Be an Entrepreneur at University – run your own business before you graduate (or just after !)

Although a lot of the talk around education and qualifications is focused on them leading to a specific job or career area, there is one career that doesn’t require anyone to say they will take you on. This is the position of being Self Employed or working for yourself. This is a huge area and covers many occupations from Hairdressing to Building to Barrister and Medical Consultant. Increasingly many universities are recognising this fact and encouraging students to develop business ideas and companies whilst at University. In the south west Plymouth brands itself as the ‘enterprise’ university http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/enterprise whilst other institutions such as Bristol Uni offer a range of support for students to pursue business ideas http://www.bristol.ac.uk/red/students/ .  I realise that entrepreneur is quite a buzz word at the moment, but if you want something a bit unusual then a report on the way that dance provision in the HE sector develops employability and entrepreneurial skills in the student dancer does make fascinating reading ! http://www.palatine.ac.uk/files/723.pdf

Whichever university you are considering it may well have something similar available and is well worth checking out. Look at the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship website for more info  http://www.ncge.com/home.php.  Business success isn’t limited to a particular degree, university or grade, but a good idea well executed. Other general advice is available from your adviser/tutor or through the links shown on our website page for employment support http://www.connexions-somerset.org.uk/jobs/Jobhuntersguide/Job_Seeking_on_web.html#wfy

Speak to someone about Higher Education – or just look at a website ?

Getting advice about Higher Education is am important thing, but who makes sure the advice you get is impartial and independent? Lots of people have opinions and thoughts about HE, but how helpful is it with the people giving the advice being trained? Some people do theirs training via their professional organisation, or by attending university events. However in Somerset we are putting 10 of our advisers through the new Higher Education Advisers Certificate run and validated by London South Bank University. This is a Masters level programme and builds on the skills and experience of our staff that between them have many years of working at this level. Indeed we do have staff who already give HE advice to undergraduates and graduates but have never been able to have this aptitude certified. Such an award will be in addition to the specific careers advisory qualifications they already need to be a Careers and Skills Adviser. At Connexions Somerset we feel it is important to build on the skills of our staff and develop our ability to help people make positive career choices. Higher Education can be expensive, involve commitment of time and applied academic effort. All of  which means that good advice on this option is important to ensure that you can benefit from the opportunity. There was an interesting article in the Guardian about this whole issue of speaking to someone who is able to offer professional advice and guidance on this area, compared to just looking at some websites and deciding by yourself. I’m sure all tutors and staff in 6th forms and colleges would recognise the work entailed in this area. As a prospective student by all means look at the web resources, log-on to various social networking sites and check out the various message boards that you might find useful, but do speak to someone who can give you unbiased advice as well. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jan/05/higher-education-careers-advice-professional

Somerset College HE Student of the Year

Engineering and design are two natural areas of expertise, wedded in many people’s minds by such items as the Dyson vacuum cleaner range or the iPod. However mechanical engineering and design was behind many great inventions and revolutions in our history and this expertise is still needed today. Starting her HE studies at Somerset College led Natalie Gilbert on to a BSc in Mechanical Design Technology at Plymouth University and winning the HE Student of the year at Somerset College. Courses in STEM areas, (Science Technology Engineering and Maths), can open the doors to many careers, check out http://www.futuremorph.org/ for ideas, plus you can start your degree studies in Somerset colleges if you wish. http://www.somerset.ac.uk/news/somerset-college-he-student-year-pictured-at-division-technology-awards-ceremony.html

Parent Motivators - A Parents Guide for your Graduate living at home

Even those who do successfully complete their studies at University and gain a degree might well return to home sometime in their career. This can be immediately after completing of the degree, or in case of being between jobs or work placements you are after. The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (DBIS) has joined forces with Denise Taylor, author of the popular book “How to Get a Job in a Recession”, to produce a guide for parents and family who want to know how to help support the graduate in their home. Some of its suggestions could be used for anyone who finds themselves at home, with a good listing of useful websites at the back of the document. If only they bottled motivation we would all have some.

http://www.bis.gov.uk/new-year-new-opportunities-for-graduates
http://www.direct.gov.uk/graduates

What makes a “Good Job” ?

Most of us need to work, if only to obtain money to enable us to live the life we desire. However money is not the only factor in what makes a good job. Indeed many people will talk about the jobs they have enjoyed, or careers they have experienced, without mentioning the money obtained. I though it would be worth balancing out the money focus by looking at the other factors which make up a “good job”, at least according to other people anyway. One report by the Work Foundation http://www.workfoundation.co.uk/assets/docs/publications/197_good_work_final2.pdf shows the following factors as valued :-



Characteristic of a Good Job (% identified as necessary)
Being valued/appreciated (getting credit for the work you do) 16%
Interesting/Fulfilling role/personally rewarding/Job satisfaction 16%
Autonomy/decision making/responsibility/Working conditions/environment (including location) 14%
Team working/staff morale 13%
Good management/management support/Training/staff development 11%
Enjoyable work 11%
Challenging/Variety 9%
Success/doing a good job/ achievement 8%
Meeting the needs of the customer/client 7%
Flexible (inc. working hours) 6%
Promotion prospects/advancement/Participate/contribution to decision making 5%
Skills/ability/equipment/tools to do the job/Other fringe benefits (eg healthcare) 3%
Clear objectives/goals/expectations/Good communication 2%


Another section lists 7 Key things that need to be in place to make up a “good job”
• Employment security;
• Work that is not characterised by monotony and repetition;
• Autonomy and control and task discretion;
• A balance between the efforts workers make and the rewards that they receive;
• Whether the workers have the skills they need to cope with periods of intense pressure;
• Workplace fairness;
• Strong workplace relationships (social capital).


Apart from the employment security aspect, (which is difficult to evaluate in many areas), how many of us consider the other aspects when looking at possible careers ? Something to ask when you are talking to anyone about their career and reflecting on whether it would be the right one for you. Of course in terms of job security the best investment is gaining skills, qualifications and knowledge which are in demand. This can involve lifelong learning and will enable you to change careers and explore new areas as you go though life. Adult & Graduate Guidance is key to this success and lifelong learning is already a part of many career areas though continuous professional development (CPD). Indeed some careers demand CPD as proof you can continue to do your job.


Some of these factors may change based on your age and interests, although getting and keeping a good job is always a challenge, it can be immensely rewarding. Of course it is not always possible to get exactly the job or career we want straight away, but as the saying goes “Until you find the work you enjoy, enjoy the work you find”. It will help you learn more about what you do want to do and help to pay the bills whilst you are searching

What does a Graduate earn ?

A common question asked by anyone embarking on a period of study is how much a graduate can expect to earn. Although this is a very complex question, as a lot does depend on the individual in some careers, you can get rough summaries from website such as prospects.ac.uk and hotcourses. One quick summary is available by clicking on http://www.scholarship-search.org.uk/pls/mon/hc_edufin.page_pls_user_wage_predict?x=16180339&y=&a=220707 and selecting the area that interests you. These range from Arts. Designs & Crafts to Scientific Services and are summarised in terms of salary. As they say in all the best adverts about Financial Advice these are examples only and not a guarantee that you could earn this much. In some cases the amount of money you could earn as a graduate may not seem a lot more than if you did not have a degree, but it is worth remembering that some careers are graduate entry only, such as teaching, or overwhelmingly recruit graduates although it is not a stated job requirement, such as media and publishing. As always do speak about this with your careers adviser/tutor to research the financial aspects of career choice, it is a big area !  Another side of this questions is what can a gradaute earn, a very different questions and another area to explore

8 sources of finance for University study.

As an adviser I’m often asked about what financial help is available for students wishing to study at University. Although the main resource is Student Finance England there are other sources which are often missed. So in the best tradition of top ten lists, (even though there are only 8 in this case), here are the top 8 sources of finance.

1. Loan for Maintenance
2. Maintenance Grant
3. Bursary
4. Scholarship
5. Job (both before you begin study and part-time whilst studying)
6. Family (often known as the Bank of Mum and Dad but can include other people)
7. Savings/Borrowings
8. Sponsorship


Even if you are aware of some of these resources it is always work checking how much you can get and the costs of paying any loan back. In recent research people commonly underestimate the maximum value of loan and overestimate future repayments. Bursarys and Scholarships are another area where many people are unaware of what is available. To find out what you could get go to http://www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinancecalculator where you can find out what each University could offer you.  However Sponsorships can be difficult to obtain and some companies now prefer to offer them to students after their first year of Uni study.  They also tend to be in certain areas, such as the Military, or in occupation fields such as Engineering. Packages on offer can be excellent and not just focused on money, (management training and career exploration can also be part of the package),  but do check out the committment involved and ensure you are happy with what will be required as your side of the deal. Check out http://www.everythingyouwantedtoknow.com/student-finance/sponsorship for more info on Sponsorships

Don’t Panic – about money for University !

A lot of people are looking at their options for higher education, and the issue of cost is sure to be on the top concern of many. It is important that you look at the range of support that may be available and don’t just look at one source, or indeed rely on what someone is saying who may not be aware of all the options. Do check both with the adviser/tutor and the university you are considering if you have any questions. Money worries shouldn’t stop you going to University, but like all things that are important in your life you need to devote some time to checking everything out. Concern about the cost of higher education is the number one reason that people who have applied to university do not enter HE, ask your support and advice staff to ensure this is not you ! For more info check out our website http://www.connexions-somerset.org.uk/education/university.html#University%20money%20matters

Receiving Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and wondering about funding for University ?

If you are currently receiving EMA financial support and looking to go onto University you may be unsure how this financial support would carry on after you finish your level 3 studies. Originally the Government plan was that if you were already receiving EMA then you would automatically get a grant to study at University – this was the HESSG or Higher Education Student Support Grant. This policy has now been changed and although the government is committed to any student already receiving EMA progressing onto HE, you will need to go through the financial assessment again. This has been done to ensure that those people whose financial situation has improved since the original assessment are treated fairly as other people applying to Uni. If your circumstances are unchanged from the original EMA assessment then you will get a clear quote of the financial support you can expect. For more information contact your careers and skills adviser or Student Finance England http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Gettingstarted/DG_171577

College Week in Somerset - 9th to 15th November

Next week is going to be the celebration of all that takes place in our local FE colleges called, surprisingly enough "College Week". It takes place from the 9th to the 15th of November and is a celebration of the opportunities colleges create for individuals. It aims to spotlight colleges who help people progress and nurture the talent in individuals.
Colleges Week is led by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills in partnership with the Association of Colleges to celebrate the opportunities colleges create for individuals, businesses and Britain. In Somerset it heralds the launch of a new website which bring together all of FE Colleges in Somerset into one easily accessed resource. Check out http://www.somersetcolleges.co.uk to find out more

A brief summary of Higher Ambitions - Report on future Higher Education in UK

HIGHER AMBITIONS - The future of universities in a knowledge economy

A Brief Summary
Britain still has too few people who have the ability actually going to University. More able but educationally disadvantaged pupils should have recognized fair access routes into University.
UK participation rate in HE has gone from 7th in the OECD to 15th since 1998. 75% of UK 2020 workforce have already left school. A percentage of the 6 million UK workers who have Level 3 qualifications but no HE experience should be engaged in Higher Education to raise skill levels.
Increase diversity of HE students through range of access methods to study. More part-time study; vocationally-based foundation degrees; work-based study and more study whilst living at home must be made available.

Clearer routes from apprenticeships to advanced apprenticeships and new technician qualifications into foundation degrees and other vocational higher education programmes should be made.

Growth in HE cannot be met by more 3 year full-time courses and we cannot continue growth of public funding of Universities as we have done.

To ensure that all those who have the ability to benefit can get access to higher education there are 4 Key Changes to achieve:-

1) We will improve the advice and encouragement that students receive earlier in their education with respect to setting their sights on university.
2) New university admissions procedures to assess the aptitude and potential to succeed of those from poor backgrounds.
3) Consider action that could be taken to widen access to highly selective universities for those from under privileged backgrounds.
4) Expand new types of higher education programmes that widen opportunities for flexible study for young people and adults and reflect the reality of the modern working lives.

The Government is committed to the enhancement of locally accessible higher education, through innovative partnerships between universities and further education colleges, and by support for new local higher education centres under the New University Challenge initiative. This could be good news for the Somerset University partnership!

To support universities in making an even bigger contribution to economic recovery and future growth there are 4 Key Changes to achieve:-

5) Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to devise new funding incentives to develop HE programmes that deliver the higher level skills needed.
6) Universities, employers, HEFCE and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) to join and identify and tackle specific areas where university supply is not meeting demand for key skills. All universities expected to describe how they enhance students’ employability (This information should help students choose courses that offer the greatest returns in terms of graduate opportunity.)
7) Business expected to be engaged, active partners with universities, not passive customers.
8) A review into the future of postgraduate provision to be concluded.

Need to strengthen the research capacity of our universities, and its translation into economic impact via 3 Key Proposals:

9) Tighter fiscal constraints and increased competition from other countries will require a greater focus on world-class research and greater recognition of the potential benefits of research concentration in key areas.
10) Establishing strong new incentives to increase the economic and social impact of research.
11) Support stronger long term relationships between business and universities.


To promote excellent teaching for all students in HE, with universities competing to attract students on the basis of the excellent service they provide via 2 Key Changes in this area:

12) All universities should publish a standard set of information setting out what students can expect in terms of the nature and quality of their programme. (Via unistats as mentioned here: http://somerset-he.blogspot.com/2009/06/which-is-best-university-to-study.html)
13) support universities’ work to strengthen the role of the external examiner

To further strengthen the role of universities at the heart of our communities and shared intellectual life, and as one of the key ways in which we engage with the wider world via 3 Proposals:-

14) Build on the contribution that universities have made, in partnership with Regional Development Agencies and local business, to regional economic development.
15) Champion the international standing of our universities (Currently there are 340,000 foreign students in the UK from 239 different countries; the UK is second only to the USA as a destination for such students.)
16) our universities to be world leaders in the growing market in transnational education based on e-learning. (UK higher education to remain a world leader in online learning, and grow its market share by 2015 via university-private sector partnerships.)

To ensure that our universities continue to maintain excellence, even under tighter public financial constraints:-


We need to nurture an HE system, responsive to the demands of both undergraduate and postgraduate training, embedded and integrated in a wider education and skills framework and capable of equipping all students with the capabilities and confidence to prosper.

Growth based so heavily on state funding cannot continue, that is why the development of a diverse set of funding streams is important if the quality of higher education is to be maintained and improved. Universities will need to seek out other sources of funding, from overseas sources as well as domestic.

Our world class universities are unique national assets, and must be recognised as such. Along with this recognition come reciprocal responsibilities. We need to treat these world class institutions for what they are, and the institutions themselves need to recognise their own obligations to UK undergraduates, in terms of excellent teaching and fair access on merit and potential, regardless of family background.

In future the burden of financing higher education’s diversity of excellence will need to be more equitably shared between employers, the taxpayer, and individuals.


17) A review of the fees structure in English universities will be launched, as promised at the time of the establishment of variable fees for full time undergraduate students in 2004. The focus of the review will be the objectives of sustaining genuinely world-class institutions and fair access to universities, while ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.


A strong university system is essential to a country’s economic success and the vibrancy and depth of its intellectual and cultural life. Universities embody both our values and our aspirations. They play a huge role in our communities through the provision of cultural and sporting amenities and in passing on and preserving a set of shared societal values, including tolerance, freedom of expression and civic engagement. They shape how we engage with the rest of Europe and the wider world.


Link to Full report below:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/publications/Higher-Ambitions.pdf

Link to Summary report below:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/publications/Higher-Ambitions-Summary.pdf

HE opportunities after access courses for Adults

I attended the recent higher education opportunities day for adults who had completed their access courses in Somerset this week. Excellent day with 10 providers of HE attending, Universities such as Bath, Bristol and Plymouth etc plus those FE colleges offering HE, such as Trowbridge College which offers a BSc in Social Work. A good buzz about the day and it was interesting to hear people’s journeys which had taken them to this place. Spoke with prospective HE students from 18 years of age to… well a bit older (!) and it did remind me of the true value of the work we all do. Got a nice writeup in the local paper which might encourage more adults to explore this as an option. http://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/4709099.Student_boost_from_university_open_day

It was good to see so many Higher Education Institutions coming into the community. I do realise many do this but unless you see it yourself it is easy to forget what happens. After the exciting side of choosing possible careers that some HE options might lead to, the funding and more practicaly aspects of how it might be managed alongside the other circumstances of the students was discussed. Hopefully the advice they received from the various attendees would have helped them to answer these questions.

Perhaps this type of event could be made into more of an awareness raising event for local communities wherever it takes place. A smilar event at Strode College earlier this year had this focus and very good it was. http://www.strode-college.ac.uk/events/he_open_afternoon/8

British Sausage Week goes with a bang !

It's not all research based work at UCY, as part of Yeovil College there are links between the two areas, not least in the area of food. Students from the Hospitality courses at Yeovil can go onto study this subject at degree level with Bournemouth University, or indeed other HE institutions. However before then they are helping their colleagues take part in a great British tradition of sausage eating. Combining the best of somerset food and education must be an appealing mix. For more info click on the link (you need a pdf reader on your computer to view this)
http://www.yeovil.ac.uk/assets/files/Press_Releases/davinci_gbsausageweek_02nov09.pdf

Somerset University - Coming soon to this county ?

After a lot of work by the Local Authority, local colleges and other various stakeholders Somerset recently became one of only 6 places in the UK to be chosen as a New University location. We had to beat 23 other parts of the country who also had this dream. Much work remains and business plans and a myriad of other activity still needs to be carried out but this is the nearest Somerset has every had to getting it's own University. The role it would serve and its value can be read about below.
http://www.intosomerset.co.uk/story/university-centres-vital-education-and-training-says-somerset

University College Yeovil (UCY) Research conference

University isn't just about studying for a degree, it also involves research. Indeed one of the key outcomes of the majority of such study is that the student can carry out research on their chosen area as this can lead the way onto other studies and help to lead onto a career. As is common at all Universities those staff who teaching students also do research and they can often have a unique view on this work that there students may be doing. At Yeovil (UCY) they had a conference to share some of the fruits of their labours, covering such diverse areas as
“Slavery in Somerset” and “Can Sustainability Survive the Recession?”. More info can be found below but the next conference will be in 2010 if you want to learn more about this work http://www.ucy.ac.uk/217.html

New Sport Degree off to a Flying Start

Some people think that they know what courses are at which college, but if you haven't looked carefully at all the options you can be mistaken. Although Richard Huish College is well known locally, some people think it only offers A levels, but it does a lot more. Interested in exploring the growing leisure industry and want to get an applied sports related qualification ? Then RHC is one place to consider. Successful completion of their foundation degree would enable you to go onto to Marjon at Plymouth to finish with a full honours degree. More to the point it means that you can study locally to University level in Somerset and follow your dreams of a sport related career. More info can be found here
http://www.richuish.ac.uk/news/new-sport-degree-off-to-a-flying-start

A First for Somerset College Fashion Graduates

Interested in creative careers, feel you could have your products on the catwalk, fancy yourself as the next new fashion designer guru ? Well the first step would be to study and learn about this challanging and exciting area. Here in Somerset you can take courses at your local college which could take you up to degree level study. You them may even get to see your garments on the catwalk as a London Fashion Show. Click here to read more
http://www.somerset.ac.uk/news/first-for-somerset-college-fashion-graduates.html

Hollywood Star Visits Bridgwater College

Although it can be seen as a bit of a cliche that you take a course in Media Studies and meet the stars, (lots of work in this area can be hard, demanding and not really glamous at all !), sometimes it does happen. In this case one of the stars of Love Actually and Pirate of the Caribbean, Bill Nighy, came to the college to use the studio facilties. If you want to use the same one graced by a Hollywood celeb you now know where to go ! Read the full story here : www.bridgwater.ac.uk/news.php?nid=180

‘Quietest’ building in the world opens today

The new centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information opened today at the University of Bristol. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2009/6531.html This is a fascinating area and I thought I'd share some Nano resources for careers work with you. http://www.nano.org.uk/index.htm is a useful site, with info on this area from a UK perspective, http://www.icpc-nanonet.org combines info for EU, China, India and Russia in one area, but the most interesting is a Free Nanotechnology Course from http://www.glennfishbine.com/course.htm. This has powerpoints, pdfs and all sorts of interesting stuff you could use to raise awareness.
In addition if you are interested in visiting the quietest building in the world you are in luck. At the weekend it is the Bristol Open Doors event http://www.bristoldoorsopenday.org/ when you could take a look for yourself. Why not take a trip !