What to do with your degree in English or Communication & Media Justin Richardson HE Careers Adviser

Did you know…….? Many employers complain that science and technology graduates lack the skill they most value i.e. communication skills

Skills your course offers Employers Analytical skills and critical reasoning Construct sound arguments and understand different points of view Written and verbal Communication skills Leading and participating in discussions New and creative ideas and ways of thinking Commercial awareness Project management IT skills Planning and Research skills a broad commercial and cultural awareness of the media and creative industries;

Where else can you offer skills employers want? Work experience Part time job Volunteering Student Societies Work abroad Extra-curricular and spare time activities

Careers where your degree is useful Education Public Relations Marketing Law Journalism & Broadcasting Government Consultancy Human Resources Community Work Politics Publishing Advertising Arts and Culture Sector Information services Recruitment “60% of graduate jobs advertised don’t require a specific degree”

Careers using English and Communication & Media

Case Study: University of Liverpool Marketing and Communications Internal Communications Digital Communications Press Office Events Management Marketing Strategy Market Intelligence Press office

Digital Communication

Destinations for UoL English and Communication & Media 2015 Graduate Level Destination ? Y 63.5% N 36.5% Statistics – destinations s nationally 2014 six months after study (HESA)

Examples of Graduate Destinations of University of Liverpool English or Comms & Media Graduates 2014/15 BBC Freelance Broadcast Assistant Camp and Furnace Production Manager The Hut Group Digital Marketing Assistant Content Marketing Executive University of Liverpool Marketing Administrative Assistant Venn Group Recruitment Consultant Women's Aid English Tutor Getting Personal Junior Copywriter Collabco Marketing Manager MC2 Graduate PR Account Executive Charles Maxwell Events Assistant Active TT Schooling Head of English Matches Fashion Ltd Features Intern AKA Promotions Brand Partnerships Assistant Taylor and Francis Group Editorial Assistant Liverpool University Journals Publishing Assistant Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Assistant Producer

Further Study 2014 / 2015 MA Fashion Promotion Graduate Diploma in Law NCTJ Journalism PGCE Primary Education PGCE Secondary English MA Comparative Literature MA Intelligence and International Security MSc Digital Entertainment MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages MA International Media Policy Musical Theatre MSc Real Estate Economics & Finance MA Film Studies

Further information from the data Only 19.0% felt their qualification was a requirement of the job. However, 33.6% said although it wasn’t a formal requirement it did give them an advantage. 87.5% worked in the private sector. 12.8% worked in the public or 3rd sector. 16.4% had already worked there. 31.0% got their job through personal contacts or networking. 43.1% got jobs with small companies (less than 50 employees).

Our Graduates Natasha Television and documentary producer. Hannah Campaign and artist manager for Ministry of Sound Emma Was involved with HSBC Graduate Scheme. Initially gained a summer internship with them. Daniel On Teach First graduate scheme.

Using Linked In

So what do the destinations tell us... There is no ‘typical’ career path for a graduate in English or Communication & Media Many graduates go into a career which is not directly related to the first degree they studied Graduates apply their skills and knowledge to a wide and diverse range of careers The options are many and varied

http://www.liv.ac.uk/careers/my-options/making-career-choices/

Other useful websites for exploring careers https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles www.careerplayer.com Try www.prospects.ac.uk/links/pplanner or http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report Look at options with my degree http://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_with_your_subject.htm

Tips for Securing the Job You Really Want! Get to know yourself – your skills and interests Investigate what jobs are out there. Develop work experience. Widen your networks. Do your research – the job, the company, the industry Speak to people doing the job you want to do. Quality not quantity! Use the help that is out there.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY SERVICE 1st Floor, Student Services Centre Open Mon-Fri all year:- Careers Resource Centre 10am-4.30pm Drop-in Interviews (15 mins) 12.30am-3.45pm Long Interviews (40 mins) by appointment Visit our website for more information: www.liv.ac.uk/careers