Careers Advice
for School Leavers
College & University Students
The followingemployment sectors offer some of the best future career opportunities for Students and Graduates in the UK
In alphabetical order . . . tors
- Accountancy
- Architecture
- Banking and Building Societies
- Civil Engineering
- Computing / IT
- Consulting
- Electronic Engineering
- Finance & Investment Banking
- Human Resource Management
- Law - Solicitors, Lawyers, Barristers
- Leisure, Hospitality and Catering
- Marketing
- Mechanical Engineering
- Public Sector
- Recruitment Consulting
- Sales
- Science
- Telecommunications
To help you make informed career decisions, the
following information summarises some useful
career information
Accountancy- a challenging, stimulating and financially rewarding career - offering long-term career prospects in many different industries. Accountants work with a wide range of clients and enjoy a certain level of independence, even when part of a partnership.
Qualifications: Graduates with a 2:1 from any degree discipline
Key Skills: Numeracy and analytical thinking skills, with an ability to communicate and work both independently and as part of a team
Recommended firms: Accenture Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein
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Architecture - a thriving industry and increasing in popularity due to long-term career prospects and financial benefits.
Qualifications:
A 5-year degree programme is recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Architects Registration Board
A minimum of 2 years professional experience in an architectural firm is required
Key Skills:
Design, creativity, imagination, motivation, mathematical skills, methodical approach
Recommended: Atkins
Ove Arup
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Banking and Building Society careers offer options to work in financial services in either front or back office retail banking or in investment banking. Bank and building society staff administer the accounts of both personal and business customers. There are opportunities to progress into branch management, involving managing resources, people, and developing and managing customer relationships.
Qualifications: Any degree discipline usually acceptable, ideally but not essentially a 2:1
Key Skills: Ability to work with figures, think analytically, interpersonal communication and initiative
Recommended employers: Barclays Bank
Lloyds TSB
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Civil Engineering - engineers work on projects in a broad range of organisations, including local authorities, construction companies, airports and railways. Work involves planning and advising on projects, and designing and managing the implementation of schemes of work
development schemes
Qualifications: Civil Engineering degree
Key Skills: Numeracy, technical, creativity, design, communication, potential leadership
Recommended employers: Babtie Mott MacDonald
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Computing / IT - the growth of computers is phenomenal and continuing as companies implement new and upgrade existing systems. There are a tremendous number of job opportunities for IT graduates in the areas of systems analysis, programming, networking, web design and software development
Qualifications: Organisations recruit IT computer science graduates or HNC HND students
Key Skills: Logical analytical thinking, planning and organisational management capabilities, able to use initiative, manage relationships in perhaps time and business critical environments
Recommended employers: Just IT LogicaCMG
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Consulting - management and project consulting is a challenging, interesting and rewarding career that is growing in demand across all sectors as organisations struggle to optimise their performance
Qualifications: Hugely competitive, you will require at least a 2:1 in finance, IT, business management or marketing
Key Skills: presentation and communication skills, numeracy, verbal reasoning, business and financial acumen, able to implement strategic solutions to improve performance in terms of operations, profitability and service.
Recommended employers: Accenture Bain & Co
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Electronic Engineering - this career is concerned with the design, component assembly, test and repair of electronic circuits and systems. The role involves research and design from the prototype to complete manufacture.
Qualifications: HNC, HND or Electronics Engineering degree
Key Skills: numeracy, technical, creativity and ability to problem solve, trouble shoot and communicate
Recommended employers: Agilent Technologies Transco
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Finance - one of the UK´s prime service industries offering excellent career opportunities for graduates.
Qualifications: HNC, HND or Finance Degree
Key Skills: Numeracy, analytical thinking, communication, team working and interpersonal skills
Recommended employers: Accenture Deloitte & Touche
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Investment Banking - there are almost half a million jobs in this fast-paced sector, covering such services as financial investments / fund management, stock market, venture capital, business mergers and aquisitions - serving corporate, SME, government and public sectors
Qualifications: business and financial degrees - 2:1
Key Skills: commercial acumen, business and analytical skills, numeracy, analytical thinking, research and evaluation, communication and relationship development skills
Recommended employers: Merrill Lynch UBS
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Law - Lawyers and Solicitors advise, brief and act upon an extensive range of legal matters. Barristers specialise in various areas of law, i.e. criminal, commercial, family law, and present cases in court on behalf of solicitors
Qualifications: A degree of any discipline is acceptable on completion of a conversion course, the Common Professional Exam. Barristers are required to do a Bar vocational course and spend a year doing a pupilage within chambers.
Skill Sets: the ability to assimilate large amounts of complex information, select the relevant from the immaterial, gather information and communicate the most salient facts. Good listening skills are required, together with IT skills in order to research, select and present information.
Recommended firms: Allen & Overy Baker & McKenzie
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Leisure, Hospitality and Catering - the hospitality sector has almost two million employees with an annual turnover approaching £48 billion - providing a wide range of customer-facing services
Qualifications: an industry-related degree or diploma is a disinct advantage, though industry experience is another route to succeeding in this growing industry
Key Skills: Presentation, communication, relationship building, flexibility, organisational planning and outgoing personality
Recommended employer: McDonalds Restaurants
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Marketing - marketing communications is a dynamic, often glamorous career that is closely related to public relations. The role involves research, pricing, product development, positioning and promotion, brand building, advertising, client and media relationship building
Qualifications: HNC, HND or Marketing Degree
Key Skills: Communication and teamwork, creativity, articulate, motivated and enthusiastic, organisational planning skills, drive and initiative
Recommended employer: WPP
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Mechanical Engineering - Engineers are involved in the design, manufacture, construction, operation, repair and maintenance of industrial and consumer products, including aerospace, gas andoil, manufacturing, transport, food and chemical industries. Engineers design and develop products and solutions to clients specifications.
Qualifications: HNC, HND or Mechanical Engineering degree
Key Skills: numeracy, technical, creativity, design, planning and problem solving skills
Recommended employers: GKN Mott MacDonald Ltd.
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Public Sector - careers are wide and varied and generally offer security. They include the Civil Service, Law Enforcement, Defence, Inland Revenue, NHS, Education, and the National Trust
Qualifications: large numbers of graduates are recruited every year from most degree backgrounds
Skill Sets: depend on the sector but generally applicants are expected to be communicative, motivated, confident, methodical and have good interpersonal skills
Recommended emloyers: Civil Service NHS
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Recruitment Consulting - a challenging, sales driven and dynamic area of business which recognises and rewards success both financial and in career progression. The role requires the ability to build a rapport with client companies and candidates, screen and assess applicants, and act as an intermediary during the interview process
Qualifications: fairly open concerning level of education
Key Skills:l communication, presentation, business acumen, negotiation, numeracy, resiliance, and an ability to accurately assess candidate capabilities
Recommended employer: Badenoch & Clark JPA Group
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Sales - a career in sales is challenging, yet extremely financially rewarding for people with drive, enthusiasm and initiative. Corporate sales involves B2B selling, identifying and developing new and managing existing accounts; retail selling is more consumer focused.
Qualifications: no formal qualifications are required
Key Skills: Drive, enthusiasm, initiative, communication, planning, time management, presentation and negotiation skills
Recommended employers: Tate & Lyle Marks and Spencer Tesco
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Science - a
£2 billion industry, a career in science covers a diverse range of industries including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, medicine, manufacturing, petrochemicals, environmental or cancer research.
Qualifications: a first degree is essential, and for research roles a Masters or PhD is expected. Companies offering marketing, finance, sales and customer service positions accept degrees in most disciplines.
Key Skills: articulate, communicative, inquisitive, methodical, analytical, organised, adaptabe, communicative, motivated and a professional appearance and manner
Recommended employer: AstraZeneca
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Telecommunications - a
£45 billion growth industry servicing every market sector offering job opportunities for IT, technical and engineering graduates to design new products, develop and service networks and upgrade technology. Sales, marketing and customer services roles are growing in demand
Qualifications: degrees in engineering, maths or IT. For sales and customer service the qualification criteria is less demanding
Skill Sets: IT programmers need to keep up to date with changing technology. Sales, marketing and customer service personnel need good communication and negotiation skills
Recommended employers: BT Vodafone
In today's competitive market, it is worthwhile considering researching job opportunities outside your field of study. You could consider applying for positions with companies you would like to work for by filling in application forms on their websites, as increasing numbers now advertise directly on their sites. Additionally, it is worth submitting your CV / Resume to more than one employment agency as this will extend your reach and increase your chances of finding employment.
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Please contact us if you need help in planning your career, or writing a Perfect CV
It's worth noting that careers coaching pays for itself over time, as the skills and knowledge you gain help your professional development - giving tangible benefits such as a higher salary, and intangible benefits such as peace of mind and the joy of doing something you love.
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