The Careers Library is situated in the Library Resource Centre. It contains up to date prospectuses for Universities and Colleges in the whole of the U.K. CD and DVD’s on a variety of careers and Universities Books giving advice on Careers, taking a year out, how to complete application forms, UCAS, job interviews, preparing a C.V. and more. Box files containing up to date course information for all Scottish universities and the most popular ones in the rest of the U.K.
The Careers Officer, Mrs. Juliette Campbell, is in school on Tuesday and Wednesday and appointments can be made to see her. Cards to fill in are available in the Careers Library area and the School Office.
You can find the follwoing interesting items on this page. Click on the relevant heading to take you to that section.
Notes on completing your personal statement:
> Brainstorm
> Introduction
> Planning
> Development
> Explaining the facts
> Conclusion
> Word Bank
> Dos and Donts
> Mistakes
Careers Questions (Click on the question to take you to the answer).
> I have to choose school subjects for S3/4. I don't know what to choose.
> I have to choose school subjects for S5/6. I don't know what to choose.
> I don't have any idea what I want to do when I leave school! I think I will leave at 16.
> I have a few ideas what I want to do, but I need to find out more about the jobs I have chosen.
> I want to look at some job vacancy web sites.
> I want to go to college when I leave school.
> I want to go to University. I don't know what I want to study.
> I want to have a year out first.
NOTES ON HOW TO COMPLETE PERSONAL STATEMENTS FOR UCAS APPLICATIONS
With thanks to Miss Wilson
Most application forms and C.V. presentations benefit from a well written Personal Statement which is able to outline, in the candidate’s own words, areas of interest and expertise which have not already been covered elsewhere.
The process detailed here should help you draft a Personal Statement that you can adapt and use for the courses and jobs for which you wish to apply in the coming year.
It should be about two thirds of a page long.
Brainstorm
Brainstorm the areas of interest and expertise you have, about which you think an employer or place of further education would want to know.
You can organise these ideas as bullet points or a spider diagram, but try to make them as comprehensive as possible.
Hobbies/interests
This covers a wide range of things from sports to reading, but as long as you are able to talk intelligently about what you have gained/learned from them and can give examples or anecdotal evidence, then they are an important way of showing you are a well-rounded person.Personal Qualities
This would include things like punctuality and attendance, not just at school, but in any part of your life (part-time job, clubs), these things are important in showing your commitment and responsibility. Personality traits like organisation, tidiness, interpersonal skills, initiative and a cheerful, polite manner or mature attitude are all worth mentioning where you would have some ability to substantiate the claim! Some courses like medicine requires evidence of team work.Skills/responsibilities
These may be formal (medal and trophies for sports, learning to drive) or informal (baby sitting for friends, helping with the younger members of a club, handling money). You might want to highlight areas of school subjects where you have done well and that don’t show up in a more general qualification (solo talk in English, problem solving in Maths).Experiences/achievements
Including school trips, competitions, volunteer activities, extra-curricular clubs and personal opportunities that you have had and of which you made the most.Medicine, dentistry, Teaching and Law all require evidence of a relevant placement or work experience.
Introduction
Now you need to write an introduction.
Your introduction will have to be adapted for each application or C.V. which you intend to submit so that it is relevant to the particular job or course for which you are applying.
You should draw attention to the interests, responsibilities and experiences which are particularly appropriate in the area you would be working or studying.
Example
For many years now I have been aiming to pursue a career in accountancy. I have always been interested in finance and numbers and feel that accountancy would be suited to my interests. In S4 I attended work experience at a local insurance firm where I was able to have discussions with an accountant and financial advisor to gain further knowledge of work in this area.Example
My interest in retail and marketing began two years ago when I modelled for a local hairdresser. I participated in a catwalk for “Salon International”, in London . As part of the show we had to approach retailers for costume. This was the point when I made the connection between retail and the fashion industry. I noticed that the retailers were exceedingly willing to give us their products, but became aware that by modelling their clothes we were helping to facilitate the sale of their products.Example
During my years at secondary school I have developed a broad and varied interest in many subjects, but principally sciences and maths. For this reason I believe that I would be suited to a course in Chemical Engineering or Pharmacy as I consider them to be diverse and extremely important fields of study.
Plan, Plan, Plan
Go back to the plan you worked on.
Go through each of the points you have made and work on topic sentences trying to make each area relate to the qualities needed for the job or course for which you are aiming.
The topic sentence for each section should help the reader understand the main point or subject of the paragraph to come.
Example
I am an active member of the school community and participate in many school events.Example
Outside school I like to socialise with friends and listen to an eclectic variety of music.Example
My part-time job at a local chain store enables me to experience some of the demands and responsibilities of working life.
Development
Having decided on topic sentences, go on to develop each paragraph.
Explain the facts
Then go on and describe what you learned/gained from the experience and any measurable indicators of that e.g. awards, references that can be included with the application or anecdotal evidence.
Conclusion
Your conclusion needs to sum up the main points you’ve made about yourself and your experiences. Try to include a final example (not a new idea) that reinforces what you’ve said.
Mistakes
It is very important to check your work for spelling mistakes and clumsy phrases.
Try to redraft your work so that you include concise, formal vocabulary with clear expression in order to impress the reader with your ability to communicate well.
Useful words that should be used in your personal statement.
| achieved | proven | ability | responsibilities | reliable |
| gained experience | valuable | enhanced | beneficial | participated |
| decision making process | adaptable | interest in | contributed to | |
| diverse options | variety of areas | independent | facilitate | various interests |
| enthusiastic | commitment | consequently | currently | subsequently |
| desire to succeed improved skills | embark on | further to | as a result of | |
| in addition | rewarding | responsible | analytical | patient |
| organisational skills | creative | provided the opportunity to | flexible | |
| stimulating | interactive | group dynamics | sociable | lively |
| good communicator | insight | looking forward to | assist | |
| reinforce | as well as | furthermore | not to mention | more recently |
Sentence Structure
Avoid repetitive sentence structures. Here are some examples of different ways to say things without beginning with “I”.
Being the Class Representative . . .
Having enjoyed English . .
My favourite sport is . . .
Socialising is important to me because . . .
Dos and Don’ts
Do write about your positive traits.
Don’t come across as arrogant and self obsessed.
Do explain in detail anything relevant.
Don’t bore the reader with irrelevancies.
Do remember your sense of humour might not be the reader’s.
Don’t be flippant or cynical.
Do use good vocabulary and check a thesaurus to help. Don’t use words or phrases you don’t understand.
Do assume your Personal Statement might make the difference between your application and another candidate’s with the same grade.
Don’t dwell on information that the reader will get in another part of your application form e.g. exam results.
Do research the job or course you’re applying for so that you are writing about areas of your life which are relevant to specific aspects of the course or job. Try to get experience and reading in the area you wish to pursue.
Don’t miss out things of interest and relevance just because you have no measurable evidence, use anecdote and opinion instead.
Do get advice and redraft your work.
Don’t lie about what you’re interested in or what you’ve done. The interview “will find you out” anyway!
Do show yourself to be a well rounded person with interests outside work or studies.
Don’t copy models or other people’s. You’re trying to be distinctive not the same as others.
CAREERS QUESTIONS
The following questions are those most commonly asked by pupils in the careers library click the links under the question which most exactly matches your need and you will be taken to a web site which might help.
I have to choose school subjects for S3/4. I don't know what to choose.
Use the PlanitPlus website to help you find what subjects you need for individual careers
I have to choose school subjects for S5/6. I don't know what to choose.
Careers Scotland website
National Qualifications website
I don't have any idea what I want to do when I leave school! I think I will leave at 16.
National Qualifications website
Do the questionnaire on the Kudos programme on the School Network.
I have a few ideas what I want to do, but I need to find out more about the jobs I have chosen.
National Qualifications website
Jobseekers website
I want to look at some job vacancy web sites.
Careers A-Z website
S1 Jobs website
Stepstone website
Young Scot website - Links to job sites, but also gives you lots of tips about finding work.
Connexions website
National Qualifications website
Jobseekers website
I want to go to college when I leave school.
National Qualifications website
UCAS website
I want to go to University. I don't know what I want to study.
National Qualifications website
Use the CareerPointer section of the ceg.org website to point you towards suitable career options.
I want to have a year out first.
Gapyear.com - Backpacking, Volounteering and Travel Mates
Year Out Group - Explore a whole new world of experiences
Lattitude Volounteering - Lattitude Global Volunteering is the original Gap Year charity.
Overseas Job Centre - Jobs abroad