Graduate Careers Services: First Port of Call

Expert Advice

Each university careers service employs trained advisors providing one-to-one guidance on every aspect of planning your career.

Forget the old school stereotype of the careers advisor urging you o enter a 'respectable' profession. Today's careers advisers are committed to helping you to work out what you want to do yourself. They hear words 'I don't know what I want to do!' on a daily basis. While they can't provide instant answers they are trained to help you recognise your own skills and use your life experiences to work out what your dream job would be, or weigh up alternative options.

Whatever stage you are at, seeing a careers adviser will help you focus on planning your career and make you aware of the opportunities available to you. Most careers services operate a drop-in 'clinic' which is ideal for brief queries like CV or application form checking. Longer sessions can help you consider your careers goals in greater depth. A large number of careers services will also accept email queries.

Information Resources

All careers services have a library containing information on occupations, post graduate study, self-employment, opportunities overseas, voluntary work and job-hunting.

The contact details and up-to-date company literature of a vast number of graduate employers are also held by careers services. Such employers have corporate brochures specifically to tell graduates about their organisation (including the skills they are seeking and what they can offer graduates). You will also find free copies of useful publications containing details of opportunities and job-hunting advice.

Additional Services

New Skills

Workshops, presentations or even online learning schemes cover every aspect of your career planning from knowing yourself, to creating the perfect CV and giving your best at interviews. Employers sometimes facilitate these workshops themselves so you can learn about a company's culture without leaving the university environment.

After You Graduate

Normally your own university can offer support in the form of careers interview, access to the information library, workshops and possibly more, after you graduate. If you are not living near your university of study you may be able to use the services of an institution in your locality.

Meet The Employers

Keep an eye out for events and careers talks run by your service. Employers regularly stage presentations or events within universities - these opportunities are a great way to find out more about an organisation and about your own likes and dislikes when it comes to work.