What Can I do with my PIR degree? Andrew Falconer Careers Adviser, Horton Building Today s Session Look at your options Post graduate study & graduate schemes Look at jobs PIR graduates might consider Look at how to plan your career Look at how you can sell your PIR Degree to employers 1
But. I can t tell you what to do with the rest of your life The Quiz I should know what kind of career I want right now Not using my degree in a job would be a waste of time PIR students should look for jobs: lobbying, research and diplomacy Graduate training schemes are the only way to start a career Post-graduate education will definitely improve my chances of getting a good job 2
What stage are you at? Some questions to ask yourself? YOU Further study Get a job Year out Have no idea at all!! Postgraduate Study www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate Suggestions Why? What? How? Where? Research and visit open days Applications, personal statement + CV Check application & funding deadlines? Interview: reasons, motivations, exp & skills, career aims etc PG funding typically 3-6K Average costs 12,700 in London & 10,500 elsewhere 3
What is a graduate scheme?royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London Applicable to finalists and PG students Usually need 2.1, although a 2.2 in some organisations is possible Very competitive, companies often recruit from summer internships Structured with exposure to different teams within an organisation Remember - Process begins in the autumn term Are typical in: commercial finance (inc. banking, accountancy & tax) law, management consultancy, marketing graduate management schemes other public sector: Civil Service Fast Stream, local Government The Job Journey. Decide career Graduate 1 st job promotion,promotion,promotion Retire 4
More likely. Graduate 1 st job New area of work New area of work Springboard! How to plan your career?royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London www.careers.lon.ac.uk/sortit 5
Jobs ideas for PIR graduates Related directly to your degree Your degree would be useful? Political Researcher Political assistant Journalist Policy researcher Criminal Cases Review caseworker Security services Civil Service Public Affairs Law Charity / Third Sector Police Campaigner Teaching International Affairs / UN Public Administration Social Work Public relations Fundraising Finance Transport/Logistics Management Journalism Library/information work Manufacturing Hotels and Restaurants www.careerstagged.co.uk Key Sector Sub-sector The Policy Sector Sample Organisations Government Quangos NGOs/Charities Public Affairs Consultancies National Monarchy FCO/Dfid Welsh/NI/Scotland MPs / Lords Political Parties Parliament inc Libraries, POST etc Regional LDA, GLA Local Brighton Council International EU/UN/NATO Executive Environment Agency Natural England Advisory ACOS / ACP Watchdogs OFWAT / OFGEM Qualgos London Waste Regulation Authority International WWF, Oxfam, WaterAid UK/Local Thames 21, LWT, London Cycling Campaign Woodland Trust Pressure Groups /Others Professional/Trade Bodies General Bell Pottinger Niche NFU The Environmental Industries Commission CBI European Insurance and Reinsurance Federation Universities UK London First Trade Unions TUC / Unite / etc Africa Practice Academia Universities Research & Teaching-led Private Companies Pfizer Think-Tanks Centre for Cities Foreign Policy Centre ICOS Learned Societies RSA Royal Society MEPs Jeff Riley, King s College Careers Nov 2010 Jeff.riley@kcl.ac.uk 6
What do I want to do in life? Andrew Falconer Careers Adviser, Horton Building Context If we recruited on the basis of degree level, we'd just use a computer but we're looking for examples of leadership, teamwork and commercial awareness which are usually found in extra curricular activities and work experience. In short your degree alone won't get you a job. You need work experience too." Graduate Recruiter, 2008 7
The problem with a politics degree. Politics students? I love their enthusiasm but, well, what can they actually do? I spend more time telling my intern what to do, I m quicker doing it myself Activity 1. What skills do you have to offer? Skills from PIR degrees: Research: familiarity with various methods Interpretation: the capability to accumulate, select and interpret a wide range of material Organisation: of information in a logical and coherent manner, managing large and diverse quantities of information Presenting: facts, ideas and arguments Communications skills: Both written and verbal Writing: clearly and concisely and to tight deadlines; critical and analytical ability Initiative: an ability to work alone and on own initiative Teamwork Skills sought by employers: Written & verbal Communication Adaptability & flexibility Time Management Motivation and enthusiasm Initiative and proactive Commercial Awareness * more employers look at employability skills than degree subject or degree class when selecting graduate employees. 8
Activity 2. Your Values Rate in order of preference 1 high;5 low a) I want to be earning at least 25K in three years b) I want to be managing other people within two years c) I want a professional qualification to fall back on d) I want to use my brain in my work e) I want the end result of my work to be more than just profit What factors are important when choosing a job? Where do graduates find jobs? Company Websites 11% Newspapers / Magazines Recruitment Agency 10% 16% Speculative Applications Personal Network 5% 25% 9
Careers resources THE virtual careers information resource Over 8000 books and online resources Browse, create and store your own searches Rate items and add your own tags and comments Share interesting links with your friends www.careerstagged.co.uk Typical Undergraduate Destinations 2009 Social Science Researchers, Sales and Retail Assistants, Housing and Welfare Officers, Journalists, Fundraising, Campaigns and Appeals Organisers, Public Relations Officers, Legal Executives and Paralegals, Secondary Teachers, Independent Financial Advisers, Business Analysts, Advertising and Marketing Executives, Personal Assistants, Immigration Officers, Police Officers, Web Designers, Public Affairs and Publicity Managers, Chefs, Cooks. http://graduates.thecareersgroup.co.uk/ 10
How we can help you Career direction Workshops and employer presentations Information resources and support CV and application form checking Skills development Alumni contact database Access to central London careers events Mock assessment centres Postgraduate study applications and advice Facebook and other online resources GETTING INTO INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 11
Army Interviews Interviews take place each term.. Appointments must be made in advance at the careers centre 12