Careers Support

What did you do before joining Warwick?

Before Warwick I worked at the University of Leicester for around seven and a half years. During my first six years I worked as a careers adviser and curriculum project manager working with the College of Science and Engineering and Arts, Humanities and Law and I also provided one to one careers guidance as part of a central team of advisers. I then worked as a consultant for the College of Science and Engineering developing the employability curriculum that was an integral part of MSc with industry (Engineering and Computer Science) programmes.

What type of support do you offer?

One to one guidance (face to face, telephone and Skype), tailored workshops and events for law students, responses to brief email enquiries, plus information and online resources like the School of Law Careers Pages, Law Careers Blog and Legal Services sector information to name but a few. During vacations (and for year abroad students) I also provide e-guidance. However, this isn’t universally available during term time due to the need to prioritise other services like one to one appointments and workshops.

In addition to the programme of tailored careers workshops for Law students there are centrally delivered employability and skills workshops, employer presentations and events organised by the Student Opportunity team at Warwick, who also provide access to volunteering (in collaboration with the Student Union), work experience and study abroad.

How can I access this support?

Online careers resources include the Student Opportunity website and the Law School Careers pages. Places on workshops and events can be booked using the University’s online portal myAdvantage. You also use this system to book careers guidance appointments. You need to set up your myAdvantage account first and then you will be able to use it to book places on workshops, appointments and to receive notification of events and opportunities that interest you. Bear in mind during the Autumn term appointments tend to get booked up quickly and penultimate, final year and postgraduate students are the priority because of recruitment deadlines. Never the less we are keen to support first year students who want to take action on developing their career ideas and employability skills and we encourage you to complete our Law Self Awareness Moodle in the first instance and then contact Valerie to book an appointment. First years applying for first year schemes, open days and insight events can also use the Student Opportunity Drop In service to get CVs, cover letters and applications reviewed.

What skills should I be focussing on building during my first year to help me in my future career?

A good degree is not enough; employers value and look for evidence of a wide range of employability skills including communication and people skills, resilience and self confidence, commercial awareness, creative problem solving, team work and research, analysis and attention to detail. Many of these are difficult to evidence from your academic studies. Engagement in extracurricular activities provides an opportunity to not only pursue your interests and make friends it also enables you to develop your skills. The more varied your hobbies and extracurricular activities then the wider your skill sets are likely to be and you'll have a range of examples to draw upon to evidence your skills to employers. When looking for activities to get involved in think about what interests you. This could include continuing with past hobbies that you've really enjoyed or trying new things. Employers value a wide range of extra-curricular experience including taking on responsibilities within clubs and societies, volunteering and part-time work as well as more formal work experience.

When is the best time to start thinking about and planning for my career?

It is never too early to start thinking about what you enjoy doing, the things that matter to you and the strengths and skills you have which you might like to use in future job roles. Getting involved in activities outside your degree exposes you to other experiences and reflecting on your university experience - academic and extracurricular - will help you to identify what you enjoy and are good at and the implications for future job roles. It's not a one off event but an evolving process. The Law Self Awareness Moodle is designed to help you identify your priorities and review your strengths and skills. I am happy to discuss the results and next steps for developing your career ideas.

I don’t know what I want to do yet career wise. Is that okay?

It's absolutely fine for you to have no idea what you want to do at this stage and many other students will be in the same position. Your immediate priority is settling in to university and your course, making friends and getting involved in university life so don't feel under pressure if some of your friends already seem to know what they want to do. Everyone is different and makes decisions in the way that is right for them. However, it is a good idea to start thinking about what you enjoy doing so you can take advantage of the wide range of opportunities available to you.

Are there any events you recommend first year students should attend?

A wide range of careers and employability events are provided so there should be something for everyone: Careers Fairs (including the Law Fair), sector events, employer presentations and skills workshops, volunteering and other experiential learning opportunities. You'll find information on myAdvantage including details of external events like insight days, work experience and part time work and tailored careers workshops for Law students including the event 'Don't want to be a Lawyer?' in which Law alumni speak about career paths outside the Law.