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WHAT’S ON P3 WORK EXPERIENCE P4-5 BE MORE THAN YOUR DEGREE P6-7 MEET THE GBPS P10
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...Keep trying
We believe in what Samuel Johnson once said: “Sometimes great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance” Whether you are yet to establish your Plan A or are already planning routes, B, C, D... The Career Zone are here to support you with every step you take.
Welcome to
A message from a recent Geography Graduate, Katie T hick
This magazine has been produced to showcase the latest events, activities and employability services to help you with your career journey.
My time at Exeter was a rocky road and didn’t quite go to plan. During my final year I prioritised my academic studies and didn’t have a work-life balance. My mind-set was glued to studying, meaning I hardly had time to enjoy being a student let alone think of career ideas. Unfortunately my health deteriorated and I had to take an interruption from my studies. At this point I thought I had failed. Upon my return to Exeter and having finally completed my degree I reflected on how my time out from university had benefitted me massively. Not only was I in better health, I discovered a potential career path. Initially as a Geography student I had thought about working in Property or in an Environmental Organisation. Little did I know I would ever want to work in Higher Education as a Careers Consultant or Wellbeing Mentor! I’m still undecided on what I would like to do but I now know that it’s okay to be lost and okay to take time out.
In The Zone This year’s issue features a range of information about how the Career Zone can support you. At the Career Zone we understand that finding your career path or applying for a job is not always a straightforward process. Career Zone and Wellbeing have joined forces by offering you their top tips on how to combat career stresses and to make you a resilient graduate, able to cope with all eventualities. The University is dedicated to supporting your career development and offers information, advice and guidance at whatever stage you are at. Whether you are deciding what you want to do after graduation or if you are ready to apply for jobs, we can help check your application form, or CV, or advise on interview techniques. From ‘Plan A’ all the way through to your eventual success as a University of Exeter graduate, this magazine has been written to support you on your journey, with all of the twists and turns that this will inevitably involve.
Paul Blackmore, Head of Student Employability and Academic Success
This year’s edition of ‘In the Zone’ has been written to take into consideration that not all students follow the conventional path to securing a job straight after graduating. The University and the Career Zone are here to help you on your journey from undergrad study to employment. My advice to you all is to make the most of your time as a student and to get involved with everything you possibly can. Don’t worry if you haven’t already accessed support, the Career Zone will continue to support you for up to three years after graduation. Good luck with your studies and remember to make time for yourself. Katie
What’s On Grand Challenges
Every year Grand Challenges invites students to tackle problems on a local and global level. You can develop your academic skills and improve your employability by taking part in a week long programme tailored to your interests. This year’s topics include gender inequality and equal rights, securing sustainable food systems, climate change and tackling ocean plastic, global security and tackling the treatment gap for mental health patients.
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Careersfest
Careersfest at Penryn is running over two weeks so it’s your last chance before the summer where you can attend any of the many careers and personal development sessions and get entered in to our free prize draw for local festival tickets for yourself +1.
Join us and we will help you to prepare your next steps.
Craft Market Exeter Student Employee of the Year Awards (SEOT Y) Compete with other students who combine part-time or temporary work alongside their studies. To take part, simply ask a member of staff to nominate you or alternatively you could nominate them. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of student employees. There is simply nothing to lose. All nominees will receive a free gift. Get involved and get nominating. It really is a great way to make your CV shine.
Are you a secret craft maker? Do you enjoy twiddling your fingers and thumbs making various products? If so then join us at the University’s annual Christmas Craft Market and showcase TS to apply. your talents. Simply O Plog E on to My Career DENZone
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Summer Recruitment Fair The Summer Recruitment Fair returns with over 20 exhibitors offering casual, part-time and summer work, internships, Sponsored by placements, graduate jobs and postgraduate study opportunities. erfair www.exeter.ac.uk/summ
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home
Work Experience Home and Away
Juggling work and study commitments can be difficult. However, you may not have to travel as far as you think to gain experience. When looking for work experience placements, it’s important to focus on the skills learnt rather than the exact job title and role. Employers are interested to see what skills you can demonstrate and their relevance to the job. Students and graduates share their stories on how they managed to gain work experience to demonstrate that there are many opportunities available right on your doorstep, just waiting to be uncovered. “I wanted to work in fashion, however I limited my search to London as I knew this is where most fashion companies were based. My housemate suggested Footlights, a musical theatre society based on campus. I contacted the society and was in luck as they were recruiting for a costume manager to source, style and fit costumes. Working and studying on campus allowed me to juggle my responsibilities. I gained some really useful skills – leadership, teamwork, time management and communication.
“Exeter is one of the UK’s fastest growing cities. New businesses are popping up all the time, and there are always people to meet and connect with. It’s also the regional headquarters for many organisations I wanted to work for, such as Devon Wildlife Trust. There seems to be a myth that you need to go to London to get “proper” experience, but as I’ve found out, that just isn’t the case.”
It just goes to show you don’t need to search as far as you think– opportunities are everywhere, and even if you don’t find exactly what you are looking for, you can gain some great skills and meet some amazing people along the way.”
“I completed an internship called ‘Make it Marketing’ in Exeter which I discovered during a Career Zone event and applied via Access to Internships. I really enjoyed working in a smaller company as I felt actively involved in almost every part of the business. I was responsible for maintaining social media platforms, blog posts and organising and attending executive meetings. I aspire to work for the BBC or any media related industry and this placement helped me gain vital skills essential for my future career.”
Catherine Loader, BA Geography Graduate now Sourcing Assistant at Burberry “I worked in a local law firm in Property Law. It taught me a lot about what I did and didn’t want out of my career. From this I decided I wanted to move into the Third Sector, and the gateway to this was getting a job as an Academic Representation Coordinator at the University of Exeter Students’ Guild, where I gained experience in working with volunteers, higher education policy, events management and so many other things. The Guild is a registered charity so naturally this led me to think of opportunities within larger charities, and the skills and experience from both these positions enabled me to be successful in getting my current role in Fundraising at CLIC Sargent. The best thing about my job at CLIC Sargent is that I am inspired every day, motivated by what we’re trying to achieve as a charity and am learning new things all the time. The role is challenging, but rewarding. In particular I love being involved in working on our new fundraising strategy and working with a team who are extremely passionate about achieving our goals. Take any opportunity that comes your way that might help you gain some relevant experience, and think outside the box.” Jodie Peters, LLB Law Graduate, now Supporter Engagement Coordinator at CLIC Sargent
Rebecca Broad, BSc Biological Sciences
Alexandra McLeod, Flexible Combined Honours “I completed a work experience placement with a local company called Empowering Communities. I aspire to work in data analytics and cyber security. When looking for placements, I didn’t want to travel far so looked for companies close to home. I came across Empowering Communities through word of mouth and was able to work there for 2 months.” Thomas Pettengell, MSc Advanced Mathematics “I worked with Exeter City Football Club Youth Academy for the duration of the 2017/2018 season. I aspire to be a Sport Psychologist, and have been able to gain a practical understanding of the concepts I am currently studying. The club’s training facilities are located not so far from the university, which allowed to me to balance the internship with my studies and other commitments.” Franciszek Gandecki, BSc Psychology with Sport and Exercise Science
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If you’re looking for Global Opportunities...
“I took part in the Common Purpose Programme hosted at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates and was asked to ensure that cities of the future are both inclusive and sustainable. Working, studying and travelling abroad allows for an unparalleled opportunity to see different cultures, learn from different perspectives, and, perhaps most importantly, create a global network of friends. Gaining experience abroad is something I couldn’t recommend enough! The Common Purpose trip was a huge learning experience and one that I will value throughout my academic and career progression.” Natasha Lock, BA History, International Relations and Chinese “In the summer of 2017 I worked at Micro Energy International. I found the company by searching for key words relating to the industry. I learnt about the electrical engineering side of renewable energy, especially in the context of smart DC minigrids. I am looking into how I can further develop my skills in this area. I would definitely recommend working abroad as it can give you a much wider picture of career avenues. I would advise others to do lots of research, especially on social media as you can gain a lot of information about a company’s reputation and its position in the country/sector you are working in.” Johanna von Behaim, MEng Renewable Energy “I completed a Study Abroad programme in China and spent three weeks at the University of Nanjing in Jiangsu province. The programme consisted of Mandarin lessons most mornings alongside a few lectures on Chinese culture and history. I would absolutely recommend gaining experience abroad as you learn a wide variety of international and cultural skills. Since this trip my love for travelling has grown and I am now looking for Masters and graduate positions beyond the UK.” Lizzie Whaley, BSc Geography and Politics (FCH)
For more information on internships and placements visit www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/internships/
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e r o M e BT han Your e e r g e D
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At the University of Exeter, there is a plethora of opportunities you can participate in to enrich and improve your student experience. Students become partners in producing and creating these learning and development opportunities for all. Of course in terms of employability, extra-curricular activity can contribute to your overall personal development. Whenever you undertake such activity and reflect on it in terms of planning for the future you are becoming ‘More Than Your Degree’. Be More Than Your Degree is a showcase event at the start of the academic year that introduces students to all of the ‘extra stuff’ you can get involved in. “During my time at Exeter I joined XpressionFM, Exepose and PearShaped Music Magazine. I chose these societies because I love music and wanted to try music journalism and radio. These societies helped me with my writing, gave me a taste of deadlines and introduced me to so many people. My role in XpressionFM forced me to think creatively as I had to come up with new concepts for our shows and live events, and taught me how to work as part of a productive team. Without my experience in these societies, I’m convinced I would not have got my current job as Talent and Music intern at MTV. Interviewers love to ask questions about when you have worked in a team, overcome difficulties etc and every example I gave related to my societies. There are some parts of my job now that build on what I learnt in these societies, and I’m always grateful that I threw myself in, and would encourage everyone else to do so too.”
Alex Somervell established his own language learning business ‘One Third Stories’ whilst studying for his degree in International Relations and Languages. One Third Stories uses a concept developed by Alex and his business partner Jonny Pryn known as The Clockwork Methodology® which creates children’s books that start in English and end in a different language by gradually introducing words in the target language, delivered as part of a monthly subscription box. “Think: Try: Do was the first bit of support we received in the form of both mentoring and funding” said Alex. The pair also featured on the TV program Dragons’ Den, however declined an offer from Peter Jones for £60,000 in exchange for 20% of One Third Stories, valuing the business at £300,000. One Third Stories has recently secured funding of £310,000 and is now worth £2.6 million. Giacomo Poppi, IT Management for Business student has developed his own business ‘Alitica’, that’s changing the restaurant industry. The concept for his business involves an inexpensive sensor that determines customer activity within dining environments. Using vibrations, the sensors (which are cleverly disguised under the table) connect the customer and waiting staff. Through data analysis, the system derives information about service efficiency, staff performance and customer service. Alitica has been running trials with Cigierre an international hospitality group, over the past six months.
Be More Than Your Degree event feedback: Students found last year’s Be More Than Your Degree event very useful:
Katherine Giff, BA English Graduate “If you’re serious about getting a good job after University, you need to be gathering career skills and work experience so it makes sense to gain the Exeter Award at the same time. You have to balance it with your studies but it is beneficial for use with future job applications and your CV. When you get to interviews, you need to show you’re proud of having achieved something more and be prepared to talk about it. If you are confident when speaking about your Award, then employers will get a clear sense of its value.” Ben Turner, BA Politics with Geography Graduate.
90
Agreed or strongly agreed the event WAS a
90
Agreed or strongly agreed the event made them
77
Agreed or strongly agreed the event made them
86
would recommend
%
%
%
%
positive experience. feel motivated feel confident
the event to friends
Be More Than Your Degree event returns in 2018 Check on the website or My Career Zone for more details.
Be more than your degree
Be more than your degree
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Decide, Plan, Compete At the Career Zone, we want to help you with your career planning, whatever stage you are at. At enrolment every year, you tell us your current level of career planning by picking one of ten statements, which act as signposts to let us know what support would be best for you. The Career Zone aims to equip students to ‘Decide’ on a career path, ‘Plan’ for their future and ‘Compete’ for graduate opportunities.
DECIDE: No firm ideas yet and need to know where to start? We can help you with your decision-making. Understanding that you’re in the ‘Decide’ stage should help you regain focus to allow you to start planning your next steps. The careers staff can help you whittle down your ideas. We start by discussing simple things like location, working environment and salary expectations. Chances are, you’ve already made some career decisions without thinking about it; the team at the Career Zone can help you to translate those decisions into a career plan. Book an appointment, or go onto My Career Zone to take a look at our resources. View our ‘Decide’ Video ▶
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PLAN: Have a career in mind and need to learn more? Looking for experience? Then you’re a ‘planner’, we can help you plan your future. Planning is possibly the most exciting stage. You’re still thinking through ideas but not yet ready to compete for jobs, leaving you with the freedom to gain as much experience as possible. Take your time exploring as many different careers as you can, it all adds up on your CV and counts towards the Exeter Award. Use your planning time wisely, by attending careers and employer events, and apply for work placements and internships. This experience can help you solidify your ideas. At the Career Zone we would advise you to throw yourself into the planning stage and gain as much experience of different careers as possible. You would be kicking yourself if you started an essay without a plan, and it is equally important to take time to plan your career. Whether it’s an internship, overseas experience, work shadowing, mentoring, volunteering or part-time work, make the most of this career planning stage and start experiencing the wide range of careers on offer. View our ‘Plan’ Video ▶
COMPETE: Ready to apply for work or study? Already applying and need some help? You’re competing, let us help you begin your career. So you’ve decided on a career path, planned how you’ll get there and are now ready to compete for your dream job - exciting stuff! Applications are getting more and more complex and competition is high. The Career Zone can help you fine tune your applications, interview skills and even practice psychometric testing. Before competing make sure you have started career planning early, it will help with the quality and timing of your eventual applications. Good luck with your future career. View our ‘Compete’ video ▶
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s P B G e h t ...meet
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The Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) is a fantastic scheme offered by the University of Exeter. It’s a great opportunity for you to gain valuable work experience. If you’re hesitant about your next steps after graduation, a GBP can bridge the gap between graduating and deciding on your chosen career path.
GBPs provide a great chance to try out different kinds of work on a temporary basis within a supportive environment, and develop the skills necessary for your desired career. Marie Johns, Survey Project Officer
A GBP is a great chance to gain professional workplace experience and it’s a useful stepping-stone to the next thing. Applying for jobs from the position of a ‘real’ graduate job shows you have confidence and motivation. George Thomas, Employment Services Support Officer (Green Consultants)
Learning about student work vacancies and placements abroad has helped me to understand job markets in various countries. I want to make a difference by supporting refugees one day and this job has been fantastic as I have gained experience working with various nationalities. I would encourage students to apply for the GBP scheme as it gives recent graduates the opportunity to explore their options, before they have a finalised career path. Evangelia Kontidi, Employability and Work Placement Assistant
Completing a GBP is a perfect opportunity to try out a field of interest without committing the rest of your life to it. Rosie Scambler, Waste Management Support Officer DCC
I have completed two GBP placements. I first worked as an ‘Education Catalyst Project Coordinator’ and am now working as an ‘Employability Services Assistant’. I have grown more, as a professional, in the past twelve months than I would have in several years’ worth of entry level roles. I love working within education, and have decided to train as a teacher. This role has helped me to cement my career goals, and build a varied set of competencies that will help me get my career off the ground. Luke Moncrieff-Jury, Employability Services Assistant
I am hugely enjoying my experience of being a GBP, working within the Education Incubator, which turns academic ideas into real life impactful projects, as it is giving me new skills that I believe can help me in my future employability. Matthew Rolls, Higher Education Project Officer
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We work with exceptional employers locally and internationally.
In the academic year 2016/17
3,117 bs graduate Jo
1,643
671
Student Placements
We held
71 2
Casual ter m time jobs
85 0 CV reviews
application form reviews
At the start of this academic year, Final year students were in the following career planning stages: Secured a Job
10%
Deciding Competing
36%
37%
Planning
3,995
Career Consulta nt appointments
Great opportunities are available wherever you are nationally:
69% 57% 19 %
of graduates work in the region where they have grown up of graduates work in the region where they studied of graduates work in a region they did not live/study
17%
Source: Prospects, 2017
n i c n u B
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t and allows us to n ar le e b n ca h ic h le skill w ather Resilience is a valuab ack’ from challenging experiences. R you t b adapt and ‘bounce ful job applications or interviews ge . m ess than letting unsucc you to embrace and learn from the ge down, we encoura Building on your resilience skills is a great way to demonstrate to employers you can learn from adversity and won’t be defeated by any challenge. We can build resilience by being aware of how our thoughts create certain emotions. We can learn to identify our thoughts and question how helpful they are and how realistic they are. Are we imagining the worst (catastrophising) without having enough information? If so, we can learn to watch unhelpful thoughts pass and put more helpful thoughts in their place. Are we living in an imaginary future or a regretted past? We can learn to become focused on the present moment using mindfulness practices. We can learn to develop our mental health by engaging in strategies to reduce stress such as understanding what stress is, learning relaxation skills, practising mindfulness, having a healthy diet, good sleep, reducing caffeine and alcohol, problem solving, decluttering, exercising and doing activities that we enjoy.
In order to build resilience we need to be aware of the 4 ingredients of resilience. 1
Awareness: noticing what we are feeling and thinking, and whether we are stuck in the past or in an unknown future, and learning to live in the present.
2
Thinking: developing helpful/rational thoughts rather than unhelpful thoughts.
3
Reaching out: linking with others, knowing when to ask for help.
4
Mental and physical fitness.
“In my early 20s I applied for an internal auditing role with my employer. I built the role up in my head to the point where I felt that it was my only career option and therefore I had to be successful. Sadly I was unsuccessful and took the rejection personally. I found it really hard to find the strength to get back into the application process. If there is one piece of advice I would give myself back then it would be to be more resilient. Knock backs are hard at any point of your life, however, when it comes to job rejections, building up the ability to not take rejection personally and to persevere and learn from the experience is crucial if you are to succeed in the future”. Steve Wallers, Employment Services and Placements Manager
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Back The Career Zone recognises that not everyone gets the first job they apply for, or the job they really want straight away. Though in a perfect world that would happen, you need to be equipped to deal with any unexpected hurdles, taking constructive criticism in the right way and constantly improving your applications. There are various supportive services available at the university to help you build personal resilience. The Career Zone offers workshops to help support you with personal organisation, dealing with stress, time-management and learning key resilience skills. “Attending the Personal Resilience session was fantastic. It reminded me that things happen for a reason. Maybe the job I applied for wasn’t right for me, or wasn’t the right time. I learnt it’s really important not to take things to heart, but in your stride. Knock backs are tests. We fall but come back stronger. Keep trying and keep persevering! Make the most of each challenge or task you face, because one day it will be your day to shine and succeed! Katie Thick, 2017 Graduate
As well as Career Zone support, The Wellbeing Service can help you with managing stress, identifying and challenging thoughts and can teach you valuable relaxation and mindfulness practices. There are also various self-help materials to help you develop the confidence to overcome challenges by yourself, in your own time and at your own pace. Make the most of the self-help resources on offer. These can be accessed in a range of formats including books, websites and apps. The Wellbeing Service is currently developing a toolkit that can be used by any student wishing to improve their own resilience. This toolkit will provide some tips and techniques to help us to develop our own resilience, and to build life skills which will support wellbeing. Please visit the Wellbeing webpages for more information and ideas: www.exeter.ac.uk/wellbeing/
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Following on from the success of previous years, Professional Pathways have expanded to include a further five sectors, each of which offer sector specific training followed by a week’s internship within an industry. There are currently eight pathway programmes covering: Art, Culture and Heritage; Charity and Development; Digital Innovation; International Trade; Marketing; Politics, Government and the Public Sector; Sport and Health and Primary Education.
PROFESSIONAL
PATHWAYS
Pathways are open to all students, postgrad or undergrad and take place across all campuses. They run at the end of the Summer Term and are a fantastic opportunity to network, explore career options and gain additional employability skills including assessment centre experience.
ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE CHARITY AND DEVELOPMENT DIGITAL INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL TRADE MARKETING POLITICS, GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR SPORT AND HEALTH Primary Education
Here’s what some of our students thought of previous Pathways programmes: “I have enjoyed this programme immensely. I not only gained knowledge but additionally friends, network contacts, and a real understanding of the industry.” Justine Whitfield, BA History International Trade “The networks accrued are priceless. Pathways to trade has enriched me professionally – a case study based learning week where we interact with actual business owners and trade advisors – the highlight of my academic year.” Czi Lim, MSc Finance and Management International Trade
“I signed up to the Career Zone notifications system, with arts and culture as particular areas of interest. The system worked and informed me about the then upcoming Pathway to Arts Culture and Heritage. I had a read and decided to apply. The written application was quite substantial, but roughly in line with what you would expect when applying for an actual job. I had never been to anything like the assessment centre before and so approached it with a mixture of apprehension and bemusement. In fact it was a fun and interesting day. It also meant that when the training week started there were some familiar faces and fewer barriers to working with the other participants. It was really useful to have access to a wide range of professionals in the field to gauge how things had changed since I last worked in arts administration years before. I was also able to directly relate some of my MA community arts work to what we were learning on the Pathways programme. I’m also quite technophobic, so it was great to be forced to stand up next to a Powerpoint and argue my case. As a mature student, it was really lovely to realise that everyone, including me, had strengths to contribute and could help each other when necessary. I felt much more up-to-date, more credible and ready for the workplace. Pathways gave me the confidence to apply for my current role. I am now working as an exhibitions officer at RAMM, the city museum here in Exeter.” Sophie Yarde-Buller
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Tales of the
Unexpected Advice from Kate Foster, Careers Consultant
Finding a career isn’t always linear. Most of us experience a few bumpy roads along the way to achieving our desired career goals. Planning and managing your career and professional development is a lifelong employability skill, that some people find easier (or appear to find easier!) than others. The Career Zone is here to help and support you. We have a wealth of experience and resources, and we can help you up to three years after Graduation. We understand that planning a career isn’t a straightforward process for everyone, and we can help you with any career stresses you may face. You might be experiencing time-related worries about job applications, or perhaps Graduation is fast approaching and you haven’t made any plans. Maybe you’ve had a last minute wobble and decided you don’t want to complete that graduate scheme you applied for back in the autumn.
It sounds like a cliché, but finding a career really is a journey; sometimes you know what you want to do, and other times you stumble across it. Work and general life experience is the best possible way to explore what’s out there. There are some great resources including the Career Planning section of the Career Zone website which is organised around Decide, Plan, and Compete with resources aimed at whatever stage you’re at. My Career Zone now includes ‘My Career Zone Digital’ with some great information including professional insights into different industries. My top tip would be to take the time to breathe and to get to know yourself better. Sign up for some self-awareness courses, or get involved in societies. You could also get involved with the Exeter Award and Leaders Award to help improve your employability. Grasp as many opportunities as you can and break out of your comfort zone. You never know what you’ll find out about yourself, you might even start piecing together some ideas for a future career.
Reading the printed magazine? That’s ok, just visit Ex.ac.uk/itz for all the digital content
M Y C A R E E R ZONE D I G I TA L Improve your Employability with interactive tools and assessments, videos, tips, articles, podcasts, reports and e-learning courses. The My Career Zone Digital Platform contains resources to help you Decide, Plan, Compete or if you’ve already secured a job. It includes n
Sector reports such as Banking, Charities, Consulting, Media and Telecommunications. n
IT Skills courses in Excel, Word, Powerpoint and Outlook.
Workplace skills e-learning courses including: Business numeracy, Business writing, Negotiation, Problem Solving, Project Management and Teamwork. n
Career assessments on personality, motivation, decision making, assertiveness, learning styles and stress management. n
In terms of developing career resilience there is e-learning on developing resilience and coping with change and challenges. n
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Access the platform through My Career Zone.