Careers and Employability Service
What can I do with a Degree in Film?
Nicola Urquhart
Careers Adviser
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm
What we will cover
• The graduate labour market
• What do employers want?
• What skills do film graduates have?
• What do film graduates do:
the jobs they get
their typical employers
the further courses they study
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm
The graduate labour market in 2013
• Approximately 30% - 40% of
vacancies are open to graduates
with a degree from any discipline
• Employers increasingly focusing on
professional attributes in addition to
transferable skills
• Relevant work experience
increasingly important
• Need for students to think earlier
about their employability
• Employers are expecting to
increase their graduate recruitment
by 2.7% in 2013
What do employers want?
Commercial Awareness
Work Experience
Professional attributes
Extra-Curricular
Activities
Employability skills
Degree awarded at 2.1 or above
What skills do Film students have?
• Research Skills
• Team working skills
• Analytical skills and creative thinking
• Communication Skills
• Technical Skills, IT , media production, multimedia, web based
technologies
• Visual and Critical awareness (attention to detail)
• Working to deadlines
Skills and attributes that graduate recruiters are
looking for?
Communication
Adaptability
Self awareness
Leadership
Energy
Contextual/cultural awareness
Report writing
Problem Solving
Adaptability
Numeracy
Positive attitude
Reflection
Confidence
Team working
Integrity
Capacity to develop
Reliability
Drive and resilience
Project management
IT skills
Business and
customer awareness
Enterprise
Enthusiasm/passion
Planning and organisation
Maturity
What is a career?
• Not necessarily a linear,
planned sequence of
events
• Career choice is not an
event or occasion
• Career choice is a
process
Jobs directly related to your degree
Jobs directly related to your degree
•
Film Journalist
•
Arts Administrator
•
Runner, broadcasting/film/video producer
•
Marketing Assistant
•
Programme Researcher, Broadcasting/film/video
•
Distribution
•
Sales Agent
•
Editing and post production jobs
Jobs that are not directly related to your
degree
Many employers value the
skills you have gained more
than the subject
Jobs where a film degree useful
•
Advertising Copywriter
•
Archivist
•
Arts Administrator
•
Cinema Manager
•
Editorial Assistant
•
Film/Video Producer
•
Information Assistant
•
Journalist
•
Librarian, Special/Academic
•
Media Planner
•
Picture Researcher
•
Presenter TV/Radio
•
Programme Researcher
•
Public Relations Officer
•
Television Production Assistant
•
University Lecturer/Researcher
Researching Careers
• http://www.prospects.ac.uk/programme_researcher_
broadcasting_film_video_job_description.htm
• Overview of the sector
• Job descriptions
• Salary and conditions
• Entry requirements
• Training
• Career development
• Employers and vacancy sources
• Related jobs
Graduate Schemes
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/graddirectories.htm
• www.prospects.ac.uk
• www.get.hobsons.co.uk
• www.targetjobs.co.uk
• www guardianuk300.com
• www.top100graduateemployers.com
• www.kent.ac.uk/ces/vacancies.html
Example Graduate Schemes
• Accenture
• Ernest & Young
• Aldi
• EU Careers
• Arcadia
• IBM
• BAE Systems
• L’Oreal
• BBC
• Mars
• Bloomberg
• McDonalds
• British Sugar
• MI5
• Cancer Research UK
• National Grid
• Deliotte
• Penguin
• DFID
• TeachFirst
• Diageo
• BBC
Example Graduate scheme (Bloomberg )
• Finance
• IT
• Media
• Sales
Example graduate scheme: DFID
• Engineering
• Finance
• General Management
• IT
• Purchasing
• Research and
Development
Postgraduate Study
• Approx. 20% of Film graduates do PG study after graduation
• MA taught – 1 year Sept to June – lectures,
June to Sept – dissertation.
• Research MA 1 to 2 years – often part-time
• PhD – 3 years. Nearly always a MA first.
• PGCE (teacher training) 1 year:
• See www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm
Postgraduate study
• Not much funding available for
MA. Fees are about £5,000. At
Kent get £1,000 graduate school
scholarship reduction
• Many students work for a year to
fund it or do it part-time whilst
working
• Consider vocational MA –
journalism, publishing, HR,
Media Production etc.
• Normally apply middle of final
year. No UCAS can apply to as
many course as you wish to – 3
or 4 is normal
Study Abroad
• Many postgraduate courses
are now taught in English,
especially in the Netherlands
and Scandinavia
• No course fees in Sweden and
about £1,000 in Germany and
Denmark
• See
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgr
admenu.htm#PGAbroad
Being Successful
• “ Most people find a
job in film by word of
mouth: the more
people you know in
the industry the better
your chances”
Page 21
Using Social Media to Job Search
Twitter
• Follow organisations @BBCRecruitment,
•
•
•
•
@SkillsetSSC, @ace_national, @IPA_Updates
Follow @unikentemploy
Get industry updates
www.twitjobsearch.com
Remember everything is public
Page 22
Facebook
• ‘Like’ company pages
• ‘Like’ https://www.facebook.com/UKCES
• Is your profile professional enough?!
Page 23
LinkedIn
• www.linkedin.com
• Search for jobs.
• Use key words in your profile.
• Follow companies.
• Connect with people in the industry.
• Join relevant groups.
What do film graduates do?
In broad terms (recent destinations)
• Employment 68%
• Further Study 21%
• Not available 5%
•
Seeking employment 6%
Typical Employers
• Arts Organisations
• National Museums
• Advertising Companies
• PR Companies
• Broadcasting organisations
• Press Agencies
• Civil Service
Departments/Agencies
• Retailers
• Financial companies
• Local Authority Museums
• Media Production Companies
• Schools, Colleges,
Universities
• Freelance\ self
employment
Employment examples
MEDIA - RELATED
Advertising Executive - IPC Media
Archive Researcher - Stills library
Assistant Producer - Sit Up TV
Commercials Assistant – ITV
Concept Developer
Despatch Assistant - Telecine
Edit Assistant - Venue Production
Freelance Film Journalist
Journalist - Toplum Postasi
Junior Account Executive - PR Co
Junior Technician - Guerilla Productions (TV)
Photo shoot assistant - Imp Ltd
Production Assistant (x3) - Chapters Digital TV Ltd, Persistent Vision, Lipsync Post (TV)
Researcher - Spool Films
Runner (x11) - Banana Split, Celador, Editworks, Framestore, Fresh Take Films, Panavision, Paw
Films, Sky Sports News, The Foundation, UFO Pictures, Universal Pictures
Sales Manager - Channel One
Employment examples
CLERICAL/ADMINISTRATIVE
Administrative assistant (x4) - National art collection fund, TV Licensing Authority, Canterbury Christ
Church University, Thanet College
Arts Administrator - Helsinki Film Festival
Clerical (x3) - South Tees Health Authority, Publishing Company, Sun Alliance
Compliance Administrator - ITV plc
Curriculum Support Officer - Cheam High School
Export Sales Assistant - Blackwell Science Ltd
Finance Administration - Guild Film Distribution
Office Administrator - East Surrey Ambulance HQ
PA - Mell Wade Films Ltd
Receptionist - Film London
Receptionist (Media Dept) - Colchester Football Club
Secretarial (x3) – BBC, Ogilvy & Mather, Sight & Sound
EDUCATION
Assistant Language Teacher (Japan) - JET Scheme
EFL Teacher (x2) - China, Japan
Teacher - ESL 4 Korea
English Teacher - Beijing University, China
Learning Support Asst (x2) - St. Thomas’ Primary School, Cantebourne Primary
Lectrice - Universite de Rheims
Lecturer - University of North London
Teaching Assistant - Astor College for the Arts
Teacher (GTP) - Kent County Council
Employment examples
OTHER
Account Executive - Expedite group
Arts Worker - Round Midnight Ltd
Assistant fund-holding manager - Doctors’ surgery
Box Office Assistant (x2) - Sundance Film Festival, V&A Museum
Business Manager - Barclays
Campaign Co-ordinator - Unison Media
Cataloguer - East Anglian Film Archive
Chartered Accountant - Stoy Hayward
Credit Control - Pedigree Masterfoods
Foreign Exchange Executive - Citibank
Kibbutz - Israel
Librarian (x2) - The London library, East Anglian Daily Times
Postal Worker - Royal Mail
Product Database Matcher - Yahoo
Sabbatical Officer - Kent Union
Trainee Accountant CIMA - Bromley Primary Care Trust
Venue Supervisor - Canterbury City Council
Web Designer - Play.com
Film Studies graduates – Longer Term
Administrator – International Charity
Advertising Copywriter – Ad Agency
Arts Administrator – Arts Organisation
Author – Children’s Books
Cartographer – Geological Society
Detective – Special Branch
Disability Officer – Equal Opportunities
Commission
Film Promo Director – Television Co
Head Of English – Secondary School
Journalist – Magazine
Lecturer/Researcher – University
Logistics Manager – International Retailer
Manager – Press Cuttings Agency
Partner – Accountancy Firm
Partner – Law Firm
Presentation Director – Satellite TV Co
Promotions Manager – Music Venue
Further study examples
Acting Course - Drama Centre London, Central School of Speech & Drama
Diploma in Music - Academy of Contemporary Music
Diploma in Film Production - University of Cardiff
Journalistic Writing Course - The Writing School
Legal Practice Course - College of Law, Guildford
MA Cultural & Creative Industries - King's College
MA Fashion Journalism - London College of Fashion
MA Film Making/Production - Canterbury Christ Church University
MA Film Studies - University of Kent (5-10 p.a.), Kings College, University College London
MA Film & Television - National Film & TV School
MA Film & Television Studies - Warwick University
MA Film Production - Royal Holloway
MA Film & TV Production - Bristol University
MA Media Production - Canterbury Christ Church University
MA Novel Writing - University of Manchester
MA Script Writing - UWE
PGCE Citizenship - Canterbury Christ Church University
PGCE Secondary - Canterbury Christ Church University
Postgraduate Diploma in Film Production - University of California
Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism (x3) - University of Central Lancashire, Cardiff University, Postgraduate Diploma in
Publishing - Oxford Brookes University
Script Development Course - Northern School of Film & Television
Self-employment/Freelance
In the creative arts and
culture industry 44% of
people are self-employed
compared to 13% in the UK
as a whole.
http://www.kent.ac.uk/career
s/selfemployment.htm
Placements and Internships - Definitions
• Internship:
•
•
Usually 1-3 months long, during a summer vacation.
The student works on a defined project at a graduate
level.
• Graduate Internship
•
•
Usually 3-6 months long, after graduation.
The student works on a defined project at a graduate
level.
Placements and Internships - Definitions
• Placement:
•
•
•
•
Also called sandwich year or year in industry.
Usually 9-12 months long during the penultimate year
of study.
Must be relevant to degree course.
The student works on a defined project at a graduate
level.
• Work experience/shadowing:
•
•
1-2 weeks unpaid.
A taster of the career area.
• Insight day
•
Taster days organised by companies.
Top Tips during your Placement/Internship
• Make an impression:
•
•
•
Use your initiative.
Get feedback.
Be professional.
• Network
•
•
Ask to shadow/work in different departments.
Connect with your colleagues on LinkedIn.
• Keep a log of the skills you have gained with
examples.
Searching for placements/internships
• www.kent.ac.uk/ces
•
•
Vacancy database
‘ ‘I want to work in….’ section
• www.ratemyplacement.co.uk
• www.prospects.ac.uk
•
•
Vacancy database
Job sectors
• Graduate directories
• Speculative approach
Searching for placements/internships
• http://graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk/cms/Sho
wPage/Home_page/p!ecaaefg
• www.targetjobs.co.uk
• www.milkround.com
• www.insidecareers.co.uk
• www.thejobcrowd.com
General advice
• Market Yourself ! - It’s not necessarily who you know
but who knows you
• Read the relevant trade, industry, websites and
directories (find out what’s happening)
• Develop your networking skills (record and follow up
contacts)
• Find out who actually makes the decisions for hiring
people at your grade
• Explore self employment, working as a freelancer,
find out how to set up a business, funding etc.
What if I’m still stuck?
• Make the most of
opportunities (planned
happenstance)
• Think about it little and
often
• Make an appointment
to speak to a careers
adviser
How the Careers and Employability Service can
help you.
What we do
• Careers Talks and Workshops
• Careers Library: Employer Directories, Occupational Profiles, Books etc
• Comprehensive Web Pages
• Careers Employability Award (CEM) on Moodle
• Vacancy Database
• Alumni Careers Network
• Annual Careers and Recruitment Fair
• Drop In - Quick Query
• Careers Guidance Interviews
Careers and Employability Service
Web Site: www.kent.ac.uk/ces
Careers and Employability Service Web Pages
• I want to work in ….
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sitesmedia.htm
• What can I do with my degree in
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Film.htm
• Choosing a Career
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Choosing/ChoosingCare
er.htm
• Interviews (includes assessment centres and
psychometric tests etc.)
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm
• Example CVs & Covering Letters
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm
• Creative Career Search
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/CJ.htm
• Employability Skills
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillsmenu.htm
Careers Employability Award
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm
 The module takes about 12 hours to complete
 But this can be done at your own pace
You do this by completing:
 9 quizzes
 3 short assignments
 1 feedback form
Comments from students who have completed
the award.
• “I liked the fact that the assignments relate to how you
would fill in answers on a graduate job application step
by step and provides examples of how to fill it in.”
• “I really enjoyed the quizzes. They effectively
highlighted the gaps in my knowledge, as many of the
answers surprised me. I also found the module on
creating my own CV very useful, these skills will be
invaluable for tailoring my CV to particular jobs.”
• “There is a wealth of information about everything; I
especially liked the individual information about
specific job types and the advice given about interview
skills.”
Attend Careers Talks and Workshops.
• A Career in Sales
• Champions Life Academy
• The Network
• CRCC (Asia, China Internship
Programme )
• http://www.kent.ac.uk/calendar/
(Student Skills and Employability)
• http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/casev
ents.htm
Vacancy Database
• All vacancies sent to the Careers and Employability
Service by employers, whether for graduate jobs,
sandwich placements or vacation
work/internships are entered on this database
which offers:
• Email alerts of new vacancies which may interest
you
• Employers notifying vacancies are often
specifically targeting Kent graduates, so
competition for jobs is lower than on other
vacancy sites
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/jobs/index.htm
Speak to an adviser:
• Quick query, drop in and
speak to an adviser
10.30am -12.30pm and
2.00pm-4pm Monday to
Friday.
• E mail
careerhelp@kent.ac.uk and
an adviser will respond to
your query.
• You can also book a longer
career guidance
appointment over the phone
or pop in.
Action points
• Use www.prospects.ac.uk, including Prospects
Planner, to research options available
• Use www.kent.ac.uk/ces
• Get relevant work experience
• Think beyond the stereotypes of organisations e.g.
NHS, Asda
• Find out how the sectors you are interested in recruit
…NETWORK
•
Have a back-up plan
• Make use of the Careers and Employability Service
Careers and Employability Service
You can download a copy of this presentation
at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm