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Sector Insights: The Different Career Avenues in Accounting
By skye.aitken, on 10 November 2020
Read time: 3 minutes
Written by Tom Bilby (Guest writer from The Accountancy Partnership)
Ever considered a job in accounting? Did you know there’s a lot more roles available in this sector than being an accountant? There’s a range of exciting and rewarding careers available for those who choose this route. After all, the whole business world runs on finance!
After you’ve finished your degree, you can choose a role in accountancy that suits your personality, working style and niche interests within finance. You’ll go on to complete specific qualifications that will refine your expertise and allow you to increase your potential salary.
That’s why it’s essential that you understand the routes available to you at this stage. Let’s take a look at just a few of the accountancy roles you may or may not have heard of.
Bookkeepers
Bookkeeping is one of the most common routes accountants take in their career. It involves looking after the accounts of a business or person, so that tax and other financial obligations can be calculated correctly.
There will always be a high demand for bookkeepers within the industry, so it’s a reliable role to pursue. There are also plenty of opportunities to become a self-employed bookkeeper if you have an entrepreneurial spirit.
Auditors
A financial auditor is responsible for reviewing a business’ accounts, documents and data to ensure compliance with procedures. This is a great role to go into if you have an eye for detail.
Auditors don’t just work for the tax people either. They’re often employed by companies seeking methods to be more risk averse and save on costs. They’re the detectives of the accounting world!
Management Accountants
If you’re an accountant but you’re not a fan of the bewildering world of tax, perhaps the management accountant route is for you. These accounting experts will take responsibility for improving the overall profitability of the company.
Generally, they’re folks who love patterns and efficiency, and will model new projects and ideas to propose to the financial director and senior management team.
Forensic Accountants
Forensic accounting is possibly the coolest job title in the accounting world, but sadly does not actually involve analysing financially motivated murder scenes. It does however, involve reviewing accounts and documents for discrepancies and inaccuracies.
It’s another ideal role for those who enjoy detail-oriented tasks.
F, P & A Analyst
F,P & A stands for financial planning and analysis. If you take on this role, you’ll be interpreting and breaking down financial information for senior decision makers in the business. For example, you might model and analyse the company’s performance over the last year, and present this to the sales director.
This is a role that will suit those who seek to be actively involved in the direction a company will take. It can be very rewarding, but requires someone who is highly confident in their analytical skills.
Payroll Manager
It’s exactly what you’d think. Payroll managers manage the payroll! In this job you’ll be responsible for ensuring people get paid the right amount, at the right time. You’ll also need to have a strong understanding of income tax and other deductions such as pensions, student loans and national insurance.
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There are obviously some key personality traits you need to get into the world of accounting, but don’t forget, there’s also a hugely diverse amount of career pathways to suit your personal preferences and strengths.
Spend some time at the start of your journey trying to find out what’s best for you; there are plenty of opportunities for work experience and there’s no harm in pivoting your career at any point.
Whatever path you choose, you’re bound to find a long and rewarding career in accounting.
Article By – The Accountancy Partnership
5 things to expect from Museums, Arts and Cultural Heritage Week 2020
By skye.aitken, on 2 November 2020
Read time: 3 minutes
Written by Nicole Estwick, Careers Consultant at UCL Careers.
This year’s Museums, Arts and Cultural Heritage week kicks off from Monday 16 November with a series of virtual events offering you information, insights and advice on the different roles and opportunities available in each sector and what you can do to make your first steps into the industry. Events during the week are open to students and recent graduates from all degree disciplines with bookings now open on myUCLCareers.
So what can you expect from this particular themed week? Read on for our list of 5 things to look out for during this year’s events:
- A focus on the Museums, Arts and Cultural Heritage sector In relation to the Coronavirus
It’s widely known that the creative industries which Museums, Arts and Cultural Heritage are part of have been particularly impacted by the Coronavirus and this will be a central focus for events that will be running during the week. We’ll be providing a wide range of perspectives from professionals working in the industry pre-Covid, during the outbreak, and we’ll also look at what could potentially lie ahead for students and graduates looking to make their first steps into these sectors in the future.
- Insights into the realities of the current job market in the industry
Our first event of Museums, Arts and Cultural Heirtage week will offer an insight into what opportunities are available at this time in the sector. A panel discussion and Q&A will bring together recruiters, HR staff, freelancers and other professionals working within Museums, Arts and Heritage to share views on what the current picture is on jobs and recruitment, what the future of the industry may look like and what students can be doing now to try and carve out their first steps for their career. Speaker details will be announced shortly.
Museums, Arts & Cultural Heritage: Perspectives on jobs and recruitment will take place on Tuesday 17 November 2020 from 6.00-7.30pm GMT. Book your place here
- Information on the breadth of roles available in the sector and how they have changed as a result of current circumstances
For those of you looking to understand the different roles that exist within the industry, you will be able to join us at a virtual event with representatives in the Arts and Cultural sector to hear about their job roles, how they become involved in the industry, and if/how their work has been impacted in recent times. This will be a panel discussion and Q&A session with speakers announced in due course.
Museums, Arts & Cultural Heritage: Working before and during Covid will take place on Wednesday 18 November 2020 from 6.00-7.30pm GMT. Book your place here
- A look at the wider impact of Museums, Arts and Cultural Heritage roles in wider society
With current events leading us to look at the bigger picture, we’ll also be running an event on how the work of Museums, Arts & Cultural Heritage organisations impacts on wider society. Our panel will be discussing their roles in the context of this, at a time when our health and wellbeing is more in focus than ever.
The bigger picture in Museums, Arts and Heritage Careers will take place on Thursday 19 November from 5.30-6.45pm GMT. Book your place here
- Details of live opportunities and job openings within the sector
Finally, throughout the week, you will also be able to follow UCL Careers along on social media to receive information on live opportunities you can apply for in the Museums, Arts and Cultural Heritage sectors.
For more details on this follow UCL Careers on Twitter
Introduction to Government & Policy Week 2020
By skye.aitken, on 22 October 2020
Read time: 2 minutes
Written by Nasima Bashar, Internships & Vacancies Administrator at UCL Careers.
Monday 26 October marks the start of UCL Careers Government & Policy Themed Week. You will find below a run through of the range of events organised to inspire and engage those who are interested in a career within the public sector, as well as those who are yet undecided. This is your chance to meet with organisations in this sector – to hear from and network with a range of guests from recent graduates to senior officials.
The following events are open to students and recent graduates from all degree disciplines and all of the events below are now bookable through your ‘myUCLCareers’ account.
All events will take place remotely.
Introduction to Government & Policy Careers
Monday 26 October: 1-2pm BST
Join representatives from the Civil Service in a talk introducing careers within this exciting sector.
Panel Discussion: Careers in the Heart of Government
Tuesday 27 October: 6-7.30pm BST
Hear from speakers working across the UK Civil Service. Guests from the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA), Cabinet Office, and the UK Civil Service Fast stream will talk about their careers to date. This event will include Q&A and a networking opportunity.
Panel Discussion: Influencing Policy
Wednesday 28 October: 6-7.30pm BST
Hear from representatives of some of the shapers of public policy. Speakers include DEFRA, DCMS, Universities UK and HM Treasury. This event will include Q&A and a networking opportunity.
Workshop: Implementing Policy
Thursday 29 October: 12-2pm BST
Guests from the Civil Service will guide you through the policy making process. You will work through a group exercise; designing and evaluating policy options to recommend for implementation. You will receive feedback throughout this process and guidance on how to approach policy recommendations.
Exploring International Careers in Government & Policy
Available from Friday 30 October 9am BST
Watch the interviews to gain some valuable insights from UCL Alumni now working in this sector across the world in a wide range of roles. Interviews will be available at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/careers/about/events/themed-weeks/government – Watch this space!
Apply now for UCL Connected Learning Internships
By skye.aitken, on 20 October 2020
Read time: 2 minutes
Written by Victoria Abbott, Recruitment & Selection Advisor at UCL Careers.
Are you looking to gain some experience to add to your CV? Or would you like an opportunity to reflect on your current strengths and develop new skills?
Then check out the UCL Connected Learning Internships scheme, advertised on myUCLCareers from 22 October 2020.
Paid internships are available across a range of academic and professional service departments throughout UCL, and you can apply for up to two opportunities that are most suited to your skill set, experience and motivations.
The internships are for 35 hours either full or part-time; and will run between 1 December 2020 and 29 January 2021.
What can I gain from a UCL Connected Learning Internship?
- Employability skills
Over 140 students working across 74 projects completed a UCL Connected Learning Internship during July and August 2020. Student feedback confirmed that these opportunities greatly improved key employability skills, including written and verbal communication, teamwork and collaboration, planning and organising, problem-solving, decision-making and even creativity.
‘Really enjoyed the internship. Interesting content and useful transferable skills that I’ll take forwards.’*
- Designated support
You will also be supported by a designated supervisor within the hiring department, so you will have plenty of help and guidance throughout the opportunity.
‘I loved my team and how accommodating and friendly they were. They gave me a lot of flexibility and allowed me to try to pursue what I want to get out of the internship.’*
- Self-Reflection
After completing a self-reflection tool, you will also have the option to discuss your experience with a member of the UCL Careers team, to fully reflect on how the internship has supported your employability skills development. This is a great chance for you to articulate your new skills, competencies and motivations on your CV and within future applications.
‘It was an amazing opportunity to help the department, knowing that this will have an impact on the students.’*
- Income
Internships are paid at the London Living Wage, so are a great opportunity to obtain both an income and gain some valued skills and experience at the same time.
‘A great experience that led on to a further 8 week post.’*
Do I need to meet any particular criteria to apply?
- UCL Student
You must be a current UCL student to apply.
- Time Commitment
You should also ensure you can commit enough time to complete the internship during the period specified and as agreed with the host UCL department.
- Online/Remote Working
Internships will be conducted online, so you must have the ability to work independently (and remotely) and the circumstances to carry out the work in this way.
- Individual Role Requirements
Each internship will have specific requirements, so please do check the individual role descriptors for each internship that you wish to apply for.
Remember that you can book a one to one appointment with a member of the UCL Careers team for personalised practical tips and advice to help you better understand how recruiters will shortlist your applications and how you can best demonstrate your motivation and your most relevant skills and experience.
When is the deadline for applying?
The deadline for applications is 4 November 2020, so check out the opportunities available and start planning your applications now.
Good luck!
*Quotes from students who completed a UCL Connected Learning Internship during July and August 2020
Government & Policy Week: Working in Non-Political Think Tanks – Interview with Dr Moira Faul, Executive Director NORRAG, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies Geneva
By skye.aitken, on 12 October 2020
Read time: 3 minutes
Written by Sally Brown, Careers Consultant at UCL Careers.
So, what is NORRAG and what do they do?
The network for international policies and cooperation in education and training (NORRAG) is a global network of 5,000 members for international policies and cooperation in education and training. NORRAG’s strength lies in addressing under-researched questions of quality and equity in key issues in education and development, and in amplifying under-represented expertise, particularly from the South. NORRAG’s core mandate is to produce, disseminate and broker analytical research and to build capacity for and with the wide range of stakeholders who constitute our network. Our stakeholders from academia, governments, NGOs, international organizations, foundations and the private sector inform and shape education policies and practice at national and international levels. Through our work, NORRAG contributes to creating the conditions for more participatory, evidence-informed decisions that improve equal access to and quality of education and training. NORRAG is an associate programme of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva.
What is a think tank and how does NORRAG differ from other types of think tanks?
Most generically, think tanks are knowledge-producing organisations that are not universities. Some may be affiliated to specific political parties or positions, and their research is more politically motivated. Others, like NORRAG, are affiliated to universities and while the research they do is more applied than might be found in university social science departments, it remains analytical. Among analytical think tanks, NORRAG differentiates itself through our focus on surfacing and amplifying priorities and perspectives of experts from the global South and East alongside those from the North and West.
What led you to this role?
While my career ambitions have always been focused on a leadership position in international development and education, my path to this role has been quite circuitous! Originally from Zimbabwe, I held senior managerial positions in private sector adult education in Spain (1997-2001) and China (2002-03), and was then Head of Education and Youth Policy (UK) at Oxfam GB (2003-2009). My work led me to a question I couldn’t answer on Oxfam’s time, so I started a funded PhD at the University of Cambridge (2009-13), after which I managed a research-policy exchange programme. After moving to Geneva in 2015, I worked as Research Fellow at the UN Research Institute for Social Development (2015-16) and at the Public-Private Partnership Research Centre at the University of Geneva, before being promoted to Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow (2016-19) at the Public-Private Partnership Research Centre.
What issues are currently affecting the work that NORRAG does? Do you feel similar organisations are also being affected in the same way?
The biggest challenge that non-political think tanks face is funding, although NORRAG suffer less than many since we are generously supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and Open Societies Foundation, as well as through research grants. Funding has always been tight, especially core funds that support the whole institution, but has become increasingly difficult for us and our partners. Increased government funding earmarked for applied development research is certainly helping.
Another, more positive, matter relates to the global Sustainable Development Agenda, in which organisations that may have specialised in one issue area or another (the environment, say, or health) are being challenged to consider the intersections between their specialisation and that of others: how does what happens in health affect the environment and vice versa? Education has such deep transversal effects on all aspects of sustainability that this is a challenge that NORRAG welcomes and actively embraces.
If a student/recent graduate were to apply to NORRAG – or similar – what do you feel would make an application stand-out?
Graduate applicants need to show that they have the technical research skills and knowledge base required for the post for which they’re applying: we research themes as diverse as public and private education finance, digitisation, education data (from children and schools through to international organisations and networks). They would also need to demonstrate congruence with our values of research integrity and analytical rigour, in addition to our vision of equal access to quality education and amplifying expertise from the South.
Do you have any top tips for students/recent graduates wanting to get into this sector/think tanks?
Do your homework on the organisation you’re applying to! Even more so than in other fields. There are so many different types of think tanks that there’s bound to be one that fits what you’re looking for; but you have to take the responsibility of making sure of that.
10 Tips to a Successful Language Career
By skye.aitken, on 7 October 2020
Written by Ed O’Neill (Guest writer from UK Language Project)
If you’re interested in a career in teaching, why not start offering your services as a private language tutor? Whilst incredibly rewarding and interesting work, it can also equip you with that all-important experience you need to succeed in your further career.
Language expert Ed O’Neill from UK Language Project takes us through the do’s and don’t’s of getting started.
10 Steps to get you started
- Select language
- Choosing your language is important. Make sure it’s one you know to at least C1 (advanced level). Your native language is always a good bet.
- Choose between online/in-person teaching and choose your market
- Personal preference may dictate this. Are you fine with lessons on your laptop? Or do you prefer face to face, in-person interactions? Perhaps a mix of both would work?
- Research language teaching qualifications
- This isn’t essential just at the start but it’s important to know what qualifications are available if you decide to pursue this in the long term.
- Ensure your admin is in order before starting
- From registering for tax, buying a good microphone and speakers/headset, to printing/scanning your materials. Get this sorted ahead of time.
- Register with tutoring marketplaces
- The marketplaces do the marketing for you and will find you students. Get on as many as you can.
- Be open to new opportunities and put yourself out
- Go the extra mile. There are no traffic jams on the extra mile! If you take as many opportunities that come your way as you can, you’ll be rewarded down the line.
- Reviews, reviews, reviews!
- Set yourself apart. Get every student to review your lessons and build a portfolio of happy students who will be keen to recommend you. This will attract others to you and your lessons.
- Make continuous forward progress
- Teaching is a growth process. You and your skills will improve over time with experience. Embrace the learning and keep crafting your teaching to get better and better.
- Keep building your network
- Once your established, apply for freelance work with agencies/language schools. This can really add another dimension to your work and often works out more stable in the long run.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this brief look at how to get started with what is an incredibly rewarding career. A much more detailed guide can be found on the UK Language Project website.
An Insight into Graduate Jobs in Political Risk during Covid-19
By skye.aitken, on 23 September 2020
Read time: 3 minutes
Written by Joe O’Brien, Marketing Communications Assistant at UCL Careers.
Charles Hecker, Partner at the specialist risk consultancy Control Risks, speaks to UCL Careers about how the market is looking and what makes someone a strong candidate in challenging times.
Geopolitics and political risk have become increasingly important to businesses in recent years. Whilst before the interaction of local politics and international relations on the world of business was new and somewhat shapeless, this has changed significantly over the last 10 years. International relations and politics have become more and more important to businesses at board level, meaning our services are now in demand like never before.
The current situation has had tremendous effects on many aspects of life, effectively cementing this demand. Those who have a deep understanding of what drives a country during challenging times such as these are needed. People in our profession are helping companies write their rulebooks and answer significant questions that six months ago they wouldn’t have thought needed answering.
To take one example: when should companies allow staff to travel, and how will they do that? Coming out of lockdown is going to be a challenge even within individual countries, let alone across borders. To give an example, in Australia they haven’t yet been able to resolve travel from state to state – from Queensland to New South Wales, for instance. So here is a highly populated country, unable to decide how its citizens can travel effectively within its own borders. There are ongoing critical questions about supply chains, airlines, shipping and railways. All these questions require people with deep expertise of subject and geographic areas to try and provide answers to these unprecedented questions.
There is also a need to understand the larger implications: what does all this mean for countries, but also for individuals, airlines, Chinese economic growth and so on. People who bring this specialised knowledge and can explain their perspective clearly will be very much in demand.
What do you look for from applications at Control Risks?
Typically, we would look for a Master’s degree and languages. However, we have different levels of positions and we do hire at the BA level so this shouldn’t deter you! A well-prepared candidate offers geographic or thematic expertise: deep knowledge of a geographic area or a geopolitical subject. We look for evidence on the CV that they can gather information from a wide variety of sources, digest it and present it clearly. That might be working with a professor on a research project, contributing to an academic journal or even the student newspaper.
Networking is an essential skill in our field. It is important to take the initiative in developing relationships. Personally, I would applaud someone who approached me for a networking conversation: it shows passion and initiative. I would also recommend attending events, such as the ones at Chatham House or the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Think Tanks sometimes run evening events too. Of course this is dependent on when it will be safe to run physical events again or perhaps you will find online events you can attend virtually. Another idea is to join a discussion group. Whatever you decide to do, the idea is to develop your understanding and your contacts so that you can discuss the issues really fluently.
Do you have any final tips for graduates wishing to enter this area?
There’s no doubt that things have changed in the market as a result of Covid-19. Looking for work in the foreseeable future will likely require an amount of patience and effort as companies/organisations make changes to their recruitment processes during this difficult time.
Flexibility and resilience are the key words here. If you can’t get into this area first time around, what else could you consider, where else could you go to build relevant and interesting experience? We consider people from Think Tanks, from government and politics, from research and from business, banks and consultancies. Think laterally. An area like compliance, for example, which is about conducting detailed checks and balances and understanding things like money laundering legislation, would provide a great bootcamp for this field.
And finally, there is of course room for optimism. We partner with Oxford Economics, and they predict significant economic growth in 2021, so perhaps that will bode well for jobseekers!
Make a Flying Start to your Career with these Tips from our Feathered Friends!
By skye.aitken, on 21 September 2020
Read time: 3 minutes
Written by Victoria Abbott, Recruitment & Selection Advisor at UCL Careers.
My name is Victoria, and you may have met me in person, or online, running your applications advice appointments. However, due to the current situation, I’ve been working from home for several months now and sheer good luck has provided me with weeks of sunny days and long, warm evenings. I’ve therefore spent a disproportionate amount of time in my garden this summer, and couldn’t help but notice the large number and variety of birds that visited each day. Whilst sitting outside, I soon realised the diversity of personalities and varying characteristics of the different species of birds. And of course, with careers in mind, I soon got to thinking about the various tips and skills we could all learn and apply from our fledgling friends to our own personal career journeys.
The Dove:
The dove is a calm and peaceful bird, and can often be found supporting and caring for others. Although these are positive characteristics, they can often leave the dove vulnerable in the wild. Applying this understanding to your individual career plans, always ensure that you focus on your own dreams and aspirations, rather than just tagging along with your friends, meeting family expectations or following current trends. You may wish to browse through the UCL Careers Guide to provide further inspiration and ensure that you don’t become too passive or predictable with your career planning. Perhaps aim to visit some virtual Jobs Fairs or Insight Days during the autumn term and gain an awareness of areas that you haven’t investigated before? Our handy blog provides some great tips on making the most of the virtual jobs market. You could also book a short guidance appointment at UCL Careers to help you identify your own dreams and take your first steps towards trying something new.
The Eagle:
Okay, so I haven’t been lucky enough to see an eagle in the Kent countryside. However, I have spotted plenty of smaller kestrels and falcons, all of whom demonstrate confidence, independence and a competitive nature. These key characteristics are really important for the eagle when hunting in the wild; however the eagle understands that true success also lies in its ability to remain patient. So the eagle really is a master at knowing how to use its strengths and adapt its skills to any given situation. Confidence, competiveness and independence are also key characteristics when planning your career steps; however it is also essential that you remain patient when you experience setbacks, and try to think beyond the end result, just as the eagle thinks beyond the final hunt. Similar to the eagle, ensure you understand and can demonstrate your skill-set fully on your CV, and make sure you tailor your applications with the key criteria required for the role. Learn how to utilise and combine your strengths, skills and experiences by writing a great cover letter and practise using the STAR method in our handy STAR blog, to fully demonstrate your skills and competencies (also applicable in an interview situation). An applications advice appointment can also help you to maximise your CV and cover letter.
The Goldfinch, Blue-Tit and Sparrow:
These birds may be some of the smallest in the garden, but they are also the noisiest! Chatty, curious, resilient and resourceful, these are the team-players in the garden, working together to achieve their aims. Just like these birds, it is really important to make the most of your connections when considering your career. Check out our previous blog posts on how to grow your online network and learn how to boost your networking skills. Don’t forget to take advantage of the wealth of alumni support at UCL as well. You could also take a look at the huge range of resources available within MyUCLCareers and focus on improving your Linkedin profile to increase your views and boost your network. Just like these resourceful and curious birds, don’t forget to speak to your fellow students and university professors, as they may also have great insights and tips onto how to access your chosen industry or career.
The Owl:
As the nights draw in, I’ve been lucky enough to witness a pair of owls calling to each other across the garden. The owl, traditionally known for being a sage, wise bird, often stands for predictability and efficiency. Similarly, if you are detail oriented and enjoy routine and structure, you may identify with these traits. It is often crucial to be organised and plan your career options, but don’t forget to consider all possibilities or you run the risk of being too inflexible in your job search. Don’t just wait for your dream job to be advertised, take the lead and make speculative applications for graduate employment or work experience. You should also consider the bigger picture when thinking about your career and employability. Areas such as work-life balance, green initiatives and sustainability, and the chance to take part in pro-bono/charity work may be important to you, as well as the more obvious factors such as salary, location and promotion. Websites such as Prospects are great for giving insight into various job roles, as well as signposting you to key organisations within the sector. Also check-out our UCL Careers Sector Insights, which provide really informative content and interviews with recent graduates working in industry.
With a new term fast approaching, many of you will be starting to think about a return to university. Working through book-lists, listening to preparatory lectures and catching up with fellow students are probably all top of your to-do list. However, I would really recommend that you also spend a little bit of time thinking further ahead and considering the multitude of career options available to you. UCL Careers offer a range of one-to-one appointments, whether you’re exploring options, writing applications or want support preparing for interviews. So book an appointment, let your imagination soar and don’t worry about ruffling a few feathers along the way!
Insights from UCL Class of 2008 Webinar
By skye.aitken, on 31 August 2020
Read time: 3 minutes
Written by Glyn Jones, Careers Consultant at UCL Careers
Nick Coveney, Publisher Relations and Content Lead at Rakuten Kobo Inc took part in a recent UCL Careers, Class of 2008 insights webinar. I’ve summarised 5 of the key messages from Nick’s journey about how he went about navigating the job market during the last global recession in 2008.
- Having a clear idea of where you want to go can be very useful
Nick knew exactly what he wanted to do when he applied to university. He had a clear career goal of working in publishing and becoming an editor. Through having this goal in mind, Nick was able to seek out relevant opportunities, make the most of societies, volunteering and work placement opportunities that presented themselves to him. Nick spoke about how knowing exactly what he wanted to do helped him embrace opportunities such as getting a placement with a publishing house, volunteering with the most suitable societies and picking the right postgraduate course to study. This confidence in knowing exactly what he wanted to do helped him hone his skills and tailor his experiences, which would ultimately lead to him working in his chosen sector of interest.
Not everyone has a clear idea of exactly where they want to go, but having an idea of a sector of interest can be really valuable as it allows you focus on getting key experiences that will prove relevant further down the line.
If you want to learn more about specific industries and the graduate opportunities available, take a look at the Job Sectors section of the Prospects website.
- Things may not go according to plan: adapt and be resilient
Nick had three goals when graduating with his BA in English from the University of Nottingham.
- Get a good English degree from a good university
- Secure a graduate job with a major publisher
- Become an editor
The plan was ticking along nicely and Nick had even secured a graduate scheme. Then the financial crash of 2008 happened. In the matter of a few weeks, Nick went from being well on track, to graduating with a 2:2 and having his graduate scheme cancelled. Despite these setbacks, Nick didn’t allow this to prevent him from pursuing his chosen career path. He adapted his plans and took what opportunities he could, eventually ending up in his dream role as an editor.
Resilience and the ability to adapt is key when searching for career opportunities. There are very few people who have never been rejected or unsuccessful at some point in their career. What’s important is to not give up. Adapt to the circumstances you’re in and continue to strive for your desired end goal.
Read our blog post on Building Resilience in Your Job Hunt: How to Progress Your Career Planning and Overcome Setbacks in Challenging Times for tips dealing with setbacks.
- Any opportunity can offer skills
After hearing that his graduate scheme was cancelled, Nick had to move back home and extend his part time job, working full time just so he could earn a living. Although not what he wanted to do, this opportunity still provided him with experiences that developed his transferrable skills.
This opportunity also maintained Nick’s drive and energy to succeed in his sector of interest. Through doing something he didn’t want to do, it reaffirmed his desire to work in the publishing industry and acted as motivation for him to pursue his goal with even more vigour.
In challenging times you may sometimes need to compromise on your first choice job, but don’t forget that the transferrable skills you develop in these roles can still be useful when it comes to applying for more desired positions in the future.
If you want to learn more about how and when you can develop your transferrable skills be sure to visit the UCL Careers Skills Hub.
- Make the most of extracurricular opportunities, but know your limitations
Nick spoke about how he enjoyed working with societies and clubs during his undergraduate degree at Nottingham and added how useful these had been in future job applications. However, he did state that he was possibly guilty of getting too involved in these extracurricular activities, which meant that his studies suffered. When completing his masters at UCL, he seemed to find a much better balance. He still volunteered at some societies and was a course representative, but this time he made sure that he gave his studies enough time, enabling him to secure a distinction.
Finding the right balance between academic and non-academic commitments can be tricky whilst at university. Involvement with clubs, societies and work placements can be valuable when it comes to applying for roles, but try to make sure this isn’t to the detriment of your academic pursuits.
To find out about the range of clubs and societies you can get involved with at UCL, take a look at the UCL Student’s Union Clubs & Societies Directory.
- Find your niche
Nick had a clear idea of where he wanted to go with his career and was able to pursue this, even if it meant not following the most direct career path. However, it was interesting to note that while Nick thought he knew exactly what he wanted to do, he actually found an area within that sector that suited him even more. Through different experiences in his chosen sector and developing areas of interest during his academic studies, such as his dissertation, he carved out his own niche. He utilised the skills he’d developed through his experiences and combined these with knowledge of the sector he was interested in during his studies.
Sometimes, to identify your niche you can’t be afraid of moving away from your ‘dream job’. If you know the sector and are aware of what you’re good at, then this doesn’t need to be a scary prospect. Think of it as a matter of utilising the skills and experience that you’ve acquired, thereby offering something that no one else is able to within the sector.
If you’d like to discuss how you might go about finding your niche in a professional setting, or if you want to speak about any of the topics mentioned in this article please do book a one-to-one appointment with one of our Careers Consultants.
It was heartening hearing about Nick’s journey. He proved that even when times are challenging, it doesn’t mean that your dream job is off the cards. If you weren’t able to attend the session yourself, you can find the full recording of the session here.
Plan for Your Future with UCL’s Finalists Careers Toolkit
By skye.aitken, on 24 August 2020
Read time: 3 minutes
Written by Nicole Estwick, Careers Consultant at UCL Careers
The summer may be coming to an end, but for those about to start their final year at UCL, you may already be thinking about what may be in store in the months ahead especially in these unprecedented times.
What is the Finalists Careers Toolkit?
To support throughout your last year at UCL and beyond, UCL Careers has created the Finalist Careers Toolkit– a short, optional online Moodle course which aims to help you engage with your career planning before you enter your final year of study. Whether you’re considering your options for after your degree, or know what you want to do and are about to enter application processes, you’ll find informative video tutorials and useful insights and resources to help you succeed.
What will I learn?
By accessing the Finalists Careers Toolkit you’ll…
- Gain an early understanding of the graduate job market and know when to apply
As you return to your studies in the autumn, this is the time many employers open their application processes to graduates who will be finishing their degree the following year.
Accessing the Finalists Careers Toolkit course ahead of your first term will help to ensure you are ahead of key dates and don’t miss deadlines for opportunities you may wish to pursue. This will be particularly important this year as the graduate job market adapts to the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic. Seeking the valuable advice of UCL Careers staff on the course will help to give you an advantage when you look for roles during your final year.
- Explore your options and progress your career thinking
Some of you may already have a particular career you would like to pursue in mind once you leave UCL, whilst others may still be assessing what they can do next on completion of their degree.
The Finalist Careers Toolkit can also help you in identifying and researching the options available to you with video content and online resources outlining effective strategies you can use to evaluate the different pathways you can take, helping you to make positive steps forward whatever is next in your career plans.
- Assess whether further study is right for you and how to apply for postgraduate courses
We know that a proportion of students may not go on to pursue full time work after their bachelor’s degree and instead may look to do a Masters or another postgraduate qualification.
The Finalists Careers Toolkit offers an insight into the application process for further study along with guidance on funding postgraduate courses helping you to consider whether or not you should do a Masters to support your longer term career plans.
- Get application ready
For those set to start applying for graduate roles this autumn, the Finalists Careers Toolkit also provides practical tips and advice to get you application ready from the start of the academic year.
The course includes sections on writing effective applications and delivering successful interviews and presentations with detailed examples of good and bad techniques in each area that you can apply to applications you will be preparing during the year.
- Find advice on working in the UK and abroad
At UCL, we know that some international students will be exploring the possibility of staying to work in the UK after their bachelor’s degree, whilst others will be looking forward to working or completing further study in their home or a third country.
In the Finalists Careers Toolkit, we provide guidance on both of these areas as well as sharing key resources for working abroad ensuring you are equipped with the best tools for your international job search.
- Refresh yourself on the support available to you at UCL ahead of the new academic year
Finally, the Finalists Careers Toolkit provides a useful overview of UCL Careers and the services we provide.
The first few weeks of the new term are typically very busy so why not use the course to get a refresher on the support available to you and get a head start on accessing our service so you can maximise your chances of success in your final year at UCL.
How do I access it?
You can access the Finalist Careers Toolkit now via the Moodle link below: