The Careers Service.

20/04/23

www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers

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Finding career and course-related work

experienceWhat BMS students need to know

Alison Clay, Careers AdviserDr Louise Robson, Dept of BMS

The Careers Service.“Nearly two-thirds of recruiters warn that graduates

who have had no previous work experience at all are unlikely to be successful during the selection process and have little or no chance of receiving a job offer for their organisations’ graduate programmes.”High Fliers, January 2011 (survey of The Times Top 100 employers) • ‘Expectation’

• Gives you an edge - degree alone is not enough

• Develop technical & transferable skills

• Commercial / organisational awareness

• Make valuable contacts

• Find out what you do / don’t want to do

• Putting learning into practice

• Earn ££ (hopefully)

• Enjoyable

The Careers Service.

EG application / interview questions

• Of the work experience (you have already gained) which did you enjoy the most and why? What did you learn from it?

• Please describe key situations where you have worked as part of a team, your contribution and the difference you personally made.

• Highlight your contribution to an event or project, detailing how you resolved problems encountered and ensured a successful completion.

The Careers Service.

Employers wish-list

• Technical, workplace or discipline-specific skills

• Transferable skills / attributes: common sense; curiosity; communication; commercial awareness; initiative; creativity; interpersonal; teamwork; negotiation; networking; self-management; self-motivation; problem-solving; confidence & assertiveness; flexibility; willingness to learn

The Careers Service.

EG: What do AstraZeneca want?

Innovation (produce novel ideas, generate

options and alternatives)

Commitment to core values

Analytical thinking diagnosis & developing solutions

Skill development (personal effectiveness, IT, business driven skills

Business awareness

Team Players (who can

make a difference)

Enthusiasm & Drive (good ideas depend on good people)

Technical skills

The Careers Service.

Some options ....Summer 2012

- apply at start of L2!• Year long placement in

industry (Claire Brooke)

• Summer internships (lab or otherwise)

• Lab based work experience ( Dr Louise Robson)

• Organise own ‘placement’

This summer / other time

- boost your CV• Work shadowing and

insight days

• Volunteering

• Part time / temp. work

• Clubs & societies / other extra curricular

• Organise your own ‘placement’

The Careers Service.

Which should I choose? What career?

• Course-related? Other?• Test various options?• Careers with my degree:

www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/bms• Talk to your tutor• Exploring careers:

www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/options.html

Practicalities• Duration, location, finance…

Enjoyment

The Careers Service.

Advertised opportunities• My Vacancies –

‘Careers’ tab in MUSE or www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/jobs

• Links to other useful websites: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/jobs/tips.html

• ‘Where to look’ series – from Careers Service• Devoted publications: Prospects Work Experience, Target

Work Experience – from Careers Service• Your academic department• Trade directories, magazines, journals• Professional Associations• Internet search• Company/organisations websites• Ask at the Careers Service….

The Careers Service.

Create your own opportunity

• Identify: Type, where, when and for how long? Sector? Role? Paid? Other criteria?

• Identify: appropriate organisations and named contact

• Target CVs and covering letters to named contact

• Follow-up named contact after 3-4 weeks

www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/jobs/tips.html

The Careers Service.

Identifying organisations to approach• Occupational profiles: www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm

• Directory of British Associations eg, ABPI• Careers Service information resources:

www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/options.html• SYBEN (inc. SMEs): www.syben.org.uk/usefullinks.htm• Sheffield Technology Parks: www.shefftechparks.com • Key British Enterprises• Business search engine - www.kompass.com• Yellow Pages – www.yell.com• Your networks• Universities• Hospitals

The Careers Service.

Include a 1 year placement as part of your degree, making it a 4 year degree

Placement taken after year 2 Placement must contribute to

learning outcome of your degree and be approved

You are responsible for finding placement ( with support from the Careers Service)

2.1 or aboveMost don’t accept applications after

end November

Degree with Employment Experience

www.shef.ac.uk/placements/students

The Careers Service.

Organisations targeting University of Sheffield students

The Careers Service.

Opportunities for placements• Talk: Thurs 31st March at 11am in Biology LT1

• Visit www.shef.ac.uk/bms/undergrad/placements/ and www.sheffield.ac.uk/placements/students for more general information

• Inform Dr Susan Smith in BMS if considering DEE (Sue.Smith@sheffield.ac.uk)

• Contact your personal tutor – you may need an academic reference for some placements

• Attend drop in session in Careers Service Tuesday & Thursdays 1-2pm (Claire Brooke)

The Careers Service.

Applying for work experience

• Make it professional and effective!

• PUT YOURSELF IN THE EMPLOYER’S SHOES:

show you are a good match by demonstrating your skills, interests, qualifications – research employer / industry, and what you have to offer

• General tips: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/gettingajob

• Applications reviews available Careers Service

The Careers Service.

Find out more and register for the programme at:www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/advice/sfwc.html

Worried about your lack of skills?No examples to give to employers?

Skills for Work Certificate• Recognition for your work experience (paid or

unpaid)• Reflection on the skills you have developed• Endorsed by major graduate employers• Can count towards The Sheffield Graduate Award

NOW taking registrations for briefing sessions in Semester Two

The Careers Service.

Recognise skills and experience from:

Student jobs and work experience

Volunteering

Enterprise

Activities supporting the institution

Social and cultural awareness

Extending international horizonswww.shef.ac.uk/thesheffieldgraduateaward

The Sheffield Graduate Award

The Careers Service.

Handout:

Finding work experience – Information for BMS students

The Careers Service.

20/04/23

www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers

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Careers Service - 388 Glossop Road (behind SU building)Open 9am - 5pm Mon to Fri (11am – 5pm Tues)

Student Jobshop - Students’ Union BuildingOpen 10am – 3pm Mon to Fri (11am – 3pm Tues)

www.shef.ac.uk/careers

Where to find us…..

The Careers Service.

Dr Louise Robson

Dept of Biomedical Science