as fastpaced as the industry. Rebecca relishes being given responsibilities from the start. “You need to work very hard in this demanding industry, but it is very rewarding and a lot of fun,” she says. With an average of 120 applications per graduate position, you need to have an edge over your competitors. Any kind of extra curricular activity is always a bonus. Furthermore, you will find it easier to settle into the company if you can already handle the basics of work life with ease. “You definitely need previous job experience,” Simon points out. It is not necessary to have gained work experience in the FMCG business, but they “look for people with clear ideas on their career paths, who know what they want to do,” says Sarah Turnbull from Kraft Food’s graduate recruitment team. Within the graduate schemes, salaries usually kick off at around £24,000. At Kimberly Clark you start with £24,500, at Unilever it’s £26,000, and at Kraft you earn £24,000, with a salary review every six months throughout the training. Unsurprisingly, pay rises depend on personal performance. All the big companies also offer a range of benefits and discounts. For more information about FMCG, turn to our case

Some of the UK’s leading FMCG companies Kraft Nestlé Unilever Procter & Gamble

Kimberly Clark L’Oreal Reckitt Benckiser Olay

Photograph: iStockphoto

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FEATURE | FMCG | case studies

NAME: ANTONY RANKIN / AGE: 27 DEGREE: STUDIED ECONOMICS AND FILM, BERKELEY UNIVERSITY IN CALIFORNIA, 2000. MSC IN GENDER AND THE MEDIA, AT LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS, 2001 OCCUPATION: ASSISTANT PRODUCT MANAGER, L’ORÉAL

“

although it’s tough and you work hard, everyone is very supportive

”

Name: Elisa Pogliano / Age: 24 Degree: Communications Studies, University of Turin, Italy, graduated 2005 Occupation: Customer Business Development Account Manager with Proctor and Gamble

What do you do in your job? I work on two international brands: Ralph Lauren fragrances, and Diesel fragrances. I run the brands, which involves everything from making sure stores have the right products, to in-store advertising. Plus making media plans and developing a strategy for marketing. What was your motivation in applying? Before I applied to L’Oréal, I worked at The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). I was dealing with the same clients every day, working with the same people, and I lost interest in it after a few years. At L’Oréal it’s like running a small business. When I joined L’Oréal I was 25 so I was a bit young to do an MBA, which I thought was the only option to changing my career path. Working at L’Oréal is like doing a degree because you are learning from the beginning. What did the application process involve? The process involved applying online. Then I got a first round interview. I was speaking with the recruitment director. She asked me to talk about something creative I’ve done, so I talked about my interest in film for about 15 minutes. Then I was called to an assessment centre for a day. It was really rigorous, covering everything from numeracy to a creativity test. After that was a final round interview with a general manager. What do you enjoy about your job? The best thing to illustrate that would be when my boss said I needed to build six two-metre birch trees! That was on Tuesday, and they were needed by Friday. So, I spoke to people in PR and other people in different departments to get it done. No two days are the same: you could have a budget meeting one day; the next day a photo shoot, followed by an international meeting. Most challenging part of your job? Having the responsibility for a brand, I have to justify why I’m spending money on something. You can’t say “I have a gut feeling”, you have to have a logical response. Advice to readers considering a career in your field? I know someone who works for similar company to L’Oréal so I spoke to them about what they do. Also, internships give you such a good view of the day to day business.

What do you do in your job? I am employed by Proctor and Gamble, based in southwest London. It is a leading FMCG company, which produces, markets and sells numerous household products. Brands include Ariel, Bold, Daz, Flash, Fairy, Herbal Essences and Pantene. And that’s just some of them it’s a very long list! My job basically involves getting in touch with customers, who are retailers and wholesalers. Their business is to sell our products; it is in our interests to support their business, so we can also grow our business. We maintain relationships with customers and keep them informed of any developments. What was your motivation in applying? First of all, Proctor and Gamble is a leading company, known in the trade for being outstanding. Also, I knew that the CBD (Customer Business Development) training programme in particular was excellent. The way it works is that for your fist year, if you are on the graduate programme, you are given your own customer portfolio. You are making decisions and have responsibility from day one. We have graduate unit managers, whose primary function is to train and coach, to help us develop skills and understand the business. What did the application process involve? First, there was an online application on the Proctor and Gamble website: www.pgcareers.com. After that, if you are successful, you are invited to take a problem-solving test. Then, if you are successful at that, there are a number of interviews with senior managers. What do you enjoy about your job? What I really like is the first year environment. Although it’s tough and you work hard, everyone is very supportive. On the graduate programme you get a lot of exposure to senior managers; when you are involved in high-profile projects the managers know about it. Most challenging part of your job? Our motto is “a new challenge every day”. Facing customers at the beginning is not something everyone is used to. It requires a lot of support and fine tuning – but the more you do it, the more it becomes something you enjoy. Advice to readers considering a career in your field? I would definitely recommend the training programme. To find out more, I would suggest attending an open day on campus – not just for FMCG, but if you are considering any commercial function. There are always people who have joined fairly recently who can share their experiences.

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13/11/06 13:18:45

RE-BRANDING THE SCIENCE GEEK

DEMAND IS GROWING FOR SCIENCE GRADUATES, SAYS PIYA SINHA-ROY PHOTOGRAPHS BY YANG OU

s a science graduate, you are in demand. While the decline in the number of students taking science

in physics at the same university. His choice to continue studying physics comes from his love of the subject. But don’t think a postgraduate course or PhD is an easy way to

courses has caused concern over the future of the UK science industry,

avoid working. “It’s sometimes been quite challenging and stressful

for those graduating it means your

found that doing further academic research has widened his horizons for when he completes his thesis next year: “If you’re doing

skills are valuable. “Science students are very popular with employers

because they develop a wide range of skills that are applicable to many careers,” says Linda Moysey, careers adviser at the University of West England. “Generally, science students gain good research and IT skills as well as collecting and evaluating data. They also get good experience in project and time management and working in teams, as well as gaining good scientific technical knowledge.” But your degree isn’t always enough. Linda adds: “We advise students to get relevant work experience where they can show employers that they can apply their university education to a real world situation. This can include doing lab work and anything that would place them outside of the university environment.” A popular route for many science students is to undertake further study after an undergraduate course. A postgraduate degree can offer experience and qualifications in a specialised field. David Charles, currently doing a PhD in solid state physics at King’s College, London, started his course after completing a BSc

NAME: ALISTER DANE / AGE: 27 JOB: DRUGS REPORTING OFFICER, LGC FORENSICS DEGREE: BSC CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, OXFORD BROOKES, MSC PHYSICAL METHODS IN BIO ANALYSIS, INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

getting my head around some of the ideas,” says David. But he has

a science-based undergraduate degree, I recommend going on to a postgraduate degree. It’s a great lifestyle and a great opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge of your subject.” Whether you decide to opt for academia or work after uni, keep your options open. A common misconception surrounding science degrees is that they can only be used for a job in a lab. Hannah Parish, a consultant for specialist recruitment company SRG, finds that science students often don’t quite grasp the full extent of the opportunities available to them. “Science can open a variety of jobs in a huge range of industries, as scientists work within most sectors. The possibilities are endless and the career paths are varied, although most practical science happens in the lab or field, there are also routes into management, consultancy and sales.” Plus, with the skills acquired on your course, your job options can branch far beyond the usual science-based choices to careers such as media and journalism. We take a look at three graduates who have used their science degrees to pursue exciting jobs. Read on...

work I would do would be beneficial somewhere down the line in someone else’s research, but I may not get immediate results. With forensics, people come to you for answers, and you can see the results immediately, so you feel more involved.

Q. What did you find employers asking for in the jobs you applied to? They were keen to see a strong scientific background – degrees in chemistry or molecular biology give a good foundation of knowledge Q. Why did you choose science at university? and technique. They also want to see evidence of planning work and I had an aptitude for science at school and I took maths, chemistry doing it within a certain timescale. In forensics, deadlines are very tight and biology for A-levels, so it seemed like a natural progression to do and strict, so working well under pressure is required. I prepared for this science at university. by doing jobs in quality control and method development at a food testing company and tailored my work experience around the Q. Why did you decide to enter the job market? requirements of a forensics role. Finally, I needed to show that I pay Ultimately, I liked the way I could apply the scientific techniques and processes that we learnt to real life situations. I was originally interested very close attention to detail and that I am very meticulous in my work. in genetics and human biology and considered working for private Q. What do you do in your current job? biotech firms, doing analysis of biological molecules and looking at I specialise in the analysis of drugs that have been seized by police in new proteins to see how they could be used for medicinal purposes. raids. We then compile a report for the police officers to use in court so But as I researched the pharmaceutical industry, I realised that the

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FEATURE | SCIENCE | CASE STUDY

that they know what charges they can press. Our role is to be the independent, unbiased analyst from the outside. Q. What do you find most enjoyable? Although the job involves difficult work under a lot of pressure, knowing that we’re doing it for a good purpose makes a difference in the work we are doing. The police force, the lawyers, the judge, the jury and the courts are relying on our results to make an informed decision on whether to convict a person or not. Q. What do you find most challenging? As our lab is often very busy, sometimes the main challenge is making sure that we balance all the work we have to do and get it done by the deadlines. This isn’t a job where you can cut corners, so no matter how many jobs we have, we still have to do everything with 100 per cent accuracy. We usually have a two-week window to do each task, but sometimes get urgent requests for results that are needed in a shorter timescale, sometimes less than 24 hours. At times like that, there’s an adrenaline rush, as you know you have to get the results done and that

your results have a significant effect. It’s not quite as bustling or dramatic as the forensic television programmes, but it can be very exciting! Q. What advice do you have for students thinking of entering your field in the job market? Firstly, this kind of job is not suitable for everyone – you need to have certain sociable characteristics and it won’t help if you are not comfortable talking to people. Also, a lot of people think that to do forensics, you have to do a forensics degree, but this isn’t the case, and I strongly advise looking into molecular and cell biology or biochemistry. Secondly, in interviews, make sure you know your subject well and also do some background research on the kind of work you are applying for. Another essential skill you need in forensics is the ability to explain yourself clearly in both scientific and layman terms. Finally, study hard and be confident in yourself.

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Goodrich Corporation is a leading global supplier of systems and services to the aerospace and defense industry. If there’s an aircraft in the sky – we’re on it. Goodrich technology is involved in making aircraft fly, helping them land, and keeping them safe. Serving a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities, Goodrich is one of the largest aerospace companies in the world. Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding career in engineering? Do you want to have a part to play in the development of the next generation aircraft? Can you demonstrate success in your technical field at University? If so, we want to hear from you

• Electronic Engineering • Engineering Software (background in electronics essential) • Manufacturing Engineering Opportunities Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Software Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering

We can offer... Tailored Personal Development Plans Accredited Training Programmes e.g. IMechE, IET International Assignments Challenging roles in a growing and exciting industry Early Responsibility Career Development Competitive Compensation Package Goodrich Engine Controls has a long and successful track record of recruiting and developing graduates.

Application details Send a CV and covering letter stating the area of work you are interested in and why you think you are a strong candidate to Michelle Tolley, Graduate recruitment Locations Birmingham, Belfast (Software only), Germany, West Hartford (CT - USA) We provide high integrity engine control systems and a global customer support organisation.

What we are looking for... Ideal candidates should have a degree in a related discipline but must also have the drive, ambition and enthusiasm to assist us in our pursuit of excellence. • Mechanical Engineering

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13/11/06 13:09:16

FEATURE | SCIENCE | CASE STUDY

NAME: RIMA CHOUDHURY / AGE: 26 JOB: JUNIOR TECHNOLOGIST AT BRITISH HOME STORES (BHS) DEGREE: BSC BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, QUEEN MARY’S COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON Q. Why did you choose science at university? I really enjoyed physics and art at A-level, and ideally wanted to incorporate the two as a degree for university, and engineering was the best option I could find. My specialised area was medical prosthetics, and the benefit was that the research was new and exciting, but I was also aware that it’s a very niche market. At the same time, I didn’t want to get into the large scale of fields in the medical line, as I didn’t think I would enjoy the vastness of it. Q. Why did you decide to enter the job market? I basically needed money and was eager to find out how I could apply my degree in a practical way. When it comes to science, practical work teaches you a lot, but it is what is often missing from education – to actually apply science to real life is something that you don’t fully understand until you do it. Q. What did you find employers asking for in the jobs you applied to? I applied for biomedical jobs but realised that it is a very niche market and the number of people specialising in the field has increased significantly, so competition is fierce and employers are ruthless in choosing who to interview. In retail, the competition for technologist roles is not as extreme, so employers generally look for a confident individual who pays close attention to detail and can follow their own initiative in solving problems. Q. What does your current job involve? I do technical reports on products that are sold in Bhs, and have to make sure that everything meets British Standards. It’s an interesting role and the reason I went into it was to go into the technical side of textiles. I’ve also realised that there are better opportunities for career development in a retail company compared to a science company. The problem with the science industry is that unless you have a masters degree or a PhD, you may not get very far, especially in terms of wages. Q. What do you find most enjoyable? The best part of this job is that I get to travel and see places and see how materials are made and where they originate. It’s so nice to see how science fits into the real world. People may not necessarily realise when they buy a product that there is a process of science involved, but it is there. Q. What do you find most challenging? The most challenging aspect I’ve found is trying to talk in tradesman talk, using layman terms so that people understand. In a scientific job, you often work with people who have the same type of knowledge as you, but in retail, you’re often dealing with people who don’t know much about science. Q. What are your plans for the future? I wouldn’t mind moving on to a managerial position for a technical division, which would be an excellent way to learn some business as well. I also wouldn’t mind moving onto textiles, as I love fashion and would like to be more involved with the creative process. Q. What advice do you have for students thinking of entering your field? One of the most important things is that it’s essential to get placements and work during vacations while studying. If you want to move into the retail sector, part-time jobs during your time at university that reflect your interests will show employers your enthusiasm. What employers look for in the technical aspect of retail is that you have basic scientific knowledge, and that you are a confident individual who can work under pressure.

“

TO APPLY SCIENCE TO REAL LIFE IS SOMETHING YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND UNTIL YOU DO IT

”

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13/11/06 11:36:10

FEATURE | SCIENCE | CASE STUDY

“

GRADUATES SHOULD TAKE THEIR TIME AND REALLY ASSESS ALL THE JOB OFFERS AND OPTIONS

”

NAME: ALEX REDSTONE / AGE: 23 JOB: RESEARCHER AT MRG, UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH/ NEW ROLE AS SOFTWARE DEVELOPER AT AUTONOMY, CAMBRIDGE DEGREE: BSC ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND COMPUTER SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH Q. Why did you choose science at university? I took chemistry, English and double maths for my A-levels so my university options were varied. I focused on artificial intelligence (AI) because it has a cutting edge to it. I wanted to be involved in new research and AI is constantly evolving. My decision wasn’t particularly informed, but I enjoyed science fiction from a young age and had an interest in technology and mathematics that led me to computers. Q. Why did you decide to enter the job market? I did get offers to do a PhD when I graduated, but I wanted to see what was out there in terms of jobs before I committed to another three years of study. I wanted to see what my degree could get me, and in my short job hunt, I realised that it’s quite a valuable degree to hold in the current market. I was offered a lot of interviews and got a few job offers. Q. What did you find employers asking for in the jobs you applied to? The jobs I had applied for were generally quite technical, so employers were looking for the basic technical skills, but apart from academics, they just wanted to see that I was a well-rounded individual. My CV reflected my other interests and I was part of many different societies at university that demonstrated this – the film society, the chocolate society and the tango society.

Q. What do you do in your current job? I start a permanent job next month and will be working as a software developer for a research company, working on aspects of search engines and incorporating artificial intelligence to develop a contents-based search. Q. What do you find the most enjoyable in your current job and what are you looking forward to in your new job? My current job is very relaxed and I know most of the people I work with, so we spend a lot of time together and swap ideas on what we’re all doing. It’s not an isolated job, and the hours are very flexible. Q. What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of your new job? I’m worried that staying interested in the job may be an issue. I chose this job over other jobs as it was most relevant to my degree and I thought it would be the most interesting option for me. I hope I don’t get stuck on a project where the end is nowhere in sight and the excitement just dissolves. Q. What advice do you have for students thinking of entering your field in the job market? Graduates should take their time and really assess all the offers and options before accepting a job. Start by giving your CV the most exposure; make sure you approach a lot of recruiters and employers in your field. The difficulty will be that you get more offers than you may expect, and often for jobs that you may not be fully interested in.

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FEATURE | ENGINEERING | OVERVIEW

ss sine u b h all bot sm ed t a fi eriin ne exp ld nce ou be k e r i o r y e wo pp . ow Ha exp ral h e o k nts r r n s ge wo , Bu ceme iter s u n o r t m o la t te rec on Sys tion p pen – tell diti AE es ad ead a B t m c s n i n I to r va pe ha .” . “T n s s c r n s l d u l u o e t s e ti re usin tor, rms ctu ova ime w e b ring fi r stru sec t Inn h t g e e n b ri nd ne offe will nee lf a ngi o t rse ngi als ye n u e n e o s a the er c e y ce, m Line out np th be en ab u T eve . But n s , s atio this and from year form edy the 0 wn n i 1 o m r . g re re an ies as as r mo tud s th tes. To uch o r f sh s s r o e F e e es e ne in l adua ons, s cas em er nc ngi r tes ti our sch numb e g anisa ala men e adua l g b a g r e rin m im wo lg org erin t th nto t fe er r of tota ttrac oos ngine nal n me nd e f b o e i b o s a G s to ,E ru num cent les to cts rofe E), nce g The er roje cie d p rs (IC g p p S n u f r a o e to st 20 s ine mber to n In still nie Eng pa u me tor n l o c m i ere v a o W s c ine Ci as lso g y f n a n e o h re uc ma of e rante ion re a ers, s as a t itut e e u t r h s bou In ine E). e a h to g n. T m a but eng n (WIS om me g s s o u n a i in e , w s no tio es om thu t e ead nd ruc rtag is no a r en es ah of w onst o o f h e s C f r k te eng Trans one rs loo l a l l and k u a a d h e ec gra egree cruite ess c dg ch d ted wle ty dr Re r i o “ d l o g n . K oa Rea ite rep neerin ineer of ts t sp len ngi tton eng a e u t De n S r n a , a as you ohn ing s J job ll use n a o i i aut you you w ,” c how alistic re be

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YOUR CAREER PLATFORM The ATOC scheme provides diversity unlike most other graduate training plans. I have the freedom and choice to move around and experience all parts of the industry. I have been handed responsible jobs and projects from the start." Richard Morris Graduate Engineer National Express Group

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ATOC scheme gets me right where the action is, enabling me to apply my engineering skills in theory as well as in practice. I am half way through my training year placements and have already had hands on maintenance experience; dealt with overhaul of parts in the service and test room, as well as accompanying fitters on exams. There is a chance to get involved in all sorts of railway initiatives. Taking part in a roll over rig demonstration, which simulates emergency conditions was a particularly memorable and insightful experience. I also intend to complete my further learning whilst on the scheme, further enhancing my BEng studies. Munira Somani Graduate Engineer London Lines

The rail industry offers engineering graduates a UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY to experience the broadest possible range of disciplines â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from light and heavy engineering to vehicle design, operations and engineering safety. To help graduates make their mark in the rail industry, ATOC offers a dedicated PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT SCHEME, accredited by the IMechE and IET, which is open to engineers with an accredited MEng or BEng degree in MECHANICAL or ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING. Graduates on the scheme are employed in the TRAIN OPERATING COMPANIES and can achieve Chartered or Incorporated status in as little as 4 years. If you are motivated, enthusiastic and confident with an accredited engineering degree, view our recruitment film and apply on-line at: www.atoc.org/engineering/graduates Or e-mail graduates@atoc.org

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9/11/06 12:03:19 13:39:46 15/11/06

FEATURE | ENGINEERING | case study

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Engineering Opportunities UK-wide & overseas

A BROADER RANGE OF PROJECTS, A DEEPER COMMITMENT TO LEARNING For the sheer diversity of clients and projects – in sectors from building design and highways to rail, aviation and water – Atkins is without equal. And as an engineering graduate, you’ll be involved in these projects from day one as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Graduates are fundamental to our growth, which is why we’ll look after you. We’ll give you an unrivalled breadth of experience, with the opportunity to grow both in the UK and overseas. You’ll be learning alongside true experts in their fields. Support will be given for you to gain Chartered status and you’ll follow a personal development programme to acquire non-technical skills. We’ll also reward your hard work with a competitive salary and benefits that include a £2.5k golden hello and an extra £5k as you continue to make progress. If you’re keen to take the step from graduate to Chartered Engineer with an organisation that’s as committed to diversity as it is to excellence, find out more and apply online at our website below.

PLAN DESIGN ENABLE

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FEATURE | ENGINEERING | case study

“

engineers love to talk about their job and give advice, so make the most of it and pick their brains

”

Civil Engineer The job: Amy Sebba, 26, is a civil engineering graduate from Southampton University. She is a project manager within the project management group at ARUP. Amy is currently working on two projects: an office building in central London and a complex facility in ambridge What do you do in your job?

I work on the client side of the project management group at ARUP, checking that contractors are doing what they are supposed to be doing and ensuring that the client is getting exactly what they want. My work ranges from walking around site and compiling risk registers to working on contracts, explaining work to the client and liaising with the local community. For example, for the project I am working on in central London one of my roles is to keep all the neighbours of the project informed about its different stages. I see engineering as a service to the public and so it is important to maintain good relations.

What gets you out of bed?

I chose civil engineering because it is so tangible and often the buildings are physically huge so you feel as if you are part of a big project and I’m pleased to say that is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. Engineering also has an exciting future as it could be at the forefront of the drive to make the world more sustainable. It is a good feeling to know I can be part of that.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job? In engineering often things change quickly and it can feel like you are going back to square one. You may have put a lot of effort into finding solutions to complex problems and then the client decides they don’t want that anymore, which can sometimes be frustrating.

Advice to readers considering a career in your field

Talk to as many people as you can while you are at university. Engineers love to talk about their job and love to give advice, so make the most of it and pick their brains.

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Graduate Opportunities From c.£20,000 Near Reading, Berkshire Business and Finance Chemical Engineering Chemistry Civil Engineering Computer Science Construction Electrical Engineering Electronic Engineering Environmental Manufacturing Materials Science Maths Mechanical Engineering Metallurgy Physics Production Engineering Safety Radiological Protection Structural Engineering Systems Engineering The fact that you’ve started reading this says something about the kind of person you are. Where other people say “I see”, you say “show me more”. Your thirst for knowledge takes you to places that other people don’t even know about. And the Atomic Weapons Establishment could be one of them. As the nation’s largest high-tech research, development and production facility, with sole responsibility for maintaining the UK’s nuclear deterrent, AWE is an organisation like no other. The sheer scale and complexity of our operations offers you immense challenge and variety in your career – and the support we provide for your development is second to none. Whether you’re embarking on a scientific, engineering or business career, we’ll equip you with all the tools you need to become an expert in your field: with everything from exposure to live projects to ongoing support for professional qualifications. To find out more and apply, visit www.awe.co.uk or call 0118 982 9009 for a brochure. AWE welcomes applications from women and men, regardless of disability, sexuality, racial or ethnic origin, age or responsibility for dependants. The normal contractual retirement age at AWE is 65. Successful candidates will be selected solely on their ability to carry out the duties of the post. Because of the nature of the work associated with these posts, they are subject to special nationality rules and are open only to British Citizens. All selected candidates will be required to undergo security clearance.

Atomic Weapons Establishment

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FEATURE | ENGINEERING | CASE STUDY

“

my job is becoming increasingly important due to new legislation brought in

”Mechanical Engineer

The job: Dan Cash, 23, studied general engineering at Cambridge University, specialising in structural engineering and mechanical engineering. as a mechanical building services engineer for Buro Happold, he is responsible for the heating and ventilation systems in buildings

that I wanted a more varied role and that’s what this job gives me. My job is becoming increasingly important as a lot of new legislation has been brought in addressing the energy efficiency of buildings.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job? Sometimes you can come under pressure from architects when the design of a project has to be changed halfway through. That can involve a lot of redesign work in a very short space of time. Also, you

what do you do in your job?

are sometimes restrained by money, which limits what you can do. We

I am currently working on a library in Chester. During the planning

have to deliver buildings that are energy efficient and economically

process my job is to look at the air movement within the building. On a

viable – those competing factors don’t always match up.

wider scale I am responsible for incorporating renewable technology into our projects, which can be very challenging.

Advice to readers considering a career in your field There are a lot of opportunities for work experience and it is important

What gets you out of bed?

that you can get an idea of an area and see whether you like it. My

I originally wanted to pursue a career in automotive engineering but

work experience was invaluable as it totally changed my ideas about

after completing work experience with a Formula One team I decided

which area of mechanical engineering I wanted to go into.

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FEATURE | ENGINEERING | CASE STUDY

r e e n i g n E Chemical

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“

”

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CMD 9093 Engineers Ad New Style

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Leading by example We are currently involved in projects such as Ashburton Grove (the new Arsenal stadium), the Fusionpolis landmark in Singapore, Delhi metro in India and new Bank of America Building in New York. To help us maintain our position as a world class company, we recruit a wide range of Engineers. These Engineers are central to our business needs. To take the company forward successfully we need people who have drive, enthusiasm, ideas, commitment, imagination and flexibility. In return we offer a renowned training and development plan tailored to your individual needs with opportunities to learn, develop, gain experience and make your mark. Our training is accredited by

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the IEE, IMechE, ICE, IoM3. You will also be supported by mentors, experts and peers throughout your early career. All applications are on line. To find out more about how Corus can meet your aspirations, and to register your interest in a graduate career or undergraduate placement, please visit our website. The starting package includes competitive salary with bonus, 35 days holiday, employee share save schemes and interest free loan. Corus Value in steel

For more information, contact: T: 01926 488025 www.corusgroupcareers.com

13/11/06 11:35:15

FEATURE | ENGINEERING | CASE STUDY

“

as a graduate, your first job gets your foot in the door

Offshore Structures Engineer THE JOB: Adam Ezzamel, 23, is an offshore structures engineer for Shell, based in Aberdeen. He is a member of Shell’s Middle Eastern and North African Network, which promotes Arab culture and welcomes staff from Arab countries who work for the company in Europe

”

grateful for the full support I receive from my colleagues who allow me freedom and responsibility while being open to questions, no matter how basic.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job? Providing solutions to platform and rig foundation issues that are both time and safety critical can be difficult. Soil mechanics is not

How would you describe your job?

an exact science and finding suitable approximations and methods

My job involves studying foundation issues for fixed platforms, mobile

while retaining reliability is both challenging and rewarding.

drilling rigs and wind projects in the Netherlands, Norway and the UK. I work with structural, and metocean engineers as well as contractors

Advice for readers considering a career in your area

and clients on a daily basis. Although my university degree was not

I would advise people not to be put off by Shell’s focus of selecting for

specifically aimed at the offshore industry, I have found that the

talent rather than specific positions. This may seem like a strange way

engineering principles and methods that I studied can be readily

to attract people to a company, and it certainly did to me, however,

applied to my day-to-day work.

the process was a rewarding experience, once I got over the initial nerves. Lastly, I would say that as a graduate, your first job should be

What gets you out of bed?

seen as a chance to get your foot in the door, as well as an opportunity

Offshore engineering is rewarding but challenging; there are

to gain some valuable technical and life experience. For my area,

opportunities to go and see some of the largest and most

experience in civil engineering is essential, but a study specialisation

technologically advanced structures in the world. I’m also

is not vital.

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YOU’D BE SURPRISED WHERE YOU FIND US A leader in our field worldwide, we invite you to become one too. You may not have heard of Thales, but we’re actually integral to much of the electronics technology that makes a difference to the world around you. We’re leaders in many sectors and we offer a wide range of graduate opportunities that you just won’t find anywhere else. Serving markets as diverse as aerospace, defence and security, space, systems and service provision, we employ more than 60,000 people worldwide in 50 countries. We’re currently looking to recruit graduate engineers across all disciplines: mechanical, manufacturing, software, hardware, electronics, digital, design, systems and more. Not to mention trainee managers, finance wizards and sales and marketing personnel. Exceptionally committed to our people, you can be sure that your reward and benefits package will be both highly competitive and reflect your academic achievement and work experience to date. Why not visit our website or contact our Graduate Recruitment team by phone or email to find out more. Thales UK Graduate Recruitment Call 0870 351 3544 or email graduaterecruitment@mythales.com

The world is safer with Thales

www.thalesgroup.com/uk

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13/11/06 13:20:43

FEATURE | ENGINEERING | CASE STUDY

What do you do in your job?

s a lot of As an engineer at Price & Myers my job involve design team. the of rs membe other with work n communicatio s about design Whether I am chatting with architects or builder for meetings, it is details over the phone or providing sketches the time. The firm all d involve important to keep the whole team le jobs to covers a varied amount of work from domestic-sca for taking known also is it er, Howev s. multi-million pound project ’t do, and that on more creative projects that other firms wouldn can be very interesting.

What gets you out of bed?

I’ve worked on I get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing a design smaller, domesticactually come to fruition. I like working on the them as they get built scale jobs because there is an immediacy to take up to five fairly quickly whereas some large projects can years to be completed.

Structural Engineer

The job: Elisabeth Green, 27, is an architectural engineering graduate from Cardiff University. She works for consultancy firm price & myers and is involved in the design side of the business

job? What is the most challenging aspect of your

timber, concrete and We design with lots of different materials like have to optimise masonry, and for a project to be successful you mes it can be Someti costs. reduce and ls the use of these materia e to pull it off. difficult to do this and you can’t always manag

your field Advice to readers considering a career in

roles available in it. Engineering is long term and there are many straight away but you for n positio You don’t always find the right of the buildings stick with it! Look at magazines and take note ts you. Find out who being made around you and see what interes the companies you is involved in that project – they are probably should apply to.

“

there are many engineering roles. if you don’t find the right job for you straight away, stick with it

”

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Lockheed.pdf

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OUR PEOPLE ARE OUR GREATEST ASSET

Lockheed Martin UK is a world leader in defence, civil and commercial systems integration, employing over 1,500 people across 15 sites in the UK and with annual sales of £400 – 600 million. The key to our success is world class technological expertise combined with disciplined performance. Lockheed Martin UK is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We recruit a talented and diverse workforce with the skills and passion to help us succeed. We believe a job should be enriching and rewarding. If you agree, why not join us? For our latest careers information please visit www.lockheedmartin.co.uk/careers/careers.html

HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING DOCTORATE CENTRE The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) is a 4-year postgraduate degree, with an emphasis on research and development in a commercial environment. It achieves this by a combination of taught coursework (25%) and industrial project work (75%). The coursework in each of our EngD programmes incorporates both technical and business elements, with the business modules being taken from the Edinburgh Business School MBA programme. Our centre includes 3 distinct Engineering Doctorate programmes:

PHOTONICS

JOINT PROGRAMME with Strathclyde and St Andrews Universities. SPONSOR COMPANIES include BAE Systems, NPL, Renishaw, AWE, OptoSci, Thales, and QinetiQ. CONTACT DETAILS Professor Duncan Hand, 0131 451 3020 Photonics-EngD@hw.ac.uk

MICROSYSTEMS

NEW PROGRAMME building on established MSc in Microsystems Engineering SPONSOR COMPANIES include Semefab, BCF Designs Ltd, Raytheon Systems CONTACT DETAILS Professor Marc Desmulliez, 0131 451 3340 Microsystems-EngD@hw.ac.uk

CREATIVE 3D DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

NEW PROGRAMME with Edinburgh College of Art

SPONSOR COMPANIES include Renishaw, Shapespace CONTACT DETAILS Dr Jonathan Corney, 0131 451 4381 Creative-3DDT-EngD@hw.ac.uk FUNDING Support from EPSRC and industry means that we are able to offer full fees plus a stipend of at least £17,200 per annum (non-taxable) for eligible students. Successful candidates will work closely with their chosen sponsoring company, normally carrying out the majority of their project work whilst based at that company. Funds are also available to support company employees who wish to study for an Engineering Doctorate whilst remaining in employment. QUALIFICATIONS The minimum entrance requirement in each case is a 2i Bachelors or Masters degree in a relevant Physical Science or Engineering topic.

Engineering Doctorate @ Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh For further information and an application form, go to

THE ROYAL ENGINEERS (TERRITORIAL ARMY) The Specialist Units Royal Engineers Territorial Army are looking for a number of skilled engineers and technicians to join their expanding Specialist Infrastructure teams. In particular we are looking for personnel with qualifications in mechanical, electrical and civil engineering. We offer an exciting extra dimension to working life and our TA soldiers have been engaged on many interesting projects both in the UK and overseas. We are looking for applicants who can bring their civilian skills to the TA on at least a 15 day camp and 2 weekends every year, for Regular Army rates of pay and an annual tax-free bonus of up to £1506. For further information contact: Major John Davis RE(V) TA Component 170 (Infra Sp) Engr Gp Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell Nottingham NG9 5HA or Tel: 0115 957 2869/2870 (24hrs) or E Mail: john.davis406@land.mod.uk The Army is an equal opportunities employer

www.engd.hw.ac.uk

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652849a Sclumber 297x210

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We offer three distinct career paths. And countless ways to learn more, do more, and experience more than you ever thought possible. We give you the training, the support, and the opportunities to make an impact. The rest is up to you. Field Engineering: It will test you physically as well as mentally. As a Field Engineer, you will be onsite wherever our clients need you – whenever they need you. You’ll make decisions that have multimillion dollar impact. And you’ll push your stamina as well as your knowledge to the very limit.

Research, Development & Manufacturing: It’s your chance to share ideas, win patents, and make a real impact. You research the challenge. You invent the solution. That’s why Research, Development & Manufacturing is such a remarkable experience. And your creativity will help develop technology and equipment unlike anything anywhere in the world – the proprietary solutions that make Schlumberger the very best.

Petrotechnical: It’s where your expertise can help shape the future of energy. This is your chance to work hand in hand with our clients, providing the expertise that makes a difference. We’re talking about decisions that drive the future of energy for the planet. You’ll not only need to know the science behind the challenges, you’ll need to have the people skills to build long-term client relationships.

With $14.3 billion revenue, Schlumberger is the world’s leading provider of technology services to the oil and gas exploration and production industry.

Success without boundaries

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27561-297x210-Real World

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© 2006 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (a limited liability partnership in the United Kingdom) or, as the context requires, other member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

SPO LT Graduate Opportunities Nationwide 2007 Assurance Tax Advisory Actuarial Strategy

Everything you could ask for and a whole lot more. That’s what we have to offer at PricewaterhouseCoopers. The broadest array of work. The highest profile clients. The best training. It’s all there for the taking. What’s more, all we ask for in return is at least 280 UCAS points or equivalent and a 2.1 in any degree discipline. We’re the one firm for all demanding graduates. www.pwc.com/uk/careers/

We are an equal opportunities employer.

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13/11/06 11:36:44