NIBPS & PSI Joint Careers Event What to do with your psychology degree Dr Barbara McConnell Senior Lecturer, Early Childhood Studies

Overview What next after doing your degree? Marketing yourself effectively Questions

What next after doing your degree? Overview What next after doing your degree?

Why study psychology? 2nd most studied degree in UCAS 2014, 106 000 graduates in psychology 20/25% of all graduates go onto further study in psychology in subsequent years

Psychology Graduate Destinations – Class of 2014 - HECSU

Psychology Graduate Destinations – Class of 2014 - HECSU Applied Psychologists

There are lots of professional training pathways in psychology.... Clinical Psychology Counselling Psychology Educational Psychology Forensic Psychology Health Psychology Neuropsychology Occupational Psychology Sport & Exercise Psychology Clinical Psychology Counselling Psychology Educational Psychology Forensic Psychology Health Psychology Neuropsychology Organisational Psychology Sports Psychology

Psychology Graduate Destinations – Class of 2014 - HECSU Career Pathways

Retial, childcare, legal - Variety of Jobs

Why study psychology? “Least likely graduate to be unemployed – 8.3%” “Psychology graduates are highly regarded by employers and have a good chance of finding employment. This is because the skills they acquire are transferable across many careers” HECSU, 2010 “Least likely graduate to be unemployed – 8.3%” The latest graduate research from the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (2010) IT 16% unemployment

Skills gained studying a psychology degree Communicate effectively, both face-to-face or in writing. Understand, analyse and use complex data. Retrieve and organise information from different sources. Handle primary source material critically. Engage in effective team work. Solve problems and reason scientifically to consider alternative approaches and solutions. Make critical judgements and evaluations to gain different perspectives on a question. Be sensitive to contextual and interpersonal factors, including behaviour and social interaction. Use personal planning and project management skills to become more independent and pragmatic. Be computer literate Psychologists have a diverse range of skills, from effective communication to planning and project management. On completing an accredited psychology undergraduate or conversion programme, you would have the skills to: comprehend and use data sufficiently by understanding, analysing and presenting complex ideas retrieve and organise information successfully through various sources engage in effective team work problem solve and reason scientifically to consider alternative approaches and solutions make critical judgements and evaluations to gain different perspectives on a variety of issues be sensitive to contextual and interpersonal factors, including behaviour and social interaction use personal planning and project management skills to become more independent and pragmatic

Mature attitude attentiveness Respond to others http://audio.theguardian.tv/audio/kip/guardian-careers/series/careers-talk/1290425469396/8644/CareersTalkNov19th.mp3 Interest in people

What lies ahead for the Psychology Class of 2016? So what lies ahead of the 2016 class of psychology graduates More difficult in some ways – tough market, increased competition But also more opportunities and greater awareness of opportunities Important for you to market yourself, know your skills, strengths and experiences Skills that are relevant to applied psychologist are also marketable to all employers Whatever path you choose, it is important that you navigate the graduate recruitment market effectively. This means understanding what graduate recruiters want, developing the skills and gaining the experience required for success and marketing those skills and experience effectively.

2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 Good grades are important but they don’t differentiate you any more – they are becoming a ticket to apply for a job

The ‘perfect’ graduate applicant Work experience EmployabilitySkills Drive & motivation Academic achievement Understands the role & organisation Engaged with their community

Employability Skills – What? Psychologists are best placed to gain excellent employability skills because of the very nature of psychology and the degree they study But in additional to the skills leaned through your degree, you can gian skills

Employability Skills – How? Work experience – part-time / summer jobs Internships Volunteering Clubs & societies Class Rep / Peer Mentor / Student Ambassador Student competitions

Marketing yourself effectively Overview Marketing yourself effectively

Matchmaking What is the employer looking for? Qualifications Experience Knowledge Skills/competencies How do you match up – (evidence-based) Read between the lines – what do they really need?

CV’s & Applications Top Tips Good structure & presentation Tailored Skills section – give evidence! Complete yet concise Factual Positive Error free Tailored – to the job description. Recruiters are matching you against job duties & criteria – do you fit? Make the recruiters job easier.. Professional Error free Consistent Appropriate Language Give Evidence of your skills – it’s not enough to list off skills such as Teamwork, Communication – give some concise examples of these in work or in college Good structure & presentation Tailored Complete yet concise Factual Positive

30 seconds to make a good impression…

Strong, clear verbs Planned Organised Designed Analysed Presented Delivered Developed

Cover Letters – so important! Always accompany your CV with a cover letter An opportunity for you to personalise your application – to stand out, 1st chance to make a strong impression To demonstrate your suitability for the job by focusing on key strengths & experience

Be a STAR at interviews Situation: Describe the situation or problem. Task: Describe the task you had to complete / role you were assigned Action: Describe the actions you took to complete the task successfully and any obstacles your overcame. Result: Highlight outcomes achieved.

Play the recruitment game Telephone interviews One to one interviews Group interviews Assessment centres An effective application gets you an interview .. Your application has done it’s job

Assessment Centres Presentations Group exercises Individual exercises Psychometric testing Competency based interviews Social events Designed by psychologists to improve graduate recruitment effectiveness

2013 GradIreland Graduate Salary and Graduate Recruitment Trends 2013 88% of graduate employers believe relevant work experience enhances employability www.graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk can help you find an internship both in NI and ROI

Internships For the company it’s… testing the waters Avoiding risk Assessing ‘fit’ For the graduate it’s… Getting work experience Putting theory into practice Developing skills And lots more… Get work experience Put the theory into practice Enhance your CV Develop and hone transferable skills Build your network & make contacts Test your career options Potential trial run for graduate job Earn some money

Top Tips for Psychology Graduates Don’t put all your eggs in one basket - Have a plan A, & a plan B… Know yourself Be flexible What’s so special about you? Manage your own career Quality applications - do your research Start networking & be opportunity aware

Resources www.bps.org.uk ww.psihq.ie www.prospects.ac.uk www.gradireland.com www.shldirect.com Graduate Recruitment Tests: www.shldirect.com 70,000 hits a month mostly from graduates

For further information: Web: www.bps.org.uk/careers Email: careers@bps.org.uk Telephone: +44 (0)116 252 9534 www.bps.org.uk/careers