One of the\u00a0little-known\u00a0features of many university Careers Services is the support they offer to university staff members.\u00a0 What support might be available\u00a0to you\u00a0and how\u00a0do you access\u00a0this resource?<\/p>\n
Well, it might depend on what your current role is.\u00a0 For Early-Career Researchers\/Academics there may well be specialist support offered\u00a0to you\u00a0by specific Careers Advisers.\u00a0 The information available may include dedicated sections of the Careers website, appointments with Careers Advisers to discuss how to develop your academic career, advice on progression,\u00a0and support for applications and interviews\u00a0–\u00a0both for academic and non-academic roles.\u00a0\u00a0It is important to remember that this support is offered alongside the advice and guidance that should be provided by your department and your academic advisers.<\/p>\n
For other staff members it might depend on the university you are employed at.\u00a0 Some universities offer confidential and impartial careers support to all staff members and you are welcome to make a\u00a0guidance\u00a0appointment to discuss your own\u00a0careers queries\u00a0in the same way a student can.\u00a0 Other universities do limit this advice and support to\u00a0their\u00a0students.\u00a0\u00a0Of course there are other sources of help with your career progression \u2013 your\u00a0universities Human Resources function may also be a valuable support and many universities HR teams offer ongoing career development resources to staff.\u00a0 These may be through mentoring schemes, lunchtime workshops, IT training and possibly taking part in the academic provision they provide, among others.\u00a0 It is worthwhile exploring these opportunities and seeing what might be appropriate for you at your own stage in your career.<\/p>\n
If you are a graduate yourself\u00a0and would like to discuss your career, it might be worth approaching the institution\u00a0of which\u00a0you were a student.\u00a0 Many universities offer life-long support to their alumni and,\u00a0in many cases,\u00a0this can be accessed\u00a0through several different methods:\u00a0in person;\u00a0via a telephone call;\u00a0or through online e-guidance.\u00a0\u00a0If you have only recently graduated,\u00a0you may be able to access the Careers Service of a university closer to\u00a0where you live through the AGCAS (Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services) Mutual Aid Scheme.\u00a0 This scheme offers\u00a0graduates of any university the opportunity to access career support\u00a0at a more local institution, sometimes just for a year after graduating, sometimes for life.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t forget that you can also access\u00a0university career\u00a0advice online.\u00a0 University careers\u00a0websites are a\u00a0very\u00a0valuable resource\u00a0and they ordinarily feature\u00a0comprehensive\u00a0advice sections and graduate vacancy listings that may be relevant to staff members as well as current students and graduates.<\/p>\n
Careers Services are there to offer advice, support and guidance, so, if you are entitled to support, make the most of the dedicated and professional teams whose job it is to help you!<\/p>\n