Making career choices | Newcastle University

Taking action

Whether you’re in your first year or undertaking your PhD, it’s never too early to start planning your future and putting your ideas into action.

Gaining experience and making contacts will help you to explore your career options. It can also enhance your employability.

Gaining experience and developing skills

Getting work experience while you study will help you gain the skills employers are looking for. This could be anything from spending a day shadowing an employer, to internships or year-long placements.

You can also gain valuable skills, such as communication, team work and interpersonal skills, through part-time jobs and volunteering. If you're in stage two or three of your degree, you could try student tutoring. Or use your part-time job or voluntary work to gain recognised skills and academic credit through the Career development module.

Extra-curricular activities, such as joining a society or sports team, or taking part in competitions are also beneficial for your career. Get recognition for your efforts with the ncl+ Award and gain credit on your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR).

If you’re interested in exploring self-employment or developing enterprise skills, our START UP team can help. Go along to one of their events or workshops to find out more.

If you are studying a PhD, consult with your supervisor to discuss opportunities such as:

• writing papers
• attending conferences
• giving presentations
• teaching
• having representation on committees.

You can also find opportunities for personal and professional development on the Newcastle University Doctoral College site.

If you are a researcher, Organisational Development offer employability courses for research staff. For more information, contact Sandra Hobson-Tate at the Careers Service.

Meeting employers

Engage with employers on and off-campus through employer and recruitment events.

You’ll also find opportunities to network, such as at our annual Creative Careers event.

Making contacts and building your network

Make contacts in your chosen field. LinkedIn is a great way to do this, but conferences and events are also valuable. Create a LinkedIn profile and start connecting with others. Follow employers and join groups to keep yourself up-to-date with your chosen field.

You can make contacts through Twitter - find relevant accounts on our sector-specific Twitter Lists.

Joining a professional body can give you access to training and networking opportunities, as well as careers support. You may be able to join as a student member. Find links to relevant professional bodies in explore occupations