What is careers guidance?

Careers guidance is the support offered by qualified and experienced advisers to help you work through the process of career choice. It is impartial, confidential, and is focussed on your individual needs. Careers guidance can help you clarify where you are in the process, identify what you need to do next and how to go about it.

The process of career choice involves:

• identifying what is important to you in the short and long term.
• relating this to the opportunities for work and further study which may be available to you.
• making decisions about your preferred options.
• developing and implementing a strategy to meet your goals.

Careers Advisers

For one-to-one guidance interviews each adviser has special responsibility for dealing with particular colleges as detailed in the following table. The Receptionist will let you know which Adviser looks after your particular course when you book an interview.

* BP - Buccleuch Place

   KB - King's Buildings

The science and engineering advisers may be available at both BP and KB.

Drop-in sessions

Advisers are available without an appointment on a first-come first served basis for interviews of up to 10 minutes. If you are using the Service for the first time, you may find it helpful to speak to the Duty Careers Adviser to establish your needs and see how best they might be met.

Details of drop in session times at Buccleuch Place (Central Area) and King's Buildings (Weir Building)

Full Guidance Interviews

Your careers interview is a confidential, informal discussion with a qualified, experienced Careers Adviser. It is likely to last 30 - 45 minutes and give you the opportunity to…

• start getting some ideas about what you might do after you graduate
• clarify your ideas
• formulate an objective view of yourself and relate this to the requirements of different occupations
• discuss any plans you are considering for the future
• think through the implications of any decisions you take
• work out how you might put your ideas into practice
• gain advice on job search strategies, including how to present yourself on paper and at interview.

Don't worry if you have no definite career plans. We are here to encourage and support you while you are making decisions about your future. Depending on your needs, it may be helpful to have several discussions, so don't think of your careers interview as a 'one-off' event.

Booking a Careers Interview

Interviews can be booked at either 33 Buccleuch Place or at the Weir Building, King's Buildings.

To get the most  from your time with your Careers Adviser we suggest you:

• think about your situation and what is important to you.
• jot down the key issues you would like to discuss.

You are welcome to bring along material which you think would be relevant to the discussion, e.g. a draft CV or application form, print-out from Prospects Planner. 

Remember - it is YOUR interview, you set the agenda.

Data Protection

Your Careers Adviser may make brief notes of the points discussed at your interview. In compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998, these will be stored in a secure place in the Careers Service. You will have the right to see these notes if you wish.