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Generating Ideas

This helpsheet is aimed at people considering career options. You may be studying for your first degree or a postgraduate qualification; be thinking about your first job after university; or be working already, but feeling dissatisfied in your current employment.

Choosing a career may seem daunting, but you can feel confident that you have made decisions before. What about your degree course and university, your accommodation, perhaps a holiday? Which decisions were the best, and how did you make them? Some people make decisions by identifying what matters to them, checking availability, ensuring they can meet requirements such as exam grades or cost, and taking action. Others proceed by a process of trial and error, keeping their options open as much as possible. Reputation, peer pressure or parental concerns may also play a part.

Assessing Yourself

Priorities
What would constitute success for you? Wealth, fame, a sense of fulfilment? Assessing yourself means trying to work out what really matters to you. Your priorities are likely to change with your personal circumstances. When you chose your university, your "shopping list" may have included: 20th century literature, opportunity to learn Spanish, a good drama society, within a 2 hour travelling distance of London. Some elements were probably more important than others e.g. flexibility within degree (options in 20th century drama preferred), degree result not wholly dependent on final exams (continuous assessment desirable), direct travel to London (rail preferable). So how do you identify your career preferences?

Interests
Think about what interests you. Look beyond your degree and include your leisure activities. This can sometimes lead to rather vague generalisations like "I want to work for the UN" or "I want to work in cancer research". Try to separate what you want to see achieved in broad terms from what would satisfy you on a day-to-day basis. What role would you play in the UN? Policymaker, peacekeeper or aid worker? How could you help find a cure for cancer? Do you want to work with cancer patients, with laboratory animals, or would you prefer to instead pledge part of your salary to a cancer charity?

Preferences
Consider what you enjoy doing and what you dislike. Try to be realistic about what you are good at. These are not always the same thing. Some academically able people feel they have been pushed into a profession which offers them status, but little satisfaction. You may be fascinated by share-dealing, but find it hard to excel in numerical aptitude tests.

As well as looking at what you like doing, think about how you like working. Do you prefer working alone or with others? Do you tend to come up with broad ideas, such as "Let's have a party", or are you known for your attention to detail as in "How many packets of crisps will we need?" Talk about your ideas with others. You may want to use a careers adviser as a sounding board. You should be able to use a computer package such as 'Prospects Planner' or 'Adult Directions' at your careers service, or alternatively, choose 'What job would suit me?' at www.prospects.ac.uk. There may also be the opportunity to assess your personality using a questionnaire such as the MBTI.

Researching the Market

Occupations
You have probably already used university prospectuses and holiday brochures. But did you realise that you can get similar information about different occupations? You can consult guides and booklets at your careers service or look at websites such as www.prospects.ac.uk and www.insidecareers.co.uk.

Vacancies
Just as the "To Let" section of the classified adverts can help you research the housing market, so the "Situations Vacant" can help you identify current openings. Be aware, though, that placing an advertisement and dealing with the response can be very expensive. Some small employers, or employers in very popular sectors, may prefer to fill vacancies from speculative applications.

Networking
When you chose your degree course, you may well have spoken to current undergraduates - perhaps former pupils at your school, or people you were introduced to through family and friends. Revive these networks to find out what it's like to work in the various careers you're considering. Your careers service may have a database of alumni willing to talk about their work. If you feel apprehensive about approaching people, have a look at the AGCAS video Can I have a few minutes of your time? The King's College careers website also has some useful information.

Reality Checking

Having assessed yourself and researched the market, you should have some ideas of potential career paths. Use your contacts to find out the appropriate entry level, and whether there are opportunities to move within the organisation.

What skills and qualifications are required for these careers? Some employers (notably accountants) specify A'level grades; others class of degree; while some careers require further qualifications. Some positions require presentation skills, others writing ability. Are these areas which you enjoy and in which you can succeed?

Work Shadowing
One of the best ways to find out whether a career will suit you is to try it out. See if you can arrange to work-shadow someone for a day or two, or try and arrange a relevant vacation job. Your careers service will be able to help you, or your university may have a work experience officer and/or a jobshop.

While you are visiting or working, you will be able to see whether the working environment, as well as the actual duties, would meet your expectations. Some careers, including environmental work and work within the media, have very low starting salaries; others are available in restricted locations, for example, the City; and working hours vary enormously.

Taking Action

Gaining Skills
Once you have ascertained the qualifications and skills required for your chosen career, you then need to make sure you acquire them. Many transferable skills can be developed through your course, by involvement with groups or societies, or by work experience in a variety of fields, which may or may not be related to your chosen career. At university, you may have to analyse information, solve problems, write reports and make presentations. You have to manage your time to meet deadlines. Sports may enhance your ability to work as part of a team, and work experience will raise your commercial awareness and communication skills.

You may need to gain more specific skills such as IT or a foreign language. It may be possible to arrange this through your university or a local college.

Gaining experience
Some careers will require more specific experience. Firms of solicitors like potential trainees to have spent some vacation work in a legal setting. Potential teachers should have voluntary or paid experience of working with children. Journalists might question your commitment if you have never submitted articles to the student newspaper.

Your chance of realising your dream career will be greatly increased if you make an effort to widen your horizons. Attend recruitment fairs, conferences, and employer talks and visits. Join the relevant professional body. Share your ideas about what you want to do next with people who show an interest. You may be offered useful tips and contacts, and before you know it, have found yourself a career.

Further Information

• What Color Is Your Parachute?, Richard Nelson Bolles, Ten Speed Press, 2003
• Planning a Career Change: Rethink Your Way to a Better Life, Judith Johnstone, How To Books, 2004
• The Career Change Handbook, Graham Green, How To Books, 2003