School of Computer Science Work Experience: The Facts

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School of Computer ScienceWork Experience The
Facts
Deborah TillCentre for Career Development
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Outline of the Session

• Work experience why?
• Advice on how to find industrial placements
• How to apply
• Further Resources/ Support

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Work Experience Why do it?

• Improve your employability
• - development of personal technical skills
• - many employers expect work experience
• - can help you stand out from the crowd (you
  will be competing for
• graduate jobs with people with degrees in
  other subjects)
• - employers are known to recruit people they
  have had on placement
• Could give you a clearer idea about your ideal
  career
• Improvements in study
• - greater self-confidence, motivation, time
  management, relevance
• Earn some cash

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What employers say...

• "Students need to start developing employment
  skills because when they go for jobs employers
  will expect them to have some knowledge of the
  world of work and be able to articulate that
  experience.
• Personal contacts made whilst working as a
  student provide inside knowledge, introductions
  and references that might not be available
  otherwise.

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Finding Work Experience

• CCD Web - Advice and Vacancies
• Year in Industry www.yini.org.uk
• National Council For Work Experience
  www.work-experience.org
• East Midlands Opportunities www.graddtobusiness.or
  g.uk
• Departmental Noticeboards
• Work Experience directories - Prospects, Hobsons,
  GTI
• Shell STEP programme www.shellstep.org.uk
• doctorjob.com work experience pages
• Prospects Web http//www.prospects.ac.uk
• Local Press
• Networking

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Points to consider

• Many firms recruit before Christmas
• Consider the companys size (small?
  Multi-national?), its location, your role
• Would you like to work in a particular sector
  e.g. engineering, finance?
• Would you like to learn specific computing
  skills?

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Who employs Computer Scientists?

• In-house IT
• manufacturing, retailing, financial services,
  transport and public sectors
• IT Services
• Use technical expertise to solve customers
  business needs
• Technology consultancy firms
• Help clients to introduce new systems, solve
  business problems through IT
• Software product development (general and niche)
• Telecommunications
• IT sales and marketing
• Media/Information Delivery

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Careers for Computer Scientists

• Jobs directly related
• Software engineer, Database administrator,
  Applications developer,Systems designer, Systems
  developer, IT consultant
• Jobs where Computer Science is useful
• Business or Financial Analyst, Recruitment
  consultant, IT sales professional, Secondary
  school teacher,magazine journalist
• The Prospects website gives an overview of jobs
  related to Computer Science/IT

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Nottingham Graduates are working for

• Accenture, BT, Pepsi Cola, KPMG, Cobra,
  Clinphone, Fujitsu, Logica, Civil Service, Cap
  Gemini, EDS, Rolls Royce, HSBC, Ericsson, Travis
  Perkins, Deutsche Bank, PriceWaterhouseCoopers

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CV/ Application Form

• Most companies will expect a CV and covering
  letter, although for some you need to apply
  online.
• Target each application to the company. Use their
  website for details about that company.
• See the CCD website for advice on CVs and
  covering letters
• Checking service available each day at CCD.

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The application process

• Larger employers might expect you to complete an
  online aptitude test, you may also be invited to
  attend an assessment centre and then an interview
• Smaller companies will probably interview the
  applicant.
• For advice on application processes see the CCD
  website

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How the CCD can help?

• www.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/students for
  information on
• Making the most of work experience
• Job hunting strategies including Creative job
  hunting, Applying for jobs
• Background to jobs and employers
• Vacancies
• CCD Events including employer presentations
• Take away material Target IT and Inside Careers
• Quick Query
• Every Day 11 - 4pm
• Portland Building Extension, Level D

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Other resources

• Publications to pick up from CCD
• Target IT (doctorjob.com/it)
• Inside careers Information Technology
  (www.insidecareers.co.uk/it)
• Prospects Directory (www.prospects.ac.uk)