Personal Tutors in Employability - Article Example

Introduction I am a versatile individual who’s creative and able to work independently. I am a keen and dedicated worker, with a good educational background coupled with analytical and quantitative capabilities which enhance my ability to contribute to my maximum potential. I am also customer focused and able to meet agreed requirements within stringent performance targets, with excellent oral and written communication skills; experienced through presenting to audiences of different sizes and levels, and training others. I have commendable interpersonal skills. 1. Jaguar Land Rover Date of Lecture: 17th October 2012 Employer involved: Jaguar Land rover Analysis of industry sector and the graduate jobs available The automotive industry has developed a tightly integrated system that offers unparalleled value and availability to users through massive scale, efficient logistics, sophisticated systems integration skills and global trade. Manufacturing in the UK contributes to about 10 percent of the total employed workforce. Graduate jobs exist in engineering, information technology, finance, human resources, and marketing, sales and service. Discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of working in this sector The advantage of working in the automotive industry is the high salary and the flexibility that comes with the work. The disadvantage is that this industry is very sensitive to economic changes, which puts the employee at the risk of possible layoffs in cases of reception. Potential for my future employment, if any With the varied opportunities offered by this sector, I would consider JLR as my future employer given the high pay and the skills that I would get. Actions taken after the lecture After this lecture I visited JLR’s website to see the available opportunities and what they required of their graduates. I also compared it other automotive industries in the UK, like BMW. 2. Peugeot Date of Lecture: Employer involved: Analysis of industry sector and the graduate jobs available Just like Jaguar Land rover, Peugeot is in the automotive industry. It has a market share of 13.3 percent in Europe car makers, with revenues of €59.9 billion last year. Graduate jobs available can be divided into automotive and non-automotive activities. In the case of automotive there are jobs in the engineering, design, and research and development of new models and methods of increasing efficiencies of Peugeot’s products. In the non-automotive include areas within Commercial graduate schemes include marketing, Public Relations, Programming, Parts and Service, Fleet, Digital Marketing, Parts and Warranty, and many others Discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of working in this sector Working for the automotive industry will give me enough skill. Some advantages of working in this industry include: I will be able to make use of my creative abilities I will pursue my leaderships skills The automotive industry pays well and this is a good opportunities for me One disadvantage is that I may need to learn French if working internationally. The targets are very stringent and the environment can be a bit of a pressure for me. Potential for my future employment, if any My potential with Peugeot is may be in other the finance and accounting departments. I believe I still have what it takes to work for such a reputable company. Actions taken after the lecture I called Peugeot after the lecture to inquire when they were doing their next intake to see if I can fit in. I also looked at their annual reports and website to have a feel of the company and how well they 3. International Experience and Mobility Services (IEMS) Date of Lecture: Employer involved: Analysis of industry sector and the graduate jobs available The International Experience and Mobility Services (IEMS) promotes and looks for opportunities for Coventry University students to participate in international activities. Of late, most learning institutions are promoting international learning and exchange programs. This one is thus a noble idea by Coventry University that is bound to sharpen the skills of its students to handle international assignments if employed by multinational companies. This service doesn’t limit its services but focuses on any jobs available, internship opportunities and voluntary offering. Discussion of the advantages and disadvantages The main advantage of this services is the international exposure its gives its participants. They are able to interact with groups of diverse cultures around the globe. In my view, therefore, this is an opportunity to its students. The main disadvantage is that it is limited to the students of Coventry University. Actions taken after the lecture After the lecture I went checked to see if my university offers the same kind of services. I also checked online to see any other services out therefore offering exchange programs. 4. Santander Bank Date of Lecture: Employer involved: Analysis of industry sector and the graduate jobs available Though affected adversely by the financial crisis and the recession, the banking sector is slowly getting up. It is a very important sector the development of the UK economy. This sector covers a wide range of graduate jobs in the investment banks, broking firms, building societies and commercial banks like Santander. Discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of working in this sector Working in this sector is a good thing in that the experience to be gained here is invaluable. With this kind of environment one can fit into any organization and still maintain the professionalism in the banks. However, working in the banks can be very tedious and time consuming Potential for my future employment, if any Much of the work in the banking sector is on finance and accounting. Based on my course, I am therefore very favorable to get this kind of job. I have a great potential to get hired in Santander Bank if I do my math right. My strengths make me qualified. Actions taken after the lecture I checked out the bank and its core working requirements to see if I fit their benchmark. I realized that I still need to undertake a professional course to make me more eligible for their graduate opportunities. 5. Institute of Applied Entrepreneurship (IAE) Date of Lecture: Employer involved: Analysis of industry sector and the graduate jobs available IAE enables startup firms in the technological innovation field to take their ideas and product to the market. It invites big firms like Jaguar Land Rover and Logica to talk about their success. This institute is based at the Coventry University. In my view, this is a business incubator since it offers a range of entrepreneurial services and support for business growth. Opportunities here are for graduate with brilliant business idea in the technological field. Discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of IAE One advantage of IAE is that it encourages one to be self-employed. With a brilliant idea, one can break through the market and set up a firm that may grow and give them income to sustain themselves instead of waiting to be employed. Actions taken after the lecture After the lecture I read more about business incubators like IEA and tried to think of ideas that I can put across. My professional networking page The use of conference calls, business cards, presentation hand outs and in person meetings are slowly dying down. There is an increased use of the social media. Professions are slowly taking into account the new ways to connect, present and share information with each other professionally. I use LinkedIn to network professionally. Below is a screenshot of my profile. LinkedIn is like the professional Facebook. Recently, it stepped up its game to surprise everyone in terms of user engagement. It revamped its profile and layout to add new features of viewing, editing and use. Connected users can endorse each other’s connections. Here what one simply does is give recommendations of the person they have worked with to make them more marketable. I have not managed to get any endorsement but I intend to do so as I continue connecting. LinkedIn has enabled me to forge professional relationship with my likes. LinkedIn is an excellent recruiter/job hunting site. It is also a news aggregator, social network, personal branding platform and a networker’s paradise. Using a site like LinkedIn has helped me boost my personal brand power. Since I am not subscribed to the premium account, I am only able to access the basic services offered by LinkedIn. However, they are very useful to keep me professionally connected online. To expand my professional network using LinkedIn I do company search to identify firms that are in line with the accounting and finance services so that I can keep connected to those who matter in the employment scene. The search results are able to showcase the number of people in my network. Some are first degree while others are second-degree connections after filtering. Some search results on company are able to display job postings and internship if there are any. An analysis in 500 words of your employment strengths and weaknesses One of my key employment strengths are good oral and written communication. I have the ability to communicate in a professional manner both verbally and written. Having done a course in communication skills and with my experiences as a student leader, I am able to communicate and pass the information clearly. I am also very innovative and creative. I am able to come up with new ideas and designs that can save costs or even increase efficiency in an organization. Another skill that is crucial to my kind of employment which I possess is that I am analytical. Being in the accounting profession requires that one is very good with numbers. This is one of the key strengths that are likely to get me a job. I am able to calculate and analyze copious amounts of data and be able to interpret what it means to the lay person. Personal Action Plan Personal tutors in Employability understand the importance of being employed and the need to engage with us from the university life in the first year to our graduation in year 3 or 4. At the end of the module I will approach the Employability Personal Tutor to see how we can iron out any issues I have. I have already set out my career path and hope to continue looking for a graduation job even after this module. The field of accounting and finance is what I have a great interest in. Here, I will be able to make use of my skills and learn more as I proceed with my career. While the path is clear for me, I still feel that I need guidance and direction as to the right kind of organization and what to expect in case I qualify for a job interview. This will make me more prepared and confident to approach a firm for an internship or job opportunity. Here I will also be guided on how to make job applications so that I am professional enough and convincing. Read More