Your degree...what next? : Where do I want to work?

The job or the sector?

When exploring where you want to work, consider the broad area of activity you want to be involved in and then consider the exact role you want within it. This may allow you to discover roles that you did not previously know about. For example, there is a whole range of opportunities in the teaching profession above and beyond the role of classroom teacher.

It is also important to think about your values in relation to things like:

• job satisfaction ;
• factors such as status, rewards and working conditions;
• ethos of the company/sector;
• work/life balance.

Industry insights cover different, broad areas of graduate employment. The information for each sector gives a taste of what it feels like to work in a specific area. They outline:

•  job roles;
• potential employers;
• entry criteria;
• useful resources;
• future trends and employment levels.

Look at types of jobs to find out more about specific occupations.

Public sector

The public sector remains a popular option for graduates. It includes a wide range of employers including:

• Civil Service ;
• Local Government - see Local Government Jobs and Local Government Jobs in Scotland;
• The National Health Service (NHS);
• Other publicly funded bodies such as the Audit Commission;
• National Parks - see Association of National Park Authorities (ANPA); 
•  Armed Forces - see the Ministry of Defence (MoD);
• Services organised on a regional basis including police, probation and fire services.

Many people working in the sector feel they are in some way ‘contributing to society’ and value the traditional notion of job security. The sector has not yet suffered as widely within the current economic climate, although this is subject to political force with cutbacks predicted from 2010-2011.

Private sector

There is often greater potential to earn more and progress quickly with private sector employers. However, firms are subject to market forces and competition, and many employers have suffered within the recent economic recession.

The private sector incorporates a huge number of employers and vocational roles, including:

• providers of professional services such as in finance, law or consultancy;
• distributors and retailers of goods and services;
• providers of catering, entertainment and leisure facilities;
• information, commercial and cultural communication providers such as news agencies, media, publishers, advertising companies and related professional associations;
• providers of utilities such as gas, electricity and water.

It also encompasses primary industries such as agriculture, forestry, mining, manufacturing, construction and drilling and quarrying.

In order to remain competitive, many companies have developed within international markets, leading to increased opportunities for graduates to work abroad.

Voluntary sector

Many students believe this sector only provides unpaid opportunities, but this is far from true. It provides a wide variety of well-paid career opportunities with prospects for advancement. Many not-for-profit organisations provide financial packages and terms of service similar to those found in local government, and competition for jobs can be just as competitive. Job roles may include:

• service delivery - including areas related to social work, counselling, youth or community work;
• management and administration;
• policy and research;
• fundraising.

For more information see charities and voluntary work.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

There are thousands of SMEs in the UK operating in many sectors - from media to biotechnology. Through SMEs, graduates can make a real difference developing and growing businesses, and often work closely with senior management. Promotion may come earlier than in larger enterprises. However, there may be a greater need to 'hit the ground running'. This is when appropriate experience and/or practical skills are vital.

Formal training opportunities may be limited, and graduates need to be proactive in keeping their knowledge and skills up to date.

See local or regional business directories for more information about employers and working in SMEs. Your university careers services can also offer additional information on SMEs.

Self-employment

Many graduates in vocational subjects such as dentistry or accountancy are likely to be self-employed at some time in their career. Freelance work and portfolio work (where people have one or more part-time jobs, work on short projects or take on temporary jobs and seasonal roles) are common in certain professions (e.g. IT and media).

Self-employment is an attractive option. However, many new enterprises fail within the first two years, so it is advisable to seek as much advice as possible before you set up in business. Financial incentives and advisory services are available to those interested in self-employment, notably Business Link and in Scotland, Business Gateway.

For more information, see self-employment.