Make the most of the holiday | Tips to help career planning

The holidays are coming. It’s time to rest and relax - you deserve it! 

With Christmas almost here, you’ve been gifted time to explore ideas for your future. The holiday also offers a great chance to find support from those around you, who may have a little more time on their hands too. Here are 3 suggestions how: 

 1. Reflect on your achievements 

It’s important to recognise and understand your skills, strengths, and the things you are proud of. You can use our Skills Audit to help you reflect and gain the self-awareness to talk with others about achievements you’re proud of. 

Our Graduate Framework will also help you identify and develop the key skills and attributes that all employers want to see. Take time to read it and discuss it with others, as this will help you to: 

• recognise the skills and attributes you already have and identify those you need to develop 
• reflect on your experiences and the value you are gaining from them 
• broaden your ideas and find further opportunities to develop your own set of attributes 

2. Be Curious. Research ideas 

Keep an open mind; career planning is not always about finding the ideal fit or the perfect job title. Sometimes it’s better to leave yourself open to opportunities by taking small steps in pursuit of the things you’re curious about. It’s about taking the time to research and test out ideas.  

If you’re not sure where to start, try: 

• What can I do with my degree?, a useful resource that can help you think about the skills you’ve developed throughout your studies and how to apply them to careers you may not have considered 
• our Explore Occupations pages to find out about different careers and sectors, with information on how to gain experience and find jobs 
• creating your own opportunities with the support of our START UP offer and online video masterclasses on starting a business or independent portfolio career 

3. Start a conversation 

Start with people who know you well as their views may help. How did they identify their chosen career goals? Would they have done anything different with hindsight and why?  

Once you feel ready to delve a bit deeper, connect with graduates from your degree, alumni, our START UP community of founders and freelancers, and other professionals in career paths you are interested in via LinkedIn and NCL Spark.  

Our guidance pages on making contacts may help. We suggest you: 

• arrange an  informational interview. These are invaluable because they give you so much more understanding about what it means to work in a role 

• once the holidays are over, attend our Careers Service events and workshops as well as  events in your department to extend your contacts and conversations 

When you return in January, why not start the year with a virtual appointment with one of our Careers Consultants or START UP Advisers?  

The Careers Service is closed from 17.00 on Friday 18 December 2020 until 9.00 Monday 4 January 2021 but you can book ahead, online through MyCareer. 

Happy holidays from everyone at the Careers Service!