Options after a degree in English Language or Linguistics

Janet Forsyth

Careers Consultant

Aims….

A brief introduction to….Your options on graduation

How to research career options

Starting to plan your future career, and why it pays to start sooner rather than later

How the Careers Service can help support you

What are your options?

Employment ‘Graduate level’ job Self employed / own business Temping / gaining experience

Further study Volunteering/work experience Travel/gap year

Identifying jobs closely / directly related to your subject….

Jobs which capitalise on your degree skills and knowledge - some ideas Publishing (editorial) Teacher (TEFL, English, Primary) Speech and language therapist Lexicographer Advertising/Marketing/PR …and more ideas …..

Options with English

Options with Linguistics

What’s out there?

www.ed.ac.uk/careers - Explore your options

Information Centre

green careers information folders, reference books, takeaway literature

People

employer presentations, careers fairs, careers information sessions, your own network……

Experience

work experience (www.ed.ac.uk/careers > looking for work)

PPLS careers blog: http://pplscareersblog.wordpress.com/

Shaping your future…

Me – what do I want/what can I

offer?

Gain experience and personal

development/insight

Find opportunities – make applications

Plan my next step-work-experience, volunteering etc

Review my options - make some choices

What’s out there? What are my

options?

Shape your future…

‘planned happenstance’

What do I want?

What am I looking for from my career?

What factors will influence my decision?

Purpose of my job? What sort of role? What interests and motivates me? What skills do I want to use? What sort of organisation and working

environment? Values / lifestyle choices Personal qualities and temperament Location

What do I want?

Resources:

Figuring out your career CareerEd Prospects Planner Targetjobs Careers Report

(all at www.ed.ac.uk/careers > options

Careers section of PPLS website – including case-studies and careers blog - www.ppls.ed.ac.uk > psychology UG > Careers

Career Consultants

Corporate Communications Assistant– Graduate Trainee

‘the candidate will have an enthusiasm for communication, and a willingness to learn and develop new skills. The jobholder will be an enthusiastic communicator with excellent written skills. An aptitude for writing for the web will also be useful. As the department works in a fast moving environment, the successful candidate will need to be able to work to deadlines and prioritise their workload’

MyCareerHub

Teach First programme

You will be an accomplished communicator with proven leadership ability; able to demonstrate initiative, creativity and resourcefulness in challenging situation. Able to show strong levels of self-awareness, understand the consequences of your actions and able to evaluate your impact on the outcome of a situation. You will not shy away from your responsibilities and have resilience to see things through to completion

MyCareerHub

What do I have to offer?

Education / qualifications academic ability skills from degree class rep?

Work – paid or voluntary relevant? varied?

Outside interests societies sports

Reflections from a recent graduate…

Linguistics at Edinburgh – Alumna interview: Rebecca

Careers Service

Where? Third Floor, Main Library

Information staff always available to help you find resources

Bookable (up to) 20 minute appointments 12 – 4 daily, (referral for longer appointment possible) – via MyCareerHub

Weekly appointments in PPLS – (watch for the booking email)

PPLS careers bloghttp://pplscareersblog.wordpress.com/

www.ed.ac.uk/careers