Hi, I'm Anna and I'm the Postgraduate Taught Careers Adviser here in Careers Network at the University of Birmingham. I'm part of a dedicated team supporting postgraduate taught students to make the most of your postgraduate studies, and prepare for your next steps, along with my colleagues Sonia and Jayne. You might be wondering why we're talking about careers when you've only just started your postgraduate studies - well many larger employers offering graduate schemes recruit 12 months in advance and some employers have already started their application process for 2021. Your masters year will fly by so starting early will help you to make the most of it, and prepare for whatever you move on to next.
A great first step is to sign up on careers connect to view opportunities and to book your place on events and appointments offered by Careers Network. We also have a brand new postgraduate professional development Canvas site, which is your one-stop shop for all things related to your development during your postgraduate studies. You can find a range of resources and get regular information about the latest opportunities and tips. It's also home to our Postgraduate Professional Development Award which offers you the opportunity to engage with your own development throughout your studies. With flexibility at the forefront you can set your own goals, and gain recognition for your commitment to employability. You can select from a range of masterclasses based on your current career stage and career goals, and a range of activities offered by Careers Network. On completing the award you'll be quick to make your own career decisions and present your skills effectively and professionally. Sign up on the canvas site [https://canvas.bham.ac.uk/enroll/BNYYHJ]. One activity you might like to get involved in is our Postgraduate Skills Series, delivered by employers and experts, it will help you to develop key skills that are in demand in a challenging job market. You can also get involved in our annual masters consultancy challenge which usually runs in June. You'll have the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary team on a real-world business problem set by an employer - it's an opportunity to gain relevant transferable skills and work experience examples for future applications and interviews. If you're an international student or if you're seeking work abroad, we have dedicated support available for you, we have a range of resources to help you search for jobs and work experience internationally and we have a dedicated International Careers Consultant. This presentation is just a taster of the support available for you but we have a whole range of other support, including appointments, webinars, online resources, and careers fairs. To find out more go to our website.