Professional DevelopmentEmployability

Professional Development:Employability Workshops

Dr Vikki Carolan (Placement Tutor)

Workshop 1: 11-12 29th September 6620Introduction

Workshop 2: 11-12 6th October 6620Making Applications

Intro to Careers Service

Workshop 3: 11-12 13th October 6620Interview Preparation

Workshop 4: 11-12 20th October 6620Recent placement experiences

Professional Development PortfolioEvidence of placement or employment

activities

To include (amongst others):statement of placement / employment goalsup to date CVapplication form and covering letterlist of practical, professional & personal skillsreflection on professional development including

career aspirations

What is employability?‘a set of achievements - skills, understandings

and personal attributes - that make

graduates more likely to gain employment

and be successful in their chosen

occupations, which benefits themselves, the

workforce, the community and the economy.’

Yorke 2006

What is employability?

‘The possession by an individual of the qualities

and competences required to meet the

changing needs of employers, and thereby

help realise his or her aspirations and

potential in work’

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

Employability Workshop (1)

Ways to improve employability:

get a (science) degreedevelop transferable skillsget work experience

Develop transferable skillsUse subject specific employability profiles /

transferrable skills to identify your strengths

BMS - take BMS profileBiology - take Bioscience profileHuman biology - take Bioscience profileBiochemistry - take Bioscience and chemistry sheetsBiotechnology - take Bioscience profilePharm Sci - take chemistry sheetFAS - take Forensic and chemistry sheetsFBS - take Forensic and Bioscience sheets

Why get work experience?

The 2008 ABPI Industry Skills report* states that:

'most industry employers would only consider hiring

graduates who had at least completed a summer

placement'

*Skills Needs for Biomedical Research, ABPI, 2008. p15

One way to improve employability....

.....spend year 3 on placement

What is an industrial placement?

fantastic, exciting, daunting opportunitywork experiencechance to try a jobopportunity to improve 'transferrable skills'self-development

48 weeks of employment starting summer 2012

It could:

influence your career choice

be a year long interview

let you (hopefully) earn some money

give you experience of 'working life'

develop new skills - practical, academic & social

improve your final degree classification

It will:Improve your employability

Students on all Biosciences courses can choose to do a work placement in their third year

Support available from:Placement TeamCareers team (SLS)Academic Tutors

Common Worries:

Will I be up to the job?

I won't know anyone!

I don't want to leave:Sheffield / my boyfriend/girlfriend / my dog!

Can I afford it?

Where will I live?

How do I get a placement?

impressive CV

apply!

well thought-out application / covering letter

(JA will check first application forms/cover letters)

prepare for interview

CVfinal draft should be completed and with Joanna

it should show your strengths but be to the point

make it reader friendly

get someone to proof read it

update it

difficult to apply for a placement without a CV!

http://www.bioscience.heacademy.ac.uk/ftp/employability/CVunlucky13.pdf

Apply!

Placement opportunities on Blackboard - once enrolled, check daily

Look at job spec and match with your course / interests

Think of evidence of transferable skills

Note deadlines - companies set these not us

Do what they ask

Don't wait for the 'ideal placement'

Prepare for interview

guidance in workshop 3, also use Careers service

use 'The Interviewer'

think about possible questions

how can you demonstrate key skills (evidence)?

what attracts you about the company?

be prepared for technical questions

practise psychometric tests

Contact with companymay contact you directly

check email regularly

ensure voicemail / ansaphone messages are appropriate!

keep Joanna informed of application status

Follow the Placement Process Regulations

Keep a placement file! (Keep copies of applications / job descriptions)

What to do next?Ensure 'final' version of CV and covering

letter are sent to Joanna

Look on blackboard - and apply!

Many good placements are already being advertised, with some imminent closing dates

Oct - Jan busiest placement period; slows down after this

Applications will be monitored

General Items:

Health & Safety

Hep B Vaccination

Animal Testing

Health & Safety:

Info in placement booklet (provided in Y1)

Approved by SHU before placements commence and risk assessed

Consider 'disclosing' a disability

Discuss any health problems at interview

We do not inform employers of any issues

Companies may insist on a medical / drug test

H&S discussed further in S2 workshops

Hepatitis-B Vaccination:

Recommended if you are likely to be working with blood / blood products

Offered by Student Medical Centre – free service but appointment necessary

Course of 3 injections followed by blood test – course takes about 8 months

Hep-B serious disease; vaccination requirement for some placements

Animal Testing:Need to be clear of your views

Look at questions in placement booklet

Various levels of involvement: Company may deal with data from animal studies done

elsewhere Analysis of samples from animals e.g. urine, faeces Collection & analysis of samples from animals Analysis of tissue from animals e.g. biopsies, liver Collection & preparation of tissue samples from animals

e.g. dissection, preparation of sections hands-on work with animals

Next time.....

....making applications