Careers & Placements > Career Opportunities & Decisions

Advantages: Knowing that you are doing a valuable and worthwhile job
Disadvantages: None...except THAT blouse!!!!

...my current post as a Ward Clerk. I did some ‘clerking’ when I was still on the Assessment Unit. My boss asked me if I would like to be ‘seconded’ to another ward to help them out while their permanent Ward Clerk was on long term sick. I almost ran out of her office in order to go and introduce myself to the other ward’s staff!! It was a bit of a trial by fire as the clerical side of things had been neglected for a ...
...something very unusual occurred, two Ward Clerk jobs became vacant and were advertised. Now it is unusual for these posts to become vacant, old Ward Clerks either retire or die, so I am told!! Anyway no prizes for guessing that I applied for both of them! So then, what exactly is a Ward Clerk and what are her/his duties? After all that is why you are here reading this op, isn’t it? Hey come now be realistic, you knew it was going to take me ... Read review

Advantages: A lucrative profession
Disadvantages: Programming is very boring

...former work colleague got into computer programming after attending a TOPS course. Basically you need no qualifications for an IT career. Firms will recruit you as long as your heart is beating. THE COMPLEXITY OF WRITING PROGRAMS The joy of being an analyst/programmer is that you spend your time writing new programs or modifying existing programs. Writing computer programs is not easy. I recall at school when I was given 20 questions for maths ...
...final 5 impossible. Writing a computer program is the equivalent to answering all 20 questions correctly. There are easy problems to impossible ones to constantly solve. The myth about computer programmers sitting in front of a terminal all day is actually true. But there is also eyestrain, headaches, backache, neck ache and stress to take into account. Some days I could not switch off from work at home. I would be watching the TV while mulling ... Read review

Advantages: an interesting way to earn money
Disadvantages: tight deadlines, work can be irregular

...page numbers are fixed before indexing can start. That means you have to be comfortable with working to tight deadlines. As with many freelance jobs, you also have to be comfortable with working on your own, away from other people. There are a number of rules and conventions to indexing, so it is good to do some training. The Society of Indexers (http://www.socind.demon.co.uk) provides a correspondence course which qualifies you as an accredited ...
...of five units which cover indexing practice, the use and construction of thesauri, reference sources that are used in indexing, and the practicalities of running your own indexing business. You buy each unit individually and then apply to do the exam for that unit. You have four weeks in which to do the exam at home and send it back. The marking is rigorous, but the examiners are usually very helpful in sending detailed comments about what you did ... Read review

Advantages: A very rewarding role both financially and emotionally
Disadvantages: Having to stand up for most of the day when delivering training

...experiences of working as a Software Trainer. I haven't listed a job description for the role as one could look that up quite easily from various job search websites on the net… ~ BACKGROUND ~ I worked as a Software Trainer for over 5 years during the 90s. I got into the role in rather an unusual way. I'd been working for a company for a while as a temp and really enjoyed working with the friendly people there in the HR (Human Resources) department. ...
...day sending people on external software training courses and staff were not finding it very useful - i.e. it was costing more than it would cost to pay a full member of staff to do the actual training I thought about it for all of about 5 minutes and accepted the job. It's very flattering to be told a job was being created with you in mind and after having worked in temporary roles for several years (which is where I had picked up the IT skills ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent oppotunity to meet lots of differnt companies
Disadvantages: Your jaw kills by the end of the day due to excess smiling.

...Technologies. · Go to your careers office (of course) and swot up. Look at the careers web site because they will have a list of all the companies that are going to attend! · Plan a route around the career fair. There is no way in the world you’ll be able to visit all of the companies that are there so be selective! · Take around 20 CV’s with you (more if you feel ambitious). After you’ve spoken to around 15 companies in one ...
...yourself to the fact that you’ll be happy living off the dole. · Do ask them if they have a graduate scheme and what it entails. On average this should last 2 years and if there isn’t one in place ask then what training is provided. · Be cheery, ask questions and show you are interested (even if you’re not!) because it’s nice to have a few job offers to choose from! · If you get tired of trying to make a good impression ... Read review