Careers and Employability Service Working in a university Nicola Urquhart Careers Adviser

What we will cover Information about the HE Sector What opportunities are available How to get a job Networking Ways to get involved as a student Key websites How CES can support you Questions

Information about the sector 119 universities in the UK in some UK towns the central university is the largest employer. In 2011/12 there were 181,385 academic staff working in UK higher education institutions and 196,860 non-academic staff; 47% are male Females are most likely to be under 30 whilst males are most likely to be 55 or over 70% are employed on permanent contracts

What do employers want? Degree Employability skills Extra-curricular activities Professional attributes Work experience Sector awareness

Key skills and attributes needed for working in a University To have good interpersonal and communication skills To be able to work in a team To be able to network To be able to spot opportunities To be flexible To be able to prioritise own workload To be innovative To have good project management skills

Skills of the future Innovative thinkers Curiosity Determination Pragmatism Agility Resilience Networked Collaborative

Areas of increasing importance Globalisation Customer service and the student experience Commercial focus Widening participation Organisational efficiency Management of change

Example opportunities Lecturing Research Information Services Student Recruitment Information Technology Corporate Communications Data Compliance Commercial Services Student Services Human Resources Estates Department Finance Innovation and Enterprise Risk Management And many more …

How to get a job in a university Get some work experience Be flexible about the role Let people know you are interested Learn how to network and build contacts Find out how the University/Academic School works Find out how and when they recruit Put together a good CV Be prepared to take temporary posts Find out if they use recruitment agencies

Network, Network, Network 80% of job roles are not openly advertised In HE most are but many will have identified frontrunner candidates Attend extra-curricular and School events Take on additional roles Use Social Media Be friendly, professional and polite Market Yourself ! - It’s not necessarily who you know but who knows you

Social media Social Media: “an umbrella term that defines the various activities that integrate technology, social interaction, and the construction of words, pictures, videos, and audio.” Enabling conversations Facilitating discussions

Linkedin and Twitter Many employees of a university will be on LinkedIn /nicolaurquhart /nicolaurquhart

Twitter Companies/employers you are interested in working for Industry experts/bloggers Professional networks and industry/professional publications Job sites and job boards Recruiters / head-hunters / HR personnel who are hiring for the roles you're

Get involved during your studies Kent Union /Job Shop Student Ambassador Scheme Academic Peer Mentoring Scheme Student Representative Kent Hospitality Student Societies Award Schemes (Employability Points and Global Skills award) Academic School specific

Useful websites orkhere/Workhere.aspx orkhere/Workhere.aspx

How the Careers and Employability Service can help you.

What we do Careers Talks and Workshops Careers Library: Employer Directories, Occupational Profiles, Books etc Comprehensive Web Pages Careers Employability Award (CEM) on Moodle Vacancy Database Alumni Careers Network Annual Careers and Recruitment Fair Drop In - Quick Query Careers Guidance Interviews

Careers and Employability Service Web Site:

Careers Employability Award  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

Attend Careers Talks and Workshops. Career planning for your second year How to achieve success at interview Commercial awareness Using social media in your job search Passing assessment centres Subject specific ‘What can I do with a degree in?

Vacancy Database All vacancies sent to the Careers and Employability Service by employers, whether for graduate jobs, sandwich placements or vacation work/internships are entered on this database which offers: alerts of new vacancies which may interest you Employers notifying vacancies are often specifically targeting Kent graduates, so competition for jobs is lower than on other vacancy sites

Speak to an adviser: Quick query, drop in and speak to an adviser 10.30am pm and 2.00pm-4pm Monday to Friday. E mail and an adviser will respond to your query. You can also book a longer career guidance appointment over the phone or pop in.

Advice Get involved during your time at University! Remember the importance of networking Let people know if you are interested in gaining work experience/paid employment If there is something you would like to be involved with talk to your Academic School Regularly check vacancy pages Remember not all jobs are for Academics Keep up to date with information about the sector Make use of the Careers and Employability Service

Questions

Careers and Employability Service You can download a copy of this presentation at