CAREERS USING ART

• Most arts degrees are tested through lots of coursework and essays that – you’re sure to remember with a shudder – required a lot of dedicated hours sat in the library. Arts degrees include important transferable skills in research, understanding complex ideas and strong report writing skills. And when evaluating what value your degree offers, also look to the softer skills that you’ve gained. These can include anything from organisational and time management skills to self management and communication…

Career options

• Although an arts subject can automatically make graduates think teaching, journalism or similar, it’s important to remember that by doing a more general degree there are a lot of doors open to you…

Teaching

• Arts subjects, particularly for core subjects like English, are sought after in the teaching profession and there is great scope for career development with lots of incentives to pull more graduates into this field. A 2:1 degree is often required and you will need to undertake further study for a Postgraduate Certificate of Education.
• Search education jobs

Journalism and media

• Many English, media and journalism students opt for this highly competitive field, working as anything from editorial assistants to staff writers and online journalists. However, students with music and film degrees can also make this move with their detailed knowledge coming in handy for specialist publications. Usually a 2:1 degree is required but due to the highly competitive nature of these roles work experience is a must.
• Search media, new media, creative jobs

Marketing and PR

• A strong creative mind coupled with a good grasp of spelling and grammar as well as organisational skills can make you a strong candidate in communications sectors like marketing and PR. Being able to write press releases and put together marketing campaigns can draw upon what you’ve learnt during your arts degree. A strong 2:1 in your subject and work experience is a good idea to help get your foot in the door.
• Search marketing, advertising, PR jobs

Sales

• Many big media companies now have great graduate sales programmes where you’re offered on-the-job training whilst making money, often with good commission structures. Sales can be a very lucrative career for people who succeed and often the entry requirements vary. Many entry-level sales jobs take lower than just a 2:1 and don’t require a set subject.
• Search sales jobs

Film and music

• Similar to journalism and media, the film and music industry is very difficult to break into. However, that’s no reason to get disheartened and if you’re willing to work hard and undertake internships it is possible to thrive in this industry, with most graduates starting off as runners or assistants. A music degree can also lead you to the business side of music such as producing and selling.
• Search film and music jobs

Cultural roles

• The UK is famed for its cultural heritage and this sector relies on graduate talent. Work in this sector includes administrative and curative roles in art galleries and museums or working for companies like the National Trust. However, this is possibly the most competitive area of all of career choices and you’re looking at a large part of your early career on a very low salary. If you’re driven to succeed in this area then work experience is a must.
• Search travel, leisure, tourism jobs

Accountancy and finance

• This may be a surprise, but if you’ve decided that you’d like to move into a more business-focussed career then many of the professions like accounting and banking will consider graduates from arts disciplines, offering on-the-job training. A strong 2:1 or 1st is required in almost all cases.
• Search banking, insurance, finance jobs

Administration, office, secretarial

• Many arts graduates move into administration roles, using their strong communication and written skills to good effect in this sector. By starting in a junior clerical role you can get a job with a lower degree than a 2:1 and the long-term career prospects can be good. For example, PAs are in strong demand and experienced people in this field can earn excellent salaries, particularly in finance.
• Search secretarial, PAs, administration jobs

Retail

• Many of the High Street’s best known stores offer excellent graduate programmes with fast-tracks into management, which can be a very profitable career long-term. Companies like John Lewis offer all of their employees shares in the company with generous bonuses for all staff from the bottom-up.
• Search retail, wholesale jobs

Catering

• Similarly, many of the UK’s biggest restaurant and bar chains offer graduate programmes, fast-tracking them into management. From Starbucks to McDonalds, there are opportunities for driven graduates looking to learn management skills within this sector.
• Search catering, hospitality jobs

Fine art

Print this page

Case studies

• Development assistant at Camden Arts Centre: Linda

FAQs

1. Can I still use my university careers service two years after graduation?
2. What can I do after my degree?

Fine art graduates develop a range of specific practical and creative skills, as well as gaining valuable experience of entering exhibitions and competitions. They also develop key transferable skills that can lead to other careers…

Job options

Jobs directly related to your art degree include:

• Fine artist
• Further education lecturer
• Higher education lecturer
• Museum/gallery curator
• Printmaker
• Secondary school teacher

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Art therapist
• Arts administrator
• Commercial art gallery manager
• Museum/gallery exhibitions officer
• Multimedia programmer

 

Potential artistic careers.

Accessory Designer	Art Historian
Advertising Director	Art Insurance Agent
Aerial Photographer	Art Librarian	Calligrapher
Airbrush Artist	Art Magazine Editor	Camera Operator
Antique Specialist	Art Researcher	Candle Maker
Appliqué Artist	Art Restorer	Caricaturist
Archaeologist	Art Specialist	Cartographer
ArchitectArchitectural Graphic Artist	Art SupervisorArt Teacher /Art Teacher Assistant	(mapmaker)Cartoonist
Architectural Writer/Critic	Art Therapist	Ceramicist
Architecture Teacher	Artist in Residence	Children’s Book Illustrator
Art Activity Writer	Artists’ Agent	Cinematographer
Art Appraiser	Audio/Visual Designer	Comic Strip Artist
Art Book Editor	Automobile Designer	Commercial Photographer
Art Consultant	Background Artist (TV)	Computer Graphic Artist
Art Coordinator	Bank Note Designer	Conceptual Artist
Art Critic	Basket Maker	Copywriter
Art Dealer	Block Engraver	Corporate Art Collector
Art Director	Book Jacket Designer	Corporation Photographer
Art Distributor	Bookbinder	Costume Designer
Botanical Designer	Calendar Editor	Court Artist
Craftsperson	Curator	Curriculum Writer (Art)

 

Design ConsultantDesignerDrafterEditorial Art DirectorEditorial IllustratorEnamellistEnvironmental ArtistEnvironmental DesignerEnvironmental PlannerEquipment DesignerExhibition CoordinatorHair Stylist DesignerHeavy Equipment Designer Illustrator Industrial Designer

Fabric DesignerFashion Art DirectorFashion ConsultantFashion Display DirectorFashion Editor/WriterFashion IllustratorFashion MerchandiserFashion PhotographerFaux Finish SpecialistFilm AnimatorFilm DeveloperFilm EditorFilmmaker Fine Art Photographer

Fine ArtistFloor Covering DesignerFloral DesignerForensic ArtistFoundry WorkerFurniture DesignerGallery AssistantGallery DirectorGallery OwnerGallery PhotographerGem CutterGlass BlowerGoldsmith Graphic Arts Technician Greeting Card Designer

 

Interior DecoratorInterior DesignerJewellery Maker/DesignerLace MakerLandscape DesignerLaw Enforcement PhotographerLawyer with Art SpecialtyLeatherworkerLegal PhotographerLighting DesignerLithographerLithographic PhotographerMagazine Art Director Magazine Photographer Makeup Artist Manufacturer of Art Materials Manuscript Illuminator	Marine ArchitectMaster PrinterMedical IllustratorMetalsmithModel BuilderMold MakerMovie Art DirectorMovie Scene PainterMural ArtistMuseum CuratorMuseum DirectorMuseum PhotographerMuseum Photographer Musical Instrument Maker Ornamental Metalwork Designer Painter Papermaker Parade Float Designer	PatternmakerPhoto ResearcherPhoto Re-ToucherPhoto StylistPhotofinisher SpecialistPhotographerPhotographic EngineerPhotography TeacherPicture FramerPhotojournalistPlayground DesignerPolice/Court ArtistPortrait Painter or Photographer Poster Artist Potter Press Photographer Printmaker Private Art Instructor Product Designer Product Illustrator
Product PhotographerPromotion DesignerPuppet DesignersPuppeteerQuick Sketch ArtistRetail Store Art DirectorRug MakerScenic ArtistSchool PhotographerScience Fiction IllustratorSculptorSet Construction WorkerShowroom Manager Sign Painter Silk Screen Artist Silversmith Sketch Artist	Space PlannerSpecial Effects ArtistsSports Clothing DesignerSports Equipment DesignerStage DesignStained Glass MakerStencil IllustratorStoryboard IllustratorTapestry WorkerTattoo ArtistTeachers AideTechnical IllustratorTelevision Art Director Television Graphic Artist Text Book Illustrator Textile Artist	Theatre Set DesignerTheme Park DesignerTool DesignerToy DesignerTypographerVideo ArtistWall Covering DesignerTransportation DesignerWardrobe StaffWeb Site DesignerWindow Display DesignerWood CrafterWorkshop Coordinator

It’s often said that one must suffer for one’s art and, for aspiring artists, a spell of pennilessness after graduating has historically been de rigueur. This is as true today as ever, shown not only by the fact that 10.7% of 2008 fine art graduates were unemployed after leaving university (see graphic), but also by the high proportion listing catering or retail work as their primary occupation.

• On the bright side, in between the waiting shifts you’ll have plenty of time to polish your artistic skills and cultivate a brooding sense of existential angst. Just remember to take the long view; while arts funding will be scarce in the coming years, recessions have historically allowed creativity to flourish, as fine art graduates of the late 80s and early 90s, such as Damien Hirst (pictured) showed.
• As our data also shows, fine art graduates splinter off into a broad range of career directions, from teaching to management to media and advertising.
• What skills have you gained?
• First and foremost you should have begun accumulating a hefty portfolio of work with which to showcase your technical and creative talents. The theoretical side of your degree should enable you to put your work into proper context, explaining your influences, the reasoning behind your choice of subjects and why you used certain materials.
• Art is often a solitary pursuit so you should also have a good idea of how to motivate yourself and research ideas, materials and equipment.
• What jobs can you do?
• “Fine art graduates often specialise in a particular form of art such as painting, drawing, installations, sculpture or printmaking but finding regular work or a permanent job as an artist is not easy and for some, self-employment, short-term residencies or commissions are the main career opportunities,” says Margaret Holbrough, careers adviser at Graduate Prospects. It can take time to establish yourself as an artist while building up a credible portfolio.
• The creative arts sector has more to offer though and roles in art galleries and museums, theatre, film and crafts would be suited to fine art graduates.
• Holbrough points out that in business, the artistic flair of fine art graduates is also recognised in roles where the visual image is paramount, such as advertising and marketing, exhibition design, publishing and illustrating.
• “Teaching, art therapy and working for community arts projects offer more socially and educationally focused careers, plus arts administration and management would give an alternative perspective to the arts,” she says.
• Postgraduate study?
• More than 12% of 2008 fine art graduates went on to further study, many taking master’s courses to specialise in particular areas of art. Shorter courses specialising in certain related aptitudes, such as smithing, are also popular. A significant proportion go on to take a Postgraduate Certificate of Education, qualifying them to teach art in schools.

 

• Data supplied by the Higher Education Careers Services Unit and Graduate Prospects

 

CAREERS USING BIOLOGY 

A biology degree can prepare you for a career in the science and health sectors. You can also develop a range of transferable skills… Careers can be found in a number of areas:

 

Sport and exercise careers

Sport and exercise help us to keep our bodies fit and healthy and can be used to help us recover from disease and injury. Biologists play an important role in identifying and developing the best ways for doing this.

 

Food related careers

Food is an essential part of our everyday lives, providing the nutrients we need to grow and keep our bodies alive. Biologists play an important role in food safety, food development and ensuring we all have enough food to eat.

 

Medicine related careers

There a host of careers in healthcare where you will be playing a crucial role in the diagnosis, prevention and cure of disease and illness, helping people across the world. A career in medicine doesn’t just mean ‘become a Doctor’.

 

Animal related careers

Animals have a huge impact on our lives. They are pets, food, pollinators, decomposers, predators and parasites. Biologists study animals to find out what they can teach us to help us to conserve our planet and improve human and animal health.

 

Careers to help sustain our world

We make our land work hard for us, to feed us and provide us with water and places to live. Often we have to restore habitats so that other animals and plants can return to the land we use. Biologists find ways of helping humans to live sustainably.

 

Future careers in biology

Biologists have a vital role to play in exciting developments for the future, working to produce new and innovative technologies and preparing us for the impact and consequences of climate change.

 

 

A wide range of employers recruit graduates for biology-related jobs including:

• universities and clinical research organisations;
• pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies;
• private hospitals and NHS trusts;
• national and global health and environmental charities;
• scientific and technical consultancies;
• schools and colleges;
• outreach organisations, such as museums, science centres and broadcast companies, etc.

 

Many biology graduates pursue opportunities outside the science and health sectors in business, finance, marketing, education and sales.

 

Fields in Biomedical Research
Physiology	Pharmacology	Biochemistry
Molecular Biology	Bacteriology	Virology
Anatomy	Neuroscience	Cell biology
Oncology	Genetics	Immunology
Space Physiology	Embryology	Kinesiology
Fields in Biological Research
Botany	Horticulture	Plant Taxonomy
Paleobotany	Palynology	Evolutionary Biology
Phycology	Ecology	Environmental Science
Ichthyology	Forensic Biology	Forensic Anthropology
Parasitology	Entomology	Ornithology
	Marine Biology	Vertebrate Zoology
Herpetology	Wildlife Biology	Invertebrate Zoology
Biophysics	Developmental Biology	Bioethics

 

Careers in Healthcare

Doctor of Medicine	Doctor of Osteopathy	Clinical Trials Coordinator
Optometrist	Orthoptician	Podiatrist
Dentist	Dental Hygienist	Dental Assistant
Orthodontist	Epidemiologist	Public Health Professional
Pharmacologist	Chiropractor	Physical Therapist
Occupational Therapist	Medical Technologist	Cytotechnician
Genetics Counselor	Respiratory Technician	X-Ray Technician
AcupuncturistMidwife	PhlebotomistParamedic	In Vitro Fertilization TechnicianNurse
Athletic Trainer	Sports Tester	Radiation Therapy Technician
Aquarist	Audiologist	Veternary Assistant
Zookeeper	Veterinarian	Anesthesiology Assistant
Surgical Technologist	Exercise Physiologist	Medical Appliance Technician
Orthotics and Prosthetics Specialist	Environmental Science and Protection Technician	Quality Control Specialist

 

CAREERS USING CHEMISTRY

 

So you’ve got an interest in Chemistry – where can this take you?

The career options in chemistry are practically endless! However, your employment options depend on how far you have taken your education.

Career in Medicine

One of the best undergraduate degrees for medical or dental school is chemistry. You’ll take biology and physics classes while pursuing a chemistry degree, which puts you in a great position to excel at the MCAT or other entrance exams. Many med school students say chemistry is the most challenging of the subjects they needed to master, so taking courses in college prepares you for the rigors of medical school and teaches how to be systematic and analytical when you practice medicine.

2. Career in Engineering

Many students get an undergraduate degree in chemistry to pursue a master’s degree in engineering, particularly chemical engineering. Engineers are highly employable, get to travel, are well-compensated, and have excellent job security and benefits. An undergraduate degree in chemistry offers in-depth coverage of analytical methods, scientific principles, and chemistry concepts that translate well into advanced studies in process engineering, materials, etc.

3. Career in Research

A bachelor’s degree in chemistry positions you perfectly for a career in research because it exposes you to key lab techniques and analytical methods, teaches you how to conduct and report research, and integrates all of the sciences, not just chemistry. You can get a job as a technician right out of college or use a chemistry degree as a stepping stone to advanced studies in chemical research, biotechnology, nanotechnology, materials, physics, biology, or really any science.

4. Career in Business or Management

A chemistry or engineering degree works wonders with an MBA, opening doors into management of labs, engineering firms, and industry. Chemists with a nose for business may start their own companies or work as sales representatives or technicians for instrument companies, consulting firms, or pharmaceutical companies. The science/business combo is extremely employable and powerful.

5. Teaching

A chemistry degree opens doors to teaching college, secondary school You’ll need an additional PGCE degree to teach in a school if you have a first degree. Secondary teachers need a B.Ed degree.

6. Technical Writer

Technical writers can work on manuals, patents, news media, and research proposals. A degree in chemistry hones the organizational and writing skills needed for a technical writing career path.

7. Lawyer or Legal Assistant

Chemistry majors often proceed to law school. Many pursue patent law, although environmental law is also very big.

8. Veterinarian or Vet Assistant

It takes a lot of chemistry know-how to succeed in the veterinary field, beyond what most doctors require. The entrance exams for veterinary school emphasize organic chemistry and biochemistry, so a chemistry degree is a superior pre-vet major.

9. Software Designer

In addition to spending time in a lab, chemistry majors work on computers, both using and writing programs to help with calculations. An undergraduate degree in chemistry can be the springboard for advanced studies in computer science or programming. Or, you may be in a position to design software, models, or simulations straight out of school, depending on your skills.

10. Management Positions

Many graduates with chemistry and other science degrees don’t work in science, but take positions in retail, at grocery stores, in restaurants, in family businesses, or any of a host of other careers. The college degree helps graduates rise to management positions. Chemistry majors are detail-oriented and precise. Typically, they are hard-working, work well as part of a team, and know how to manage their time. A chemistry degree can help prepare you to succeed in any business venture!

If you go to University and study Chemistry, some of the career options related to chemistry are:

• Agrochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Astrochemistry
• Atmospheric Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Catalysis
• Ceramics Industry
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemical Information Specialist
• Chemical Sales
• Chemical Technology
• Chemist
• Colloid Science
• Consulting
• Consumer Products
• Environmental Chemistry
• Environmental Law
• Ethnobotany
• Food Chemistry
• Forensic Science
• Geochemistry
• Government Policy
• Hazardous Waste Management
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Medicine
• Metallurgy
• Military Systems
• Oceanography
• Organic Chemist
• Paper Industry
• Patent Law
• Perfume Chemistry
• Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry
• Pharmaceuticals
• Physical Chemistry
• Plastics Industry
• Polymer Industry
• R&D Management
• Science Writer
• Software Design
• Space Exploration
• Surface Chemistry
• Teaching
• Technical Writing
• Textile Industry

This list isn’t complete. You can work chemistry into any industrial, educational, scientific, or governmental field. Chemistry is a very versatile science. Mastery of chemistry is associated with excellent analytical and mathematical skills. Students of chemistry are able to solve problems and think things through. These skills are useful for any job!

 CAREERS USING DRAMA

 

WHAT SKILLS WOULD I HAVE GAINED ON MY COURSE?

A degree in Theatre and Drama provides graduates with a wide range of transferable skills, which are important in many career fields.

Creative thinking Critical evaluation Literacy Negotiating Organising

Planning Presentation Research Teamwork

 

To the many employers who recruit graduates in any discipline, these skills will be more important than the actual subject of your degree.

Skills for your CV

Studying performing arts gives you a range of skills sought after by all types of employers, for example:

• confidence;
• self-presentation;
• teamwork and collaboration;
• time management and organisational skills;
• self-awareness;
• self-discipline;
• an open mind and the ablitity to move beyond boundaries and experiment with different ideas;
• communication skills;
• analytical, critical and research skills;
• the ability to cope with criticism and learn from it;
• stamina.

JOBS DIRECTLY RELATED TO A DEGREE IN DRAMA AND THEATRE

• Actor/actress
• Stage manager
• Arts administrator
• Drama teacher
• Dramatherapist
• Television production assistant
• Radio presenter
• Theatre director www.prospects.ac.uk/theatre_director.htm

JOBS WHERE A DRAMA AND THEATRE MAY BE USEFUL

• Youth & community worker
• Personnel manager
• Social worker
• Journalist
• Marketing manager
• Charities administrator

Bottom of Form

Actor

Actors bring characters to life on stage with their performances, using speech, movement and expression to act a script or improvise their roles.

Actors’ agent

Agents are often the first point of contact for anyone looking to hire actors. Few actors work without the support of an agent.

Administration

Administrators deal with customers, run offices, and take care of the day-to-day running of a jewellery business.

Agent

Agents in theatre & dance, film and television work to represent performers and individuals. Agents can also supply artists for corporate and private events. Their clients may include actors, singers, dancers or supporting artists.

Artistic director

The artistic director makes sure their theatre is putting on the kind of shows that fit with the artistic aims of the organisation.

Arts journalist

Every show hopes for good reviews. Journalists get the word out about the show to the public. They make sure people know what shows are on offer and what is happening in the world of theatre.

Backstage crew

Building sets, helping create props and operating equipment, the backstage crew support the designers and performers with the running of the show.

Box office staff

Box office staff work in cinemas, theatres and concert halls. They are responsible for taking bookings and payments for tickets. Box office staff also arrange for group visits and discounts. They may also advise on seating for people with disabilities or special needs.

Carpenter

Carpenters and joiners in the theatre & dance sector and crafts sector work with wood. They work in theatres or in workshops. In the theatre & dance sector, they specifically make, fit or repair scenery and props that are part of a play or show.

Choreographer

Choreographers ensure that dance and fight work looks convincing and is safe.

Circus performer

Circus performers work to entertain a live audience. They work for traditional touring circuses, at festivals and outdoor events. Increasingly circus performers are involved in staged musical performances in theatres and other arts venues.

Costume designer

The costume designer is responsible for designing all the costumes to be worn in a production. This can involve a mix of designing from scratch, and sourcing existing items of clothing.

Dance teacher

Dance teachers educate and instruct on different forms of dance. They work with individuals and groups of all ages and abilities to help them learn dance practices.

Dancer

Dance is a term for describing ways of using the body to tell stories, interpret music and express emotion. Some dance forms require an intense training starting from an early age; others can be learned later.

 

Dialect coach

Dialect coaches or voice coaches work with actors to develop and improve their vocal technique, and help them adopt convincing character accents.

Director

Theatre directors take responsibility for the overall creative production of plays.

Dramaturg

A dramaturg is a theatre practitioner who focuses on how to convey the particular message the director wants to highlight.

Education staff

Arts education staff in the creative industries support teachers and development workers in cultural venues. They work in art centres, galleries, theatres and other venues to provide an educational experience. They may work with individual children or visitors, small groups or a whole class.

Entertainer

Entertainers perform for the enjoyment for crowds or groups of people at a function.

Events staff

Events staff work with centre and gallery and theatre managers to deliver an event. They manage, organise and oversee the running of a venue or function. They are responsible for coordinating all the arrangements such as room bookings, catering and special effects or promotional items.

Finance staff (arts)

Finance staff officers in the performing and visual arts sectors provide administrative support to organisations.

Front-of-house work

The ‘front-of-house’ of a theatre refers to all areas accessed by the public, including the auditorium. Front of house staff look after the public to make sure their visit is safe and enjoyable.

Hair, make-up and wigs

People that work in hair, makeup and wigs for the theatre & dance sector help to style performers. The style of makeup needed depends on the type of production. The hair, make-up and wigs may contemporary and straightforward or require more creative approaches. Performers may need to appear from a different nationality or historical period. The makeup artist will also need to dress wigs and attach them correctly to the actor or performer.

Lighting designer

Lighting designers work to ensure effective lighting for a commercial or residential property. They aim to enhance a building’s environment through lighting.

Lighting work

Lighting specialists are vital to theatre. Their work may involve design, operating lighting rigs, and looking after equipment.

Make-up artist

Make-up artists apply make-up and style hair for performers and presenters. Their work is seen on film, stage and television.

Marketing officer

Marketing officers handle all the publicity a theatre needs to generate, in print, online and in the press.

Playwright

The playwright or dramatist is the author of a production, the writer or adapter of the original play. Often they work alone, but sometimes they also collaborate with a director and the cast.

Producer (live events)

Producers of live events are responsible for running successful live spectacles. The producer works on live shows and events in the music industry such as concerts and music festivals. They must coordinate technical staff and performers to ensure everything runs smoothly. They have to have high quality acts and performers for a successful event. Live events may be one-offs or regular annual events. They can be held in indoor and outdoor music venues of all sizes.

Props manager

A props manager supervises the building, making and buying of the props needed for a production.

Puppeteer

Puppeteers animate and manipulate puppets as part of a theatre, television or film production. Puppetry is a performing art used to entertain adults or children.

Set designer

Set designers work with the director and creative team to produce sets and scenery which enhance the experience of the show.

Sound designer

Sound design can involve making sure the mix of sounds is correct at a live event, designing the sound effects on a mobile phone, and many other things.

Sound engineer

Sound engineers work in the theatre & dance sector to handle all aspects of a productions sound. They ensure that speech, music and sound effects can be heard to the best effect in a theatre production.

Sound technician

Sound technicians ensure that the best sound possible is available in a variety of venues for performances. They prepare, operate and maintain technical equipment to amplify, enhance, mix or reproduce sound. They work on audio recordings, films, radio and television programmes and live performances.

Sound work

Sound technicians and engineers are responsible for everything about what a production physically sounds like. They often also work closely with designers.

Special effects

Special effects and pyrotechnics staff are responsible for special effects and pyrotechnics required as part of a production. In some shows, for example using magic, special effects may be an integral part of an act.

Stage designer

Stage designers are responsible for designing stage settings for productions. This can range from single scene dramas, to complex scenery and scene changes required by major productions.

Stage manager

Stage managers physically coordinate theatre. They make sure the various parts of a show, from props to set changes, are in the right place at the right time.

Stagehand

Stagehands in performing arts are the behind scenes support staff for a production. They carry out a wide variety of jobs backstage to ensure a production is successful.

Stand-up comedian

A stand-up comedian performs a humorous solo act in front of live audiences in clubs, pubs, theatres and a range of other venues. They might perform on cruise liners, at holiday resorts and for private and corporate events. Highly successful stand-up comics may be filmed for television broadcasts or become part of radio programmes.

Street theatre performer

Street theatre performers provide live performances and installation in a variety of outdoor settings including:

Teacher (arts)

Arts teachers educate people taking part in performing, visual and literary arts. Coaches, tutors and teachers motivate people and help them achieve their goals. They help people learn the skills they need to perform to the best of their ability in a specific area. They also advise performers and artists on how to further improve their performance or art.

Technical manager

A technical manager in the theatre & dance sector coordinates a production’s technical staff. This could include the set making staff, lighting staff and props making staff.

Theatre director

A theatre director co-ordinates all aspects of a theatrical production for the stage. They work from the production stages and rehearsals through to the final performance.

Wardrobe assistant

Wardrobe assistants work to provide support with costumes and accessories. Performances like plays and musicals rely on a strong wardrobe team to make the production look credible.

Some destinations of Drama graduates.

• Actor/Teacher – Crucible Theatre
• Director of PR/Marketing – Equestrian Charity
• News Reporter – The Stage & Television Today
• Administrator – University Theatre
• Box Office Manager – English National Opera
• Editor – Trade Union
• Lecturer – South Kent College of FE
• Reception Administrator – Advertising Production Co
• Literary Agent – Sheill and Associates
• Lecturer – University
• Administrator/General Manager – Dance Company
• Director – Theatre
• Actress/Lecturer – Freelance
• Actress/Special Needs Worker – Freelance

 

DRAMA AND THEATRE LINKS – Useful Websites

• Careers Service Media Linkswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/sitesmedia.htm Publishing, Journalism, Media and Music links
• Media Jobs CV and Covering Letter and Actors CV
• Arts Hub www.artshub.co.uk Large listing arts and creative jobs including internships and work experience. Jobs bulletin with 100 new listings each week is emailed free to members weekly. Free to join. Cover theatre, dance, visual arts, film, tv and radio, writing and publishing, design, music, fashion and the creative industries. Sister websites in the US and Australia.
• Media Voltwww.mediavolt.co.uk Media community site offering Auditions & Jobs for Models, writers, Actors, Musicians and TV/Film production crew.
• The Conference of Drama schools in the UK www.drama.ac.uk
• National Council for Drama Trainingwww.ncdt.co.uk
• “The Spotlight” www.spotlightcd.com Publishers of casting directories and contacts with profiles of over 25,000 professionals in the performance industry
• Outlines of careers and theatres in the UK www.dramauk.co.uk
• Online Directory of postgraduate courses in the UK www.prospects.ac.uk/student/pgdir
• The Association of British Theatre Technicians www.abtt.org.uk
• The Society of British Theatre Designers www.theatredesign.org.uk
• Association of Lighting Designers www.ald.org.uk
• Web pages for the Regional Arts Boards of the Arts Council www.arts.org.uk
• UK Theatre Web site www.uktw.co.uk
• The Stage newspaper www.thestage.co.uk
• Actor’s One Stop Shopwww.actorsone-stopshop.com
• Broadcast Now (radio and television)www.broadcastnow.co.uk site for the national radio industry
• Grapevine Jobswww.grapevinejobs.com for jobs in broadcast, film and music.
• Creative Choices www.creative-choices.co.ukprovides tools, knowledge and networks to support the development of individuals and business within the creative and cultural industries.
• English National Youth Arts Network www.artswork.org.uk/enyan-home
• Arts Council www.artscouncil.org.uk
• BBC Performing Arts Fund www.bbc.co.uk/performingartsfund
• Mandy’s Film and TV Production Directory www.mandys.com
• Dance
  • www.communitydance.org.uk
  • http://danceeurope.net
  • www.article19.co.uk
• Skillset profiles on a range of different media career areas plus tips for getting in www.skillset.org

 CAREERS USING ENGLISH

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A DEGREE IN ENGLISH?

 The skills you gain through studying an English degree are marketable in most career areas. To the many employers who recruit graduates in any discipline, these skills will be more important than the actual subject of your degree.

English graduates develop a wide range of skills that are valuable to graduate employers including: how to argue a point, how to think independently, to summarise and precis, to write and speak well, to write reports, to present information effectively and to work as part of a team.

A degree in English provides graduates with a wide range of transferable skills, which are important in many career fields. Understanding and analysis of writing is of key importance to graduates of English and can be applied in many other fields of work. Other skill areas developed in studying English include:

an ability for clear expression both oral and written

putting forward ideas and arguments in a concise manner

gathering, investigating and assessing material

condensing facts, ideas and arguments

basing conclusions on research

synthesising ideas

organising material in a logical and coherent way

 

School teacher

You will need a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) to teach in State schools. English is a popular PGCE courses so early application (in October or November for entry the following September) is advised.

Journalism and writing

Many English graduates are attracted to Journalism and Writing. It’s important to gain relevant experience on the student newspaper or other publications and to build a portfolio.

Publishing

This covers books, magazines and electronic publishing, generalist or specialist (including academic publishers). Graduates may work in editorial roles or in business roles such as production and marketing.

TV, Radio, Film, Drama and Music

is the most popular career area for Arts graduates. To be successful you need to gain and be able to show evidence of relevant practical skills (writing for INQUIRE, Kent Radio, Film Making Society, word-processing skills etc.). Take action well before your final year.  Many jobs in the media are not advertised – organisations get enough CVs from people applying speculatively to be able to fill their vacancies from these.

Teaching English as a Foreign Language is a popular option and still relatively easy to get, although you would be wise to get the CELTA Certificate in TEFL as this will make the better jobs available.

University lecturer

This does not require a teaching qualification, but you will need a higher degree, ideally a PhD plus teaching experience (which you may be able to gain while a postgraduate student). Competition is strong for junior academic posts

Library and Information work

This may be carried out in public, academic or specialist libraries and involves managing the library’s collections and helping users to get the most out of them.

Other occupations where an English degree would be useful.

Many careers are open to graduates in any subject and may offer the potential to use the analytical, information and communication skills that you have gained through studying English. Your interpersonal skills, however, are likely to be even more important.

Below are just a few of the occupations where the skills of English graduates may be particularly relevant:

Marketing, Advertising and PR. The typical job here is working as a Marketing Brand Manager – being responsible for the sales and marketing of a brand, be it breakfast cereal or sports cars. It’s a very creative role, but also (unusual for many creative jobs) well-paid!. Advertising account manager – these plan and run advertising campaigns on behalf of client companies. Very competitive to enter !

Law

Solicitors advise clients on legal issues, using statutes and case law to determine their relevance to their client’s problem. Barristers also investigate and advise on legal issues, often the more complex ones, and present the client’s case in court if necessary.

HR or Personnel Management is another option which requires strong communication and advice giving skills.

Civil Service

Graduates joining the Civil Service Fast-Stream are involved in a wide variety of tasks, such as researching and analysing policy options, drafting material that will be used as the basis for new legislation, supporting Ministers in parliamentary work and the management of their departments and liaising with outside organisations.

Retail management requires leadership and communication skills. You need to be practical, mobile and prepared to work irregular hours. This is not a desk bound job and requires doers as much as thinkers. However promotion can be fast and you can rapidly reach a position of responsibility.

Finance

Has become another popular option. Many Humanities graduates enter business careers in accountancy, banking, insurance and other areas. There is no prejudice against Arts graduates provided they are numerate (grade B at GCSE maths would be about the minimum acceptable) and indeed often they are sought after because of their good communication skills.

A degree in English Literature could open the book into an exciting career in a whole range of areas. Read on to find out more.

English Literature is a non-vocational degree – which means that it gives you some all-round skills that can be applied to different careers rather than training for a specific job. These skills include:

Written and other communication skills

Understanding complex ideas and theories

Research

Which job?

Media and journalism

Many journalists have an English degree, since the ability to research subjects and write clearly and concisely are essential to the job. It doesn’t just have to be writing for print or online press either, since jobs in TV and radio also require great research skills.

To get into the media, doing some work for your school newspaperand getting some media work experience will give you a big advantage.

Publishing

If a degree in English Literature means one thing, it’s that you understand books, so English graduates are in high demand in the publishing industry. Begin as an editorial assistant and you’ll be proofing and correcting books before they’re published, and could work your way up to a commissioning role deciding which books will sell and why. There are plenty of other jobs available in publishing as well.

Advertising and PR

Being able to make and explain a persuasive argument is a big part of studying English Literature, and is crucial for working in advertising and PR. You could put your skills to good use as an advertising copywriter for example, or if you’d prefer dealing with people face-to-face, then a job as a public relations or press officercould be for you.

Getting involved with some campaigns at your school or with a charity will give you some great firsthand experience, and it’s also worth thinking about getting a professional marketing qualification from an organisation like the Chartered Institute of Marketing after your degree as well.

Teaching

Teaching is a good choice if you want to share your love of literature with others. You’ll not only need to know the books you’re teaching inside out, but also have great communication skills to inspire your class, and perfect spelling and grammar for marking their work. You’ll need to study a teaching qualification after you graduate.

Arts

Literature is art after all, and even if you don’t end up writing a bestseller yourself, the skills you pick up studying English Literature will be useful in many parts of the arts industry. You could write programmes and publicity material for museums and art galleries for example, help to organise festivals and events, and work for arts organisations seeking funding – or the companies and other people doling out the cash.

Other options

You don’t have to stick to jobs directly related to your degree either. You might have to do further study to get into these sectors, but many jobs in retail, law, business, social work and politics also need exactly the sort of skills English graduates have. And remember that creativity and initiative are some of the most important things English Literature will teach you – which are a big help when it comes to finding any job and thinking about how to apply what you’ve studied at university to the world of work.

 CAREERS USING FOOD TECHNOLOGY

What do Food Scientists, Technologists and Engineers do?

Virtually every food item you see in the supermarket will have had some input from a Food Scientist, Food Technologist or Food Engineer during its development. They use science and engineering to develop, process and package safe, nutritious and appealing food products. As well as requiring technical skills, their work may include business development, marketing and management. The work is varied, stimulating, challenging and offers excellent career prospects.

Who employs Food Scientists, Technologists and Engineers?

Food scientists, technologists and engineers are in short supply. They are employed in both the public and private sector, including:

Dairy, meat, seafood and horticultural processors
Brewers, winemakers and beverage manufacturers
Bakeries, confectioners and snack food manufacturers

Service industries:
Packaging, ingredient and equipment suppliers
Advertising agencies and market research companies
Research establishments and universities.
Government departments.

Fields in which you can work

Food and food product R&D, production process innovation (including transformation, packaging, conservation and distribution), analysis and quality assurance, marketing, consultancy and assessment.
Private-sector food production at primary and secondary processing levels, restaurateur activities and the catering business (production, control, quality assurance management, R&D, and by-product and waste management).
Public administration: agrifood, health, trade and consumption.
Companies and laboratories analysing and assessing raw material use in food production, food components, and by- and end-product foods.
Consultancy.
Teaching and research.

Careers in food engineering

There are many different routes you can take to get into food engineering. Find out how below.

What types of work can I get in food engineering?

It’s not all about inventing new kinds of ice cream! Food engineering covers a wide range of jobs, including:

• Product development: working with the food products, packaging, etc.
• Engineering: developing the processes and machinery to make and store the food.
• Technical management: overseeing the way the food is made, packaged and stored.
• Hygiene and food safety

What qualifications do I need?

A good start is to take some science-based A-levels: chemistry, physics, maths, biology. You can then specialize at degree level. There are many universities that offer degrees in food technology, and that is a good place to start if you are interested in working directly with food.

Other useful degrees include microbiology (if you are interested in food hygiene and safety) or engineering (if you are interested in the machinery used to make and store food on an industrial scale).

After you have finished your degree, you can either apply for a job directly with a company, or you can continue at university. Some students choose to continue their studies and do an MSc or a PhD.

Food Science Careers

Food Scientist Biochemist Cereal Scientist Dairy Products Scientist Director of Quality Assurance FDA/USDA Research Scientist Flavor Chemist Food Biochemist Food Biotechnologist Food Chemist Food Engineer Food Industry R&D Food Ingredient Sales Food Inspector Food Microbiologist Food Product Consultant Food Product Developer Food Safety Inspector Food Technologist Food Toxicologist General Manager, Research Laboratory Director Manager, Analytical Lab Manager, Meat Applications Market Researcher Meat Scientist Natural Products Researcher New Technologies Packaging Specialist Plant Manager Plant Supervisor Product Development Project Leader, Technology Project/Product Manager Public Health Official Quality Assurance Director< Quality Assurance Manager Quality Assurance Supervisor Research and Development Research Scientist Quality Assurance Officer Sales Manager Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Scientific Research Senior Food Scientist Sensory Evaluation Expert Sensory Scientist Technology Development Manager Technical Sales Representative

 

CAREERS USING GEOGRAPHY 

CAREERS IN GEOGRAPHY

Geography graduates tend to be fairly open-minded and interested in the world around them. Like many social science courses, geography tends to attract balanced, sociable individuals.

Geography isn’t an obviously vocational subject like law or medicine, which means it can be a little scary for geography students to decide what to do when they graduate from university.

Studying Geography will help you gain specific skills including:

• The ability to view problems from a number of angles.
• The ability to write a professional standard document, as well as effective verbal communication.
• The ability to work to deadlines gained from projects and fieldwork.
• The independence gained from working abroad and producing a report in foreign conditions.
• The ability to work in a group gained from fieldwork or project.

Careers can be found in numerous areas:

Travel, leisure and culture

Fascinated by the world of opportunities? Would you like a career, combining a job with opportunities to travel and explore new places at home and abroad?

Take geography with you as you lead a group of holiday makers on an expedition, market London to New Yorkers for the 2012 Olympics or research and write travel literature for a guide book company.

It may be that you work in this sector for a short time after graduating such as spending a year teaching English in China combined with a chance for your own travel.

If you love travel and experiencing different cultures, this sector will appeal to you. You will need to be hard working, outgoing and adaptable and it is essential that you are able to be customer focused and not phased by facing new challenges, the ability to think on your feet could prove very useful.

• Expedition leader
• Travel agent
• Exhibitions coordinator
• Leisure centre management
• Heritage site manager
• Eco Tour guide
• Tourist information officer
• Visit (London) guide
• Civil servant for DCMS (Dept for culture, media, sport)
• Travel writer
• TV researcher
• Holiday representative
• Cultural arts officer 2012
• TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teacher

Environment and sustainability

Do you care about the future of the planet? Are you interested in green issues?

Current concern about climate change, shrinking energy resources and sustainability make geography a very relevant course to study. Often the top media story of the day, the environment is at the heart of local, national and international affairs.

Geographers can contribute to scientific and political debates about the causes, implications and solutions in this area. They have the ability to oversee and manage projects in this area, with a breadth of knowledge and a global perspective.

Some environmental and sustainability jobs, which are popular with geographers are:

• Environmental campaign organiser
• Civil servant for DEFRA
• Conservation worker
• Environmental health officer
• Architect or urban planner for sustainable projects
• Environmental engineer
• Landscape architecture
• Pollution analyst
• Cycle route planner
• Recycling officer
• Forestry manager
• SSSI warden
• Environmental consultant
• Environmental impact officer

The business world

Are you interested in the way the economy works?

Geography graduates have excellent transferable skills, which attracts business, law and finance sectors.

Team workers, self-starters, IT literate, good data interpretation and research skills- these are all attributes where geographers ‘tick the box’. Detail, accuracy and a professional attitude are all nurtured with a geography degree.

Geography’s broad subject knowledge helps too. Working as a financial risk analyst in a bank for example, a geographer would benefit from their understanding of factors affecting economic growth in various parts of the world.

Posts exist in local councils and national government departments, but the majority of posts in this field are in the private sector. In 2007 45% of UK vacancies in graduate finance positions were in London.

To succeed, you need to work under pressure and enjoy the meeting focused targets. Further training and even additional qualifications may be necessary. In some sales and consultancy roles, negotiation skills will be valuable.

• Financial risk assessor
• Banker
• Accountant
• Insurance
• Transport/logistics manager
• Retail management
• Management consultant
• Commercial sales
• Lawyer
• Economic adviser and analyst
• Buyer
• Location analyst

Development and global issues

Do you have a genuine interest in global affairs and a real passion to make a difference?

The challenges of global peace and security, economic and social development, human rights, humanitarian issues and international law offer demanding yet fulfilling careers for geographers.

As geography is such a broad and inter-related, project management makes good use of the wide-ranging skills and knowledge. Language abilities, report writing and skills in presentation and communication will be developed as part of a university course.

For some posts you would need to command confidence and be outgoing with good networking skills. Empathy and cultural tolerance plus a desire to embrace new experiences are essential.

• Aid worker
• Charity fundraiser
• Charity Officer
• Civil Servant for DFID
• Armed forces
• HIV education officer
• Human rights officer
• International charity fundraising
• Refugee and asylum adviser
• Economic adviser and analyst
• United Nations terrorism prevention officer
• Diplomat
• British council cultural exchange manager
• VSO (Voluntary service overseas)
• GAP project worker

Settlement

Are you interested in where you live, how places change and who decides about the environment we live in?

Geographers look at how and why the areas we live in develop and change. They understand interactions between regional, national and international influences.

Jobs can be found in both private and public sector, with employers ranging in size from small consulting companies or housing charities to huge construction companies or government departments.

There are openings in both urban and rural environments, contributing to projects from broad based to the specialised and from administrative support roles to managerial and strategic posts.

Besides evidence of an understanding of issues affecting settlement, employees should have communication skills, problem solving, computer and IT, good spatial awareness and graphical skills, report writing, synthesis and analysis.

For careers in this field based outside Europe, see the section called Development and Global Issues.

Some settlement jobs, which are popular with geographers are:

• Planner
• Housing manager
• Surveyor
• Urban regeneration officer
• Local government services
• Estate agent
• Town planner
• Transport officer
• Environmental engineer
• Construction or property lawyer
• Environmental consultant
• Conservation officer

Society

Do you want to work with people and affect their everyday lives?

Geographers’ broad skills and appreciation of the inter-connections between people and communities equip them with a sound base with which to enter these areas of work.

From curating in a national museum, to organising a media campaign for Oxfam, geography graduates are ready for anything.

The majority of these posts will be in the public sector or charities, but there are also opportunities in PR, HR and market research.

People skills are important in this sector. Employers seek tolerant, empathetic individuals who enjoy contributing to the work of a team. Strong organisational and administrative skills help when working in a variety of settings.

As you move up the career ladder to managerial and strategic posts, skills of enterprise are necessary to sell your ideas and secure funding for new projects.

Some society jobs, which are popular with geographers, are:

• Teacher
• Social worker
• Youth and community worker
• Emergency services manager
• FE or university lecturer
• Museum explainer
• Exhibition designer and curator
• Health education campaigner
• Advertising executive
• Human resources officer
• Campaign organiser
• Market research analyst
• Public policy research
• Marketing
• PR (Public Relations) Officer

Physical systems

Does the natural environment fascinate you? Do you enjoy being out in the field studying landforms and researching the processes that have formed them?

Geographers explain and understand the world’s weather, oceans, biospheres and landscapes and the way our environment is shaped by wind, water, ice and tectonic activity.

To work in this area, geography graduates undertake research and postgraduate qualifications, such as an MA or PhD.

This higher education develops skills in analysis, report writing and ICT required in this career area.

Many of the roles listed below involve explaining complex physical processes to non-specialists, so the ability to explain these in an accessible way is valuable.

Managing environmental projects require that you are always able to see the big picture whilst keeping an eye on details.

• Coastal engineer
• Soil conservationist
• Hydrologist
• Earth scientist
• Weather forecaster
• Hazard prediction and management
• Flood protection manager
• Pollution analyst
• Risk assessor
• Weather presenter
• Water supply coordinator

Geographical techniques

Do you enjoy map work and using software such as Google Earth?

Geographical information systems offer tools to show data on maps to analyse changing patterns in the landscape.

Increasing domestic and commercial use of electronic mapping software and GPS has brought more possibilities, with a wide range of jobs in the UK and abroad.

You will need good interpersonal skills, communication and teamwork. In addition to interests in cartography and graphical and technical skills, you will need an interest in data handling and interpretation and fine attention to detail.

Today, GIS is used by a wide variety of public and private sector employers ranging from specialised large employers such as the Ordnance Survey, through to small independent GIS companies with few employees.

Opportunities exist with government departments, the military, energy and water suppliers, retail companies and local councils.

The following areas are popular choices for geographers with a Geographical Techniques specialism.

• GIS specialist
• Census data specialist
• Location analyst
• Cartographer
• Surveyor
• Military GIS specialist
• Remote sensing analyst
• Geomatics software designer
• CAD technician
• Aerial Surveyor

 CAREERS USING HISTORY

History graduates find employers respect and desire the skills they acquire. Popular career routes include education such as research or teaching, politics, law, business, social care, arts and museum curatorship… 

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Academic librarian
• Archivist
• Civil Service administrator
• Heritage manager
• Information officer
• Museum/gallery conservator
• Politician’s assistant
• Records manager
• Trade union research officer

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Barrister
• Broadcast journalist
• Magazine journalist
• Newspaper journalist
• Primary school teacher
• Secondary school teacher
• Solicitor

 OCCUPATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HISTORY

• Archaeologist
• You do not need to have studied archaeology as part of your first degree, but a postgraduate qualification in this subject would be an advantage. Work experience, usually voluntary to start with, is also important
• Archivist
• Archivists work in national and local records offices, specialist organisations (such as Canterbury Cathedral) and in businesses. A postgraduate archive qualification will be required
• Historical researcher
• This is a small field of work, often overlapping with other career areas such as university lecturer and museum curator, but also including specialised research such as genealogy. A postgraduate degree is likely to be required.
• Museum work
• Jobs in the museum sector include curator, exhibition organiser, education officer and conservator. A postgraduate qualification and work experience (frequently gained as a volunteer) will be necessary; education officers normally have experience in teaching
• Secondary school teacher
• You will need a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) to teach in State schools. History is always one of the most popular PGCE courses so early application (in October or November for entry the following September) is advised.
• Tour guide
• Some travel companies specialise in historical and cultural tours, but a knowledge of history is valuable for generalist tour guides too. You can gain initial experience through vacation work with organisations
• University lecturer
• This does not require a teaching qualification, but you will need a higher degree, ideally a PhD plus teaching experience (which you may be able to gain while a postgraduate student). Competition is strong for junior academic posts
• OTHER OCCUPATIONS WHERE A HISTORY DEGREE WOULD BE USEFUL
• Many careers are open to graduates in any subject and may offer the potential to use the analytical, information and communication skills that you have gained through studying History. Your interpersonal skills, however, are likely to be even more important.
• Below are just a few of the occupations where the skills of history graduates may be particularly relevant:

• Civil Service
• Graduates joining the Civil Service Fast-Stream are involved in a wide variety of tasks, such as researching and analysing policy options, drafting material that will be used as the basis for new legislation, supporting Ministers in parliamentary work and the management of their departments and liaising with outside organisations.

• Insurance and Risk
• This offers a number of career paths for graduates, including claims, broking, reinsurance, loss adjusting and underwriting. In particular, underwriting – the process of assessing risk and making decisions on whether to accept a risk and at what premium – could be of interest to History graduates as analytical skills, handling factual information, formulating arguments and a keen eye for detail are crucial elements of this role.

• Intelligence work
• The Security Service (better known as MI5) recruits graduates to investigate and counter threats to national security. The work involves collecting intelligence, assessing and investigating threats, disseminating intelligence and advising on protection – tasks which use many of the skills gained through studying history.

• Law
• Solicitors advise clients on legal issues, using statutes and case law to determine their relevance to their client’s problem. Barristers also investigate and advise on legal issues, often the more complex ones, and present the client’s case in court if necessary. There may even be an historical element to some legal research, in areas such as planning and property law.

• Library and Information work
• This may be carried out in public, academic or specialist libraries and involves managing the library’s collections and helping users to get the most out of them. Libraries which regularly recruit graduate trainees include those at Canterbury Cathedral, Lambeth Palace and the Institute of Historical Research.

• Publishing
• This covers books, magazines and electronic publishing, generalist or specialist (including academic publishers). Graduates may work in editorial roles or in business roles such as production and marketing.

CAREERS USING MATHEMATICS

Most graduates go on to work in business, finance and accountancy-related fields. But with a chronic shortage of maths teachers, who’s to say you couldn’t inspire the next Hawking?

What skills have I learned?

The strengths of mathematicians are in their logical and analytical thought processes and problem-solving talents, linked with good IT skills.

In addition, your degree programme should also have trained you in general skills that employers will expect you to have, including communication, time management and teamwork skills.

What careers can I pursue?

There is a continuing shortage of mathematics teachers in UK secondary schools, prompting the government to offer financial incentives to encourage graduates to train. “So it’s not only a potential career for mathematics graduates, it may also be quite lucrative,” says Margaret Holbrough, careers advisor at Graduate Prospects.

However, teaching does not yet ­attract large numbers of mathematics graduates. “In reality, 40% of them enter business, finance and associated professional areas including accountancy, banking, insurance, pensions, investment, market research, financial management and actuarial work,” says Holbrough. Another primary area is as statisticians working for government, commerce or industry.

Maths graduates can also put their skills to good use in planning and forecasting of various sorts, such as meteorology, logistics or transport planning, as well as careers such as quantity surveying and IT.

Postgraduate study?

A master’s degree is almost a prerequisite for some mathematics-related career areas, unless you have a specialist degree – such as statistics – or have completed a relevant year’s placement. This applies to operational research, medical statistics (in pharmaceutical companies, though not in other areas), meteorology and engineering design. Some funding is available from research councils and industry.

A PhD may also be helpful for finding work in these areas and is essential for an academic career in mathematics.

Other career areas, such as finance or actuarial work, require further study while in employment, typically lasting from three to five years. You’ll be expected to study partly in your own time.

Data supplied by the Higher Education Careers Services Unit and Graduate Prospects

Maths graduates may not always be aware of the various employment opportunities available to them. Below is offered a list of employer websites divided into several categories.

Accountancy | Aerospace & Defence | Automotive | Biosciences | Business support services | Chemicals | Construction | Consultancies | Education | Engineering | Environment | Exploration Geophysics | Financial Services | Food & Drink | Government | Healthcare | Insurance | IT & Computing | Manufacturing | Media |  Metals & Minerals | Operationa Research | Pharmaceuticals | Recruitment | Academic Research | Science | Telecoms | Transport/Travel | Utilities

This list is just a sample of the organisations who employ graduates with mathematical skills. There are many more.

Accountancy	Aerospace & Defence	Automotive
ACCA DeloitteGrant ThorntonKPMGPricewaterhouseCoopers Smith & Williamson	Airbus Aircraft Research Association UK BAE Boeing DSTL EADS Defence & Security Systems General Dynamics UK Lockheed Martin NATS Qinetiq Raytheon Systems Rolls-Royce SEA (Group) Ltd Selex Galileo Thales Westland Helicopters	Ford GKN plc Honda Jaguar Land Rover Messier-Dowty M-Sport Pirelli Visteon
Biosciences	Construction	Engineering
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Liftstream	Balfour Beatty JCB Midas Group Sir Robert MacAlpine Skanska Stewart Milne Group Thomas Vale Wates Group	ABB Advantica Alstom AMEC plc Aquamarine Power Atkins EDF Energy Chevron DeltaRail Frazer Nash Consultancy ITT Industries National Physical Laboratory Ove Arup Peter Brett Associates Port of Tyne Sclumberger Taylor Hobson
Business support services	Consultancies	Environment
Amey Babcock International Group PLC BSI Group Vertex	Arup Group C-Tech Innovation Mott MacDonald Group ORC International Parsons Brinkerhoff	WRc Plc
Chemicals	Education	Exploration Geophysics
Air Products Europe Croda International Dow Corning Du Pont Hexel Composites Linde & BOC Milliken Industrials Proctor & Gamble Thermo Fisher Scientific	Australia Teaching Agency Edexcel Education-jobs.co.uk Educationjobs.com Eteach.com GSL Education (recruitment agency) Guardian Teacher Network Hadfield Education Personnel (recruitment agency) Independant Schools Council Jobsineducation.co.uk Jobs.ac.uk Reed.co.uk Teachnetwork TES Jobs	CGG
Financial Services	Food & drink	Government
American Express Barclays Bank Capital One Citigroup Experian Decision Analytics Nationwide Ortec Finance Santander Visa	Asda General Mills Kraft Foods Marks & Spencer Nestlé Sainsbury Tesco	Civil Service GCHQ Government Operational Research Service (GORS) / Fast Stream (GORS Leaflet, PDF, 202Kb) Met Office Army Royal Air Force Royal Navy
Healthcare	Insurance	IT & Computing
BUPA SSL International	ACE Europe Aviva Join Insurance Lloyd’s Prudential	Admiral Solutions & Support Apple BT plc Computacenter Computer Sciences Corporation uk Dell Hewlett Packard Honeywell IBM Intel Logica Microsoft Numerical Algorithms Group ResponseTap SciSys UK Ltd Tessella Transversal TPP Xerox
Manufacturing	Metals & Minerals	Pharmaceuticals
3M United Kingdom Brush Turbogenerators Mitsubishi Electric Philips Electronics SABIC UK Siemens	Anglo American Corus WorleyParsons	AstraZeneca Boots GlaxoSmithKline Pfizer
Academic Research	Science	Telecoms
EPSRC Fellowships EU Marie Curie Fellowships Jobs.ac.uk Jobs for Mathematicians (USA and Canada) Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships Math-jobs.com (All countries) Maths Departments (listed by Country) Mathematical Institutes and Centers Newton International Fellowships UK Maths Departments list	Johnson Matthey National Oceanography Centre Science & Technology Facilities Council TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (UK) Ltd	BT Motorola Vodafone
Transport / Travel	Utilities
Bombardier Booking.com Gatwick Airport Highways Agency London Underground Maersk Network Rail	BP British Gas Centrica Devon Energy EON Scottish & Southern Energy Severn Trent

http://www.mathscareers.org.uk/undergraduates.cfm.html

Bank of England As the country’s central bank, the Bank of England play a fundamental role in the UK economy – ensuring monetary stability and contributing to financial stability. Their work is challenging, high profile, and truly fascinating. It has an impact on the entire nation. They set monetary policy to control inflation and devise economic policy. They’re also involved in a broad range of other activities too, some of which include working with the government and other banks. And in 2013, the government plans for the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to be established as part of the Bank of England, to promote the safety and security of banks and insurance companies. Meeting challenges takes innovative thinking and an intensely collaborative approach. Upon joining, many people are surprised by just how friendly, welcoming, and open their environment is. It’s not the only surprising thing about the Bank of England. So take a closer look, and see the Bank differently.

Media

The Graduate Recruitment Company If you are considering what career will utilise your maths degree and numeracy skills in a fun, exciting, fast paced environment then have you considered a career in online media and digital advertising? Maths, stats, Economics and Science graduates are highly sort after in this field due to the analytical nature of the industry. The Graduate Recruitment Company has been successfully placing graduates for over 20 years and can provide maths graduates with a variety of analytical roles within media agencies, publishers, technology companies and Ecommerce businesses. The roles are exciting, fast paced and challenging and the companies are lively, fun and provide an excellent work/life balance. The Graduate Recruitment Company has excellent relationships within a range of organisations and can help you get the best career within this field so get in touch today!

Operational Research

Check out our page            ‘Who employs Operational Researchers?‘

Recruitment                         Graduate Recruitment Bureau

EDF Energy EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies and largest producer of low-carbon electricity. A wholly-owned subsidiary of the EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest energy groups, they generate around one fifth of the UK’s electricity and employ around 15,000 people in the UK. They offer diverse and highly rewarding graduate schemes in many areas including their Mathematics Graduate Scheme. This is an opportunity not to be missed. Each of their graduate programmes offers a different introduction to the fast-paced and fascinating business of energy. All of them offer challenging work, rapid progress, extensive training and opportunities to work towards relevant professional qualifications. In addition, their 12 month paid Industrial Placement opportunities are a perfect way for undergraduates to develop their expertise in a hands-on environment, developing key skills and knowledge in their chosen field, with first class mentoring and training from industry experts. Due to the size and scope of their business, they are able to offer diverse and unique placements in nuclear science, engineering and commercial areas of the business. For full details and to apply, please visit www.edfenergy.com/graduates.

Options with your subject: Mathematics

While maths is a fundamental subject for much of science and technology, there are numerous other routes you can take with your degree…

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Aeronautical engineer
• Higher education lecturer
• Investment analyst
• Meteorologist
• Research scientist (maths)
• Secondary school teacher
• Statistician

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Actuary
• Chartered accountant
• Chartered certified accountant
• Chartered management accountant
• Corporate investment banker
• Financial risk analyst
• Operational researcher
• Systems developer

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don’t restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. To find out what jobs would suit you, log in to My Prospects.

Work experience

A relevant industrial year out or final year project/dissertation will always be helpful for the more mathematically orientated careers.

Whatever role you apply for, having previous work experience will always stand you in good stead. Statisticians, developers and engineers all benefit from any paid or unpaid work experience gained, as it shows an interest in, and commitment to, their chosen field.

Evidence of working with children in play schemes or sports, and/or in a classroom is required if you’re interested in teaching, even though maths is currently a shortage subject. Classroom experience, whether as an observer, classroom assistant or volunteer, is invaluable.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

There is a demand for mathematicians and statisticians across a wide range of sectors. With a mathematics degree you could pursue a career in the petroleum and nuclear industries, in medicine or IT, as well as many forms of engineering and varied government departments.

Those who have specialised in statistics can find work in the NHS, local councils, educational establishments, the pharmaceutical industry, insurance companies, market research and marketing companies, banks and accountancy firms. There are also opportunities for employment with publicly funded research institutes or government agencies.

Find information on employers in accountancy, banking and finance, business, consulting and management, public sector and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

A maths degree gives you skills in:

• designing and conducting observational and experimental studies;
• analysing and interpreting the resultant data, finding patterns and drawing conclusions;
• high level IT skills;
• approaching problems in an analytical and rigorous way, formulating theories and applying them to solve problems;
• dealing with abstract concepts;
• presenting mathematical arguments and conclusions with accuracy and clarity;
• advanced numeracy and analysing large quantities of data;
• logical thinking.

You will also have the general skills that employers expect, including:

• communication skills;
• time management;
• organisational skills and working methodically and accurately;
• teamwork skills and working independently.

Further study

A Masters may be necessary for some maths-related careers, unless you have a specialist mathematical degree, such as statistics, or done a relevant year in industry placement. This applies to operational research, medical statistics in pharmaceutical companies, meteorology and engineering design.

A PhD may also be helpful for finding work in these areas and is essential for academic careers.

Other careers, including most finance-related careers and actuarial work, require further study during employment to complete professional exams. You’ll be expected to study partly in your own time.

Specific statistics courses exist as well, such as applied, medical and official statistics.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research.

What do mathematics graduates do?

Six months after graduating, 9% of maths graduates work in the UK as finance and investment analysts and advisers. Other professions in the top ten include chartered and certified accountants, actuaries, programmers and software developers, and secondary teachers.

Graduate destinations for mathematics
Destinations	Percentage
Employed	54.9%
Further study	22.4%
Working and studying	8.4%
Unemployed	9.3%
Other	5%

Graduate destinations for mathematics

 

• Employed (54.9%)
• Further study (22.4%)
• Working and studying (8.4%)
• Unemployed (9.3%)
• Other (5%)

Types of work entered in the UK
	Percentage
Business, HR and financial	40.7%
Secretarial and numerical clerks	10%
Information technology	9.9%
Retail, catering and bar work	9%
Other	30.4%

Types of work entered in the UK

• Business, HR and financial (40.7%)
• Secretarial and numerical clerks (10%)
• Information technology (9.9%)
• Retail, catering and bar work (9%)
• Other (30.4%)

For a detailed breakdown of what mathematics graduates are doing six months after graduation, see What Do Graduates Do?

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_mathematics.htm

http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/degree-subjects-your-options/301038-what-can-i-do-with-a-mathematics-degree

CAREERS USING MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

 Students who have an interest in and a degree in a modern foreign language (such as European Studies or English and French Law) and to students who have a good knowledge of another language through their personal background even if they have never studied languages formally.

The primary ability that they will have is an ability to communicate at a high level in another language, together with a knowledge of another country and its life and culture.

However, employers will be at least as interested in the more general skills which have also been developed.

These are likely to include written and verbal communication (in English as well as in your other language[s]); analytical skills; initiative and self-reliance (developed through your year abroad); time management and personal organisational skills.

OCCUPATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH LANGUAGES

 Although there are many occupations where languages are useful, the only ones where languages are always essential are teaching, translating and interpreting.

Teaching may involve teaching the language you have studied to speakers of English, in schools or in further/higher education, or teaching English to speakers of other languages. The second option does not normally require any knowledge of your students’ language, as teaching is carried out entirely through English, but this would often be helpful, especially for working abroad.

Translating is often of technical or specialist material and is likely to require further study. Many translators work on a freelance basis. Organisations employing staff translators include the European institutions (a knowledge of three EU languages is required here), GCHQ, the Security Service and translation agencies such as RWS

Interpreting is a tiny and stressful career area, which can be difficult to break into on a full-time basis. Employers include international organisations.

Subtitling

Of course, a knowledge of the relevant language is also essential when working in another country, or working in a situation which requires regular contact with speakers of that language

SOME OTHER OCCUPATIONS WHERE A LANGUAGE DEGREE WOULD BE USEFUL

Most of these job roles will value language skills and possessing them will potentially open up more opportunities in your career. You may not always have the opportunity to use them on a day-to-day basis as a new graduate, but be patient!

Finance – banks, insurance companies and accountancy firms operate on an international basis and offer opportunities both to work with foreign clients from the UK and to be seconded to overseas offices.

Food and Drink – sourcing products from around the world and negotiating with suppliers demands good language skills.

 Law – many of the large commercial firms in London also have offices in other European capitals and commercial centres (particularly in Brussels)

 Sales and Marketing – with British companies needing to export their products or with multinational companies

Transport, Tourism and Leisure – freight distribution, air and sea transport, hotel management, travel agency work, courier/tour guide

Public Sector – the Civil Service (including the Diplomatic Service; local authorities, international organisations

International Organisations, including the UN and the EU institutions

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) You do not usually need a degree in a relevant language to teach English abroad – it is normally sufficient to be a native or fluent speaker of English.Obviously a knowledge of the language where you are working is useful for day-to-day living, but the biggest demand for EFL teachers comes from countries such as China and Russia where few graduates will have studied their language at university.

Major areas of graduate recruitment include Business and Finance, Computing and IT, Education, Marketing, Public Sector Management but there are many more opportunities.

Languages is a subject of study often chosen based on personal goals more than career-driven goals.

What are my skills?

A degree in a Modern Foreign Language degree will probably equip you with at least the following skills, all of which are desirable in the modern jobseeker:

Oral communication

Written communication

At least one foreign language

Experience of living abroad

Experience of dealing with people from various backgrounds, languages and countries

And, like most graduates, you can probably add the following skills to your list too:

• Able to work in a team
• Able to work independently
• IT skills
• Project management
• Presentation skills

Already you have a list of skills beyond just your linguistic ability that employers are looking for.

What jobs are available?

There are at least three obvious career choices that spring to mind when talking about languages: translating, interpreting and teaching. Before we explore these three ideas, consider the alternatives.

Foreign languages are necessary in most sectors due to the proliferation of multinational businesses, internet-based companies, and the onset of globalisation.

Language jobs in HE

In the higher education sector, for example, foreign language skills are required in a variety of roles. There are, of course, lecturing and teaching posts in foreign language departments that demand multi-lingual proficiency. International Offices also require foreign language speakers. Consider the case study of this Welfare and Erasmus Assistant. Other roles involving international students, such as Events, Marketing, and even Accommodation, at times demand skills in foreign languages.

If you want something with a stronger business focus, there are positions such as Multilingual PA, Foreign Language Customer Service Representative and a variety of administration roles that require foreign language skills in a challenging environment.

There is a great demand for foreign language speakers in politics, media and journalism, creative writing, market research and a host of other industries. And we haven’t even mentioned the big three yet – Teaching, Translation, and Interpretation.

Teaching, translation, and interpretation

Teaching is a strong option for graduates of language degrees. There is a range of careers on offer in teaching. Whether it’s teaching in schools, further education colleges or universities, private language schools, or teaching abroad, you will have to use the language regularly and pass on your knowledge to learners.

Teaching a foreign language at a secondary school in the UK requires attaining Qualified Teacher Status. There are a number of ways to become qualified, but a PGCE is perhaps the most common way in. Languages taught include French, German and Spanish, and Japanese and Mandarin Chinese among other non-European tongues.

Adult and Further Education colleges also require getting qualified, this time with Qualified Teacher, Learning and Skills status. There are many part-time jobs in this field, and it generally involves teaching students aged 16 and above.

Some language graduates go into Teaching English as a Foreign Language as a career. There are work options in the UK and abroad, but teaching in a country that speaks your second language gives you the chance to put your skills to good use.

Translation demands attention to detail and a complete mastery of language. If you have these attributes, translation is a rewarding and varied career choice. It simply involves translating a text from one language into another language. The source material may range from subtitles for an advert, to a death certificate, and everything in between.

Many translators work on a freelance basis, which allows them to take on a variety of work. It is usually necessary to pass a test before an employer will give you any work, but once a good reputation has been built up the amount of work can snowball.

Alternatively, if you want the stability of being a contracted, permanent employee, civil service translation jobs are relatively common. The government employs many translators to translate documents pertaining to official matters. Civil service jobs can be found on their website http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/jobs/.

Charities, international organizations, and other political bodies (such as the EU and the UN) also require translators. Translation jobs can be obtained with an undergraduate degree, but PG qualifications and knowledge of specialist subject areas (especially those related to business, law and politics) are prized.

Interpreting is similar to translation, but has one vital difference: interpreting is live. It involves translating the spoken words of one person into a language intelligible to the interlocutors. This may be required in one-to-one settings, business meetings, or large conferences.

Much like translation, interpreting is largely done on a freelance basis. Again, you will find that postgraduate qualifications, and specialist interpreting or translating licenses will aid your search for work.

Interpreters are in demand in politics, business and civil service jobs wherein direct communication with foreign language speakers is required.

 CAREERS USING PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Sport science and Sports Studies: Job options

• Sports coach – helps people participating in sports to work towards achieving their full potential. May support professional sportspeople, sports teams, community teams or school groups, working with them closely to improve performance. May also have a role in encouraging underrepresented groups or young people to participate in sporting activities.
• Sports therapist – gives advice to athletes on how to train and compete safely. Also treats injuries and assists with rehabilitation. Their aim is to prevent injuries and to help those who are injured to return to full fitness.
• Sport and exercise psychologist – concerned with the behaviours, mental processes and wellbeing of individuals, teams and organisations involved in sport and exercise. Practitioners tend to specialise in either the sport or exercise branches, though some do work equally in both fields.
• Fitness centre manager – generally works in centres or clubs that contain a fitness suite or gym and changing facilities, and may also have some or all of the following: swimming pool; sports halls or courts; spa, sauna or therapy area; catering and other recreational facilities. Manages all aspects of the centre, including recruiting staff, planning and organising client programmes, health and safety, and accounts.
• Higher education lecturer – lectures in sports science and sport and exercise science in higher education institutions.
• Secondary school teacher (PE) – teaching one or more national curriculum subjects to classes of pupils aged 11-16 or 11-18. PE teachers are expected to teach a subsidiary subject.

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Sports development officer – aims to encourage greater participation in sport throughout the community. The job may involve organising and promoting activities, coaching and advising clubs on fundraising.
• Sports administrator – helps to ensure the smooth running of a sports organisation. Role involves planning and organising activities and events, administering funding, marketing, promotion and finance.
• Health promotion specialist – develops and promotes initiatives to encourage people to improve their health and increase their control over it.
• Primary school teacher – teaching national curriculum subjects to classes of pupils aged 5-11. Opportunities are open to graduates of all subjects and sport experience may be seen as advantageous.
• Event organiser – responsible for the production of events, including sporting events, from conception through to completion.
• Outdoor pursuits manager – manages centres that provide facilities for and instruction in a range of outdoor activities, such as climbing, mountaineering, water sports, orienteering, horse riding and cycling

Potential job areas open to you following a sports science/sports studies degree

Sports Scientist Roles	Health Sector	Education	Leisure Industry	Armed Forces
Clinical Exercise PhysiologistBiomechanist *Performance Analyst *Strength and Conditioning Coach *Dietician (Nutritionist)* Sport & Exercise Psychologist* Talent Identification* Physiotherapist* Sports Therapist* Performance Lifestyle*	Clinical Cardiac PhysiologistClinical Exercise PhysiologistRespiratory Physiologist *GP Referral Exercise Consultant *Doctor * Nurse * Dietician (Nutritionist)* * Speech Therapist * Occupational Therapist Radiographer * Audiologist * Paramedic * Alternative Therapies * Health Promotion Specialist * Physiotherapist*	Sports Development OfficerHealth Promotion Specialist *Primary School Teacher *Secondary School Teacher *Further Education Lecturer * Higher Education Lecturer*	Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer *Leisure Centre ManagerMembership ManagerSports Club ManagerSales/Marketing Management	Fire ServicePrison ServiceArmyRAFMarines (Graduate entry routes available for Prison Service, Army, RAF and Marines

• The grid below will give you an idea of some of the job areas which you can potentially go into following a sports science degree. It is not an exhaustive list but is designed to give you a starting point for research into some of your options. Note that for entry to many of the job areas listed below (in particular those marked with an asterisk) it will be necessary to do further study and/or training. You can research the qualifications and training needed for particular jobs by using websites such as www.prospects.ac.uk , www.bases.org.uk/Careers and www.nhscareers.nhs.uk.

Other Public Sector Opportunities	Media	Business/Management Areas	Scientific	Psychology/Social Care
Civil Service Fast StreamLocal Government Management ProgrammeNHS Management Training ProgrammeNote that due to cutbacks in government funding many job opportunities within the public sector are under review.	Sports Journalism(i.e. broadcast or print).Publishing	Finance *RetailHuman ResourcesPublic RelationsMarketing Advertising Purchasing Hospitality, tourism and leisure management Pharmaceuticals industry Public Sector Law *	NHS Clinical Scientist Roles *Research and Development Scientist *Product and Process Development ScientistLaboratory Technician	Sport and ExercisePsychologist *Forensic Psychologist *Clinical Psychologist *Counselling Psychologist * Educational Psychologist * Health Psychologist * Neurophysiologist * Counsellor * Social Worker * Probation Officer * Law *

CAREERS USING PHYSICS 

Physics graduates have a wealth of career opportunities open to them – so much so that it can get a little confusing. So whether you already have a physics degree or are just thinking about studying the subject at university, you’ll want to take some time to sift through your long-term options and decide what would suit you best.

Physics is widely regarded as a demanding degree to get and employers know that to get a good physics degree, you have to be bright! A physicist looks to understand how things work: the reasons that things happen the way they do, which requires the ability to analyse problems. This is a highly marketable skill which is applicable to a wide range of careers. A degree in Physics gives you an excellent grounding in many areas, what you make of it after you graduate is up to you! One survey in The Times suggested that Physics was in fact the most employable of degrees.

Career areas in which Physics is important are:

• Armed forces and defence solutions
• Astronomy
• Education
• Engineering
• Medicine
• Meteorology and climate change
• Nanotechnology
• Oil and Gas
• Renewable energy
• Scientific research
• Space exploration industries
• Telecommunications
  

Jobs directly related to a physics degree include:

• Geophysicist/field seismologist
• Higher education lecturer
• Medical physicist
• Radiation protection practitioner
• Research scientist (physical sciences)
• Scientific laboratory technician
• Secondary school teacher

Jobs where a degree would be useful include:

• Meteorologist
• Operational researcher
• Patent attorney
• Product/process development scientist
• Systems developer
• Technical author

 Employers of physics graduates include academic institutions, government research organisations and industry.

Industries employing physicists include aerospace and defence, education, energy, engineering, instrumentation, manufacturing, oil and gas, science, communication, space exploration and telecommunications.

Physics graduates not directly using their physics degree can pursue careers in a range of sectors such as IT and consultancy, the environmental industry, financial services, and the legal sector, transport and utilities.

 A large proportion of physics graduates entering permanent jobs after university go into research, design and development. Although you can get a job as a trainee research scientist with a good first degree, for those wanting a long term career in research it may be advisable to study for a doctorate as promotion within research may be hindered without one.

However, many junior research staff use research as a stepping stone to other functions within the company, such as marketing, patent work and production management, and for graduates with these ambitions a postgraduate degree would not be necessary.

Many of these jobs are with electronics, telecommunications and defence companies and may be nearer engineering than pure physics.

CAREERS USING RESISTANT MATERIALS

Careers Working with Resistant Materials

 Taking this subject could lead to a career in all areas of Design including Architecture, Product Design and Development, many areas of Engineering including Civil  and Mechanical Engineering, and Product Manufacture.

Skills you will develop include:

• Problem solving
• Research and design for specific target markets
• Gain an understanding of materials, processes and manufacturing
• Evaluate existing products
• Develop, plan and communicate ideas
• Use Computer Aided Design
• Work with tools and equipment
• Develop practical skills

Having chosen to work towards a qualification in Resistant Materials you will need to look at the three different areas working with Wood, Metal and Plastics, to see the various career options.

Working with Wood
Working with wood is one of the oldest crafts, many woodworking professions used in the past have died away or have become very specialised, however there are still many careers involved in making things from wood, which may be right for you.
The most obvious set of careers are based around furniture, the main careers are: Furniture designing, cabinet making (making high class furniture products), making mass-produced furniture, kitchen and bedroom design and installation.
There are other jobs associated with furniture, however they are very specialised. These careers include furniture restoration, French Polishing, wood turning and furniture re-upholstery.
Other careers working with wood are in the construction industry, where woodworkers are employed in: Roofing, fitting out new and restored houses, shop fitting, theatre set design, film and TV set construction and general property maintenance.Carpenters/joiners use their skills to make things such as windows and doors from wood. They use different hand and power tools to cut, shape & join the wood.
As you can see, there are many careers to be found working with wood. You can work in designing or working with tools to make products etc. So if you like working with wood there may be a career for you.

Working with Metal
Our ancestors started working with metal thousands of years ago, however it was the Victorians who pushed the use of metal to a level never seen before. Over the past thirty years sadly many of the older professions associated with metal have died away, however most modern metalworkers are now based in specialist areas of employment.
Engineering is the major employer of metalworkers, they are found working with computer-aided machinery making specialist parts and components for other industries, others are involved in welding where high levels of skill are required and others are found helping build specialist farm and industrial equipment.
There are many people who work with metal in areas of design where their knowledge of metals are used to create new products. In material science engineers test and develop new or improved metals and others test pieces of equipment often to destruction to see if they are safe to use.
Many metalworkers are involved in producing decorative items for around the home and some even specialise in works of art and Jewellery. Working with metal is a very wide field, here are a few more to think about: Farrier, foundry work, car body repair, clock and watch repair, Blacksmiths work with metal to shape it into various products. There are two types of blacksmith: artist & industrial.

Welders join pieces of metal together using very high temperatures. They have to prepare the metal and look after the tools that weld it together.
Working with Plastic
Working with plastics is the most modern of all the resistant materials, however many of the jobs associated with plastic have previously been based in metalwork and woodwork.
Plastics are usually shaped by machine; this leads to a need for engineers and trades people to design and make moulds to form the plastic around. This is a very specialist area that requires specialist skills as the slightest imperfection may ruin a product.
Other plastics workers are employed making display materials, street furniture and signs and modern jewellery. Others are involved in quality control of mass-produced products, materials development and testing, boat building, furniture making, art and design.
Plastics is an expanding area and new industries will develop as the uses of plastic in the home, industry and medicine grow to meet the needs of the people. Careers in plastics, are you interested.

Other Areas

Careers include: product design, materials engineer, health and safety adviser, engineering, architecture, design and manufacturing and teaching.

Ceramic pottery makers work mainly in large commercial potteries. They make different types of pottery using both traditional craft skills and mechanised processes.

Craft designers create designs for a wide range of two-dimensional and three dimensional objects. They might specialise in textiles, ceramics, wood, jewellery or glass.

The range of careers include working in the construction industry, which includes shop fitting, theatre set design and joinery, teaching, furniture design and kitchen design and installation mechanical engineering and manufacturing.

Forestry worker, car mechanic, engineering technicians working with aircraft and shipping, gardener, car designer, plumber, electrician, construction worker, interior designer, farm machinery mechanic, site officer, engineering maintenance technician, heating engineer, communications worker working on radio aerials and satellite dishes, surveyor, hydraulics engineer, hospital maintenance technician, engineering science technician, working with the disabled, the Armed Forces, Fire and Rescue and many more.

The world of technology is massive, it holds the key to some great careers and enjoyable working conditions, so think about the careers listed here, and you will see that a career based around your Resistant Materials qualification may well be an option for you.