sheffield.ac.uk/careers

1. March 2011 Your degree in BMS….. CAREERS SERVICE …. What next? Alison Clay, Careers Adviser www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers

2. Where are you? • I have definite career plans and know how to achieve them • I have some ideas but am not sure what to do next • I have a few vague ideas • I haven’t got a clue What are your concerns? • Are there obstacles you feel you face when making career decisions?

3. Qualifications & whether further study is feasible Technical skills Transferable skills Personal qualities / personality Prior experience Abilities / degree result Interests / motivations Values & beliefs Awareness of options Occupational knowledge Friends & family Salary / debt Geographical mobility Other responsibilities Self image / self confidence Networks / contacts Economic climate……. Factors affecting career choice

4. Current economic climate Next 2 years: cautious rise in jobs but more competition - you WILL be affected! ACTNOW: • Get a good degree • Get work experience / work shadowing • Develop skills (SGA, SfWC, courses, etc) • Be flexible in career choices, employers & locations • Make contacts (tutors, careers events, networking) • Apply early • Don’t give up hope – there ARE jobs out there! • Don’t assume further study is the only option • Get help if you need it: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/advice • Start by considering what you want to do after your degree…..

5. What do BMS graduates do?www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/degree.html UK / EU – BMS first degree grads, Sheffield 2009 Response rate = 82.5%. Of those known: • 35.1% Employed (FT ~ 79%; PT – 21%; voluntary ~ 0%) • 44.7% Further study • 5.3% Work and further study • 3.2% Not available for work or further study (eg, travel) • 10.6% Still seeking work • 1.1% refused to tale part in survey

6. In the lab: Research / lab assistant Research / lab technician Animal technician Lab analyst Trainee clinical scientist Phlebotomist Chemical analyst Microbiologist Cell biologist Lab-associated: Clinical data manager Clinical trials assessor Test results administrator Project co-ordinator (lab testing) Regulatory affairs manager Accreditation assistant Safety consultant Sample of scientific employment areas entered by BMS Graduates

7. Healthcare (inc. NHS) Higher education Pharmaceutical – development, testing, manufacturing, etc Contract research labs Testing and analysis services Lab equipment developers Local & Central Government HSE, FSS Regulatory bodies Charities Secondary education Scientific society Biotech companies inc. SMEs Typical employers - science

8. Using science away from lab: Healthcare / dental / nursing / assistants & support workers (second degree applicants?) Healthcare centre manager Medical sales representative Medical / technical writer Medical information officer Teaching assistant Journalist IT & telecommunication Business & finance Recruitment consultants Sales / marketing Youth and community work Police & probation services Housing & welfare officers Human Resources Project management Chef Admin / clerical / manual Sample employment data for BMS graduates – wider picture

9. PhD / MPhil: Biomedical science; Neuroscience; Neurology; Clinical sciences; Development biology; Molecular biology; Stem cell development ; Molecular and genetic medicine; Psychiatric diseases; Endocrinology; Engineering materials; Neuroethics; Genetics science MSc: Neuroscience; Biomedical science; Molecular medicine; Reproductive biology; Stem cell technology; Drug discovery; Biological & bioprocess engineering; Cancer biology; Biochemical engineering; Immunology Medicine / Dentistry / Nursing BSc Clinical physiology BSC Clinical psychology MSc Physiotherapy MSc Audiology MPharm Pharmacy MMedSci Human Nutrition MSc Sports & exercise science MSc Forensic science MA Biotech law & ethics MSc Science communication PGCE primary/secondary Sample of research / further study entered by BMS graduates

10. Stage 1. Understanding yourself Careers with my Degree www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/degree.html • personality and preferences - Profiling for Success • interests and skills - Prospects Planner See the Bigger Picture (Section 1) www.careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/bigger_picture/see_the_bigger_picture.pdf Improve your prospects – and your self-awareness: www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/advice : • Work experience & skills development • Skills for Work Certificate • Sheffield Graduate Award

11. Stage 2. Investigating your options Which option is for you? Investigate: Work? See next slide Further study? Talk to your tutor asap. Also see: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/study Time out? See: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/timeout.html Unsure? Talk to a Careers Adviser – call 0114 222 0910 to book a 15-minute appointment

12. Researching types of work: • Careers Service online: www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/options.html • Occupational Panels and A Day in the Life Of.....: www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/events • Network – friends / family / neighbours and people they know! • Briefing Sheets – Researching Types of Work & Meeting Employers; also see Careers Service guide • Professional bodies – look for careers section of websites (see next slide)

13. Professional bodies & learned societies: • Society of Biology: www.societyofbiology.org • Physiological Society: www.physoc.org • Genetics Society: www.genetics.org.uk • British Society for Cell Biology: www.bscb.org • Institute of Biomedical Science: www.ibms.org • British Neuroscience Association: www.bna.org.uk • Society for General Microbiology: www.sgm.ac.uk • Society for Experimental Biology: www.sebiology.org • Biochemical Society: www.biochemistry.org • Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry: careers.abpi.org.uk • NHS Careers: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk • Research Councils UK: www.rcuk.ac.uk • Etc – see ‘Directory of British Associations’ in Careers Service

14. What you need to know about the work: • Entry requirements: qualifications, skills, experience • Key duties of the job • Conditions of employment • Work environment • Career progression • Typical employers and vacancy sources • Other useful contacts – who do you know?

15. Stage 3. Decisions, decisions…. • Do you fit the bill? • Knowledge & specialist skills? • Relevant experience ? • Transferable skills? • If not, are you prepared to put in extra effort to make it? • Best module options? Project theme? • Work experience? DEE? Ask in your dept; make speculative applications; use Jobshop: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/advice/work.html • Develop your skills / improve your prospects: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/advice • Does the occupation / further study offer the right rewards for you? Interest? Satisfaction? Progression ? Benefits package? • Is it compatible with your values / preferences? Undertake self-analysis and chat to a Careers Adviser / your tutor • Be honest!

16. Stage 4. Finding jobs / further study • Online info on job search: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/jobs • Creative job search & networking – ask at Careers Service • Online help with finding further study: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/study • Seeking further study related to your course? Talk to your tutor • Briefing sheets: Job hunting strategies; Meeting employers; Further study

17. Stage 5. Making applications I was horrified at the standard of many of the hundreds of applications we received. The writers are hugely keen to talk about themselves but forget to find out what the prospective employer is looking for; 95% ignored the (very simple) application instructions. My favourite is the writer who assured me their best quality was their "attention do detail". Recruiter with over 20 years experience writing in The Guardian 08/01/11 • Unique • Targeted • Why you • Why this job • Why them

18. BMS 227 – Career Development Skills Coming up in Semester 2: • CVs and personal statements • Presentation skills • Interviews

19. Pick up your copy today Spare copies available from MBB/BMS Departmental Office

20. Career Service information sheets:- Career ideas for students in BMS- Careers in the lab - information for Biomedical Scientists

21. Medicine & Dentistry talks Getting into Medicine & Dentistry Tuesday 3 May, 10.10am, BLT2 Admissions tests for Medicine & Dentistry Thursday 5 May, 11.10am, BLT1

22. Where to find us….. Careers Service - 388 Glossop Road (behind SU building) Open 9am - 5pm Mon to Fri (11am – 5pm Tues) CAREERS SERVICE Student Jobshop - Students’ Union Building Open 10am – 3pm Mon to Fri (11am – 3pm Tues) www.shef.ac.uk/careers www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers