Welcome to the what can I do with my degree’ seminar

Student Counselling and Career Service, Registry Building. 06 350 5935

http://careers.massey.ac.nz http://health-counselling.massey.ac.nz/

Massey career service – what does it do?

• Helps no matter what stage you’re at in your career thinking

• Assists you with:

- issues to consider in choosing a career- researching roles, organisations, the labour market and

options with your subject- accessing vacancies and the hidden job market- applying for work…CV’s, interviews etc- queries re further study

• Works face-to-face, phone or email - pncareers@massey.ac.nz – drop-in sessions 2.00 until 4.00 Tuesday - Thursday

What skills are you developing?

All employers will expect you to highlight the skills; knowledge and experience that you have that’s relevant to the role. You’ll also need to evidence this – ideally using examples from all aspects of your life…study; work; activities etc.

Brainstorm – what skills could you offer?

Some skills/attributes you’re developing:

Communication Analytical

Research Time management

Interpersonal Cross-cultural awareness

Self-confidence Attention to detail

Lateral thinking Curiosity

Self-reliance Language ability

Career options

• Many careers are open to graduates of any discipline!

• Some will require your subject, others see it as useful.

• For those with language qualifications, common career destinations are teaching; translating and interpreting; hospitality; travel and tourism; marketing; exporting and trade; diplomacy; immigration; law enforcement; customer services…

Career options continued…

However, what about…

Publishing – ever heard of a ‘web localiser’?

Broadcast media – dubbing and sub-titles for example?

Teaching English?

Research roles where other languages open new fields of study

Possible employers are…

Government – from Foreign Affairs and Trade through Customs, Immigration and Justice to Trade & Enterprise, Tourism NZ and local government.

Aid and Development organisations

District Health Boards; Conference organisers, Education bodies

Finance and Banking; Media; Marketing – a vast range!

Are qualifications enough?

No! You’ll also need to show their applicability plus relevant skills; experience (possibly) and research into the role, sector and organisation.

Further study may be required or useful – particularly ‘specialist’.

Grades can be important – so make sure you enjoy your papers and programme!

Think – how can you ‘add value’ to an employer?

Individual career choice - continued

• Overall life goals• Look at each choice or step as it contributes to your overall goal• Be willing to make short-term sacrifices for long-term benefits• Think carefully about becoming too specialized• Portable knowledge & skills - employability/transferability is the key

• Networking - for information and job search

Individual career choice - questions

Ask yourself:

• Will the role involve activities that I enjoy?• Will it allow me to use/develop some of my best skills?• Will I be able to do things that are meaningful to me?• Will it be a good match for my personality?

Individual career choice – how we can help

• See ‘on-line career choice tools’ under ‘choosing a career’ at http://careers.massey.ac.nz

• Arrange a ‘Career Voyage’ appointment via pncareers@massey.ac.nz - this is a tool designed to help you to identify types of work that match your career interests and preferences.

• Remember our 1:1 career drop-in sessions - from 2.00 until 4.00 Tuesday through Thursday

More sources of help

• See Massey CareerHub – our vacancy system at -http://careers.massey.ac.nz

• Use www.careers.govt.nz – select ‘Get job info’ and explore 700 + occupations, or sectors such as government; education; marketing and possible roles in them

• See www.graduateopportunities.com for jobs

Yet more sources of help…

• Consider joining relevant professional bodies to access vacancies; attend events; network; seek information from contacts you make.

• Explore other ways of developing marketable and relevant skills.

• Asia Foundation programmes for exchanges; internships; scholarships; events etc…see www.asianz.org.nz

• See www.prospects.ac.uk – ‘Jobs & Work – Explore working Abroad – Country Specific Information.