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Slide 2 Careers, Employability and Skills What can I do with a non-vocational degree? Greta ODonnell Careers Adviser Slide 3 The short answer is.............. ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! Slide 4 Dispelling Myths Contrary to popular opinion the majority of graduate vacancies are open to any discipline Most students on non-vocational pathways assume the only career open to them is teaching In reality the majority of employment sectors are open to all disciplines including the Public Sector, Retailing, Consultancy, Accounting, Banking and Finance YOU can apply for most roles except (in the main) those in engineering, IT and Science Slide 5 Where is the evidence? The largest recruiters of graduates in 2011 will be PricewaterhouseCoopers (1200 vacancies) Deloitte (1000 vacancies) KPMG (900 vacancies) Teach First (780 vacancies) Ernst & Young (740 vacancies) High Fliers The Graduate Market in 2011 Slide 6 Further Evidence According to a survey of 500 Directors in October 2007, when recruiting, 64% said graduates employability skills were more important to their organisation than the specific occupational, technical or academic knowledge/skills associated with the graduates degree Institute of Directors skills briefingDecember 2007 Graduates employability skills. www.iod.com/ Slide 7 Why? Why are employers so interested in students studying non and less vocational subjects? Generic competencies such as interpersonal and organisational sensitivity, planning and organising, teamwork and communication are typically given more emphasis in the study of humanities than STEM subjects HESCU Graduate Market Trends Autumn 2010 Slide 8 What next? Explore careers that would suit you www.prospects.ac.ukwww.prospects.ac.uk > Prospects Planner & Options with your Subject www.gradireland.comwww.gradireland.com > Careers Report Look out for opportunities to gain work experience internships, placements and part time work www.qub.ac.uk/careerswww.qub.ac.uk/careers > Vacancieswww.gradireland.comwww.gradireland.com www.prospects.ac.ukwww.prospects.ac.uk www.targetjobs.co.ukwww.targetjobs.co.uk Consider volunteering to build your skills www.volunteernow.co.uk www.volunteernow.co.uk Attend Job Fairs, Skills for Success workshops and Employer Presentations www.qub.ac.uk/careers > Events Calendar www.qub.ac.uk/careers