Transcript Document 7148622

CHOOSING A CAREER
www.kent.ac.uk/ces
Nicola Urquhart
Careers Adviser
Agenda
• What is a career?
• What are the options?
• How can the Careers and Employability Service
(CES) help?
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm
What is a career?
• Not necessarily a linear,
planned sequence of
events
• Career choice is not an
event or occasion
• Career choice is a
process
Why is choosing a career so difficult?
ALL JOBS
which match your goals, needs, values, personality
& require your skills, qualities & qualifications
in the desired location
where there are prospects for the future
What are the options?
• Employment with
training
• Employment with
study
• Academic study
• Time out/travel
Jobs directly related to subject
What subject did they study at university?
Jobs that are not directly related to your
subject
Many employers value the skills
you have gained more than the
subject
• Communication
• Teamwork
• IT
• Research
• Analysis
• Writing
• Ability to work under
pressure
How to make a career decision
Two alternative starting points
• Start from yourself
and work out
• Start from your
opportunities and
work back
• Or, combine the two!
Many factors affect choice
• Your values and
motivations
• Your personality
• Hours
• Benefits
• Location
• Pay
Key Skills and Strengths
• Organiser
• Analytical
• Conscientious
• Able to prioritise
• Attention to detail
• Team working
• Leadership
• http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers
/Choosing/strengths.htm
Values and motivations
• To have autonomy and define your own priorities and schedules
• To work in a role that supports your personal life
• To have power and influence
• To have security and predictability
• To be a catalyst for change
• To use creativity and self expression
• To be recognised as an expert
• To work in accordance with personal, spiritual or ethical ideas
• To have social status as a result of your job
• http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Choosing/values.htm
Personality
• Energetic
• Resilient
• Creative
• Risk taking
• Relaxed
• Persistent
• Co-operative
• Sensitive
• http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/
Choosing/personalstyles.htm
How can you identify your skills/what
you would enjoy in a job?
• Work experience
• Study
• Extra-curricular activities
• Careers Employability Award
• Career questionnaires
Career Questionnaires
• http://www.prospects.ac.uk/myprospects_planner
_login.htm
• http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report
• http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/explorer.htm
How to research careers
Prospects/Careers and Employability Service
websites
• http://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_with_your_subjec
t.htm
• http://www.prospects.ac.uk/sectors.htm
• www.kent.ac.uk/ces
Researching Careers
www.prospects.ac.uk
• Overview of the sector
• Job descriptions
• Salary and conditions
• Entry requirements
• Training
• Career development
• Employers and vacancy sources
• Related jobs
Researching Careers
• Vacation/part-time work
• Internships
• Insight days
• Work shadowing
• Networking
• Kent Alumni Careers Network
Researching Careers
Check job vacancies to find out about the types of
roles being advertised
www.prospects.ac.uk
www.milkround.com
www.targetjobs.co.uk
www.kent.ac.uk/ces
Graduate directories
Careers and Employability Fairs
So much information!
How can you keep track of
your research?
• MyFolio
• Kent Union Employability
Toolkit
• Your own careers
notebook/mindmap
• http://www.careerplayer.com/tips-andadvice/general-advice/start-your-career-hunt
What if I’m still stuck?
• Make the most of
opportunities (planned
happenstance)
• Think about it little and
often
• Make an appointment
to speak to a careers
adviser
Some tips on choosing a career
• Take time over your choice
• Get to know yourself, your
employability skills, values,
personal qualities etc.
• Talk to others but make
your own decision
• Do the research
• Keep an open mind Stereotyped pictures of jobs
are rarely accurate
• Use the Careers and
Employability Service
Once career choice has been made
• Find out how that sector recruits
• Research employers/courses
• Apply
• Discuss your ideas if you are uncertain
• Change your job-hunting/application methods
if they are not working
How can the CES help?
• ‘Choosing a Career’ booklet
• Free careers literature
• Reference files & books
• IT facilities
• Talks and presentations
• Quick query drop-in sessions
• Careers guidance interviews
• www.kent.ac.uk/ces
Careers and Employability Service
Web Site: www.kent.ac.uk/ces
Careers and Employability Service Web Pages
• I want to work in ….
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/siteach.htm
• What can I do with my degree in …
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/drama.htm
• Choosing a Career
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Choosing/ChoosingCareer.htm
• Theories of career choice
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Choosing/career-choicetheories.htm
• Careers Employability Award on Moodle
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm
• What makes us happy at work
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Choosing/careersatisfaction.htm
• Example CVs & Covering Letters
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm
Careers Employability Award
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm
 The module takes about 12 hours to complete
 But this can be done at your own pace
You do this by completing:
 9 quizzes
 3 short assignments
 1 feedback form
Speak to an adviser:
• Quick query, drop in and
speak to an adviser
10.30am -12.30pm and
2.00pm-4pm Monday to
Friday.
• E mail @careerhelp and an
adviser will respond to your
query.
• You can also book a longer
career guidance
appointment over the phone
or pop in.
CHOOSING A CAREER
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm
Nicola Urquhart
Careers Adviser