1. Electronics and Computer Systems Careers
Bruce Woodcock
University of Kent Careers and Employability Service
You can download a copy of this presentation at

2. Destinations of Electronics and CSE Graduates

3. Skills gained on a Kent Electronics degree
Gather and analyse relevant information from a wide variety of sources
Identify and propose solutions to problems
Project management
Technical skills
Work with others in the preparation and presentation of group work (group projects)
Work independently (individual projects)
Communicate with others in a clear and articulate manner
Present ideas and arguments verbally in presentations and seminars, and informal discussions

6. I.T. EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Teamwork
Problem Solving and Judgement Coming up with effective solutions
Innovation and Change Receptivity to new ideas. "Flexible designs that can withstand last minute changes"
Administration Documentation - "Much of software development involves writing things down and looking them up again"
Technical knowledge Quick Learner
Planning Establishing priorities and scheduling time. Well organised.
Productivity Professionalism - "completing projects on time".
Quality of work "On schedule, under budget, works first time
Self Development Teaching yourself new skills!“
Communication Presentation skills, Clear, concise, documentation.

7. How to “sell” your degree
List relevant modules (plus marks if good!)
Projects – especially if relevant
IT skills
Soft skills – evidence of teamwork, project management, problem solving etc.
For non-IT jobs (e.g. banking) you would need a different CV focusing on your soft skills more than technical skills.

8. Electronics CV Example www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/electronicsCV.htm
The medium is the message. If your CV isn’t professional – spelling mistakes/lack of attention to detail, the employer will assume that your work will be sloppy too.

9. Application Process
The smaller company process is much simpler and you can apply much later (often after final exams) but salaries are usually lower and they offer less training and less chance to specialise.

10. Example CVs
Electronics CV Example CV Checklist

11. Web Pages
Applications and Interviews
Practice Interviews: Questions asked at IT interviews plus skills needed for IT jobs.
Electronics/CSE Careers Page
Placements
Gradcracker great site for electronics jobs and placements

12. Career Planning
I will send you an every Monday on vacation work, careers presentations on campus, vacancies etc.
Apply early: closing dates are often in December.

13. Careers Fair
pm. Tues Nov 1st Sports Centre Meet employers from all sectors offering graduate jobs, placements and summer internships. Find out about the opportunities they offer and get first-hand advice and information. Everybody welcome, whatever your year or subject of study. BAe, Accenture, Cummins, Fujitsu, Cisco, IBM etc.

14. IBM MENTORING SCHEME
For students of ANY degree subject For first-year students looking to do a placement as part of their degree or second year students considering life after University. It is a virtual mentoring scheme whereby the majority of contact with students is either via , telephone or by Skype. For further details and information on how to apply see

15. Careers Award on Moodle
Half the unemployment rate for students completing the award Enter Moodle, search for DP2650 or Careers Award and click enrol
if you have problems enrolling
More info at

16. Telephone: Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9 to 5 including vacations Drop-in times (no appointment needed: 15 minutes): to and 2 to 4 pm Help given for up to 3 years after graduation Weekly careers s every Monday afternoon

17. Eolectronics and Computer Systems Careers
Bruce Woodcock
University of Kent Careers and Employability Service
You can download a copy of this presentation at