Career Pathway 1: Decide

Start building your career skills from day one.

Career paths aren’t always straight lines—you’ll face twists and turns. Begin by thinking about what you’re good at, what you enjoy, and what matters to you. This will help you explore graduate opportunities that fit.

Check out the information and activities below to help you get started.

Step 1: Get to know yourself better

Understanding your strengths, interests, and values is key to planning your career. Try these free online tools to help your explore ideas:

Prospects Which job would suit me?  (5 to 10 mins)
Self Assessments via Shortlist.Me directly or through My Career account. Test your strengths, personality, motivation, skills, and values

Also, think about practical considerations such as whether you can do postgraduate study or how your plans fit with your life outside university.

Step 2: Explore your options with your degree

See what others with your subject have gone on to do—it’s a great way to be inspired! Check out:

Prospects – What can I do with my degree?
Target jobs Degree subjects, my career options
My Career Pathway What can I do with my degree in …? (choose your subject)

Step 3: Explore graduate career options open to everyone

Your degree gives you skills that are valued across many sectors. Here’s how to explore what’s out there:

Prospects – Explore job sectors open to all graduates
Target jobs – Graduate schemes and employer events
Office for Students (OfS) – Graduate Employment & Skills Guide – especially relevant for those just graduating from university
LinkedIn – Set up your free profile and how to use to it at Get Started with LinkedIn

Step 4: Gain relevant workplace experience

Try out your career ideas through workplace experience or volunteering during or after university. It builds your skills, boosts confidence, grows your network, and shows employers you’re motivated and ready.

My Career Pathway Workplace experience – how to search and apply and access to the database of paid internships and volunteering opportunities
Prospects Work experience and internships

Step 5: Seek professional support – My Career

If you’re a current student or graduated within the last 3 years (from a Level 5 course or above) on the Birmingham Newman campus, log in or register to access your My Career account. This will allow you to:

Explore resources in Pathways and Careers Discovery
Practice interviews, assessments etc. on Shortlist.Me 
Access workshops and events
Get job alerts graduate jobs, workplace experience, volunteering opportunities and part-time jobs
Book a 1:1 appointment with a member of specialist careers staff

Any Questions? Email: careers@newman.ac.uk

Ready to move forward? Head to the Plan stage for what to do next

Career Pathway 2: Plan >

Career Pathways