On The Spot - June 2008

Welcome to the very first edition of our monthly magazine for students and recent graduates!

There will be a new edition every month in this space or we could send it to you directly by email if you register with us.

If you miss seeing On the Spot, you will be able to find it in the archive.

On the spot June 2008

SPOTlight on: June

The endless sunny days, the balmy summer nights, Finals safely over and just one thing on everyone’s mind. Yes, it’s that time of the year when all over the country, graduates are asking themselves “What next?” The lucky few (less than 15%) may have secured a place on a graduate scheme, others may have something lined up with a SME (that’s a small to medium sized enterprise), many will have secured a post graduate course and a growing number of graduates will take a year out. But annual destination stats from all the UK universities regularly reveal that for perhaps the majority of university leavers, the summer is a time for taking stock, taking a temp job and taking advice. Contrary to popular belief, comparatively few graduates have the future neatly sewn up by the end of their course. If you’re not sure what you want to do or you have ideas but need to turn them into reality, then we’re here to help. Ditto if you are beginning to wonder if you’ve made a wrong move or one that has no obvious outcome. The advisers at Domino are just an email away, so please contact us with your questions, queries and dilemmas.

Fair’s Fair

Currently coming to a town near you, the summer graduate fairs are now in full swing. But are they just an aimless day out and a carrier bag full of leaflets or could you use them more proactively?

Domino’s top tips for Fair play include:

  • Ditch the jeans: potential recruiters will be looking at you as future employees and fellow professionals, so dress accordingly.
  • Avoid getting trampled in the rush: use the website or the time when you first arrive at the fair to schedule your time. Are there talks you want to attend, employers you want to see? Check whether you’ll need to pre-register, queue or make an early beeline for a particular stand.
  • Be prepared: even if you’ve never been a boy scout, you could do worse than adopt their motto. Take an A4 folder, ideally containing a notepad and pen, a space for collecting business cards (how else are you going to chase up the contacts you have made?) and several copies of your CV The latter will, of course, be polished, pristine and uncrumpled and ready for handing over to any interested employers.
  • Don’t neglect the obvious: have some relevant (and hopefully original) questions at the ready when you speak to recruiters and also some whip smart responses to anything they may ask you. If you can’t tell them why you want to work for them, you’ve lost an opportunity

This Month’s Nugget Of Information

Happy Birthday to the MBA. The qualification has just turned 100, and unlike most centenarians, goes from strength to strength. The first course was run by Harvard University in the spring of 1908. It’s become a worldwide institution and increasingly popular with graduates and employers alike.

Find out more about MBA courses at AMBA www.mbaworld.com.

Dear Aggie: our agony aunt has the answers.

Alternatively: Zodiac Sign of the month - Gemini.
The sign of the twins may mean that you seek second chances...

"I’ve just finished my BSc and I want to have another crack at my original career idea of Medicine, which I had to put to one side after A levels. What are my chances?"

Most – but not all – medical schools will be looking for a 2:1, plus some relevant experience, so a summer spent in hospital could be on the cards. Whether this is work shadowing a surgeon or acquiring a temp job as a porter, the main thing is that you gain an understanding of the NHS and the issues which it is facing. Key acronyms – BMA (British Medical Association at www.bma.org.uk)and BMJ (www.bmj.com): they will give you all the information you need on hot topics, courses and funding.

The UCAS website (www.ucas.ac.uk) has the full range of courses – the conventional 5 year programme, the shortened 4 year scheme for graduates, lengthier courses for those with non relevant degrees and the few universities that just might let science graduates into year 2 of a medical degree. You’ll also need to familiarise yourself with the pre entry tests you’ll have to take in the autumn – try www.gamsatuk.org. for examples of what to expect.

Application cut off date is in October, so better start your research now. Good luck.

© Domino Careers June 2008