The
Careers
Service.
MOVING ON
Career Planning for Final Year
Sociology / Social Policy
Students
Hilary Whorrall
University of Sheffield Careers Service
h.whorrall@sheffield.ac.uk
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DON’T PANIC!
 We’re here to help you
whatever stage you’re at!
 Whether you have clear
plans or haven’t got a clue,
we’re happy to talk
 We have loads of useful
resources
 We’ll try answer any
queries you’ve got
 You can use the service as
often as you’d like
© UOS Careers Service - Soc Level 3 Moving On Oct 2013
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Careers
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WHAT I’LL COVER
 The range of support offered to you by the
Careers Service
 An overview of options with your degree
 Suggestions as to what to do next
 Some of the events you might like to
attend
 Links to useful resources
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfCjzuVCYAY
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OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE
 Graduate
employment
 Postgraduate study
 Take ‘time out’
 Temporary work
 ‘Portfolio career’
 Self employment /
freelance work
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SOME STATISTICS – 2012 Sociology / Social
Policy Graduates
 FT Employment only – 62.5%
 PT Employment only (including self-Employment) – 13.5%
 Further study only – 9.5%
 Work & study – 5.4%
 Unemployed – 9.5% (Social Science Faculty – 7.3%)
 Social Science Faculty – FT Employment - 55%
 Social Science Faculty FT Study – 13.5%
 Average salary for Sociology / Social Policy graduate £ 18,000
(graduate level post) £15,000 (non-graduate post)
 Average Salary Social Science Faculty £18,300 (graduate level
post) £14,800 (non-graduate post)
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TYPICAL EMLOYERS OF SOCIOLOGY
GRADUATES
 Civil Service
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Local Government

NGOs

Charitable and Voluntary
Sector organisations

The NHS

Probation Service

Social Services

Housing Associations

Campaigning and lobbying
organisations

Social research organisation

The education sector

The legal system.
The
Careers
Service.
BRITISH SOCIOLOGICAL SOCIETY –
Areas of specialism
 Economy, Work & Organisation
 The Conjunction of Biological & Social Relationships: the
Family & Gender
 Social Identity: Age, Class, Gender & Race
 Social Inequalities
 Social Norms & Deviance
 Organisations and Bureaucracy
 Society & Environment
 People, Health & Sociology of the Body
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DESTINATIONS OF UOS SOCIOLOGY /
SOCIAL POLICY GRADUATES IN 2012
 Social Research & Evaluation
Intern – Initiative for Social
Entrepreneurs
 Tenancy Support Worker –
Reed Social Care
 Business Support – Credit
Resource Solutions
 Teaching Assistant – Oakwood
High School
 HR & Sales Intern – Limelight
Design
 Promotion Management –
Sheffield Parties
 Pupil Development Assistant –
Childrens Trust
 Youth Worker – Sheffield City
Council
 Mental Health Support
Assistant - CLASP
 Graduate Intern – University of
Sheffield
© UOS Careers Service - Soc Level 3 Moving On Oct 2013
 Trainee Buyer – Tesco
The
Careers
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UOS SOCIOLOGY / SOCIAL POLICY
GRADUATES – POSTGRADUATE STUDY 2012
 MA Social Research – University of Sheffield
 MA International & Global Social Policy - University of
Sheffield
 MSc Global Governance & Ethics – University College,
London
 LLM Environmental Law & Sustainable Development –
Queens Belfast
 Human Resources Management – Sheffield Hallam University
 MA Disasters, Adaptations & Development – Kings College,
London
 MA Social Work - University of Sheffield
 PGCE Primary – Birmingham City University
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EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS OF
SOCIOLOGY GRADUATES
A graduate in Sociology typically will have the ability to:
formulate and investigate sociologically informed questions
use major theoretical perspectives and concepts and their application to social life
analyse, assess and communicate empirical sociological information
identify and comment on different research strategies and methods
conduct sociological research in a preliminary way
undertake and present scholarly work
understand the ethical implications of sociological enquiry
recognise the relevance of sociological knowledge to social, public and civic policy
judge and evaluate evidence
appreciate the complexity and diversity of social situations
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EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS OF
SOCIOLOGY GRADUATES
A graduate in Sociology typically will have the ability to:
assess the merits of competing theories and explanations
gather, retrieve and synthesise information
make reasoned arguments and interpret evidence and texts
reflect on their own accumulation of knowledge
apply learning and study skills
communicate in writing and orally in a variety of contexts and modes
use statistical and other quantitative techniques and information retrieval skills in relation
to primary and secondary sources of information
apply information technology skills
use skills of time planning and management and deploy group work skills
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CAREER TASKS FOR LEVEL 3
STUDENTS
 Clarify your career goals &
undertake further research if
still unsure
 Seek careers advice
 Gain relevant work experience
 Begin identifying job vacancies
/ courses & extend your
network of contacts
 Update your CV
 Broaden your extracurricular
activities
 Attend careers events
© UOS Careers Service - Soc Level 3 Moving On Oct 2013
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Careers
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WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT?
 Which companies / organisations are likely to recruit &
for what sort of vacancies?
 How will they advertise their vacancies?
 How do I apply?
 How can I best ‘sell’ myself on paper?
 What are employers looking for e.g. skills & experience
 When do I need to apply?
 What will the selection process involve?
 What are assessment centres?
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RESEARCHING EMPLOYERS
 The company’s products /
services
 The current labour market
 Size of organisation
 Company history
 Main competitors
 Geographical operations
 New challenges / opportunities
facing them?
 Media coverage
 Impact of social or
technological developments
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RESEARCHING EMPLOYERS –
Finding vacancies
 Careers Service website (MUSE – Careers Tab)
www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/jobs
 Prospects website www.prospects.ac.uk/vacancies
 Prospects website- Look at ‘Employers & Vacancies’
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm
 Social Media e.g. Linkedin
 Professional association websites
 Recruitment agencies
www.jobseekers-uk.com
 Local and national newspapers
© UOS Careers Service - Soc Level 3 Moving On Oct 2013
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POSTGRADUATE STUDY –
Types of study / research
 Vocational or academic
 Taught or by research
 Full-time / part-time
 PgD / MSc / MA / MPhil / PhD
 A conversion course
 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
 Open learning e.g. OU
 Research Studentship
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POSTGRADUATE STUDY –
Finding out more
 Careers Service website
www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/study
 Careers Service booklet – Postgraduate Study &
Research
www.careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/briefing/pgstudy.pdf
 Prospects website
www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate_study_in_the_uk.
htm
 Masters courses www.findamasters.com
 PhDs www.findaphd.com
 ’How to get a PhD’ – E.M. Phillips & D.S.A Pugh
 Postgrad on the Internet www.postgrad.com
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TIME OUT – Issues to consider
 WHY do you want to take
‘time out’?
 WHEN do you plan to take
this?
 HOW does this fit in with your
longer term career plans?
 WHERE do you want to go?
 WHAT do you plan to do?
 ALONE or in company?
 HOW LONG for?
 HOW will you fund it?
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CAREER SERVICE SUPPORT TO
FINALISTS
 Careers information
 Careers Service website
www.shef.ac.uk/careers
 Careers events – fairs,
talks, employer
presentations
 Individual careers guidance
- 20 minutes / I hour
 E-mail enquiry service
 Advice on postgraduate
study & funding
 Find Jobs
www.shef.ac.uk/careers/stu
dents/jobs
© UOS Careers Service - Soc Level 3 Moving On Oct 2013
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Careers
Service
Guide 2014
Jobs and careers
advice for Sheffield
students
Pick up a free copy
or download via
shef.ac.uk/careers
© UOS Careers Service - Soc Level 3 Moving On Oct 2013
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CAREERS SERVICE EVENTS
www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/events

Engineering & Technology Fair Tuesday 5th November 2013

Business, Finance & Languages Fair Wednesday 6th November 2013

Law Fair - Wednesday 20th November
2013

Science Fair - Thursday 21st November

Careers in the Third Sector Wednesday 19th February 2014

Careers in Heritage - Wednesday 5th
March 2014

Working in the Creative Media
Industries - Wednesday 19th March
2014

Spring into Jobs - Thursday 27th
March 2014
© UOS Careers Service - Soc Level 3 Moving On Oct 2013
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Careers
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CAREERS SERVICE EVENTS
 Skills for Success workshops
 Lunchtime talks
 A Day in the Life…..
 Maximise programme for international
students
 Employer presentations
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Careers
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RESOURCES FOR SOCIOLOGY / SOCIAL
POLICY STUDENTS
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British Sociological Society – Opportunities for Sociologists
http://www.britsoc.co.uk/what-is-sociology/opportunities-forsociologists.aspx
Careers Ideas for Sociology Graduates
www.careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/careersdegree/sociology_careers.pdf
Options with Sociology / Public Administration & Social Policy – includes
case studies www.prospects.ac.uk/options_with_your_subject.htm
Careers with my degree
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/degree/scs
Case Studies and Podcasts of Sociology / Social Policy Graduates
http://careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/casestudies/index.php
Students Employability Profile for Sociology
Target Jobs – What can I do with a Sociology Degree?
http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/degree-subjects-your-options/301062what-can-i-do-with-a-sociology-degree
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DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO?
 ‘See the Bigger Picture’
www.careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/big
ger_picture/see_the_bigger_pictu
re.pdf
 ‘What job would suit me?
www.prospects.ac.uk/myprospec
ts_planner_login.htm
 Speak to a Careers Adviser
 Build up your work experience
 Attend Careers Service events
 Begin networking
© UOS Careers Service - Soc Level 3 Moving On Oct 2013
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Careers
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IN CONCLUSION . . .



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
Career planning is an on-going process
The Careers Service is not just for finalists
Gain work experience to enhance your CV
Make use of the resources available to you
Seek help as and when you need it!
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The
Careers
Service.
WHERE IS THE CAREERS
SERVICE BASED
Careers Service
388 Glossop Rd
Sheffield
S10 2JA
Tel: 0114 222 0900
www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers
Student Jobshop, Student’s Union
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