COM 417 Session 1 Mairead McFadden T

Today’s Session  Self Awareness  Making Effective Use of Career Information and Resources  WORK EXPERIENCE  Employment Trends  Transferable Skills  Networking

 Work Experience Development Unit Website - Search vacancies notified to us - Find out about employer events at the University  Work Experience topic on Ulster GradNAV - Types of work experience you can do - How to look for work experience - Industrial placement preparation - Employment Issues (law, entitlements, equality and diversity) Work Experience Development Unit web

Industrial Placement Preparation  Explore your skills, knowledge and attitude  Explore options related to your job sector  Plan for your placement experience Link to …  Personal Development Planning (PDSystem) - CV Builder, Recording achievement  OPUS placement management system Work Experience topic on Ulster GradNAV

Job Scene – Northern Ireland “ I am particularly pleased that even in the current environment there is a continuing need for IT graduates and that a third of companies expect to recruit IT professionals over the next six months “ Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning

Current Trends  Over 1,000 companies in the NI sector, employing over 11,000  960 mainly software development  75 Telecoms  Industry in NI to grow at lower level that 1.9% as predicted last year.  Fewer applications to courses means future shortages in the industry  Current skills shortages mainly in IT professionals with 3 – 5 yrs experience  Outsourcing to IT services suppliers  Geosourcing  Encryption & Security  Northern Ireland ICT Snapshot e-skillsUK

A Strategy for the Digital Content Industry in Ireland  Web-based business  Games  Broadband wireless infrastructure systems integration and automation  Digital libraries  Non-media digital applications  RF and Mixed Signal design

What skills do Employers value?  In-depth knowledge of your speciality  Team working  Problem solving  Time management  Leadership  Flexibility  Adaptability Belbin Audit

What Employers Want 

Where to find vacancies  From your placement tutor  Ulster Work&Learn ilink  Work-experience site  Newspapers  Company’s own website  Directories from Careers Service  Careers & Placement Fair

Work Experience resources at your Career Centre on campus Work Experience publications:  Graduate Prospects work experience magazine and special interest series  GradIreland Work Experience & Internships  Text books on jobs and careers abroad Career Development Centre publications:  Leaflets: part-time work, vacation work, voluntary work  Guide to career planning for 2 nd year students

Careers & Placement Fair  14 October, 2010  Sports Hall, Magee  11am – 2pm  Student helpers required  For set-up on Wednesday and on the day of the fair.  £5.66 per hour  First 10 s addressed to

Useful Sites      

Going Global  Global opportunities  Access from the My Careers section of the student portal  Professional advice, insider tips for 24 countries  Employment trends, agencies, permits, salaries  CV advice  Feature 30 largest cities in US  Directory of employers with profiles for over 25,000 worldwide companies

The Career Development Centre Offers a Free Service to all Students Including:  Help with Career Planning  Guidance, Advice and Information  Support in finding placement or employment  A programme of recruitment and information events  Regularly updated information on occupations, employers and further study

Today’s session – are you aware of  Aims and learning outcomes?  Content of module?  Value of placement?  How to get a placement?  Current Trends in employment?  The Career Development Centre & Work Experience Development Unit and how it helps?  Team skills, your strengths and weaknesses

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