Using the Careers Service to help plan your career

It’s perhaps not surprising some people spend more time planning a fortnight’s holiday than they do a career. Career planning can seem a mammoth task and it’s easy to put off until the last minute. That’s fine if you stumble across your dream job, but the chances are pretty slim.

You can make your hunt a lot easier by using the University’s Careers Service. Named best Careers Service by graduate recruiters for the fifth year running, it has lots to offer. It doesn’t matter if you’ve just joined the university, are part-way through your studies or have recently graduated, it’s there for you. So what’s holding you back?

I don’t have time

Thanks to the web, careers information can be accessed 24/7. Register online to receive the latest news and vacancies by email. Employer recruitment presentations and careers talks usually take place at lunchtime or in the evening so they’re easy to attend.

I don’t need to think about a career just now

The graduate job market is increasingly competitive. Work experience, volunteering and mentoring can give you the edge over other applicants and provide a great way to broaden your interests and range of friends. The Careers Service can help you find all of these opportunities. If you need to boost your bank balance as well as your CV, it also advertises hundreds of part-time jobs.

I don’t know what I want to do

You’re not alone, that’s why there’s a careers information sheet packed full of useful suggestions. "There’s no need to be shy or embarrassed", says Holly Seager, Careers Information Manager, "We see hundreds of students in a similar situation every year. Talk to us and we’ll recommend the best way to get started." She adds, "Every year graduates tell us that they wish they’d come to us sooner – don’t be one of them."

I’m away for a year

The Careers Service offers guidance by email or over the phone. While your usual day-to-day university life might seem a million miles away, careers advice is close to hand. Returning to Manchester after an industrial placement or year abroad will seem less bewildering if you’ve got a few career plans in place. The same is true if you’re a recent graduate and taking a gap year.

I’m from another country

Whether you’re seeking to stay in the UK or return home, there’s a wealth of relevant information. Read the careers web pages or call into the Careers Resource Centres. Talking to a Careers Consultant at one of the daily quick query sessions, or at a longer pre-booked appointment, is a good way to explore your options. Don’t overlook the new work experience programme, International Talent, for students, graduates and postgraduates with language skills or knowledge of non-UK cultures.

I want to get into a career you probably won’t be able to help with

You’d be surprised what the Careers Service can help with. It’s not just for those who want to be accountants or teachers. It’s got the latest information on the media, academia, public sector, self-employment, working abroad and much, much more. As Holly explains, “Even if we don’t have information on the exact career you’re interested in, we can usually help you find where to look.”

Make a start today so career planning doesn’t become a chore tomorrow. You’ve got a great career service, open all year round, and it’s yours to make the most of.

First Steps

The careers website: www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/careers

Use it for information on:

• Vacancies – full-time and part-time (register to receive them by email)
• Career fairs
• Career talks
• Employer recruitment presentations
• Work experience
• International Talent
• Publications. “I don’t know what I want to do” and other starting point sheets are available on the website under ‘downloads’, then ‘publications’ and ‘starting point sheet series’.

Visit the careers service at:

• Crawford House, Booth Street East, Manchester, Phone 0161 275 2829
• Metro, Renold Building, Sackville Street, Manchester, Tel 0161 200 4300

Louise Sethi
Careers Consultant