Developing planning for a career in business

Good Morning year 13

You'll be delighted to know that in your final unit of year 12 you will be focussing on yourself. This unit of study allows you time to reflect on your career aspirations before you commence your next stage of development be it university, work, apprenticeship or an internship.

I would imagine that progress can be made swiftly through the use of e-learning opportunities and electronic submission of coursework and feedback.

I have enclosed a copy of the Unit 15 specification for you to familiarize yourself with so read it during period one and two today if you have not already and make a note of any questions that you may have.

We can then start the research on how to access career related information and I have enclosed a few links below:

Careersoft         http://www.careers-gateway/ Careersoft

Careers A-Z     http://www.careersa-z.co.uk/ Careers A-Z

Connexions       http://www.connexions-direct.com/ Connexions

Brilliant careers  www.channel4.com/brilliantcareers Brilliant Careers

Suport4learning  http://www.support4learning.org.uk/ Support4Learning

There are also a number of industry-specific websites which have useful career information if your chosen career pathway is not on this list I am sure that we will find the professional association that relates to it for example:

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants http://www.acca.co.uk/

The Chartered Institute of Marketing http://www.cim.co.uk/

Chartered Institute of Personal Development http://www.cipd.co.uk/

The Law Society of England and Wales http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/  

Quality Improvement Agency http://www.sflqi.org/
Institute of Hospitality http://www.instituteofhospitality.org/
Teacher Development Agency can be found here and the department for education website here
Financial services were regulated by the FSA but this has been dissolved following the banking crisis and now two further organisations have evolved.  The Financial Conduct Authority FCA and the Prudential Regulation Authority run by the Bank of England click here

A useful starting point is to carry out a self-assessment (SWOT) of yourself. This could

include your knowledge, interests, leisure activities, qualifications, skills and competences. This would generate an initial development/action plan linked to personal and career objectives. Self and personal development might include maintaining a learning diary/log, progress review documentation and records of meetings with others such as careers officers, employers, tutors or staff from voluntary organisations.

SWOT ANALYSIS of myself and using it to start the personal statement writing

In business we look at the SWOT analysis of an idea before we progress it.  Looking at your strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats that you face once identified can be areas to develop.  You can then take the SWOT analysis and write a short PERSONAL STATEMENT similar to what you would use on a CV or UCAS application.  Let me see both when they are completed. You may find the following websites helpful to get yourself SWOTTING:

http://www.quintcareers.com/SWOT_Analysis.html
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05_1.htm
http://www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers/1350/SWOT-analysis.html
http://www.businessperform.com/talent-management/career_change.html

Alternatively you could or should be considering an appointment at Adviza!

Don't be surprised if your initial career choices change as information is gathered or your personal circumstances change. Work experience can often be an influential factor in determining career path decisions. Why not start this unit by applying to do some it just might give you the competitive edge as you apply for university or your first full time job.

I hope that this unit proves to be both stimulating and thought provoking and I look forward to supporting you through it over the next two terms.

Good luck & enjoy

Mr T