May 2008 by Real World

www.realworldmagazine.com

CAREER ADVICE + 100s OF JOBS + GRAD INTERVIEWS + CAREERS FAIRS + RECRUITER TIPS +

» SOCIAL CARE » REALITY BYTES » SPOTLIGHT ON FINE ART

£16,000 to be won

see page 12

» CAREERS FAIRS SPECIAL

» PR, SALES, & MARKETING

p04

MAY 2008

YOU’RE HIRED! SIR ALAN’S FIRST APPRENTICE TELLS YOU HOW

© 2008 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

TA LORED Nationwide Opportunities Spring and Autumn 2008 Assurance Tax Advisory Actuarial Strategy

We’ll give you the encouragement, support and tailored development you need to design your own career path. That’s why our development training programmes are flexible enough to cater for people who want to specialise in one specific business area as well as those keen to get a variety of experience. And whatever’s right for you, we’ll make sure you pick up the key technical, business and personal skills you need to progress. For a career that will fit you perfectly just bring us a 2:1 in any subject, at least a 280 UCAS tariff or equivalent, and plenty of enthusiasm and ideas. We’re the one firm for all smart graduates.

www.pwc.com/uk/careers/ Text: PwC to 85792*

We value diversity in our people. *Texts charged at your standard network rate.

EDITOR’S LETTER

CONTENTS MAY 2008

ON THE COVER



SPOTLIGHT ON 16 Fine Arts Why the new generation of Brit Artists are so business savvy. 

UP FRONT 06 Reality Bytes: all you need to know to get the most out of the real world of work.  10 Just The Job Find out who is still recruiting with our late job availability. 12 The Real World Awards We want to celebrate students who have made a real contribution to uni life with our best ever awards, offering up to £5,000 to our winners.  20 Leading Lights Inspirational mentor Tim Macartney talks about the personal qualities that will shape our future leaders. 22 You’re Hired! Apprentice Tim Campbell gives his top tips for interview success. 

RW FEATURES 24 Selling Points We delve into the worlds of Marketing, PR, and Sales. 34 Middle Earth Why the West Midlands are the place to be. 38 Socially Minded Why Nursing and Social Work can give your work life meaning. 

The Big Sell

ith the May Ball season firmly underway, you could find yourself getting distracted from the serious business of thinking about your end of term exams and your future career. But don’t panic; Real World is here to help you consider all your employment options. If you’ve not got a job firmed up yet, we’ve got a roundup of the companies that still have vacancies for graduates this autumn, so take a look through to see if something suits you. May also happens to be the month for careers fairs. They are a great way to discover what’s actually out there, who is recruiting, and what employers really want from prospective employees. So what are you waiting for? Turn to this month’s special section dedicated to careers fairs to find out what to expect. If you already know you’d like to build a career giving something positive back to the wider community, you could consider the Social Work sector. Not everyone has the temperament to make a success of this often demanding career, which can take its toll both mentally and physically, but also be tremendously rewarding. Alternatively, you may be attracted to the perceived glitz and razzmatazz of Sales, Marketing, and PR. While these are indeed all dynamic and fast-moving sectors, they too can be very demanding, as our case studies from across all three work areas attest. We’ve turned the spotlight on the often misunderstood world of Fine Arts. Far from being the refuge of dreamy creatives with no business sense, Britain’s justly famed Art Schools and Colleges are turning out a new generation of cutting edge fashion designers, jewellers, sculptors, and photographers all capable of earning very decent livings. Check out our latest competition! See page 32 for your chance to win a Nintendo Wii Fit!

Dee Pilgrim, Editor dee@realworldmagazine.com

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44 Careers Fairs Special How to prepare in advance for this year’s round of fairs.

COMING UP THIS AUTUMN >> A veritable feast of Real World issues including City & Finance, Law, Engineering & IT, Built Environment, and brand new for 2009 Real World Europe

P38 Editor Dee Pilgrim • Designer Yang Ou • Features Writer Hannah Davies • Sales Paul Wade, Harmesh Sansoa, Terry McNally, Mitul Patel • Marketing/Distribution Manager Poonam Sharma PR Coordinator Madhvi Pankhania • Client Services Manager Marie Tasle • Online Brett Singer Managing Director Darius Norell • Real World is a publication of Cherry Publishing: 22-26 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ • Tel: 020 7735 4900, Editorial – 020 7735 2111• Fax: 020 7840 0443 E-mail: info@realworldmagazine.com •Website: www.realworldmagazine.com – for job vacancies, career advice and case studies • Copyright © 2008 Cherry Publishing No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher. We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs or for material lost or damaged in the post. The views in this publication or on our website are not necessarily those held by the publisher.

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We can cover the world in two days. Imagine how far you’ll go in two years. Graduate Opportunities £23,000 plus benefits and bonuses With a placement that runs across Operations, Sales and our International network, you’ll be given real projects and genuine responsibility. So expect to be challenged. But you’ll also be provided with structured development and a dedicated mentor. So look forward to plenty of support and encouragement too. This is your chance to work alongside a diverse group of talented and experienced professionals, as part of a network that reaches 99.6% of the global population. Bring us your energy, your ideas and at least a 2:2 in your chosen degree, and in return you’ll thrive as part of one of the country’s most trusted brands. For your chance to go all the way; read more information or apply on our website at www.parcelforce.com/jobs quoting PFW001434. Parcelforce Worldwide is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified members of the community irrespective of religion, gender, disability or race.

Would you make a good teacher? The Warwick Institute of Education offers a variety of ITE courses: Early Years (3-7), Primary (5-11), Secondary (11-19) PGCE and the Graduate Teacher Programme (employment based route) NEW: For 2008/2009 PGCE 14-19 Diplomas The introduction of 14-19 Diplomas into schools, further education colleges and work based training organisations means there will be a high demand for suitably qualiﬁed teachers to teach on these programmes. We are recruiting trainee teachers for the delivery of these diplomas in the following subject areas: � �

Creative and Media Society, Health and Personal Development

This PGCE course would be especially relevant for people with a background in creative and media, art, nursing and health and safety.

PGCE: pgce@warwick.ac.uk or +44 (0)24 7652 8148 GTP: gtp@warwick.ac.uk or +44 (0)24 7652 2918 or go to our website: http://go.warwick.ac.uk/education

Good Luck to all Þnalists in your upcoming exams. Do you want a well earned break but also secure a job for 2009? Applications open mid May. www.teachÞrst.org.uk

www.teachÞrst.org.uk

realitybytes news*views*advice*strategies Once seen as a dying industry, nuclear energy is about to enjoy a new lease of life. Recent announcements by the Government, including speculation it is to collaborate with France (where 79 per cent of the country’s electricity comes from nuclear stations) on future projects, and with four new nuclear plant designs provisionally OK’d by the Health & Safety Executive, indicate Britain will soon need a brand new nuclear workforce. At Birmingham University, 36 students are already on a special physics and nuclear reactor technology masters course – that’s almost twice as many as in any year since the course started in 1957. Sarah Johnson, Head of Organisational Development at British Energy, says ‘It feels good to be contributing to something tangible - powering the low carbon generation. With the potential for new build around the corner, it is a really exciting time to think about a career in the industry.’ If you haven’t considered the nuclear energy sector before, now is a great time to start. For more information, job vacancies, and case studies with people working in this exciting industry, go to the Engineering sector at:

The New Nuclear Boom

www.realworldmagazine.com

The Fairtrade Everyday Cookbook contains over 100 recipes to help you create fantastic food with Fairtrade products. Recipes are easy-to-follow and include such tasty treats as Chocolate Brazilian Banana Bread, Thai Fish Curry, Roast Chicken, and Vegetable Biryani. Celebrity chefs including Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall and Antony Worrall Thompson have contributed some great eating ideas. This gorgeously illustrated book is essential equipment for any student kitchen. £16.99, Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd, 2008

BOOKGIVEY! AWA

We have five copies of this top title to give away! Just email your name and address to editor@realworldmagazine.com with ‘May Book Giveaway’ as the subject. Good luck! Interested in ethical issues? Visit the new Ethical Careers sector guide at www.realworldmagazine.com

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Photograph & Illustration: iStockphoto; www.g2gnetwork.co.uk

BOOK of the month

How To Succeed at Case Study Interviews Case Study interviews are becoming an increasingly popular way for recruiters to assess a candidate’s skills and abilities. Many Merchant Banking firms, Consultancies, and Marketing Agencies now use them extensively. If you’ve never come across one before they can seem daunting, as the recruiter asks you to make informed analysis and recommendations on the basis of the information the Case Study contains. But there’s no need to panic. Arthur Krebbers, co-founder of ‘Generation 2 Generation’ www.g2gnetwork.co.uk a forum for interaction between today’s and tomorrow’s leading figures in business, politics, and culture - has just published The Complete Guide to Case Study

FIVE WAYS TO Win an argument

1. Listen to what the other person is saying first – don’t interrupt when they are making their case

Excellence, so you’ll know what to expect. Here he gives advice on getting through. In order to succeed at Case Study interviews, you have to do the following five things: 1. Gain and confirm information 2. Convey interest and understanding 3. Be structured 4. Build rapport 5. Show confidence • Focus on the important points and don’t start talking mumbo-jumbo. It is important you shift your focus from quantity (what do I know about this topic?) to quality (what is relevant to the question at hand?). • Make sure you bring a pen and paper into the interview.

2. Make the other person feel good about themselves. If you can give compliments without seeming too obvious (or obsequious), then do so

4. Ask questions. People are more likely to change their mind if they are talking rather than listening

For more tips, grab a copy of The Mind Gym: Wake Your Mind Up (little brown books £12.99) or check out the website www.themindgym.com 3. Find out why they have a different view. You might be able to meet their real needs in another way, which allows them to be convinced by your argument more easily

5. If possible, link your position with the other person’s values or aspirations. Don’t rely on logic

• Asking questions shows initiative. • Be curious. Even if you hardly know anything about the topic of the case, you should convey strong interest. • Don’t go off into loops. Stay friends with your interviewer, and be structured in your answers. • Create some chemistry between the two (or three) of you in the room. • Use body language to your advantage: Maintain eye contact: look at the interviewer, not away from him/her or to the floor. Smile. • Be honest; if you don’t understand a question, say so. • Give yourself time. It often helps to collect your thoughts for a few seconds before proceeding. • Think out loud. Once you have a rough idea of what you’re going to argue, you should begin talking. However, do this without too many ‘ums’ and other fillers. You may even consider practising this with family and friends. The Complete Guide To Case Study Excellence is available to buy at www. casestudyexcellence.com for £7.50. However, Real World readers can get the book for just £5 by logging on at www.casestudyexcellence.com/ realworld.html

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Investment Banks Financial Markets & Financial Stability Asset Management Financial Crime Retail Banks/Intermediaries Consumer Protection & Education Insurance & Mortgages

Graduate Development Programme London In these days of the credit crunch the whole financial sector becomes volatile and the FSA’s role takes on even greater importance – from protecting and educating consumers, to ensuring the stability of the entire financial system. Joining our three-year Graduate Development Programme at this pivotal time, you’ll be at the heart of the financial issues that make headline news. The programme will see you move around three core areas of finance from the list above and you’ll also enjoy a six-month external secondment, giving you a fascinating overview of the financial world. We’ll also offer full support to gain professional qualifications and an excellent package that includes a starting salary of £29,000, plus £2,500 to help get you started in London. Three rotations, one unique experience. We're currently recruiting for our graduate development programme and finance/management accountancy programme (which leads to CIMA qualification), so if you're expecting a 2:1 or above now's the time to find out more and apply at www.fsagraduates.com Deadline for applications: 23rd June 2008

THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AUTHORITY

The leading career development event for students, graduates and professionals

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

DIVERSITY

IN LEADERSHIP CV Clinics Exhibitions Interview Skills Networking Sessions Leadership Training Company Presentations Panel Debates

www.qsforums.com 2007 participating organisations included:

LATE JOB VACANCIES

JUST THE JOB! AS T OF T HE END DRA ERM IT ’S WS CLO ACT TIME T SER, A GRION IF YO TAKE JOB. EAT GR OU WAN THE DON ’T ADUAT T MAN RE ARE PANIC: E THE Y VACA STILL REL RE, ANDNCIES O TO GY ON RE YOU C UT INSI IVE YO AL WO AN DE L U TH RLD E INE . Read on for a rundown of some interesting graduate opportunities with a summer or autumn 2008 start date. Don’t forget to check out www.realworldmagazine.com for full listings. ROLLS-ROYCE PLC We’re proud to be a company with a great heritage and a bright future – a high technology engineering company providing worldwide power solutions in challenging civil aerospace, defence aerospace, energy, and marine markets. Our well-established a particular Professional Excellence Programme is a 12-18 month programme designed to develop a high level of competence in and skills, career area. Through a series of three-month placements, graduates are given the chance to develop their knowledge becoming a respected professional in their chosen field. Business areas: Engineering, Supply Chain, and Commercial. develop The Leadership Development programme (18-24 months) focuses on promoting leadership ability while continuing to organisation. the of breadth the to exposure give locations and sectors different across professional skills. Six-month placements areas: Mobility is key as individuals will be moving to a different location, including internationally, every six months. Business Engineering, Supply Chain, Customer Management, and Operations. TEACH FIRST STFC Apply at www.rolls-royce.com/careers r two-yea Teach First is a unique The STFC e-Science Centre is looking for rms high-calibre transfo that mme progra graduates with an interest in Software graduates into inspiring leaders through KIMBERLY-CLARK development and Advanced IT solutions in experience as paid teachers in Looking for a challenging Engineering a scientific environment to start in challenging London, Midlands or North career? Want a real job from day one September 2008. STFC manages world tes West secondary schools. Gradua and exposure to leading edge class facilities such as neutron sources achieve Qualified Teacher Status and technology? Visit our website at www. (ISIS), high power lasers (CLF), and skills s busines benefit from an innovative kimberlyclarkcareers.co.uk to learn synchrotrons (DLS). The closing date is and leadership training course, as well as more about our two-year structured 20th June 2008, with the Interviews and unparalleled internship, networking and Electrical, Mechanical, and Process Assessment Centre being held on 15th & coaching opportunities with Teach First’s Graduate Programmes, accredited by 16th July 2008. For more information on the numerous industry supporters. IMechE, IET, and IChemI. Starting graduate training programme see http:// APPLICATIONS ALREADY OPEN FOR 2009 salary £25,000, start September 2008. www.graduates.scitech.ac.uk/home.aspx uk AT www.teachfirst.org.u

NATIONWIDE Nationwide Building Society has the following places available on its two-year Graduate Programme: Commercial, Retail Branch Network, Product Management, Central Retail, Change Management, Information Security & Business, Continuity, Specialist Lending. Apply online at: www.nationwide.co.uk/graduat www.nationwide.co.uk/graduate.. Closing date: 31st May 2008.

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LATE JOB VACANCIES

CAPITAL ONE Capital One has grown quic kly in recent years because we have our finger on the pulse of the marketplace and have invested in attracting, reta ining, and nurturing bright individuals. Through its on-the-job training and dev elopment programme, employees are given the structures and frameworks to solve highly complex problems, and are encouraged to challenge and innovate . Capital One has Business Analyst positions available. If you have a 2:1 or above in an analytical, business, enginee ring or scientific field equivalent, please apply online at www.capitalone.c o.uk/careers CUMMINS Cummins are still looking for exceptional Graduates - In Huddersfield we have opportunities in Business Syst ems; IT; HR and Sales. At our Darlington site we are seeking various Engineering and IT Graduates. Daventry want Manufacturing Engineers, as do Stamford along with a Graduate to join their Com mercial Team. Service Engineers and a Technical Writer are needed at our Ken t site. All applications should be made online at our recruitment website www .eujobs. cummins.com where you can also find full details on these positions. FINANCIAL SERVICES AUTHORITY In these days of the credit crunch the whole financial sector becomes volatile and the FSA’s role takes on even greater importance - from protecting and educating consumers, to ensuring the stability of the entire financial system.

Joining our three-year Graduate Development Programme at this pivotal time, you’ll be at the heart of the financial issues that make headline news. The programme will see you move around three core areas of finance and you’ll also enjoy a six-month external secondment, giving you a fascinating overview of the financial world. We’re currently recruiting for our graduate development programme and management accountancy (finance) programme (which leads to

CIMA qualification), so if you’re expecting a 2:1 or above now’s the time to find out more and apply at www.fsagraduates.com. Deadline for

Illustration: © iStockphoto.com

applications: 23rd June 2008.

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP opportunities. Make it happen with The Royal Bank of Scotland Group Graduate a fantastic future If you’re the kind of person who likes to get things done, there’s recruiting for our for you with The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. We are currently Integration, Group Retail Business Leadership, Group Technology & Technology e programmes. Business Improvement and Operations, Finance, and RBS Insuranc om keitrbs.c To find out more and apply, visit www.ma KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PARTNERSHIPS – KTP KTP is a UK-wide programme funded by 18 organisations and headed by the Technology Strategy Board, a business-led, executive nondepartmental public body. KTP aims to facilitate the transfer of knowledge through projects undertaken by high calibre, recently qualified people under joint supervision from a company and an academic institution, and to provide companybased training for recently qualified people to enhance their business and specialist skills. Currently recruiting for over 40 positions – from Civil Engineering to Architecture Analysts -- competitive salary, plus £4K training budget. Locations throughout the UK. Vacancies advertised on website www.ktponline.org.uk or call 0870 190 2829 or email graduates@ktponline.org.uk

GE AVIATION Graduate Software Engineer (job ref 807336) As one of our Engineering Graduates, you will take part in our structured two-year graduate development programme. The programme focuses on developing your understanding of GE, the business world in general, and your personal effectiveness. You will have an opportunity to work on exciting technology-driven projects designing and developing real time embedded software for avionic products. Graduate Safety Engineer (job ref 807333) As one of our Engineering Graduates, you will take part in our structured two-year graduate development programme. The programme focuses on developing your understanding of GE, the business world in general, and your personal effectiveness. You will also have an opportunity to work on exciting technology driven projects, carrying out safety assessment of avionic systems. www.ge.com/careers

PILKINGTON The Flat Glass business of NSG Group, trading under the Pilkington brand, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of glass and glazing products for the building and automotive markets, with manufacturing operations in 27 countries on four continents, and sales in 130 countries. Information Systems (Head Office, St Helens) Information Systems (IS) Group Function is looking for three graduates to start September 2008 with a 2.1 degree or above, preferably in an IT related degree. Applicants with a 2.2 will be considered but must have industrial experience. Electrical Engineering (Pilkington European Technical Centre, Lathom, Nr Ormskirk) We are interested to hear from applicants who have an accredited MEng 2:1 or above in Electrical/Electrical & Control Engineering, and although not essential, language skills and work experience are preferred. Coatings Graduates - St Helens. Starting in September 2008, the successful candidates will initially be involved with on-line coatings. On-line coatings process is an atmospheric chemical vapour deposition process, which allows us to coat the glass as it is produced. We are interested to hear from applicants who have a 2:1 or above in a Science or Engineering related degree, and although not essential, work experience is preferred. Electrical Engineering Summer Placement – St Helens. An opportunity exists for a third year Electrical Engineering student at one of our float manufacturing sites, based in St Helens, Merseyside. Placements are generally for a minimum of eight weeks although this can be extended via mutual agreement, starting in either June or July 2008. Application – is by Pilkington Graduate/ Placement Application form which can be obtained from our website www. pilkington.com/careers. Closing date for all placements and vacancies is 15th June 2008.

Don’t forget to mention that you found these vacancies in Real World Magazine when you apply! WWW.REALWORLDMAGAZINE.COM RW 11

REAL WORLD AWARDS | 2008

AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL REAL WORLD READERS Dear students, Here at Real World, we’re all about students. That’s why we set up the Real World Awards: to celebrate and reward your achievements outside your academic work. Did you know that over 50% of employers believe that they will find it difficult to fill their vacancies this year because graduates lack the right skills*? At Real World, we believe that these employers are mistaken – and we need your help to prove them wrong. Since our first Awards in 2005 we’ve been inundated with inspirational entries, all of which show exactly the kind of skills employers are looking for: team work, initiative, social conscience, leadership… the list goes on. Hazel Mowbray, our 2005 winner, juggled her degree work with volunteering in inner city schools and acting as her student union’s Disability Officer. Kiril Makharinksy, who triumphed in 2006, founded the Oxford Entrepreneurs society and set up an online social enterprise. Our 2007 champ, Alexander McLean, established his own charity, the African Prisons Project. We’re convinced that students’ talents are more diverse than ever – and that’s why we’ve expanded the Awards for 2008. We’ve created four new categories to showcase your abilities, from entrepreneurship to social responsibility. We’ve also set up an online voting system, so your fellow students can help vote you to victory. We know that you didn’t get involved in your

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extracurricular activities because you expected recognition; but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve it. This is your chance to shout about your achievements. Past winners have been featured in national newspapers, including The Evening Standard, The Guardian, and The Independent, regional newspapers, and local BBC radio.

AND DID WE MENTION THE £16,000? Oh, yes: we have a total prize fund of £16,000 to put towards projects our 2008 winners are passionate about. If you want to know more, just visit our website: www.realworldawards.com. You can contact us with your queries, questions or comments at editor@realworldmagazine.com. You’ve got until Friday 4th July 2008 to tell us why you should win and help us prove to graduate employers that today’s students have what it takes to succeed. Good luck! We look forward to hearing from you. The Real World team *According to the Association of Graduate Recruiters’ biannual survey, 2008

REAL WORLD AWARDS | 2008

Haze l Mow bray

rinsk a h k a M l Kiril

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REAL WORLD AWARDS | 2008

YOU DON’T HAVE TO ENTER TO TAKE PART YOUR CAN STILL MAKE YOUR MARK BY NOMINATING AND VOTING FOR THE STUDENTS YOU WANT TO SEE REWARDED FOR THEIR EFFORTS. HERE ARE JUST A FEW REASONS YOU SHOULD VISIT WWW.REALWORLDAWARDS.COM TODAY: • If you make the most nominations, we’ll give you £100. • If any of your nominees goes on to win in their category, we’ll give you £100. • This is your chance to be part of something amazing. The Real World Awards are among the most prestigious student awards in the country – and the only awards that let you inﬂuence the result. • Your vote will make a difference. • Did we mention the £100 cash bonuses on offer? Just checking. • By voting and nominating, you will be raising awareness about the importance of extracurricular achievements. • This is your opportunity to recognise the hard work your friends have put in to activities outside their degree – it’s like giving them a pat on the back, only with cash prizes and glory. They will love you for ever (probably). • Oh, and there are several £100 prizes up for grabs, just for nominating. Or perhaps we mentioned that earlier.

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REAL WORLD AWARDS | 2008

DON’T MISS OUT It couldn’t be easier to get started – just log on* to www.realworldawards. com. With just a few clicks you can nominate your friends, and view the current entries in each category, so you can vote your favourites to victory. You can also vote and nominate by downloading the Real World Awards Facebook application. This is a quick (and, we must warn you, highly addictive) way of placing votes for different categories: http://apps.facebook.com/realworldawards/ *Simply register at www.realworldmagazine.com to set up your unique log-in details for the Awards

DO YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO IS… • An active member of a university sports club? • Bursting with creative and cutting-edge ideas? • An active participant in your university entrepreneurial society? • Working on your university’s Young Enterprise scheme? • Carrying out volunteer work in the UK or abroad, from teaching English to collecting donations? • Part of a vibrant club or society, from debating to drama? • Involved with a student charity, such as RAG? • Helping to focus attention on an important issue, whether environmental or social? • Making a difference to fellow students’ lives, perhaps by campaigning on student issues or getting involved in student politics? • Working on green issues, such as reducing their carbon footprint and encouraging recycling? • Involved in a major campaign, such as One World Week? • Interested in winning £5,000? IF SO, YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO… WWW.REALWORLDAWARDS.COM

Sponsored By

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feeling arty

spotlight on | fine art

Britain has an enviable reputation as far as Fine Art is concerned. From Turner through to Hockney, via Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, the UK consistently turns out cutting edge artists who sell worldwide. Now a new breed of Cool Britannia artists is looking for a piece of the action. Read on to discover why Fine Art still attracts the bold and the brave.

‘You can get into lighting, teaching, film, advertising, and all forms of media. The mindset you get trained to use through this type of education is very valuable for all the creative industries – you are taught to problemsolve in a creative and innovative way. Take for example film director Ridley Scott: he actually came to the Royal College of Arts to do Graphic Design.’ Sally Bowler adds: ‘Artists are motivated self starters. They develop analytical and critical skills alongside practical experience. Curiosity is an essential element; the ability to research and experiment, whether practically or theoretically, linked to the capacity to evaluate their findings.’ Marcus is, in fact, making a living from his art. He is selling work and taking on commisssions but explains he was lucky enough to get exposure by taking part in the 4 New Seasons project, run by the Saatchi Gallery and Channel 4. He says this sort of exposure and positive marketing is essential if you want to make it. ‘You have to get your art out there, you have to be

and Head of the Student Union at the Royal College of Arts, London, says people with real artistic ability will never be deterred from making a career in Fine Art. ‘You get into it because you love it. If you do this you have to be willing to say “I want to be an artist, I want to be a designer, I’m willing to do something where I am running my own career, with my own creativity and my own ingenuity”. You have to have the guts to say “I’m going to take the risk that it might take me years before I am financially stable, but I don’t really care.” When you get as far as postgraduate study then security is not really an issue, you are doing it because you love it – in fact, you do it because you have to.’ However, if you can’t make a living from your own art, Marcus explains there are plenty of other ways Fine Art

proactive and talk to people and make yourself known. More and more graduates need to be able to get themselves across and market themselves and sell themselves.’ They also need to move into new areas, as Sally explains: ‘Many artists are now using the web to develop new types of networks and ways of communicating, which has an impact on how society functions and develops.’ Far from feeling depressed about the future, Marcus is remarkably upbeat about where Fine Art in Britain is now heading. ‘The general feeling of enthusiasm for what we do has never been stronger,’ he says. ‘I want to encourage people and say just go and do it.’

graduates can support themselves.

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Photograph: iStockphoto

rom recent news stories you’d think all was doom and gloom in the world of Fine Arts and Arts education. According to the UK Graduate Careers Survey (conducted by High Flyers Research), which examined 17,000 students’ expectations of the graduate job market, almost half of Fine Arts students have no plans post-university and expect to travel or take temporary jobs rather than make a living from their art. With funding for the Arts under fire and no clear career path post degree, taking a Fine Arts Degree may seem like a risky course of action. Yet, for many, studying Fine Art is as relevant today as it has ever been. Sally Bowler is the Business Fellow in Visual Arts at University College, Falmouth. She says: ‘Fine Art today embraces many media and subjects. It’s not just about skill in painting, sculpture, and printmaking – although these may come into it. Studying art encourages close observation, not just of the physical world, but also of the economic, social, historic, and scientific trends of the time.’ Marcus Lanyon, a Fine Arts Graduate

‘

i could have led a comfortable life in some other field, but that wasn’t a choice i made.

’

Ed Thompson Age: 27 (Pictured on page 14) Degree and university: Masters Degree in photojournalism and documentary photography, London College of Communication (LCC) Title: Freelance Photographer What do you actually do? I work in various fields of photography, from producing my own photo-stories aimed at magazines (George Bush’s next door neighbours and Cowboy Churches), portraiture for magazines, assignments for corporate and commercial clients, long-term projects produced for galleries and print sales, and even some photographic assisting. Were you always interested in Fine Art as a career? I worked selling suits after secondary school, and realised I had to do something creative full-time, rather than juggle my artistic career with something else. Trying to work a 9 to 5 full-time job and commit to a creative industry just doesn’t work. There are creatives who are lucky enough not to need to work to live, and you’ll be up against them for the same jobs. Youth and ‘the hunger’ are powerful driving forces. How did you find out about this particular career? I first saw a camera when I was six months old. I don’t remember that, but a relative photographed it at my christening. My dad used to have old National Geographic magazines about when I was really young, so I guess I worked out you could be paid to take photographs back then. What do you like most about what you do and are there any downsides? I find the pressure is satisfying. A photographer is a one-man band mostly; if you succeed or fail at the assignment you’ve been set then it’s your own doing. I love to be challenged, both by the work and also by the environment I have to produce images within. Having photographed in tense or risky situations I have a very large comfort zone. It doesn’t mean I’m insensitive, far from it, it just means when something traumatic happens I can still do my job. The downside is like any other industry where you are self-employed, it’s either famine or feast. You’ll have periods of no work, and bills are mounting etc, and then you’ll get a call and you’re back in business. I don’t recommend it to people of a weak disposition. When it comes to photography

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I’m fanatical. I could have led a comfortable life in some other field, but that wasn’t a choice I made. In a film I’d be beyond the point of no return. What skills do you think you need to succeed in this business? Most photographers who make it come from wealthy families, including Henri Cartier-Bresson and William Eggleston, and the majority of fashion photographers are from illustrious backgrounds, and now celebrities and celebrities’ children are getting into photography too. To beat them you’ll have to undertake outside commissions as well as produce your own work, and that means taking assignments you don’t want to do while saving enough money to do something you believe in. With time, people in the industry (and you) will know what you are best at and you’ll be able to complete more assignments that fit your style. It seems obvious, but generally it’s not something students seem to understand. Some colleges treat the students like they are all profound artists, which is great until they hit the real world and can’t earn a living from photographing skirting boards or dressing dead animals in tuxedos. What would be your best piece of advice for students coming into this sector? Try and survive. When you leave an institution that’s really all you should aim to do, because being a photographer is a marathon, not a sprint. If you truly are passionate about photography then you’ll find a way because you have no other choice.

Amy Albright Age: 24 Studied: BA(Hons) Fine Art at University College Falmouth Title: Fine artist (painter) What do you actually do? In a nutshell, I work on a series of paintings and exhibit them and sell them through art galleries. After completing my A-levels, I had the intention of going into Graphic Design and it wasn’t until I did my Foundation Diploma that I realised I wanted to be a fine artist, mainly because I liked the freedom it offered with no direct briefs and deadlines. How did you find out about this particular course? Probably during my Art Foundation Diploma in 2004. I went around visiting different universities looking at the Fine Art degree courses. It was a real turning point for me. I remember visiting art galleries and seeing paintings that inspired me and thinking how I would like to produce paintings that would have that effect on other people. Would you undertake further study to further your career? I haven’t ruled out doing an MA in Fine Art, but I want to have a few years as a practising artist first.

What do you like the most about what you do and are there any downsides? Waking up in the morning knowing I’m going to my studio to do what I love and that I’m not stuck in an office working 9-5! When I produce a painting that I know is my best yet, it’s such a powerful feeling that cannot be explained. Also the fact that I am using my talent to create paintings that are going to directly influence people’s lives. However, it is very hard starting out as an artist. Work doesn’t sell itself and financially, it is very tough to keep going. If I keep working hard it will pay off eventually! What skills do you need to succeed and what advice would you give graduates wanting to come into this sector? Lots and lots of self motivation and dedication! The first year out of university is very hard, the transition from student to artist is difficult, and you just have to keep motivated, communicate with other artists, remember your goals, and go for it! www.amyalbright.co.uk

Marcus Lanyon Age: 26 Degree and university: Sculpture, University of Gloucester; Ceramics and Glass, School of Applied Art, Royal College of Art Title, President of the Student Union, RCA and artist

Were you always interested in being an artist? Both my parents are artists and I’ve been used to going around galleries and exhibitions since I was very young. However, I started off at Drama School before swapping to sculpture. In fact, my first love will always be sculpture and making objects. I’ve never been tied to any one material; I just love making things with my hands. What do you like most about what you do? The best things about being an artist are: ownership; being my own boss; and making my own week. I get out of it exactly what I put into it. It’s the most satisfying combination ever being able to do what I have always wanted to do, and having people look at it and hopefully liking it. Are there any downsides to what you do? The downside is actually one of the positives as well, and that’s the freedom. Sometimes it is very useful to get up every day and be told what to do. Just a simple, menial task you have to get done each day. This freedom to follow any path means you can get obsessed with things and get bogged down. You need self-discipline to monitor yourself because you can disappear off into some strange, artistic hole for months on end. What would be your best piece of advice for other graduates entering this sector? Be very clear-headed and ambitious about being successful. Graduates need to be able to get themselves across and market and sell themselves. Go and talk to people. Generate your own shows and set up your own sites.

Cheryl Field Age: 38 University and degree: Glasgow School of Art, BA (Hons) Fine Art – Sculpture & Environmental Art Title: Self-employed artist What do you actually do? I make kinetic sculptures in my studio that are then exhibited and hopefully sold. At the heart of my work lies a fascination with human biology; our physiology, neurology, and

psychology. I’m in the very earliest stages of my career as an artist, so in order to get more experience and to supplement my somewhat meagre income, I also work part-time as an assistant to an artist who is already successful and well established in the same field of work. Were you always interested in Fine Arts as a career? I’ve always had a passion for the visual arts, but my route into this field has been a long and winding one. I initially studied for a BSc in Molecular Biology at Edinburgh University, which I followed with four years as a researcher in an Immunology Lab at Imperial College. I then became a management consultant with Accenture – one of the world’s largest technology consultancies. But there was always something missing, and in essence that ‘something’ was art-shaped. In 2002 I finally quit my job and applied to The Glasgow School of Art to study for a BA (Hons) in Fine Art - Sculpture & Environmental Art. I think I was always vaguely aware that there were people out there called ‘artists’. But I don’t think I considered visual art as a career possibility until I met some arts practitioners; being a management consultant brought me into contact with professional filmmakers and graphic artists who were all managing to have careers in the creative sector.

‘

Above all you’ll need to be creative. Ada Zanditon

’

Age: 25 Degree and university: London College of Fashion, First Class BA (hons) Fashion Design Technology, Womenswear Job title: Womenswear Designer

What do you actually do? After working with Gareth Pugh for one season, I have set up my own label and am about to start selling to boutiques in London as well as working on my Spring / Summer 2009 Collection to show in September at London Fashion Week. I also work on various freelance projects with a wide variety of clients such as Ford, for whom I created a dress for a press campaign. I have also worked on a project called Shared Talent at South African Fashion Week which was a collaborative project working with crafters from Soweto and Hillbrow (Johannesburg). I am also one half of the design team for an ethical street wear brand for women.

Would you undertake further study in order to advance your career? I loved studying for my BA (Hons) at GSA and I would consider studying for an MFA if I thought it might give me a deeper understanding of my practice and lead to more opportunities (such as exhibitions / residences / commissions etc.). But right now I am satisfied with my career without returning to higher education. What do you like most about what you do and are there any downsides? I think the best thing about this job is it is exactly what I make it and I engage both my brain and my hands on a daily basis. It can be a real financial and emotional struggle. From the financial perspective I’m thrilled to have recently received a Visual Arts Creative and Professional Development Grant from The Scottish Arts Council. That will go a long way towards the rental of my studio, buying materials, and all the administrative costs associated with sending off proposals and applications. I know I’ve chosen a career that doesn’t present much long-term stability, but I think that’s an acceptable pay-off for doing something that I absolutely adore. What skills do you think you need to succeed in this sector? Above all you need to be creative. You’ll need the appropriate practical skills specific to your field and pragmatism, determination, patience, and good written and verbal communication skills are vital too.

Were you always interested in fashion as a career? I have always known I wanted to be a fashion designer since the age of five, when I screamed down an entire supermarket and refused to leave until my mother bought me a copy of Vogue. Would you undertake further study? I would very much like to do the new MA course at London College of Fashion that focuses on sustainable design. As a designer I want to create consciously and whilst global warming may seem scary , it is also a huge opportunity for designers to create a future where all products are made sustainably and ethically. What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I like everything about being a designer and I’m doing exactly what I have always wanted to do. If it isn’t hard work, it’s usually not worth doing. www.adaz.co.uk n

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LEADING LIGHTS

Photograph: Embercombe; Design: Lisa Wade

‘LEADERS ARE THOSE WHO, IN WHATEVER CAPACITY, EMBOLDEN OTHERS TO LIVE THEIR LIVES WITH COURAGE, HOPE AND INTEGRITY.’ TIM MACARTNEY, MENTOR AND FACILITATOR, EMBERCOMBE CENTRE.

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FEATURE | LEADERSHIP

im Macartney has certainly had a colourful life. After spells as a gymnast and drama teacher, he somehow found himself in a room full of gangsters with guns, and decided it was time to rethink just where he was going. He began working as a gardener at a management training centre, and within three years had become Head of Consultancy. He then founded a ‘people and organisation development’ company, working with the leaders of multinationals, and his inspirational approach resulted in a grateful client gifting him Embercombe, a 50-acre Devonshire smallholding, where he has developed his vision: a social enterprise ‘to inspire committed action for a truly sustainable world’. He says people who visit Embercombe embark on a journey where they are challenged to join conversations that explore what it means to live and work in organisations; how leadership needs to evolve; how we can build energetic and successful businesses that enhance the environment and enliven the people who work in them or buy their products. Tim sees Embercombe as ‘a garden that grows people; a place where people can discover a profound and true sense of who they are and make choices in their lives. It’s about calling and then action.’ In April of this year Embercombe will launch its very first graduate course based on its flagship programme called The Journey. ‘I’ve been meeting up with a group of high-flying university entrants so they can help me dovetail it to their

‘

THE JOURNEY IS ABOUT SAYING “PAUSE FOR A MOMENT AND TAKE A LOOK AT THIS FEAST OF POSSIBILITY AROUND YOU.”

’

age group,’ explains Tim. ‘I want to create something focused on people at the beginning of their adult lives. Many of them will have the personal resources to do something in the world. ‘The journey is about saying, “Pause

They should make a contract with themselves to live their lives to the absolute fullest. The worst thing would be at the end of their days to look back on the trail of their lives and know they had played it safe, kept their heads down, and done nothing.’ As far as Tim is concerned the main point of The Journey is for people to ask themselves the questions they often overlook. ‘Ask youself this: if you want to be an engineer, what will you build? If you are going to be an entrepreneur, what are you going to bring to the table?’ His advice is to then go off and

for a moment and take a look at this feast of possibility around you”. Ask yourself questions that might mean you don’t wake up one day and say “I had a life, I had endless possibility. I had intelligence and I somehow allowed somebody else to bundle me into a place that has no meaning for me”.’ However, rather than feeling daunted at what lies ahead, he says young adults should rejoice in the excitement and possibilities they face. ‘What I would say to graduates is this is the greatest period of challenge our species has ever encountered. There is a call to our young people saying “open your ears, lift up your hands, take a look and understand you are being asked to contribute to this time.” These young people have fabulous qualities and they do care. They see life as an adventure, but they need to make a

find your own ‘rite of passage’. ‘Do a gap year or talk to CEOs of companies, do some research and meet people. Stop making excuses! If you are going to be a leader it will cost you something, none of it comes for free. Real fulfilment will always centre around service, but that doesn’t mean you are sentencing yourself to being a pauper. …I say you will be a success if you make the right choices because they make you powerful, and we need powerful people in leadership positions. In that sense, anybody could be a leader. Leaders are people that have vision and exert influence. It’s anyone who steps forward and hoists their flag.’

realistic assessment of their opportunities.

www.embercombe.co.uk

Tim’s book Finding Earth, Finding Soul: Looking for the Invisible Path to Authentic Leadership, is now available via the Embercombe website at



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E R ’ U YO ! D E R I H PRENTICE, P A L U F S S E C C U S HIS TOP TIPS S E IV G , L L E B P TIM CAM ERVIEW, T IN T A E IN H S ON HOW TO EAM JOB. R D T A H T T E G AND

hey are two very similar sentences, but with two devastatingly different effects. When Sir Alan Sugar fixes potential employees with his steely stare and barks ‘you’re fired!’ on the multi-award-winning BBC series The Apprentice, dreams are shattered and plans put on hold. But, when he points his finger at them and shouts ‘you’re hired!’ it can be the start of a beautiful career. Now reaching the climax of its fourth series, The Apprentice is still compulsive TV viewing. For Tim Campbell, the winner of the original series, it became a reality as he worked for Amstrad’s health and beauty division for two years. 29-year-old Tim says working with Sir Alan exceeded all his expectations: ‘I thought it would be a shadowing exercise, where I’d learn by osmosis,’ he explains. ‘But the way Sir Alan works is to throw you in at the deep end and say “if there are things you don’t know come and ask me”. It’s the old school way of doing it, but it was just what I needed. He’s a very good judge of character and has an innate ability to size people up.’ Tim has now given up his £100,000 a year job to start a male grooming business of his own, as well as The Bright Ideas Trust, a social initiative to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. He said he has done so because no-one ever really tells you about what it entails to set up a limited company or why you should become VAT registered. ‘What we want to be able to provide is the right amount of start up capital, just under £25,000, and also access to real world

Photograph: BBC/Talkback

business information from people who have actually been there, and done it. People who have lived through the real pain of risking their own money on a business start up.’ Tim says he has had a fantastic response to The Bright Ideas Trust and has been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the business ideas that have been brought to him. He is now looking for its first start ups to be profitable within the first one to five years. However, before he appeared on The Apprentice he worked for Transport for London (TfL) as a Recruitment Consultant and Graduate Recruitment Manager, so understands all about the recruitment process. Tim recently took time out of his busy schedule to give Real World the inside gen on what you really need to get through those all-important job interviews.

YOU’RE HIRED!

•‘The first thing I always tell people is you have to understand what your strengths are. A successful interview usually comes from confidence. If you are confident about your abilities and your skill set then that will come across in your interview in the way you answer questions and present yourself. Companies are looking for people who can represent them almost as an ambassador.’

The Apprentice, series Four, is on BBC One at 9pm, every Wednesd ay from now until June 18t h.

•‘You may feel all the power lies with the people on the other side of the interview table, but in fact, the power is equally spread. You can assess prospective employers to see whether or not they can offer you what you want. You should do research around the job to see is this company right for you, or are they ethically in tune with you? Are there enough opportunities for career progression? I always tell my candidates, if you actually get to the interview process then you already have something that appeals to the company because interviews are a very costly way of assessing skills, therefore they would not waste their time on you unless they think you have potential.’

•‘Find out about the company. It always amazes me how many people on The Apprentice and in the real world know nothing about the organisation they are applying to. Doing your research is an easy win because it shows you are interested.’

•‘Dress appropriately. There’s absolutely no harm in ringing the company before you attend the interview and asking what is appropriate. Ask what its dress code is. I always found it encouraging when I worked at TfL if people would ring beforehand and ask a few questions.’

•‘Don’t drink coffee because it dries out your mouth, and also don’t drink too much water because you don’t want to need a comfort break halfway through the interview.’

•‘Take a copy of your application form and make sure you know it inside out and that you haven’t embellished it too much. Most importantly, never lie on your application form because you will be found out.’

•‘Do take notes into the interview and if you need to refer to them, then take the time to do so. Often, people get so anxious they feel they have to respond to a question immediately, but it is quite alright to take your time and if you have to, ask the panel to repeat a question in order to take stock.’

•‘Give real examples when you answer questions. Don’t answer by saying “I would” or “I could”, talk about concrete things in the terms of “I did” or “I took this action”.’

•‘Do get a partner or a parent to take you through a dummy interview, asking lots of questions, because it will give you experience of being in an actual interview situation. Get them to time the interview too so you get a feel of how long you need to spend on certain questions. It is really good preparation.’

•‘Don’t be afraid if they ask you about weaknesses. Turn them into positives; ﬁnd a way around them because no one wants to be a perfect candidate - that will set off alarm bells in the interviewers.’

•‘One question they are bound to ask is “what makes you the best candidate?” Have answers to that question ready prepared. In Britain we tend not to like to sell ourselves but we should be more American and we should sing our own praises more.’

•‘You will also get asked “do you have any questions?” Once again, have something prepared, sensible questions about the position being offered such as who will you be working with, and what level of autonomy will you be given.’

•‘Beware your non-verbal communication. Look people in the eye, give a ﬁrm handshake, and don’t ﬁdget excessively. You need to be focused on the interview with your body language.’

•‘Finally, if you are not successful at interview I would always say go and ask for some feedback. Find out what you failed at so you can rectify mistakes and be successful the next time round.’ Find out more about Tim at www.timcampbell.co.uk 

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free markets The demarcation lines between what constitutes the worlds of Sales, Marketing, and PR may at first glance seem blurry, but even though they are interdependent, they all have distinct, separate functions.

FEATURE | SALES, MARKTING & PR

arketing departments exist to collate and provide information to help merchandisers make informed decisions about products. Marketeers don’t just sit in offices, they are out there, talking to customers and looking at press coverage to see what it is people actually want to buy. They gather their information through all areas of the media and by conducting customer questionnaires, and are responsible for promoting the products wherever they can, increasing customer awareness by offering special vouchers, and conducting national and local marketing campaigns. Ken Sheridan, Managing Director of remoteemployment.com, knows the sector inside out, as he has worked on aggressive marketing programmes for such well known brands as Pepsi, Tetley Tea, Monster Munch, and Cow & Gate baby food. He says: ‘Marketing can be distilled into “finding out what people want and giving it to them at a profit to yourself”. That hasn’t changed. However, the Marketing product is changing and has had to because of what is happening in respective markets. These days the majority of consumers are very discerning because they are so much more able to access information on which to base their decisions. They are well informed and they have clear preferences, so marketeers who are able to put out the correct information, and put it in the correct way down the right channels, are the ones that are going to be the most successful.’ As far as Sheridan is concerned, this makes Marketing a vibrant and dynamic sector to work in. ‘I don’t think there has ever been a better time to be a marketeer, it’s great. The entry points into Marketing and Sales are much more diverse than they have ever been before. The whole construction of the Marketing profession has been altered by the design and communication explosions, so whether you are in the planning end of Marketing or the creative end, you have much more

MARKETING: THE NUMBERS Total number of marketing and sales managers: 494,334 Part time: 32,635 Source: ONS April-June 2007

choice about what you actually do. It’s a great time for young Marketeers to be setting out.’ Apparently, within Marketing itself there are tremendous opportunities to move up the career ladder and also to move sideways. As companies are on pretty short business lifecycles, successful graduates who are part of growing companies move on and up fairly fast. Companies in this area cannot stand still so they need their employees to move with them. Although starting salaries for Graduate Supervisors are around £21,000, this can quickly rise as long as you have the right skills. Sheridan says not only do you need excellent academic qualifications, but you also need to be a great communicator. Then there’s the extra, added ingredient – Sheridan describes it as ‘a personal spark of enthusiasm’: ‘Be enthusiastic and make yourself indispensable. If you can persuade a company it would be hard for them to get someone else as helpful as you are to that company, then they are going to try and retain you as long as possible.

at Cass Business School, London Title: Chief Executive of the Lesbian & Gay Foundation, which provides a range of health and advice services in the North West of England What do you actually do? I run the organisation, particularly with respect to Marketing and positioning the organisation. This includes strategic development and liaising with the public sector. In addition, I liaise with the trustees to ensure that the organisation remains fit for purpose. Were you always intersted in this career? I got involved in the charity sector 20 years ago, when I began working with gay men around HIV issues. Eventually I founded the organisation that grew into the Lesbian & Gay Foundation – at the time, I couldn’t see anyone else addressing these issues. My work has been highly rewarding: I have invested the last 20 years in building up an organisation that is one of the largest of its kind in the UK. How has your postgraduate study helped your career? I did a part-time Masters in Strategic Charity Marketing and Fundraising at Cass Business School, London, while continuing with my day job. This took me approximately 14 months to complete. The Masters has been a great help to my work. The staff at Cass were fantastic: part-timers got exactly the same excellent level of support as those on the full-time pathway. The course has increased my confidence, and I can now write more focused and succinct reports. I learnt a great deal of theory, which has impacted positively on our strategic thinking.

Paul Martin

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I get to see results almost immediately from the work our fundraising team puts in. Most of all, I enjoy seeing the difference made by our staff and volunteers. Funding in this sector is very much on a short-term basis, which means you spend a great deal of time fundraising. What’s more, lesbian and gay issues are still down in the funding pecking order. This is frustrating, and means we have to lobby very hard for change.

Age: 39 University and degree: Part-time Masters in Strategic Charity Marketing and Fundraising

What do you need to succeed in this sector and do you have any advice for graduates? Perseverance, resilience, confidence, and tenacity. You should be bursting with ideas. Get some experience as a volunteer – partly so you can be sure whether or not this sector is suitable for you. Once you’ve decided, stick with it. There are lots of opportunities coming up, as charities are taking Marketing much more seriously. Remember that successful charity brands are now major players. Many people have very positive associations with these brands. Some charities have also considerably expanded their online presence. All in all, there is huge potential in this sector for graduates interested in Marketing.

You don’t need to be arrogant, but you do need to show that you are competitive and ambitious.’ n

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case studies | SALES, MARKETING & PR

Alice Jackson

Age: 24 Degree and university: Psychology and Physiology BSc from Cardiff University Job title: Account Manager, MRA Marketing Were you always interested in Marketing/PR? No. I wasn’t really sure what it was, but everyone around me kept telling me I’d be really suited to PR. I had a friend who worked in an agency and asked her to explain to me what it involved. I quickly realised that it seemed ideal. I enjoy the creative writing and design aspects of my job, but also relish the interaction and communication with others. I can’t work without pressure and with Marketing you’re always on the go because if you’re not working to a deadline, you’re creating your next one. What factors made you decide on your particular university/degree? When I applied for university, I had little idea what career I

wanted. I’d always been passionate about Psychology and found the human mind and its characteristics fascinating. (I also found it fascinating that it could actually be taught to people and turned into statistics!) But because I wasn’t certain about careers I chose joint honours with Physiology, as human biology was another passion of mine. Having completed my degree, I am glad I chose to do subjects that interested me and I very much enjoyed university. Can you describe exactly what you do? I am an Account Manager responsible for several clients’ PR and marketing activities. My main role is to coordinate the writing of articles, letters, and press releases in trade magazines and direct mail campaigns and newsletters to the trade. I also work closely with our in-house creative team to develop effective advertising campaigns, direct mails, and websites for clients. Other parts of my job include networking and lobbying for my clients amongst editors. The company has gone through a period of change since I’ve been here, moving from being solely trade PR to doing consumer PR and creative design and Marketing. Like I say, you’re always on the go …but each aspect of the job is a lot of fun! Would you undertake further study to help your career progression? Yes. I would like to do my Marketing Diploma in the next two or three years. While on-the-job experience is invaluable, I’d like to develop my universal knowledge in the field and may specialise in online viral Marketing in the future.

'A Looking for a dynamic sector that rewards talent and hard work? Hannah Davies is sold on Sales.

‘

Having to be positive and proactive are both very enjoyable.

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What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? Having to be positive and proactive are both very enjoyable. It’s very rewarding to see a website you’ve worked on for months go live or receive an enquiry from an advert you had the brainwave for. However, sometimes you have a lot of deadlines at the same time so you have to time plan efficiently. You have to be able to take criticism on the chin – sometimes your work and your ideas might seem great to you but your boss or client may think they’re rubbish! What do you believe you gain personally from your career? Confidence – this has grown tremendously since choosing to work in Marketing. You have to approach people and appear confident in what you’re talking about all the time. At first, this was very daunting but once you’ve done it a few times, it gets more fun!

re you trying to sell me something?’ The suspicious tone in which this question is usually asked says all you need to know

In financial terms, choosing a Sales career might well be a shrewd move. Starting salaries range from £17 – 22k, but can quickly increase through commission. Indeed, the commission-based system

about the traditional attitude towards Sales. But if you think working in Sales is

used by many employers in this sector is a huge incentive for ambitious graduates

just about cold-calling, you might well miss out on your dream career. Sales, in essence, is the practice of selling goods or services. Given the number of different saleable products in the world, from financial services to fireworks, paperclips to people (if you work in recruitment, that is!), there is a vast array of positions available for bright graduates. Employers include financial institutions, blue-chip technology companies, and major publishing houses. What’s more, sales techniques vary between products and companies. So whether you think you’d prefer cultivating long-term relationships or making quick sales, being based in an office or taking to the road, there’s bound to be the right role for you.

who want tangible rewards for their hard work. As Donna Miller, European HR Director at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, puts it: ‘Careers in Sales allow you to determine your income – and what’s better than that?’ Mike Milford, Manager at Sales and Marketing recruitment specialist BMS, also points out the sector is likely to survive recent predictions of global economic instability: ‘Salespeople will always be needed to sell products and increase revenue.’ Still need convincing? Sales offers graduates rapid career progression – whether or not you ultimately decide to stay in this sector. ‘Working in Sales gives you the opportunity to equip yourself with invaluable skills, such as persuasion, communication, and negotiation skills,’

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YES, I’D LIKE TO SPEND AN ETERNITY IN MY BOSS’S SHADOW UNTIL MY IDENTITY DISAPPEARS INTO THE ETHER.

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/rwmmay08 or call 0870 850 1232.

We are an equal opportunities employer

NO, I’D RATHER GET NOTICED, GET ON THE FAST-TRACK TO PROMOTION AND RUN MY OWN BUSINESS WITHIN 2 YEARS.

case studies | SALES, MARKETING & PR

says Miller. ‘These are really important business assets that can be used in any career in the future.’ For example, Milford believes that Sales can be an excellent starting point for anyone interested in management: ‘One of the advantages of Sales as a career is that it allows you to progress through an organisation quickly,’ he says. Sales, therefore, is the perfect destination for high-flyers. As you would expect, people skills are a must – shrinking violets need not apply. ‘From a Sales perspective, we are looking for candidates with flexibility, a sales aptitude, and strong communication skills,’ says Donna Miller. Extracurricular activities can provide vital CV points for aspiring super-salespeople: ‘We like to see candidates that have had some work experience as well as participated on their campus in clubs and organisations,’ she says. Organisations such as the Institute of Sales and Marketing can provide advice on Sales qualifications and training, but Miller recommends gaining real world experience first: ‘I strongly believe that further study is mostly beneficial after some initial professional experience.’ n

Emile Farley

Age: 24 Degree and university: BA Ancient History, Bristol (2004), MA Publishing, London College of Communication University of the Arts London (2006) Title: Rights Administrator for SPCK Publishing What do you actually do? I manage the process of selling foreign rights to our books. This involves generating interest through emailing/mailing out Sales material (catalogues etc), meeting with foreign publishers at book fairs, sending out the books

they are interested in for them to review, and then negotiating a contract when they decide they want to licence a book. I also draw up the contracts and then see they are signed and that we invoice the advance. Sometimes, when we sell a book to the USA, we make what’s called a co-edition deal, where we print the books for the US publisher. In this instance I also make sure that we have all the extra things we need from the US publisher (their cover, ISBN, copyright information) and that it arrives in time for the print deadline. In addition, I deal with all the permission requests that are sent to us when someone wants to reproduce some of our material. What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? It’s pretty varied. I can be writing a contract,

‘

I enjoy seeing new Heinz products on the shelf, and feel proud to be part of the company.

’

negotiating terms, booking a stand at a book fair, or writing Sales material all in one day. I also get to set my own schedule, which is nice. In Rights there are not many hard and fast deadlines, so I don’t feel too pressurised most of the time. It’s only really in the run up to book fairs that things can get stressful. Of course, I would rather have more control over what books are produced. Although it’s nice that you get to work with a wide variety of books, it’s not much fun when you have to sell books you don’t like, or worse, don’t understand. Ultimately I’d like to be buying rights as well as selling them. What strengths do you need to succeed at what you do? Selling rights is all about organisation. With so many books and different foreign publishers the key is to keep on top of your workload. It’s good to be something of a salesman/negotiator as well, but there’s no real ‘hard selling’ in publishing, so you don’t necessarily need the gift of the gab. You are usually dealing with publishing directors or editors who know what they want, and will usually only offer on a book after consultation with their board. It’s more important to research the companies you’re dealing with and be good at selecting which books might interest them, so that you can target your selling.

Hannah Crampton

Age: 22 years old University and degree: Sheffield Hallam University, BSc Hons Food and Nutrition Job Title: Sales Graduate on the 2007 Heinz Graduate Programme. Customer Analyst on the Sainsbury’s and Waitrose account team What do you actually do? At present, I am a Customer Analyst working across all product categories. On a day-to-day basis, I manage the Customer Marketing budget, and ensure as a team we are planning and executing relevant and effective marketing in store. This includes in store and outdoor sampling, magazine advertorials and online promotions. Examples of activity I have recently booked include an outdoor sampling road show, which was used to drive trials of our new soup ranges, Farmers’ Market and Soups of the World, and a brand advert in the Sainsbury’s Magazine to raise awareness of additional products in the hugely popular Cook at Home Infant Feeding range. I also provide the National Account Managers with accurate information on how categories and products are performing in Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. Were you always interested in Sales as a career? I have always been interested in working in the food industry, but I was undecided about the specific area of work until I completed a one-year placement working for a large food manufacturer. Whilst at work, I decided I wanted to move into the commercial side of the business, hence my application for the Graduate Sales position at Heinz. How did you find out about this opportunity? I was carrying out some research on the Heinz website when I came across the Graduate application form. What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I enjoy seeing new Heinz products on the shelf, and feel proud to be part of the company. I also enjoy seeing the activity I organise in Sainsbury’s and Waitrose stores in action and the sales it drives in store. There are no real downsides to my job. Managing the budget is quite a time-

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case studies | SALES, MARKETING & PR

consuming task, however the work involved is necessary to ensure the budget is effectively managed and no over or under spend is missed. What skills do you need to do what you do? • Great team player with both Heinz employees and external agencies • Willingness to work hard • Organisation skills • Numerical reasoning • Excellent communication skills

What would be your best piece of advice for people coming into this sector? Wherever possible, work in the industry whilst studying at university to understand what you truly want to do and are passionate about. My degree was a sandwich course, so I worked in industry for a year and this proved invaluable for both my final year at university and my career progression following graduation. A sandwich course enables you to explore career options in a safe environment, which you will not

experience at any other time in your career. I also completed a month’s voluntary work at a nutrition company during the summer break, which taught me about the areas I wanted to specialise in in the future. Would you like to add anything? I would highly recommend joining Heinz. Although it is hard work, I have fun and smile every day at work.

corporate PR to consumer, technology, music, and film. As such, it’s difficult to summarise exactly what a new graduate joiner would do on a daily basis, but typical tasks include helping to plan campaigns, creating press releases, and organising and attending events. This is an exciting time for the PR industry. While PRs are most often

Screen legend Lauren Bacall once said: ‘In Hollywood, an equitable divorce settlement means each party getting fifty per cent of the publicity.’ In a world where reputation is everything, Public Relations (PR) can have a very real impact on business. Hannah Davies finds out more.

associated with the traditional print media, Trezise highlights ‘the constant evolution in how audiences want to be communicated with’, from social networking sites to mobile phone updates; creative thinking is key. Such a fastmoving sector offers considerable scope for bright graduates: ‘You are never bored. There is always an opportunity to think deeply and be challenged,’ says Trezise. The starting salaries may not be great – around £18,000 in London and £12,000 elsewhere – but as Ann Mealor, Deputy Director-General of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), points out: ‘Career prospects are good and there are opportunities to progress quickly if you are talented and committed to your professional development.’ Indeed, the industry regularly ranks

among the five most popular career choices for UK graduates. Competition for

R is all about communication. The industry is concerned with getting the word out about goods, services, organisations or people. As Joanna Trezise, Associate Director of

entry-level positions is intense. Your first PR challenge is to promote yourself to prospective employers as the best possible candidate in a crowded field. As you might expect, Trezise confirms that communication skills are vital, such as ‘the

Fishburn Hedges PR agency, puts it: ‘The role of the PR adviser is to ensure that the

ability to read people and adjust your communication with them accordingly,

message and means of its delivery have the maximum impact.’ PRs work either on a consultancy basis, which means dealing with a variety of different brands, or as part of an in-house team. Careers in Public Relations encompass a wide range of sectors, from City, financial, and

confidence in presenting to clients and journalists.’ But it’s not just about the gift of the gab: the attributes of Trezise’s perfect PR also include ‘excellent writing skills, attention to detail, pursuit of perfection, and the ability to grasp new subjects and concepts quickly.’

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case studies | SALES, MARKETING & PR

by doing the job, and there is no substitute for experience in handling tricky situations, which unfortunately you won’t get in a classroom.

Paul Raeburn

Age: 24 Degree and university: BA in Politics, Philosophy & Economics from Pembroke College, Oxford University. Job title: Associate Consultant at Fishburn Hedges PR, (joined in August 2006) Were you always interested in PR? I had never really considered PR while at school or university. When I graduated, I looked around at all the options open to me, and wasn’t initially convinced I suited any particular career. It wasn’t until someone said to me ‘in PR, you’re paid to read newspapers’ that it dawned on me. I’d always been a big consumer of media and, once I found out more about PR, I realised the chance to earn a living through your writing, and verbal communication skills really suited me. What factors made you decide on your particular university/degree? My two favourite subjects at school were History and Economics, and I’d always had a keen interest in Politics. Oxford had a great reputation for Politics and Economics, and although I had to do a year of Philosophy (which was tough at times) it was worth it to study the two subjects I enjoyed the most. Having a good understanding of the news agenda and the big issues of the day was part of my degree and is now a big part of my job. Can you describe exactly what you do? I work with five clients, all with differing needs. For some, I spend a lot of time talking to journalists, trying to persuade them to write directly or indirectly about my client. The trick is to provide journalists with ideas or content that will be useful to their readers or viewers, but also positive and helpful to my client. At other times, I will be advising clients about engaging with other stakeholders, such as the government or consumer watchdogs, to build support for what they do. In and among all this, there is a lot of writing to be done, such as drafting press releases, preparing briefing documents for clients, writing proposals for new ideas, and producing copy for the articles we sometimes write for our clients. Would you undertake further study to help your career progression? Not in the short-term. In the early years, I think you progress fastest

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I like the fact you really need to have a lot of skills at your disposal. You need to be creative to come up with new ideas, but that’s only the start – you need to sell your ideas, manage your relationships with clients and journalists, and be able to deliver on what you promised at the end of it all. On top of this, the issues and challenges can be completely different from one client to another. You can be trying to engage teenagers in the morning, and then appealing to CEOs of major companies in the afternoon. The feeling of looking back at an idea that you came up with and then hearing it being discussed on the radio is very satisfying, and there aren’t too many other professions where you can really see your results so vividly. You need to understand that your role can sometimes be in the background to others and you may not get all the glory from your good work. Clients can also be demanding of your time, and you always need to remember who’s paying the bills and be nice to them! I also have a lot of friends who work in the City and I would admit that my wages don’t compare to theirs. That’s never been too much of a problem for me, but I guess that could be annoying if you’re very motivated by money.

Suhan Razzaque

AGE: 25 Degree and university: MSC Human Computer Interaction with Ergonomics from UCL Job title: Assistant Publicist, Premier PR (film PR) What do you actually do? I am responsible for maintaining press cuttings files and scanning press cuttings as requested for reviews and other material relevant to Premier PR (PPR). This includes updating our publicity reports as new projects break. I also compile research for press releases and other purposes, for which I use image.net/PAPicSelect or similar online photography distribution systems. During the day I answer and respond to

telephone enquiries. Premier PR is involved with handling the press for many films from pre-production right through to postproduction and until they are released, so I book preview screenings, compile invitation lists to those press screenings, and coordinate the mail-outs for invites and press materials (press kits, EPKs and audiovisual material), as well as logging in RSVPs. I then attend the press screenings and events to check-in guests and to hand out press material. Were you always interested in film PR as a career? While I was at University I had a part-time job at my local cinema called the Stratford Picture House, where I had various roles. I was given responsibility for the PR work by liaising with head office and this is where my enthusiasm for this area developed. How did you find out about this particular job? I saw the job advertised in The Guardian newspaper. This was for a six month internship with Premier PR via Skillset. The reason why I applied for the programme was down to Skillset’s moral value of creating equal opportunities within the media and film sectors and the great opportunities for learning while I was training. I was selected via an interview process by Charles McDonald who is one of the Chief Executives of Premier PR. After my six month contract had ended I was given a permanent job as Assistant Publicist within the company. Without Skillset I would not have been able to fulfil my dreams of working in this lucrative business of film PR. What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? I like the fact my role is flexible and I get to do something different everyday. It’s really nice to meet new people on a day-to-day basis. I also get to see lots of new films! There are not many downsides to what I do. But at times, when we are extremely busy, it can get quite hectic and stressful. What skills do you ned to succeed in this sector? You definitely need the ability to multi-task, to pitch, and to persuade. You must be extremely flexible, and a quick thinker with the ability to be spontaneous. But most of all you need to be good with people and have excellent communication skills. n getting in: • PR advisers come from a range of academic backgrounds. • There are several postgraduate PR qualifications on offer – see www.cipr. co.uk for more details. • Some of the larger PR firms offer graduate schemes. •W ork experience is essential. •S ee www.realworldmagazine.com/ jobs for the latest PR opportunities.

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PROMOTION | WEST MIDLANDS

MIDDLE EARTH WARWICKSHIRE

BIRMINGHAM

STAFFORDSHIRE

COVENTRY

WORCESTERSHIRE

HEREFORDSHIRE

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WHAT DO OZZY OSBOURNE, LENNY HENRY, AND WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ALL HAVE IN COMMON? YOU MAY BE SURPRISED TO DISCOVER THEY WERE ALL BORN IN THE WEST MIDLANDS, A REGION THAT SPANS FIVE COUNTIES, HOSTS THE COUNTRY’S SECOND CITY, AND IS HOME TO THE LIKES OF CADBURY AND THE ANNUAL V FESTIVAL. THIS IS A GREAT AREA TO CONSIDER ONCE YOU’VE GRADUATED, AS IT OFFERS PHENOMENAL JOB AND LIFESTYLE OPPORTUNITIES. BY LUCY DINSDALE, PROJECT MANAGER GRAD-CENTRAL

or a start there’s the exciting city of Birmingham, which boasts more attractions than you can shake a stick at. The recent development of the Bullring Shopping Centre, with the award-winning Selfridges store, is a shopping experience you’ll never forget. Wander further and the bars of Broad Street and Brindley Place buzz at every hour of the day and night. A fifteen-minute train journey away is the National Exhibition Centre, which hosts events to cater to every taste -- from the annual Clothes Show Live, to the latest pop and comedy acts. Thanks to organisations such as Birmingham Future, the city’s graduate scene is also an active one. Birmingham Future is a lobbying and networking organisation whose aim is to represent the vibrant community of young professionals working in the city’s professional and financial services sector. Annually, it hosts a Welcome to Birmingham event for graduates new to the city. Alex Bishop, Chairman of the organisation and a Partner at law firm Shoosmiths, says: ‘There has never been a better or more exciting time to establish a career in Birmingham.

large blue-chip training schemes that would take them away from the area. But I was keen to stay there, and got my first graduate job with a creative consultancy called Impact Innovation in Leamington. Although the company was small, our clients were all blue-chip organisations such as John Lewis, O2 and Britannia Building Society. Working for a small company was great as I got to be involved in every aspect of the business – I would definitely recommend it!’ The West Midlands is living proof that graduates can put their skills to good use in the most rural of places. After graduating with a Law degree from Cardiff University, Helen Turner returned to her home in Worcestershire with the intention of developing her career locally. She was successful in gaining a job as an account executive with PR consultancy Pinstone Communications, based just over the border in Leominster, Herefordshire. Her experience shows graduates looking to work in popular areas such as PR don’t necessarily have to head for the bright lights to realise their career ambitions. In Staffordshire the number of businesses totals 27,000, and opportunities for graduates looking to work surrounded by beautiful countryside are plentiful. With some of the most affordable housing around, and a location less than an hour away from Manchester, the towns and villages of the region’s most northerly

Whether you’re looking to work in a large or small company, from the professional

county are definitely worth considering. Now a new service designed

services to the creative sector, Birmingham has it all.” As a student city

specifically to help graduates find quality jobs in the West Midlands has been

Birmingham boasts its fair share of chilled-out suburbs only a bus ride from the centre. Moseley and Harborne are popular with new graduates as they retain a mixture of affordable housing to rent, and great bars and restaurants. However, the West Midlands is far more than just the metropolis of Birmingham. Travel a mere thirty minutes south by train or car and the cityscape disappears to make room for the rolling hills of Shakespeare’s Warwickshire. Career opportunities in the south of the region are plentiful as Lucy Abbot, a Warwick University graduate, has found. ‘During my degree, I lived in Leamington Spa and absolutely loved it,’ she explains. ‘Many of my friends applied to

launched. Grad-Central aims to bring together graduate-hungry employers from across the area, and those looking to develop their career anywhere from Worcester in the south, to Newcastleunder-Lyme in the north, and all destinations in-between. Visit Grad-Central at www.gradcentral.co.uk to register your details and receive news of upcoming job opportunities as they happen.

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Photograph: © iStockphoto.com

PROMOTION | WEST MIDLANDS

Chiang Natalie Age: 22 Degree and university: BA Journalism, Media & Broadcasting, Cardiff University Title: Client Services Assistant / Graduate for Urban Communications, Brimingham Natalie was born in the Far East and moved to the Midlands when she was 10 years old. After studying in Wales she decided not to head off to the bright lights of London, but to return to the Midlands to pursue her career. What do you actually do? Effectively, there are two main roles in my capacity of a client services assistant/graduate. The first is to help the Directors in handling client queries, requests or needs efficiently, and the second is to watch and learn. The client handling often involves telephone or email correspondence to ensure clients are updated on progress and to verify if they are satisfied with our service. The role also involves assisting the two Directors in the handling of projects. They will tell me what it is that they’re looking for and through extensive researching and analysing of information I deliver the raw goods they can then mould into something that fits the clients’ needs. What I have found is because the company I work for is a SME, there isn’t a rigid job role that I adhere to. This is mainly because there are so few of us, and so we all have to chip in and do a little extra. My role can be said to be fairly open and can change from day to day depending on the nature of each project. I find this very interesting and stimulating. It also provides me with a wider scope of experiences and exposure, as well as space to develop into a part of the team. Why did you decide to stay in the West Midlands after graduation? A number of reasons made me decide to stay in the West

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Midlands. 1) It offers a vibrant and diverse community 2) Everything you need and more is in the West Midlands 3) The West Midlands is undergoing massive regeneration and there are plenty of opportunities for people 4) Practicality, as living costs are reasonable (especially for a graduate with debt!) 5) Familiarity, because this is my first proper job I like to have my support network of friends and family close by. What do you most like about what you do? Independency - I don’t feel like I am constantly being monitored when handling projects but that I have been entrusted with the freedom to get on with what I do Guidance – Though I have that freedom, I always feel like I have a strong guidance behind me. Whenever I am unsure, there is always someone I can turn to for help Experience & exposure – Because the team is fairly small, I have been entrusted with a range of responsibilities that I would not necessarily have the opportunity to do if I were working within a large corporation Diversity – The range of clients and projects that the company deals with provides variety to my job role. It also provides an opportunity to meet a range of people. Are there any downsides to living in the West Midlands? I love the West Midlands and it will always be the place I grew up. The only reason I would ever leave the West Midlands is because I do not want to fall into the trap of complacency. Because the West Midlands is my home and where the majority of my friends and family are, it is very easy for me to stay and not move on. However, I firmly believe that eventually, I will have to move away to further expand my horizons and seek out new challenges. Other than that, I cannot find any downsides to living in the West Midlands.

orris Jason N

bot Lucy Ab Age: 24 Degree and university: BA (Hons) Politics and Philosophy, University of Warwick Lucy grew up in Cornwall and moved to the West Midlands when she went to study at Warwick University on the outskirts of Coventry. Following her first year living on campus, she moved to live in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. She works for Impact Innovation, a creative consultancy in

PROMOTION | WEST MIDLANDS

Age: 23 University: University of Durham 2004 – 2007, BA Business Hons Job Title: Graduate Apprentice Jason was born & brought up in Devon, but after Durham, decided to stay in the West Midlands because of the varied and interesting work that exists there. What do you actually do? I’m going to spend one year following three diverse work placements within the professional services industry. The scheme has been developed by Birmingham Future, the young professionals networking organisation. The placements are with Deloitte in its International Tax Department, and then two SME’s: LMM which is a property management company, and 3Form, a creative design agency. The idea is to give me a wide ranging level of experience to be able to make an informed decision about my career upon completion of the scheme. As the only UK Graduate Apprentice, it also allows me fantastic exposure to the Birmingham and West Midlands Business Community, enabling me to build networks to benefit my future career. As I do not have a set career path yet, for me the aim is to make an informed decision about where I want to head, and I can only do that by ‘trying things out’. The Graduate Apprentice role gives me the chance to work for a corporate giant in Deloitte, as well as

‘

LIVING IN THE WEST MIDLANDS OFFERS THE PERFECT BALANCE OF A PROFeSSIONAL WORKING LIFESTYLE WITH AN ACTIVE PERSONAL LIFESTYLE.

showing me the more personal side of a family-owned business. It enables me to compare the differences between how the two are run, and to learn about the complex relationships within SME’s. I can see how the large, corporate world would lead to a specific job role, whereas within a SME, the work is varied and job descriptions are constantly evolving. For me, my career is about being challenged, as traditionally it is the way in which I produce my best results. For me, it’s fantastic that I can come to work on a daily business and be working on real life projects, where my input makes a real difference. Being young and a recent graduate also means that I can sometimes have a new way of looking at old problems, which can produce interesting solutions, and this opportunity to establish myself is a unique one. Why did you decide to stay in the West Midlands after graduation? My partner is currently completing her LPC at the College of Law in Birmingham, and after she had studied at Birmingham University, we both decided

i really loved living in leamington so when the opportunity to work there came up, it was a no-brainer!

Leamington Spa advising companies that want to do something different in their approach to customer service. What do you actually do? Absolutely anything and everything – that’s the great thing about it! In my role as Creative Co-ordinator, I am the main source of support for the consultants in the business. When I first started in the role, I provided creative and logistical support for client projects but I became really interested in the design side so my work has become more focused on that area. I came up with the idea of our “coffee reads” – they’re a promotional tool we use to tell companies about what we do, but they’re a bit quirky. I was really able to let my imagination run wild and developed the look and feel of them. They’re now sent out to all prospective clients, and the response has been really positive. Why did you decide to stay in the West Midlands? I really loved living in Leamington and thought a lot about the

’

opportunities to work there. My friends were all prepared to move away after university to work on various blue-chip schemes but I thought working in a small company might suit me more. So when the opportunity came up at Impact, it was a no-brainer! What do you like most about what you do? I’ve been able to see how every part of the company works, which is really interesting – I’ve learnt so much. I also get to do something different everyday! There’s a massive amount of camaraderie – you know everything that’s going on and you can be really nosey! The great thing about Impact is that they’re a small company which really values the approach a graduate brings to them. I also get to see the big company picture too, through the work that Impact does with their clients who are mainly large organisations. On a daily basis, I work with people from the likes to O2, Waitrose and Accor hotels which gives me a great view of life in a large company.

’

that the city was a place where we wanted to establish our careers. To us, Birmingham offers the corporate, young professional lifestyle that we both desire, but at a cost of living that we can afford. Having both grown up in Devon, the opportunities available in a thriving city are fantastic, and now living in the Jewellery Quarter, our work/life balance is fantastic, and to me, unrivalled by any other city. I am also passionate about the development of the city, and through Birmingham Future, take an active part in helping to shape the future of the city for young professionals. How did you find out about this particular scheme? The Graduate Apprentice programme is marketed by Birmingham Future through university career’s websites. The scheme is designed for a recent graduate (within the last three years), and as such, all advertising takes place through universities and Graduate Advantage. I was fortunate enough to have access to Birmingham university’s careers website where I first found out about the position. This then enabled me to find out more about the three placements. What do you like the most about living in the West Midlands? Living in the West Midlands offers the perfect balance of a professional working lifestyle with the opportunity to have an active personal lifestyle at the same time. With easy access to the city centre, and developed areas such as Brindley Place and the Mailbox, finding new things to do is never a problem. Birmingham’s Business Community, while compact, is fantastically diverse, and new opportunities are constantly evolving. The city is also extremely focused on development, and this is shown by the large amounts of residential and commercial building that is taking place. The city is an exciting place to be, and with fantastic links to the rest of the country, it’s easy for me to invite my friends from other regions. Are there any donwsides to living in the West Midlands? I am some distance from my family in Devon, but ultimately they are only a phone call away. I do think that the transport links need an urgent upgrade. I believe that the development of New Street Station is vital to the local economic growth, and am delighted it has now been given the go ahead. The West Midlands can also struggle to establish its identity, it’s not quite the North, not quite the South, and therefore ends up somewhere in the middle. While the cost of living is low in comparison to London, I still believe there needs to be more affordable housing options within walking distance of the city centre. n

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Y L L A I C O S D E D MIN SOCIAL WORK CAN BE AN EXTREMELY REWARDING CAREER, BUT IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. AS A SOCIAL WORKER YOU BECOME AN ADVISER, ADVOCATE, LISTENER, AND COUNSELLOR TO SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN SOCIETY, OFTEN PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS WHO NEED REAL, PRACTICAL SUPPORT.

ocial Workers help them to live more successfully within their local communities by enabling them to find solutions to their problems. However, it can be mentally harrowing when their physical or emotional sufferings seem insurmountable. You need to be mentally resilient yourself in order to cope. But, when you know you have made a tangible difference to your clients’ lives, it can be very satisfying. It can also offer a decent living wage, with newly trained Social Workers earning around £18,000 rising to £30,000 and above as they become more experienced. If you are the kind of person who likes to put as much back into the community as you take out, and are outgoing and sociable, then being a Social Worker could be for you.

other people. ‘Above all else you have got to have an interest in helping others.’ Social Workers operate closely with other organisations including the police, NHS, schools, and the probation service in order to assess their clients’ care requirements, to ensure they receive the specific support they need. Many start their careers with experience in Social Care and they tend to specialise in either adult or children’s services.

WHAT THEY DO, WHERE THEY WORK Because of the many different sections of society they work in, and variety of people they help, Social Workers don’t spend their lives stuck in an office; for much of the time they are out in the community interacting with their clients. Some work in outreach teams, making visits to family homes where the welfare of the children is the priority. Others work in youth clubs, in both adult and children’s residential homes, in respite

BECOMING QUALIFIED To become a Social Worker you must take an honours or postgraduate degree that involves coursework and a minimum of 200 days spent in practice settings. Social Workers must also register with the General Social Care Council. A high proportion of students come to the course as a second or third career, bringing previous qualifications and a range of work and life experience with them. This experience may be considered in place of formal academic qualifications when assessing your eligibility. Most universities ask for two A Levels or equivalent qualifications, and experience of working with people as a volunteer or employee in Social Care (say in a nursing home or youth centre). A full-time course usually takes three years, although some universities offer part-time courses. For a full list of universities and colleges who offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, visit www.

homes and hospices, and even in hospitals. Also, Social Work is not just

socialworkandcare.co.uk or www.gscc. org.uk/home/ 

about helping your clients; it’s about assisting their families and friends too. For

FEATURE | SOCIAL CARE

example, Social Worker Nicky Martin works in a hospice for terminally ill cancer patients. Her job is to help the children, siblings, and other relatives of these patients come to terms with their bereavement, both before and after the actual death. She says: ‘Working with the children is what I like best about what I do. I also like working in a very supportive team with the doctors and nurses. The worst thing is that there is a lot of sadness attached to my work.’ Because of this Nicky says you have to have a positive outlook on life and be able to balance your work life and your private life. She believes a sense of humour is paramount to being a successful Social Worker as well as having the ability to connect with

SOCIAL WORKERS - THE NUMBERS Social workers in employment in the UK: 96,831 (Source: ONS April – June 2007) Social Work: Degree Count of Registrations in UK Undergraduate: • Full-time College based 3633 • Employment based 131 • Part-time College based 100 • Employment based 371 • Undergraduate Total 4235 Postgraduate: • Full-time College based 1187 • Employment based 41 • Part-time Employment based 7 • Postgraduate Total 1235 Grand Total: 5470 (Statistics for the period: 1-Apr-06 to 31-Mar-07)

rphy Laura Mu

Age: 33 Degree and university: BA (hons) in Social Work at London Southbank University Title: Children’s Practitioner What do you actually do? I work for the London Borough of Hackney in the Looked After Children Service. I work with children who, for various reasons, cannot be cared for by their families. The children are in foster care or in residential care. I work as part of a small Social Work unit, which is led by a Consultant Social Worker and also comprises a Social Worker, a family therapist and a unit co-ordinator the administrative jobs that Social Workers hate. We work as a small team responsible for the care of 40 children. This way of working is new and unique to Hackney, which is what attracted me to the job. The work involves responsibility for ensuring that the children receive a good standard of care in their placements. I deal with problems that occur for the child or the carer, for instance if a child is unhappy at school. I ensure that good plans are in place for the children’s long term care. My role in working with Looked After Children is to promote the child’s welfare and ensure that his or her needs are being met. I monitor the child’s health and educational development as well as working with other professionals and foster carers to help meet the child’s social, behavioural and emotional needs, this may include joint work with the unit’s family therapist. To enable me to do this, a big part of the role is building relationships with the children and I make regular visits to them. I also work with the children’s birth families and, where appropriate, promote, support and sometimes supervise ongoing contact between the child and their family. As a unit of professional working with our 40 children we meet every week together to discuss the progress of our work with the children and to plan to address any potential problems for any of the children. These weekly unit meetings enable us to share our different perspectives on each child and to share the worries and responsibilities of such important work with often very vulnerable children. Although we don’t have the day-to-day care of the children, we certainly

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You’re on the right path Newly Qualified Social Workers Schools, Children and Families Directorate This is an exciting opportunity for you to develop your career. We’re looking for creative and enthusiastic individuals to take advantage of the size, scope and variety we have to offer. Our fully integrated service gives you the chance to experience areas including Children’s Social Care, Safeguarding, Adolescent Services, Strategy and Business and Locality. What’s more, you’ll be involved in some real innovations throughout our services, schools and children’s centres as we continue to work for a better quality of life for children and young people in our community. For an informal discussion, please contact Sunny Beukes on 01245 436656. Make a difference to your future too. Application packs can be obtained by contacting the Essex County Council recruitment line on 0844 892 0992, e-mail essexcc.jobs@capita.co.uk or minicom 0870 169 9734. Please quote ref: EST192D6. For further information go to www.jobsatessex.co.uk

CASE STUDIES | SOCIAL CARE

‘

I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING THAT MATTERED, AND WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

’

feel that we take the same sort of responsibility for decisions that parents have to take. Why did you decide to do Social Work? I wanted to do something that mattered. I also wanted to do something that involved hands on work and would enable me to make a practical difference to children’s lives. What do you like most about what you do and are there any downsides? I like having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Working with children is very hopeful, and often their resilience in the face of some of the terrible things they have experienced is really inspiring. I often have to travel long distances late in the day to visit children after school in different part of the country. This can be very tiring. What skills do you believe you need to succeed at what you do? You need communication skills and the ability to communicate with both adults and children. You also need organisational skills, and you have to be a calm person under pressure, who has sensitivity, and also empathy. What advice would you give others coming into this sector? If you are considering doing social work, get some work experience to see if you’ll like it and to see if it matches your idea of what it is. Children and adult social work is very different in my experience, so try and get some experience in both to see which you like best.

a Woodall Samanth

Age: 24 Degree and university: Robert Gordon University - BA (HONS) in Social Work Job title: Social Worker in the Public Protection Team (Dundee City Council)

What does your work involve? My job involves working with prisoners who are subject to supervision once they have served a prison sentence. This mainly involves clients who have received long-term sentences (over four years), or clients who serve less than four years but are released on a Supervised Release Order, Extended Sentence, or have committed a sexual offence. The majority of clients in the team have been assessed as posing a high risk of harm and/or a high risk of re-conviction. The job involves working with clients to re-integrate them back into the community while undertaking relevant offence focused work in a bid to reduce their likelihood of re-offending. Risk assessment is a huge element of this work. Were you always interested in social services as a career? When I was at High School I volunteered with the Angus Special Playscheme. The playscheme offered daily respite to parents who had children with a learning difficulty. Volunteering showed me that I really wanted to work with people. When it came to applying for university courses I couldn’t decide between teaching and Social Work. Reading up on the required skills etc for both courses I decided I would probably enjoy the Social Work course more. How did you get this particular job? I graduated from University in July 2006 and decided to take a month off. After this I began to look at jobs and came across one working within Criminal Justice. My final placement had been within the Social Work unit at HMP Craiginches (Aberdeen) and I had really enjoyed working in the Criminal Justice sector. I applied for the job and was offered an interview. After what I thought was the worst possible interview I could have done, I received a phone call stating I had been successful in gaining a job! What do you like most about your job? I enjoy the fact that as a result of the job I get to work with a number of organisations. I also like the fact I am constantly challenged. Although this can be difficult at times, I feel I have achieved something when I do something new. The job also offers a great deal of training and I enjoy this element. Part of the job involves undertaking Cognitive Behavioural work with the clients and I really enjoy doing this type of work. Are there any downsides to your job? The job can be stressful at times. If you have a supportive team and senior this makes a massive difference to how you deal with the stress. When you are starting in any sector it can be a bit overwhelming as there is so much information to get your head around and so many articles, circulars, legislation, policies to read. However, people in your team will point you in the right direction as to the information you need to know from the start and as time progresses you will build on your knowledge of your particular sector.

What do you think are the most important skills/strengths you need to make a success of what you do? Communication is a very important skill in my job. You need to be able to have the confidence to voice your thoughts, pass on and receive information and form a working relationship with your client. An important element of communication in my job is the ability to actively listen. Clients will tell you a great deal of information and you need to be able to pick out the important strands. By showing the client that you are listening you are helping to build a working relationship. Some of the information you hear from the clients can be difficult to deal with and I think being reflective is important. You need to be aware of how the client makes you feel and how you deal with this. If you are not aware of these things it could impact negatively on your work with the client. What would be your best piece of advice for graduates wishing to come into this sector? Firstly, when applying for a job, if you are interested then phone up the relevant person and ask questions. This will show them you are interested and they may remember this interest when it comes to interview. Secondly, when you get a job, don’t be afraid to ask questions. People who have been in the job for years tell me that they are still learning. If you don’t ask questions you run the risk of making mistakes that could have potentially serious consequences. People don’t expect you to know everything when you are newly qualified so they’ll cut you some slack!

ugashi Plejada G

Age: 30 Degree and university: BA English and Literature, University of Tirana, Albania MA Health and Social Care Policies, Middlesex University, UK Job title: Country Coordinator, The Olof Palme International Center, Office Albania What does your work involve? I work for an international Swedish organisation that believes that an active, democratic civil society, based on the needs and aspirations of people, is a basic precondition for sustainable democratic social development. My main task involves selecting local partner

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Working for Europe’s largest local authority brings its challenges. That’s why we look after the people who work for us as well as the children, young people and families we care for. We’re talking about the small things that can help to make a big difference in your career. Like listening to your ideas and giving you the freedom to put them into place. Like support and a clear reporting structure – so you can get involved in big city social work without getting lost. And, a whole raft of innovations to help you get on with your job: from IT that works when you want it, to loans for a computer, a car or a bike. To find out more about a one-in-a-million move, visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/socialcarecareers

be one in a million

case studies | SOCIAL CARE

‘

one has the potential to make a change and fight for social justice, and human rights

’

organisations in civil society in Albania who have the potential to influence on poverty alleviation, development of democracy, and human rights. Moreover, I am involved in the day-to-day activities of partner organisations through monitoring their projects and offering support in the implementation of their activities. In addition, I play an important role in the process of reporting on project results and activities, for the benefit of the organisational memory and learning. Were you always interested in Social Work as a career? The interest in Social Work started when I did my first voluntary job in the Albanian Red Cross in 1998, while I was attending university. I was involved in social welfare programs which aimed to support people with disabilities, especially the elderly and children. I felt that being involved in Social Work, one has the potential to make a change and fight for social justice, and human rights. Since then, I have always been

looking for job positions that involve Social Work. However, as the Social Work term has evolved and become more dynamic, so has been my involvement. When I worked as a volunteer at The Red Cross I was involved mainly as service provider, however, now I am more involved in social policies analysis, in social and political action, to influence social policies and development. How did you get this particular job? (e.g. work experience, graduate scheme) I think my main credit was the experience I had working in similar programs as well as the enthusiasm and commitment shown in working in the field. What do you like most about your job? What I like most is the potential that the organisation and its program offer in bringing real changes in the society I live in, and improving the lives of people. The feeling that I myself can contribute to improving the lives of people, and promoting the defence of human rights in my country brings a great satisfaction in me. Are there any downsides to what you do? Sometimes it takes a long time to see the concrete results of the program, and other times it is hard to determine a realistic picture of one’s own contribution to social changes. However, as long as you make the best effort you can, it is most likely that you will achieve the expected results.

How has your postgraduate qualification helped your career? I think that to meet professional individual objectives, one has to inter-relate a system of both practice and theory. I had several years of working experience before deciding to take my master studies, experience which has helped me improve professionally and progress in my career. However, I felt that I was missing a thorough academic knowledge which would have helped me improve further. My master studies helped me gain a good knowledge and draw on a number of social theories and research methods to analyse situations, and facilitate societal changes. Now, I feel more confident in my work and more supportive towards local partner organisations which I work with. What do you think are the most important skills/strengths you need to make a success of what you do? I consider that first of all it is important to love what you do and be committed to it. It is when you put you heart in work, that things become more achievable. As related to skills/ strengths, I would mention that it is important to have experience and knowledge of the field you are working in be able to interact positively with people of different backgrounds and cultures, being those locals or internationals. My work involves building partnerships with local organisations, therefore, it is important to build a mutual trust and respect. n

Rochdale Councils

Children’s Social Care We have excellent opportunities for social care professionals at all levels and offer a range of benefits, including:

A generous relocation package of up to £8,000 Competitive salaries Effective workload management systems Strong practice development culture Good training and continuous professional development opportunities Excellent admin support Work-life balance in place The Council operates a childcare voucher scheme.

If you would like an informal chat, call Sharon Leech within our HR Business Services team on 01706 925266, who can put you in contact with a relevant manager.

For details of all our current vacancies log onto:

www.rochdale.gov.uk

"Rochdale a 3 star Children’s Services Authority - APA 2007"

careers fair faQs How do you get the most out of a careers fair? Why should you go in the first place? Real World asks the experts. words by Hannah Davies

careers fairs 2008 | overview

What happens at a careers fair?

How should I prepare?

This depends on the kind of careers fair – and there are many different types. The majority are free events that take place in large venues and showcase a range of employers, from global corporations to smaller companies. Some are themed, focusing on science or ethical careers, for example. Some are organised by the local university careers service and these are usually, but not always, held on campus. Others are organised by outside commercial organisations and are generally in city centre venues. It is important to know what kind of fair you will be attending. Jan Hewitt, fair organiser at Manchester University, explains further: ‘Autumn fairs tend to focus on exhibitors promoting their vacancies well in advance so that students can make informed decisions on whom to apply to – more of an information-gathering exercise for visitors, although companies will be eager to receive applications even at that early stage. However, the summer fairs are more immediate: at this stage it’s all about submitting your applications, making an impression, obtaining an interview, and employers may give “mini interviews” on site.’

‘Find out basic information, such as selection criteria and number of vacancies, from the company website; do not ask these things at the fair,’ says Carr. It is highly unlikely that you will have the time or inclination to visit every employer at the fair, so find out which companies are attending and draw up a target list. ‘Find out which skills your chosen employers are looking for and then ask yourself where you have shown these skills. Look at your CV – what are your Unique Selling Points [USPs]?’ says Carr. It is worth having a few copies of your CV to hand out if requested, but make sure there are no spelling or grammatical mistakes.

Why should I go?

What should I wear?

‘Careers fairs are a good way of getting a considerable amount of information in a short space of time,’ says Elspeth Farrar, director of Imperial College London’s Careers Service. You can learn a lot about the company culture: ‘Lots of companies will send recent graduate employees along with the Human Resources staff, so this is your chance to get information you wouldn’t normally find in the glossy brochures,’ Farrar explains. Depending on the type of fair, you might also be able to improve your job prospects. ‘Some employers are talent-spotting at fairs: they may take your email address and fast-track your application. This is your chance to do some networking,’ reveals Lisa Carr, advisor at Warwick Careers Service. Meeting an employer face-to-face may give you an edge over other candidates when you come to apply. ‘Attending a fair shows that you have been more proactive than just applying via the website,’ says Hewitt. Careers fairs can be useful for students at any stage of their job hunt: ‘Don’t just consider permanent work – many companies offer internships,’ says Farrar.

‘You don’t necessarily have to wear a suit, but it pays to look presentable,’ says Farrar. For recruitment-based fairs, it is best to dress as if for a first interview, whereas careers events that are mainly about imparting information will be more informal. Comfortable footwear is essential, as venues can be large and the distance between different employers’ stands considerable.

How do I make a good impression? ‘Be aware of first impressions – not just what you’re wearing, but also what you say,’ says Farrar. Make sure you have thoroughly researched both the company and the available vacancy. ‘Don’t be afraid to ask for contacts – take a business card and stay in touch by emailing after the fair to thank them for their time,’ advises Carr.

How can I overcome careers fair nerves? Preparation, preparation, preparation. ‘Have a little spiel you can introduce yourself with,’ suggests Hewitt. It’s also vital to devise questions in advance, so you don’t freeze when you get to the front of the queue.

And finally... Try to approach the fair with a positive mental attitude. ‘It’s important to remember that it’s a two-way process – companies are looking to make a good impression on you too,’ points out Farrar. Be confident: you’re brilliant; you just have to show that.

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careers fairs 2008 | cardiff Date: Wednesday 11th June 2008 Opening Times: 11:00am–3.00pm Venue: City Hall, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3ND

Cardiff university Graduate recruitment day

The Cardiff Graduate Recruitment Day is one event you can’t afford to miss this summer. A great opportunity for graduates to meet a broad range of organisations exhibiting a whole host of opportunities including graduate training programmes, full-time work, travelling abroad, setting up your own business and short-term work placements. Furthermore, as well as the main exhibition, the following workshops and drop-in sessions will be taking place: Employment Regs for International Students 12noon-1.00pm Working in Wales 12noon-1.00pm What Can I do With a Career in Humanities 2.00pm-3.00pm CV & Careers Advice Drop-in 1.00pm-3.00pm Careers for Researchers Drop-in 1.00pm-3.00pm Open all new graduates, free entry. For full details of the event, visit the event website www.careers.cardiff.ac.uk/graduate_fair Transport: City Hall is at the heart of the University and Cardiff’s civic centre, a short walk from the Students’ Union. For full details of how to get there, visit the event website www.careers.cardiff.ac.uk/graduate_fair Contact Details: Employer Liaison & Marketing Team, Cardiff University Careers Service. Tel: (029) 2087 4712, E-mail: employerservices@cardiff.ac.uk Special Events: Cardiff Graduate Recruitment Day is part of the New Grad Programme (Monday 2 June – Tuesday 17 June), workshops and talks for new graduates. To find out more please look at the Careers Service Summer Programme of Events – available at www.cardiff.ac.uk/carsv from 19 May. Facilities: Wheelchair access, disabled parking available in the City Hall car park. If you have any specific needs, please contact us at employerservices@cardiff.ac.uk in advance so we can ensure that we have adequately catered for them.

LES A W

Exhibitors: Exhibitors confirmed as of 06/05/08 (for an up-to-date list, visit the event website http://www.careers.cardiff.ac.uk/events/ graduate_fair/) include: Abbey, Accenture, the Army, BDO Stoy Hayward LLP, Capgemini UK plc, Cardiff School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, Cardiff University Careers Service, Cardiff University Postgraduate Office, Cerner, CIMA, CIPFA, Deloitte, EADS DS, EDS (UK) Ltd, Enterprise, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Ernst & Young, European Employment Services, Explore Learning, Financial Services Authority, FIS Software Limited, GDS International, GO Wales, Graduate Prospects, Grant Thornton, ICAEW, Inexus, IPL, Logica, London & Country Mortgages, Lonza Biologics plc, Majestic Wine Warehouses, Mitsubishi Motors UK, MWH, National Instruments, Office for National Statistics, Open University in Wales, Qinetiq, Real World, Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council, Royal Air Force, Royal Mail, Saudi Archirodon, South Wales Police, Swansea University, TargetJobs, Teach First, Teacher Training Wales, Training and Development Agency for Schools, University of Bath School of Management, Welsh Assembly Government and WRc Plc.

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Date: Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th June 2008 DIFFERENT EXHIBITORS EACH DAY Opening Times: 10:30am – 4:00pm each day Venue: The Armitage Centre, Moseley Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6HE

careers fairs 2008 | manchester

THE

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MANCHESTER GRADUATE RECRUITMENT FAIR

Any final year, graduate or postgraduate welcome If you’re a new graduate/postgraduate or a graduate/postgraduate from a previous year, regardless of where you studied, you are very welcome at the Graduate fair in Manchester. Some exhibitors will be looking for applicants with specific qualifications, others will have vacancies where your degree subject is irrelevant. The biggest graduate recruitment fair in the UK Come along and meet over 180 different exhibitors from all over the UK with hundreds of vacancies for Autumn 2008 – mostly full-time graduate jobs, but also some postgraduate course places and some volunteer positions. Different exhibitors will be present each day – large and small companies, recruiting for both national and local vacancies in a wide variety of sectors. ATTEND ON BOTH DAYS TO SEE EVERYONE. Transport: The Armitage Centre is just south of the city centre, within easy reach of the motorway network and railway stations. There is free parking around the Centre. It is also on a bus route from Manchester city centre and a free bus to the Fair leaves Piccadilly Train Station every 20 minutes from 9.30am until 3pm, picking up at the bus stop next to the taxi rank on Fairfield Street, beside the Station. For detailed information, please see the website: www.manchester.ac.uk/careers/graduatefair Click on “How to Get There” for a map and travel directions.

List of Exhibitors: 180 exhibitors – different ones each day so you need to attend on both days. Click on the A-Z list of exhibitors for each day at www.manchester.ac.uk/careers/graduatefair (updated daily up to the event)

Special Events: In addition to meeting with over 180 exhibitors, you can also: • Get free expert advice from a team of professional Career Consultants who will be providing individual one-to-one help. • Attend the free seminars on applications, interviews and assessment centres to help you succeed in your job search. Remember there are different exhibitors each day Facilities: Adjacent free car parking, Disabled access, Refreshments on sale at the Firs Pavilion (adjacent to the Armitage Centre), Free entry and free Fair Catalogue for all visitors on arrival, Free transport from Piccadilly Train Station. Contact Details: www.manchester.ac.uk/careers/graduatefair Tel 0161 275 2828, Eaill: jan.hewitt@manchester.ac.uk

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careers fairs 2008 | newcastle

newcastle GRADUATE RECRUITMENT FAIR Newcastle Graduate Recruitment Fair is the largest event of its kind taking place in the North East. Open to new and recently qualified graduates, finalists and postgraduate students from any institution. The event attracts over 70 local and national organisations from a variety of sectors with immediate graduate jobs on offer. See website for more details about the fair and who will be there… www.careers.ncl.ac.uk/ngrf. Transport: St James’ Park boasts an easily accessible City Centre location with excellent public transport links. For further detailed travel instructions, please see the ‘how to get there’ section on the event website. Facilities: On-site parking; fully accessible venue; refreshments available. Contact Details: Angela Smee, Events Co-ordinator Email: Angela.Smee@ncl.ac.uk, Tel: 0191 222 7768

Exhibitors: Abbey, ACCA, Accenture, Advanced Engineering Solutions Limited, Aggregate Industries UK Ltd, Aldi Stores Ltd, Assystem UK Ltd, Belzona Polymerics Ltd, Bradford University School of Management, Cargill, Charles River Laboratories, Christian Aid, CIMA, CIPFA, CK Science, Croda, Cruickshanks Ltd, CTC Marine Projects Ltd, Deloitte, Dornan Engineering, Douglas & Gordon, Duco Ltd, Eclipse Translations Ltd. EDS, Entrust, Explore Learning, Frontier Agriculture Limited, gradcracker, graduate Prospects, Graduate Recruitment Bureau, graduate-jobs.com, HJ Heinz , IBM, ICAEW, jjfox Limited, Kelly Scientific Resources, Launchpad to Law / LawCareers.Net, Majestic Wine Warehouses, Matchtech Group plc, MCS, MDS, Milkround.com, Mott MacDonald, MWH, NEPIC, Newcastle University, Nexia Solutions Ltd, NEXT, Nigel Wright Consultancy, Northumbria University - School of Law, Northumbria University, Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd, Perfect Image Limited, Press Association Training, Procter & Gamble, Quest Business Training, Real World Magazine, Robert Walters, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy & Royal Marines, Saudi Archirodon, Sembcorp UK, Siemens, Solutions Recruitment, SRG (Science Recruitment Group), Studsvik UK Ltd, Syngenta Crop Protection, targetjobs.com, Tei Ltd, The Army, The College of Law, The Logic Group, The Specials Laboratory, The Training & Development Agency for Schools, University of Sunderland, University of Teesside, Waitrose

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Date: Monday 9TH June 2008 Opening Times: 10.30am – 2.30pm Venue: Newcastle United St James’ Park

careers fairs 2008 | scotland

the summer graduate fair in scotland

Date: Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th May 2008 Opening Times: 28th May: 12.00pm – 7.00pm 29th May: 10.00am – 3.00pm Venue: SECC, Glasgow

This FREE event, organised by the University of Glasgow, will feature around 100 employers representing all UK job sectors. Open to all graduates, students, postgraduates, pre-final students and job changers looking for permanent jobs, internships, voluntary, gap year work or postgraduate study…..or simply to gather information. Other FREE features include: • Complimentary fair guide with all the exhibitors credentials and vacancy details • On-site Careers Advisers offering advice on your CV and career questions. • Seminars hosted by a selection of fair exhibitors. Topics include ‘Interview skills’ and ‘A day in the life of a……..’ Contact Details: jo.macdonald@admin.gla.ac.uk, Tel: 0141 330 4084, Website: www.gla.ac.uk/services/careers For directions to the fair visit: www.secc.co.uk

EXHIBITORS: ACCA, AGCAS, ALDI Stores LTD, Areva T & D, Army, BioReliance Ltd, BNP Paribas Securities Services, Charles River, Chartered Institute of Housing, CIMA, CIPFA in Scotland, CITCO, Cogent Sector Skills Council, Covance Laboratories, Cranfield University, Deloitte, Department for Employment and Learning (NI), Doosan Babcock Energy, Ecebs Limited / Trainline Limited, Ernst & Young , Europass, European Patent Office, EVH, Explore Learning, FDM Group, Glasgow Caledonian University, gradcracker, Graduate Prospects, Hannah-Reed, ICAEW, IT Professional Academy, Lab Support UK Ltd, Laing O’Rourke, LIDL UK Gmbh, Majestic Wine Warehouses Ltd, Matchtech Group PLC, MDS, Morgan Est, Morgan Stanley, MWH, Nationwide Building Society, NHS SCOTLAND, Pathfinder Energy Services Ltd, Proctor & Gamble, QINETIQ, Real World Magazine, Royal Air Force, SABIS - The International Schools of Choueifat (UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain), Scientfic Staffing Solutions, Scottish Enterprise - Graduates for Business, Scottish Government, Fresh Talent, SELEX GALILEO, Siemans, SIMUL8 CORPORATION, Standard Life Assurance Limited, Strathclyde Police, Teach in Glasgow, The Herald, The Scottish Government Statistics Group, University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, URS Corporation Ltd. For more information and a full exhibitor list visit: www.gla.ac.uk/services/careers/

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careers fairs 2008 | xxxx

the summer GRADUATE FAIR at earls court

Date: 3rd/4th June 2008 Opening Times: 11am-4pm both days Venue: Earls Court London

london LOOKING FOR A CAREER, POSTGRADUATE OPTIONS, GAP YEARS, ADVICE? The Summer Graduate Fair at Earls Court is free to attend and is the largest graduate recruitment event in the South of England with over 100 exhibitors each day. The event offers 1000’s of jobs and careers, postgraduate opportunities, gap year options, free advice, seminars, workshops, and competitions. By Registering we can match you to specific exhibitors, make you eligible for interviews and enter you in competitions. PRE-REGISTER FOR FAST TRACK ENTRY, INTERVIEWS AND COMPETITIONS www.summergradfair.co.uk Transport: Earls Court can easily be reached from any major train station in London. Nearets tubes are either the West Brompton Tube on the District line or Earls Court Tube Station (use the Warwick Road Exit) on the District or Piccadilly lines. More details are available at www.summergradfair.co.uk Contact Details: info@summergradfair.co.uk

Exhibitors (Over 100 exhibitors including): ACCA, Accenture, Alumni PLC, Arcadia, Atos Origin, Badenoch & Clark, BBC, BDO Stoy Hayward, Bloomberg, BUNAC, Chartered Institute of Marketing, Chartered Management Institute, Club Med, Corporate Executive Board, Datamonitor, Enteprise Rent a Car, ESCP-EAP School of Management, Euromoney, FDM Group, Flight Centre, Frontier Developments, Gallaher, Gap Sports, Goldsmiths, Graduate Recruitment Bureau, graduate-jobs.com Ltd, Hotcourses, Huntress, IBM, ICAEW, Independent, JobServe, Just IT , Latitude Global Volunteering, Lorien Resourcing , Logica , Majestic Wine Warehouses, Matchtech Group, Michael Page, Milkround, Millward Brown, Mountbatten Internship Programme, National Audit Office, Nielsen Company, Ocean Partnership, Pareto, Peter Dann Limited, Piaggio, Prospects, Queen Mary University, Raleigh International , RealWorld, Reed Graduates, RM, Roehampton University, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Second Post, 7city Learning, Snow Challenge, Softcat, SR Media, STA Travel, Steria , SThree, TargetJobs, Training and Development Agency for Schools, Thames Valley University, TNS, VDM Verlag, Waitrose, Writtle College, Zurich

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Special Events and Talks: Driving Simulator Win V Festival Tickets, STA Travel Flights, Flat Screen TV’s and more… How to succeed at Interview How to write the perfect online CV How to Survive Assesment Centres Post Grad Funding What Recruiters Look For Excelling at PR and Marketing Insight talks into Finance, Consultancy, IT, Marketing, Retail, Business Development, Entrepreneurship, Media and Broadcasting And much more…… Facilities: FREE entry, FREE event guide and exhibitors profiles, FREE seminars and workshops, FREE cv advice, WIN V Festival Tickets, STA Travel Flights a Flat Screen TV to Watch the Olympics and much more… Disabled access and parking available. Drinks and refreashements available from the café points.

You’ve thought about it for long enough.

KPMG’s Summer Events – all degree disciplines Once you’ve made a decision it’s best to act. In fact,

and that’s why we’re holding a number of summer events

it’s a relief to get on and do something. So, if you’ve been

across the country. Why not come and speak to us to find

concentrating on your exams and you’re now ready to

out what we can offer you?

make some career choices, think about KPMG. We’ve still

For more information and to register for an event, please visit

got some places open on our Autumn 2008 programmes,

kpmgcareers.co.uk/summer

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Who wins you decide. Vote now at www.realworldawards.com