April 28, 2014, by Beth Dawson
Using your revision to generate career ideas
How do you revise? Thinking about how you work can be a useful way to generate ideas about the kind of environment you’d like to go into after leaving Nottingham. We explore careers that might suit the common types of reviser that emerge in the lead up to exams.
The negotiator
Without your input, group projects would be a disaster. Thanks to your diplomacy you’ve put feuding workmates back on track and are comfortable giving presentations about your work. Now it’s time to revise, you’re gathering your seminar group together to discuss topics and ideas to strengthen your work. After your revision time you’re looking into the Debating Union’s next meeting or are catching up with the latest episode of Question Time. A career in public affairs or law could be just the opportunity you need to flex your debating muscles. Explore these careers at:
- The Lex 100 – features overviews of different practice areas, a firm comparison tool and the opportunity to ask those currently in the industry about their work and how they got into it.
- LG Jobs – the UK’s official local government site which features vacancies with local councils.
- PubAffairs Network – in the graduate career section, you can find courses and training information along with a database of employers.
- jobsgopublic – vacancies for a variety of positions in the public sector can be found on the extensive jobs board.
The designer
Your revision notes could belong in a gallery: borders, colour coordinated headers and doodles adorn your work. Is considering the layout and design of a mind map nothing new to you? Do you think that a visit to an art gallery is the perfect way to relax after a hard day in the library? Investigate careers in the creative and design industries at:
- Artquest – features ‘how to guides’ for every stage of a visual arts career, funding and training information and runs an artists’ networking project, ‘Artelier’.
- Creative SkillSet – find career advice, case studies of professionals and a detailed database of guides to different job roles in the creative industries.
- ArtsHub – explore opportunities in a variety of disciplines. ArtsHub also covers industry news to help you enhance your commercial awareness.
The planner
You’ve made a spreadsheet and worked out the formulas to know exactly what marks you need in each exam to get your desired grade. If finding solutions to problems fills you with a sense of satisfaction and you’re the resident DIY expert and budget organiser of your house, you may want to look into careers in the engineering, science and IT industries:
- The Institution of Engineering and Technology – find advice about becoming an engineer, a digital library of engineering and science-related publications and a database of training and job opportunities.
- Engineers without Borders – provides training and placement opportunities to work in engineering in developing countries.
- The Vega Science Trust – features videos about careers in science, issues surrounding the industry and scientific developments.
- The Chartered Institute for IT – discover your local East Midlands branch that holds regular events and has a Young Professionals Group that aims to assist IT career development.
The coach
A shoulder to cry on during late-night cramming sessions, a source of advice when it comes to both academic and personal issues and a walking first aid kit for when tiredness leads to clumsiness – does this sound like you? If you want to put your great people skills to use, consider working in the charity, health care or social work industries. Find information at :
- ACGAS social care booklet – covers a range of specialisms within the industry and offers insights into what it’s like to work in the sector, accessible through our website.
- Health Service Journal – find news stories from the health sector and a wide range of vacancies on its jobs board.
- British Association of Occupational Therapists and College of Occupational Therapists – offers a range of professional resources, an online database of publications and downloadable career guide.
- British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy – get advice on how to enter the industry and learn more about counselling on their detailed FAQ page.
The newsfeed addict
Every revision break is a chance to find out what’s going on in the world and you have every news app in existence installed on your phone. Outside of work you might be already participating in Students’ Union media projects or running your own blog. Want to make the news your business? Discover journalism and media careers at:
- National Union of Journalists – features industry news and a dedicated students section with information and resources about starting a career in journalism, work experience and training.
- Writing East Midlands – discover local writing events and take advantage of services such as a mentoring scheme and critical readings of your work by professionals.
- The Guardian Media Supplement – search an extensive collection of industry news and a large jobs board advertising national and international opportunities.
If you want to find more resources to explore a range of career sectors, visit our career paths pages on our website. Also, you can discuss your career options and entry routes into professions by booking an appointment with a careers adviser through MyCareer.
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