When it is time to enter the world of work you will be confounded by buzzwords and unhelpful job titles that give you little idea of what the role actually is. Furthermore, there are more jobs out there than you could possibly imagine. Planning a career path can often be a minefield and no one wants to get off on the wrong foot and miss the boat. Being able to make informed career choices based on your skills, personality and qualification will put you in the best possibly position to make the decisions that will enable you to flourish. Effective career planning will also allow you to select the most advantageous experience and additional training ventures to enable you to stand out from the crowd.
Across the next few pages you will find some of the most common, and some more unusual, job roles within a variety of key work sectors. From analysing secret intelligence to buying fashion, fundraising for a charity or coordinating an art exhibition, discover what position will suit you and how to achieve it.
Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Actuary
Description: Actuaries measure, monitor and advise clients on financial risks. Normally within the pension and insurance sectors, actuaries need a good knowledge of business and economics, as well as probability theory and statistics. This role is client-facing and highly diverse and technical.
Requirements: Generally, any degree with a numeracy element is sufficient but, preference is given to economics, finance mathematic and statistics degrees.
Investment Analyst
Description: Analysts research and collate information and investment ideas for fund managers in a range of companies including investment managements, stockbrokers and investment banks. As well as numerical abilities, analysts understand the political and social climate.
Requirements: Largely, all degrees are sufficient but, preference is often given to mathematic, statistics, economics and accounting degrees.
Advertising, Marketing and PR
Advertising Copywriter
Description: Working in partnership with an art director, copywriters work with clients to develop their advertising campaigns. The copywriter’s role is to provide verbal/written content, ‘copy’, such as slogans, catchphrases, messages for printed or digital adverts.
Requirements: All degrees are normally accepted but you will increase your prospects with an English, journalism, advertising or public relations qualification.
Public Relations Officer
Description: PR roles are designed to manage the reputation of their clients within all sectors including third sector, government and private. Across all media platforms, a PR officer influences public opinion and behaviour.
Requirements: All disciplines are accepted but an English, marketing or social sciences degree can be an advantage.
Business and Consulting
Internal Auditor
Description: Auditors work within an organisation to track and evaluate risk management and internal processes to ensure procedures run smoothly. This role is highly varied but generally revolves around solving issues that could affect the prosperity of a business. As a result, they are instrumental to business growth and impact.
Requirements: These roles are open to all but a degree in IT, accountancy, finance or economics can be beneficial.
IT Consultant
Description: Working in partnership with clients, consultants advise businesses how to use IT effectively to meet their aims. Consultants offer expert strategic guidance to improve internal IT efficiency and structures.
Requirements: Any degree discipline can be a springboard but, a qualification in computer science, business or electronics can give you a head start.
Charity and Voluntary Work
Charity Fundraiser
Description: Fundraiser are employed to increase monetary contributions from individuals and groups by establishing different fundraising initiatives. Generally, positions are categorised by who the fundraiser is targeting such as community, donor or trusts.
Requirements: All degrees are accepted but, charities look favourably on qualifications or practical experience in PR, events, advertising and sales.
Volunteer Coordinator
Description: Coordinators manage every aspects of volunteering within or on the behalf of a charity or organisation. Largely, your purpose is to assess needs and meet those through volunteer recruitment and retention.
Requirements: Any degree disciplines are considered however, a qualification in business studies, HR or education can be useful. Most importantly, voluntary experience is essential especially overseas.
Creative Arts and Design
Art Therapist
Description: Therapists work in a range of environments including NHS, social services, palliative care, prisons and rehabilitation services to help individuals combat communicative and emotional difficulties. Despite working with visual art and media, artistic skills are not essential.
Requirements: A degree in art, psychology, education or nursing, for example, is essential and you must complete a HCPC (UK) approved postgraduate qualification.
Museum/Gallery Curators
Description: Curators aim to educate and inspire the public by sourcing, conserving, interpreting and displaying artefacts. This role is particularly varied and alongside organising a collection, you may be involved with education, marketing and fundraising.
Requirements: Qualifications depend upon the area you wish to enter. For some roles a specific degree in history of art or archaeology will be appropriate, and a MA in museum studies plus Ph.D. in your specialism. Practical experience is also vital.
Public Services and Administration
Equality and Diversity Officer
Description: Such officers promote good relations and practices towards minority groups including gender, race, age and disability. The role is incredibly varied and could incorporate community work, supporting the discriminated, leading workshops and raising awareness, as well as reviewing policies and law.
Requirements: Although all degrees are accepted, you will be at an advantage if you have studies elements of education, law, sociology, public administration or community studies.
Intelligence Analyst
Description: As an analyst you are required to gather, analyse, interpret and asses information; specifically, an intelligence analyst works with secret intelligence information. Such analysts work on the behalf of security agencies, armed forces and the police to combat organised crime, terrorism and cyber crime.
Requirements: Most degrees are accepted but most importantly, organisations want to recruit from a variety of educational and ethnic backgrounds to combat diverse modern threats. Additional languages and technology skills can be an advantage.
Publishing and Journalism
Editorial Assistant
Description: Assistants offer support for all stages of publication across printed and online material. Generally, this is the starting point for a career in publishing as it centres on the foundation skills in commissioning, planning and production.
Requirements: All graduates are considered however, a degree in the arts and humanities, journalism/media and social sciences can be an advantage. Experience is also essential to gaining a position.
Publishing Copyeditor/Proof-reader
Description: These publishers ensure that print and online material is clear, consistent and credible. This incorporates attention to grammar, writing and stylistic layout for a range of employers including publishers, public bodies and private business.
Requirements: In particular, employers are looking for qualifications in English, publishing and media, but for specific fields, such as science writer, knowledge of that subject is vital also. Related hands-on experience and relevant postgraduate study can also be advantageous.
Retailing, Buying and Selling
Retail Buyer
Description: Buyers plan and select products to sell in retail stores by considering customer demand, market trends, budgets and policies. This role is highly pressured with huge responsibility for the reputation and profits of the business.
Requirements: Degree subject is largely irrelevant however, a qualification in retail or business with give you an edge. Many graduate programmes accept students with a 2:2 or above.
Visual Merchandiser
Description: Merchandisers are responsible for developing, delivering and translating visual concepts to the public to promote brands, products or services. This role can be based in-store, online, outside events or print. Most merchandisers begin their careers as assistant up to image controller.
Requirements: It is not essential to be a graduate but useful degrees can include fashion design, 3D design or textiles. Generally, merchandisers work their way up from the shop floor or participate in an apprenticeship.
