Frequently asked Questions
and Answers
What does the 'Careers Service' do?
The Careers Service provides information
and advice on any aspect of your current or future career
– the courses you might choose and their implications,
getting work experience while studying, preparing to present
yourself effectively to employers, searching for jobs, and
so on. This help is available in a number of ways –
on this website, through individual talks with a careers adviser,
and through workshops.
The Careers Service also organises programs
and activities to assist students prepare themselves for entry
into the workforce, produces publications
to assist students in their career development
and links students with prospective employers via 'My
JobAlert' and activities such as Careers
Fairs and Information Sessions.
This website provides valuable information and useful links
to a variety of career related information.
When shall I start using the 'Careers Service'?
Whenever you have questions about exploring career possibilities
or planning the steps you might take to reach a particular
career goal. It is never too early! You can start visiting
the Careers Service's website on a regular
basis, whatever stage of your studies you are at. This can
help you to establish some direction and consider strategies
to increase your employability. Earlier year students might
also look for vacation-, voluntary,
work experience- or part time work.
When can I make an appointment to see a 'Careers Adviser'?
At any stage of your course if you feel that you need to
think through the options you have, and/or you need to talk
through the implications of a decision you are trying to make
which will affect your career. You should explore the resources
of this website and follow links to other sites which can
be helpful, but if you still feel that talking to someone
would be useful, then make an appointment by
ringing 02 4221 3325.
What shall I do if I want my 'Resume' checked?
We offer workshops on writing job applications in throughout
the year and have videos available that you can view that
deal with the topic. Our publication, ‘The Edge'
which deals with job applications and interview skills is
available in hard copy, on CD, and also on this website. If
you have followed the advice given there, and you have carefully
prepared a resume, then you can make an appointment for a
resume check by calling 02 4221 3325.
What are graduate programs?
A lot of larger employers of graduates – big corporations,
major government departments (particularly in Canberra) large
accounting and law firms – run graduate programs, which
involve the recruitment and training of a number of graduates
each year. The number can vary from a dozen to hundreds. Many
of these programs are launched in the early weeks
of Autumn session, in March and April, for positions
starting the next year. So final year
students need to be alert to these opportunities as soon as
they return to university. Keep in touch with
what is happening through this website.
A lot of your recruitment activities focus on Commerce,
Engineering, Law and Informatics ... but how do I find out
about careers related to other faculties?
It is true that the major recruitment campaigns mentioned
above do tend to focus on these areas, but there are significant
employers at this stage who are interested in a wider range
of disciplines. Look at the recruitment material carefully
– sometimes you will be surprised at the employers who
are interested in all disciplines. Only a minority of graduates
actually find jobs through these big campaigns. They do not
represent the whole graduate market, although they are obviously
an important part of it.
The Careers Service also provides programs
for Education, Health & Behavioural Sciences,
Arts and Creative Arts students.
These are sometimes organised through your lecturers (workshops
for example), or can be in the form of specialist careers
fairs.
But the reality is you may have to look a little harder to
find the one or two vacancies that are advertised by individual
employers, as opposed to the big recruitment campaigns that
the corporate –type recruiters conduct during first
session. Many other employers advertise vacancies or graduate
programs later in the year, and you need to be alert to all
of the opportunities which crop up. The best way to begins
process is by regularly checking on this website
for programs and opportunities. Note especially the JobBoard
and My JobAlert pages. And use the links
to major outside job websites.
How can I enhance my employability?
The Careers Service provides many opportunities
to focus on the skills which you will need to present to employers.
You can start with the University’s Graduate
Attributes, which you will find easily on the University’s
website. This is a list of what the University of
Wollongong thinks it graduates should have by way
of generic skills and lines up pretty closely with the sorts
of things which employers specify in their graduate recruitment.
Then, you can come to workshops organised by the Careers
Service, talk about identifying your skills in an
interview with a careers adviser, get help from our print
and CD publication 'The Edge' with getting
your skills down on paper.
And you can participate on one of the Workplace Leaning
Programs which give you a chance to become involved
in a real workplace, and both learn about and enhance your
skills. These programs include:
- Univative Illawarra
- the Graduate Qualities Challenge (GQC)
- the Higher Education Workplace Skills Olympiad
(HEWSO)
- the Employment Experience Program (EEP)
- Faculty Internships
- and the Careers Service Internship.
You can find out more about all of the programs on this website.
What are the services for 'Graduates'?
If you have completed your studies you are still welcome
to use our services. Registering on the 'My JobAlert'
will ensure that when an employer asks us to scan our JobSeekers
Database for possible applicants, you will be informed
(if the position matches your background). Check our 'My JobBoard'
pages regularly!
Where is the Careers Service located
You find us at Lower Ground Floor UniCentre, in the
arcade behind the Security office .
Our opening hours are from 9.00am
to 5.00pm and you can contact us by:
Phone: 02 4221 3325
Fax: 02 4226 2399
Feedback:
Please send us your comments/feedback
here.
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