Getting Experience & Planning Ahead 2010

Carol Macdonald

Careers Adviser

Semester 1 - 2011! Will you be ready?

Standard Bank 7 November 2010 Virgin Media 26 November 2010 Credit Suisse 17 December 2010 Standard Life (IT leadership) 10 December 2010 (&

internships) Sainsbury’s 12 December SELEX Galileo applns from Sept (1st

come 1st served) Internships Dec RBS assessment centres from Nov

General Guidelines Investment banks Blue chip/ International Orgs Management consultancies November

Thinking of postgrad study?Will you be ready?

Also early postgrad deadlines…..

UoE Neuroinformatics MSc/PhD Mid Feb

Other Edinburgh Inf. dates late Feb – March.

Other univs could set dates as early as December

Teaching, GTTR 15 Dec

Some are even earlier…..

Fulbright Postgraduate Study Awards, 31st May 2011 for 2012 departure

YOUR EXPERIENCE What have you done so far?

Jobs relevant to your degree/your career aim

Unrelated jobs

Other experience

“We value any experience that allows students to stretch themselves, push their limits and reach new goals – this could be a placement or internship, a summer spent travelling or a gap year project.”

Shell

Web Developer - Unboxed Consulting

Graduates & interns required to work on web applications.

You should be self-motivated and be interested in producing solutions that are creatively designed, and of a high standard. You must be willing to learn things outside of your immediate expertise. A desire to stay on top of emerging technologies is essential.

Desirable technical skills include: * HTML * Javascript * jQuery * Ruby on Rails * * Knowledge/Exp of version control * Test Driven Development knowledge * Flash development.

Suitable personal traits: * Proactive * Flexible * Can think outside the box * Enthusiastic * Strong communication skills * Ability to work under pressure.

Who would you select?

Emma - Comp Sci 4

Works in local supermarket during vacations and part time during semesters. Finds this convenient and it provides much needed cash. Enjoys dealing with customers.

Interests - Keeps fit by going to the gym and running. Spending time with friends.

David – Comp Sci 4 Worked in supermarket before

university, then in bars and a call centre during semesters UG1 & UG2. Spent 8 wks on an IT internship with an investment bank in UG3. Enjoys new challenges, meeting people, learning new technologies & working on team based projects.

Interests - Class rep, developed website for UoE Karate Society, coaches Karate at children’s club, CompSoc Committee member.

“ We would encourage you to get involved at University with Clubs or Societies, or in part time work and summer work/ opportunities, to enable you to gain valuable experience. Use your time whilst you are at University to develop the skills that will enable you to secure your dream job.

The majority of people who attend University will leave with a good degree - what makes you stand out from the rest?"

Carol Williamson, Business Development ManagerGraduate RecruitmentProctor & Gamble

Competency FrameworksCREDIT SUISSE A motivational leader with a strong

sense of personal integrity; able to inspire confidence and loyalty

Self-motivated and resourceful; able to multi-task and focused on delivering results

An enthusiastic team member who can collaborate well with others and build strong working relationships

An articulate communicator who recognizes the importance of listening

Resilient, flexible, open to feedback and focused on achieving excellence

Analytical and logical, with raw intellectual ability

ERNST & YOUNG High academic achievement &

demonstration of leadership Integrity - - clear sense of

accountability, builds relation-ships by doing the right thing.

Respects others - recognise the value of different backgrounds and points of view.

Team workers - good at listening, learning, sharing, developing and working together.

Energetic & enthusiastic - passionate and excited about opportunities & their futures.

Client focussed

Competency Framework

IBM Adaptability Client focus Communication Creative problem

solving Drive to achieve

Passion for business Taking ownership Teamwork and

collaboration Trustworthiness

Skills regularly requested by employers

University CoursePlace a tick against each skill

developed in this context.

Work ExperiencePlace a tick against each skill

developed in this context.

Outside interestsPlace a tick against each skill

developed in this context.

Written Communication

Oral Communication

Research & Critical Thinking

Analysis & Problem Solving

Planning & Organising

Leadership

Teamwork & Interpersonal Communication

Creative Thinking

Commercial Awareness

Adaptability, Flexibility & Initiative

Personal Career Development

Skills Audit

How well developed is your skill set?

Developing your Experience

Formal internship/work placement Project-based experience in SME Work abroad (IAESTE 10 Dec)

Work shadowing Voluntary work Visits Student society – related subject or role

"..... any work experience is great, however, relevant work experience including internships means your application will create a much greater impression...."

Joy Lesslie

Graduate Recruitment Manager

Standard Life

Sources of vacancies Careers Fair – 5 & 6th October Travel & Volunteering Fair 27th Oct SAGE – vacancies and database - www.ed.ac.uk/careers/sage Careers Service Guide – Jobs & Course Providers section Employer presentations Websites -internships/placements

www.prospects.ac.ukwww.doctorjob.com/workexperiencewww.work-experience.org

www.step.org

Company websites & Professional bodies Employment Agencies - casual work Networking Speculative approaches / Creative approaches

TAKE ACTION EARLY!!

Creative Job Search

If your entire job hunting effort relies on looking at adverts, then you’re only fishing in one part of the river – and what’s more that’s the bit every one else has their rod dangling in!

Speculative Approaches

Be bold…. Focus Target Aim – your career goal Sell Get personal - Network!

Identifying YOUR Network

Academic contacts Family & Friends Work colleagues/

customers Online networks Other

Could you grow it? Alumni Careers Fairs Employer

Presentations Other

Eight Steps to Action Planning

1. Identify your overall goal

2. Set ‘SMART’ objectives

3. Take bite-sized chunks

4. Understand your own personal constraints and challenges

5. Find help

6. Map out opportunities and resources

7. Create realistic timescales

8. Review your progress

Example Action Plan

My Long Term Goal

Short and Medium Term Goals to Achieving Long Term Goal

Actions Required Constraints Who or What Can Help Me Target Date for Action

To gain graduate role with technical consult’cy

Complete degree

Relevant work experience/Internship in consultancy or related field

Gain insight into sector (firms, reputations, clients, how competitive) Get evidence of ‘drive’, ‘achievements’, & skills

Choose appropriate final year project/dissertation

Apply for grad jobs!

Postgraduate masters degree?

Aim at 2.1

Apply for relevant work experience/Internship

Research sectorNetwork

Get involved in socs / other responsibilities/ attend courses

Decide asap

Update CVWatch closing datesSpeculative apps

Need 2.1 or 1st

Check if advantageous

Managing workload

Takes up timeNeed good CV /ability to market myself

Unsure where to start

Time/unsure what’s around

May not be available

Limited time

Funding?

Unsure who to ask

Academic staff

SAGE (Careers Service)CiC seminar/ Careers Service

Careers ServiceUncle who works in fieldAlumni contacts

EUSAAcademic School

Project/dissertation supervisor

Careers ServiceNetworking

Prospects website/course tutors

Employers on Campus/ alumni

2012

Check weeklyBy end Oct

Semester 1Before interviews

Within next month

By Easter

UG4- early semester 1

By end Sem 2

This semester

Your Careers Service - How we can help you

Careers Adviser / Duty Adviser SAGE Information Rooms Website: www.ed.ac.uk/careers Events -

Fairs Employer Presentations Information sessions Job hunting sessions PG sessions

Some Events! Careers Fair - 5th & 6th October

Travel & Volunteering Fair - 27th October

Virtual Careers in China/Asia Fair - 25 - 29 October

Postgraduate Fair - 18th November

Employer presentations - from 30th Sept

Graduate Applications Tues 28th Sept 1.10pm AT LT1 Successful Interviews Thurs 14th Oct 1.10pm AT

LT1 School Drop-in sessions: Thurs 28th Oct & Tues 9th Nov

1pm - 2pm AT 4.14

Also check Informatics website

Careers Service - Where to find us?

33 Buccleuch Place, Central AreaTel: 0131 650 4670Weir Building, KBTel: 0131 650 5773

Email: careers@ed.ac.ukOpening hours on website

www.ed.ac.uk/careers