There are at least three options for gaining professional teaching qualifications for staff who are already working in UK higher education. These include formal postgraduate courses, third-party Lifelong Learning Sector certification, and Fellowship of the HEA. What is the difference between them, and which is right for you? Postgraduate certificate:…>
Career Development
Questions To Ask When Starting A New Job
The hardest part is over. You have submitted the application, been invited to interview and got the job. Well done! However, now you will be faced with a range of new challenges as you prepare to start your new job. Here are some questions to consider and find the answers…>
Careers with Language, Translation, Interpreting, Teaching and more
A common feeling among graduates of language degree courses is one of uncertainty. Languages is a subject of study often chosen based on personal goals more than career-driven goals. Therefore, without proper planning before graduation, a languages graduate can come out of the course wondering what exactly they’re qualified to…>
Returning to Education
There are many factors that may affect the decision to return to education after a long period away from study and there are some challenges in particular faced by those who do not choose the traditional role of going straight to university after school. This article will offer some solutions…>
Understanding Corporate Behaviours and Values
A quick guide for academics When academics venture into the corporate world they may encounter references to ‘behaviours and values’. Although academic practice is of course underpinned by certain values (exemplified in academic guidance on issues such as plagiarism and research integrity), few academics will have been asked to consider…>
A Snap Shot of the Benefits of Working at a University
If you’re new to the Higher Education sector, you might be wondering what the benefits of working at a university are. There are numerous benefits to working at a university, including opportunities for personal development, generous annual leave, and the satisfaction of being involved in a progressive and diverse institute…>
Writing a Personal Profile for your CV
What is a ‘Personal Profile’? A Personal Profile (or ‘Career Profile’) is an introductory paragraph at the beginning of your CV containing a short summary of your background and career plans. The Profile is the written equivalent of an ‘elevator pitch’ designed to capture the employer’s interest quickly so that…>
Employability: What Are Employers Looking For?
What is employability? There’s a lot of talk about employability in the recruitment community as competition for jobs in all sectors intensifies. But what does it mean? The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES)[1] gives the simplest and most accessible definition of employability in terms of skills: ‘the skills…>
Going on Secondment – Pros and Cons
What is secondment? Many people do not realise that it is possible to explore different career possibilities by temporarily changing roles within the same organisation. This is often known as ‘going on secondment’ and is especially prevalent in the commercial sector where companies are adept at making the best use…>
Top Tips for a Career Change
When you’re stuck in a rut and dreading each day of work, a change of career seems to be the answer. The grass looks greener and the sky bluer. But is it? These ten crucial questions, answered honestly, will help you to think it through, evaluate your position and view the prospect with a steady gaze.