School of Computer Science Work Experience The Facts

School of Computer Science Work Experience: The Facts Deborah Till Centre for Career Development

Outline of the Session ä Work experience – why? ä Advice on how to find industrial placements ä How to apply ä Further Resources/ Support

Work Experience – Why do it? ä Improve your employability - development of personal & technical skills - many employers expect work experience - can help you stand out from the crowd (you will be competing for graduate jobs with people with degrees in other subjects) - employers are known to recruit people they have had on placement ä Could give you a clearer idea about your ‘ideal’ career ä Improvements in study - greater self-confidence, motivation, time management, relevance ä Earn some cash

What employers say. . . ä "Students need to start developing employment skills because when they go for jobs employers will expect them to have some knowledge of the world of work and be able to articulate that experience. “ ä “Personal contacts made whilst working as a student provide inside knowledge, introductions and references that might not be available otherwise. ”

Finding Work Experience ä CCD Web - Advice and Vacancies ä Year in Industry – www. yini. org. uk ä National Council For Work Experience www. workexperience. org ä East Midlands Opportunities www. graddtobusiness. org. uk ä Departmental Noticeboards ä Work Experience directories - Prospects, Hobsons, GTI ä Shell STEP programme www. shellstep. org. uk ä doctorjob. com work experience pages ä Prospects Web http: //www. prospects. ac. uk ä Local Press ä Networking

Points to consider ä Many firms recruit before Christmas ä Consider the company’s size (small? Multinational? ), its location, your role ä Would you like to work in a particular sector e. g. engineering, finance? ä Would you like to learn specific computing skills?

Who employs Computer Scientists? ä In-house IT – manufacturing, retailing, financial services, transport and public sectors ä IT Services – Use technical expertise to solve customers’ business needs ä Technology consultancy firms – Help clients to introduce new systems, solve business problems through IT ä ä Software product development (general and niche) Telecommunications IT sales and marketing Media/Information Delivery

Careers for Computer Scientists ä Jobs directly related Software engineer, Database administrator, Applications developer, Systems designer, Systems developer, IT consultant ä Jobs where Computer Science is useful Business or Financial Analyst, Recruitment consultant, IT sales professional, Secondary school teacher, magazine journalist ä The Prospects website gives an overview of jobs related to Computer Science/IT

Nottingham Graduates are working for: ä Accenture, BT, Pepsi Cola, KPMG, Cobra, Clinphone, Fujitsu, Logica, Civil Service, Cap Gemini, EDS, Rolls Royce, HSBC, Ericsson, Travis Perkins, Deutsche Bank, Price. Waterhouse. Coopers

CV/ Application Form ä Most companies will expect a CV and covering letter, although for some you need to apply online. ä Target each application to the company. Use their website for details about that company. ä See the CCD website for advice on CVs and covering letters ä Checking service available each day at CCD.

The application process ä Larger employers might expect you to complete an online aptitude test, you may also be invited to attend an assessment centre and then an interview ä Smaller companies will probably interview the applicant. ä For advice on application processes see the CCD website

How the CCD can help? ä www. nottingham. ac. uk/careers/students for information on – Making the most of work experience – Job hunting strategies including Creative job hunting, Applying for jobs – Background to jobs and employers – Vacancies – CCD Events including employer presentations ä Take away material Target IT and Inside Careers ä Quick Query – Every Day 11 - 4 pm – Portland Building Extension, Level D

Other resources ä Publications to pick up from CCD – Target IT (doctorjob. com/it) – Inside careers Information Technology (www. insidecareers. co. uk/it) – Prospects Directory (www. prospects. ac. uk)