Oxford

Oxford
GUIDE TO CAREERS
THE
CAREERS
SERVICE

Five landmarks in your first year
with Norton Rose Fulbright
Closing your first deal
“After a lot of hard work and quite a few late nights, it was satisfying to see it all come together.
There was a very long lunch the following day.”
Hitting the headlines
“One of the transactions I was involved in was all over the news.
It was great to know that I had been part of it.”
Dealing with the High Court
“After only two months, I was involved in a merger that was approved by the High Court.
I even helped some of the key witnesses prepare their statements.”
Making the big calls
“I was put in charge of a key aspect of a deal, and it wasn’t long
before I found myself leading a conference call with the other side’s counsel.”
Broadening your experience
“I went to client events at the rugby and at the top of the Shard,
and also went on secondment – all in one year.”
It’s easier to choose the right legal practice when you know what to expect –
which is why we wanted to share some of our trainees’ first year highlights.
And, if you join us, expect the insights and advice to keep on coming.
nortonrosefulbrightgraduates.com
Progress with purpose

CE
INTRODUCTION TO THE
2016 OXFORD CAREERS GUIDE
Welcome to the most popular 1 University Careers Guide in the UK!
Before you dive in, I wanted
to explain that this guide is
written for any and every Oxford
student: undergraduates and
postgraduates, artists and scientists,
who all usually have one of three
questions:
• Where do I start?
• How do I gain more skills to
improve my chances?
• Where do I find jobs and/
or research and professional
internships?
You’ll find answers to these
questions and many more in this
Guide: from ‘How do I write a
winning CV?’ to ‘What does it take to
be a solicitor?’ and from ‘How do I
get experience in the Museum and
Heritage sector?’ to ‘How do I meet
a Careers Adviser for a 1:1 meeting?’.
This Guide is just one of the many
free services you can access from
the University Careers Service! Other
services you can use include:
• To get started: book a
confidential 1:1 (there are over
5,000 a year to choose from),
visit some Careers Fairs, and
meet some employers.
• To gain more skills: take part in
The Student Consultancy, work
in a Micro-internship, attend
Insight into Teaching/Medicine/
Business programmes.
• To find jobs and internships: log
onto CareerConnect, sign up
for automatic alerts about new
jobs in your industries of choice,
meet the Internship Office to
explore our internship and
Micro-internship programmes.
We look forward to meeting you at
our fairs and events; in your college,
department or faculty; or at the
Careers Service at 56 Banbury Road
– both while you are here and for
the rest of your career.
Jonathan Black
Director of the Careers Service
Welcome to your Careers Guide. It
provides general tips on careers,
advice on specific fields of work,
and career path insights. This
guide is designed for all students,
regardless of the stage they’re at
in thinking about the future. It could
be a starting point for you as you
try to work out what sort of career
you’d like to have, or it could be a
resource to help you make great
applications. It’s also packed full
of opportunities to get involved in
whilst here at Oxford, to help you
get some experience under your
belt.
OUSU and The Careers Service
work together to make sure that
Oxford students are equipped with
skills that will enable them to follow
any career path they want to. Want
to teach once you’re done? Get
involved in our incredible access
programmes like OUSU’s Target
Schools. Not only will you be doing
a social good, you’ll also be setting
yourself apart from your average
graduate. That’s just one example
– this guide’s packed full of relevant
societies, campaigns and rewarding
activities to get stuck into whilst here
in Oxford.
Oxford graduates are some of
the world’s best, but sometimes
it’s hard to see past the traditional
career paths of law and banking.
Those options are of course in the
Guide, but there are so many other
paths open to you, and you’ll find
possibilities that you never before
entertained in the pages that follow.
I work at OUSU, representing Oxford
students, campaigning on key
issues, and trying to improve the
1 HighFliers’ independent research has ranked the Oxford Guide the most used university guide in both 2014 and 2015.
student experience at our University.
I’m learning so much and meeting
some incredible students. Our
elections are every Michaelmas
Term – it’s a great way to get
involved in improving life for students
at Oxford.
So enjoy the Guide, make use of
it in any way that helps you, and
remember you can ask The Careers
Service for advice throughout your
degree, and even after you leave –
alumni are welcome to get in touch
at any point in their careers. Most
importantly, don’t worry if you’re not
yet sure what you want to do after
your degree – most people are in
the same position as you!
Good luck in whatever you choose
to do.
Becky Howe
President of OUSU
1

A
Careers: The Year Ahead
An overview of the recruitment year at Oxford
University and the range of support available at the
Careers Service.
4 AN INTRO TO: THE CAREERS SERVICE
The many different ways in which The Careers Service
can support you.
6 CALENDAR: SELECTED EVENTS
An overview of the most important careers events
planned this year.
8 WHAT TO DO WHEN
Ideas for developing your career plans at different
stages in your studies.
2016
B
Developing Your Career Ideas
Careers information and advice for everyone
- including how to develop and explore ideas
for what to do next, from further study to
how to find graduate jobs.
10 IDENTIFYING POSSIBLE CAREER OPTIONS
Identifying your personal career preferences and strengths
and some possible occupations.
2
Contributors
Content: The Careers Service and
OUSU.
Editor: Hugh Nicholson-Lailey.
Design: Simon Collins, Theo Sundh,
Laura Whitehouse
(www.laurawhitehouse.co.uk)
Images: Alumni photographs are
the subjects’ own.
Sales: Max Richardson/ Henry
Procter
Proofreader: Rose Karasinska
Stanley
Project lead: Hugh Nicholson-Lailey
Alumni profiles gathered by:
Hugh Nicholson-Lailey
Printed by: OxUniPrint
With thanks to: All alumni
contributors, and Careers Service
staff.
12 RESEARCHING YOUR OPTIONS
How to find out more about occupations and industries
that interest you.
13 NARROWING YOUR OPTIONS AND MOVING FORWARD
Ideas for how to make choices between options.
16 TALKING WITH CONTACTS AND NETWORKING
18 BUILDING YOUR OCCUPATIONAL AWARENESS
A first look at the industries and roles that Oxford graduates
most frequently enter.
20 OVERVIEW OF THE GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT MARKET
Different routes into graduate level work.
22 FURTHER STUDY
Types of course, how to choose one, and information on
fees and funding.
23 WORKING IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
Ideas for looking for work outside your home country or
region.
25 VISA OPTIONS FOR WORKING IN THE UK

C
Gaining Experience and
Developing Skills
Core employability skills: what they are,
and ideas on how to develop them.
26 NINE CORE EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
Critical transferable skills and ideas for gaining
some relevant experience.
29 EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMMES
Details of The Careers Service’s schemes that
develop your professional skills.
31 IDEAS ON GAINING EXPERIENCE
An introduction to the many different types of
work experience and how to find opportunities.
34 OUSU
How your Student Union can help you develop
skills and get the most out of your time here.
35 THE INTERNSHIP OFFICE
The Career Service’s internship programmes
for Oxford students.
D
Application Essentials
Advice, guidance and tactics for being your
best at all stages of the application process.
38 SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS
Overview on making better applications.
39 IDENTIFY AND EVIDENCE THE REQUIRED SKILLS
Providing evidence to strengthen your application.
40 EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE APPLICATION
PROCESS
41 CVs
44 COVER LETTERS
46 APPLICATION FORMS AND PERSONAL
STATEMENTS
49 PSYCHOMETRIC TESTS
50 ASSESSMENT CENTRES
52 CONFIDENT INTERVIEWS
E
CE
Industry Sector Briefings
An introduction to a wide variety of
different industries. including real-world
insights and advice from Oxford alumni.
55 INDUSTRY SECTORS
Introduction and contents page for the 22
sectors covered in this Guide.
56 ACADEMIA + HIGHER EDUCATION
58 ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
65 ADVERTISING, MARKETING + PR
68 ARTS + HERITAGE
71 BANKING + INVESTMENT
81 CHARITY + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
88 COMPUTING + I.T.
96 CONSULTANCY
112 EDUCATION
118 ENERGY + THE ENVIRONMENT
121 ENGINEERING
124 FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS
127 HEALTH + SOCIAL CARE
130 INTERNATIONAL POLICY + DEVELOPMENT
134 LAW
147 MEDIA + JOURNALISM
151 NATIONAL POLICY + GOVERNMENT
154 PUBLISHING
157 RETAIL + SALES
159 SCIENCE
162 WORKING FOR YOURSELF
164 OTHER CAREERS
151 WORKING FOR YOURSELF
3

A
THE YEAR AHEAD
CAREERS:
THE YEAR AHEAD
2016
THE
CAREERS
SERVICE
The Careers Service provides free information and impartial
advice on any careers-related topic – from choosing a
course of further study to making job applications, and from
deciding what career would suit you to finding opportunities
to develop your skills. This page details some of the things we
have on offer...
DAILY
Advice appointments. A one-toone
meeting with one of our careers
advisers. These normally take place
at The Careers Service (56 Banbury
Road), with extra sessions sometimes
hosted in departments and colleges.
Book in advance on CareerConnect
(see box on opposite page).
WEEKLY
Talks and workshops. The Careers
Advisers organise regular seminars
on specific career options (often
featuring guest panel speakers),
as well as workshops to help you
improve your application skills. Most
are open to all students, with some
events specifically tailored to Masters
students, DPhil students or Research
Staff.
E-newsletter. Sent weekly in termtime
to your inbox. Read it to keep
up to date with the latest events and
careers opportunities.
Business Mentoring. Support if
you’re interested in starting your
own business or social enterprise
– or simply want to develop better
commercial skills and insight. See
page 29 for more information.
Career Lounges. Group discussions
on a specific issue, led by a Careers
Adviser. Times and topics are
advertised through the Events listing
on CareerConnect.
TERMLY
The Student Consultancy. Help local
organisations solve real business
problems. You’ll get consultancy
training and work in teams,
developing employability skills. See
page 29 for more information.
ANNUALLY
The Internship Programme.
Hundreds of work experience
opportunities around the world,
sourced exclusively for Oxford
students, and available in many
different sectors. See page 35.
Careers Fairs. Numerous events to
meet visiting employers, and explore
the options available to you. See
opposite for the list of fairs this year.
PLUS...
]]
Insight Into …. The Careers
Service has developed a range
of insight programmes to help
students develop their knowledge
and understanding about some
sectors, including programmes
for Teaching and Medicine. See
page 30 for further details.
]]
The Springboard Programme.
Holistic development workshops
for female students, created
with the founders of an awardwinning
programme for
professionals. See page 29.
]]
Recruiter in Residence.
Opportunities to meet with visiting
employers one-on-one – to find out
about their sector or organisation, or
to get advice on your CV. Times and
topics are advertised through the
Events listing on CareerConnect.
]]
Mock Interviews. Opportunities to
practice your interview technique
with HR professionals. Times and
topics are advertised through the
Events listing on CareerConnect.
Jane CHanaa
Careers Team leader
We’re here to help with any career
related query - big or small.
Whether you are wondering how
to start thinking about life beyond
Oxford, weighing up the pros and
cons of further study or seeking
advice on an industry, a specific
job or any aspect of the application
process from writing your CV to the
etiquette of juggling different offers,
please come and talk to one of the
team.
“
”
4
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

THE YEAR AHEAD
A
MEET OUR CAREERS ADVISERS!
We have 12 Careers Advisers, with experience in everything
from product development to international development, and
from consultancy to dentistry! See their profiles at:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/ADVISERS
CAREERCONNECT
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/CAREERCONNECT
The password-protected area of The Careers Service
website, CareerConnect is accessible with your Oxford
Single Sign-On password. On CareerConnect you can:
]]
Book appointments.
]]
Download Wetfeet guides and access other resources
that we subscribe to on your behalf.
]]
Search our extensive database of job vacancies and
internships.
]]
Browse our calendar of upcoming careers events.
]]
…. And much more!
CAREERS FAIRS
]]
Oxford Careers Fair (for all sectors) Tuesday 20 October 2015
]]
Finance Fair Wednesday 21 October 2015
]]
Management Consultancy Fair Thursday 22 October 2015
]]
Science, Engineering & Technology Fair Saturday 31 October 2015
]]
Internship Fair Wednesday 4 November 2015
]]
Arts, Media & Marketing Fair Thursday 5 November 2015
]]
Law Fair Saturday 7 November 2015
]]
Careers in Computing Thursday 19 November 2015
]]
Jobs for Mathematicians Tuesday 24 November 2015
]]
International Careers Day, Saturday 23 January 2016
]]
The ‘OX’ Postcode Fair Trinity Term 2016
]]
The ‘Get a Head Start’ Fair Trinity Term 2016
]]
Job and Internship Fair Trinity Term 2016
WHERE TO FIND US
WWW.CAREERS.OX.AC.UK
ADDRESS: 56 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6PA
TELEPHONE: + 44 (0) 1865 27 46 46
EMAIL: reception@careers.ox.ac.uk
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/oxfordcareers
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/oxfordcareers
LINKEDIN: www.linkd.in/OxfordCareers
RESOURCE CENTRE OPENING HOURS: Mon: 09.00-17.00 Tue:
09.00-17.00 Wed: 09.00-17.00 Thu: 10.00-17.00 (19.00 in
Michaelmas) Fri: 09.00-17.00
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 5

A
THE YEAR AHEAD
CALENDAR
Every year, literally hundreds of organisations
visit Oxford specifically to meet with you: to
start a conversation. It gives you the chance
to find out more about them, their career
opportunities and the application processes.
You can meet:
]]
Recent alumni working in areas you might
be interested in learning more about – and
who were in your shoes not so long ago.
]]
Recruiters who can tell you more about the
firm, graduate roles and training, and the
recruitment process.
]]
Senior managers and business leaders
(many will also be Oxford alumni) who
can provide a wider perspective on
the organisation and graduate career
trajectories.
October and November are the most crowded
months as the major graduate recruiters make
themselves most accessible during the annual
‘Milkround’, touring the UK’s universities. They
come to Oxford for our Careers Fairs and to
run their own company presentations: many
firms also offer workshops, run events and
competitions, and sponsor activities with
student societies.
Whatever point you are at in your studies it is
very useful to plan ahead. For the industries
and firms you are most interested in:
]]
Research opening and closing dates for
graduate recruitment/internships/spring
weeks etc – even within a firm, dates may
be different for different entry schemes and
specific roles.
]]
Note the dates and times for key events
(eg, Careers Fairs; company presentations)
and monitor our Events Calendar on
CareerConnect (p.5).
]]
Allow sufficient time in your schedule
to make high quality and targeted
applications; practice for online tests; and
prepare for interviews.
MICHAELMAS
VACATION & 0TH WEEK
The Student Consultancy (selection)
The Student Consultancy (training – 1st week)
Insight into Business (weeks 2-4)
Oxford Careers Fair (Tues 20th Oct)
Finance Careers Fair (Weds 21st Oct)
Management Consulting Careers Fair (Thurs 22nd Oct)
Science, Engineering, and Technology Careers Fair
(Sat 31st Oct)
Internship Fair (Weds 4th Nov)
Arts, Media, and Marketing Careers Fair (Thurs 5th
Nov)
Law Careers Fair (Sat 7th Nov)
The Student Consultancy (review – 4th week)
Careers in Computing (Thurs 19th Nov)
Jobs for Mathematicians (Tues 25th Nov)
The Student Consultancy (project delivery – 8th week)
484
COMPANIES AT CAREERS FAIRS
156
COMPANY PRESENTATIONS
25 days
WORKSHOPS
& SKILL SESSIONS
9TH WEEK & VACATION
Springboard for Women
Micro-Internships
Insight into Medicine
113
MOCK INTERVIEWS +
RECRUITER-IN-RESIDENCE
6
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

THE YEAR AHEAD
A
2015
2016
SELECTED EVENTS
HILARY
TRINITY
VACATION & 0TH WEEK
The Student Consultancy (selection)
The Student Consultancy (training – 1st week)
Insight into Business
OUSU Women’s Leadership Development Programme
(weeks 1-8)
OUIP Applications for overseas internships (weeks 1-4)
Insight into Business
International Careers Day (Sat 23rd Jan)
The Student Consultancy (review – 4th week)
OUIP Applications for UK internships (weeks 4-8)
The Student Consultancy (project delivery – 8th week)
VACATION & 0TH WEEK
The Student Consultancy (selection)
The Student Consultancy (training – 1st week)
Insight into Business
OUIP Applications for late ads (throughout Trinity)
Insight into Business
‘OX Postcode’ Fair (date TBC)
‘Get a Headstart’ Careers Fair (date TBC)
The Student Consultancy (review – 4th week)
Jobs and Internships Careers Fair (date TBC)
The Student Consultancy (project delivery – 8th week)
74 96
COMPANIES AT CAREERS FAIRS
COMPANIES AT CAREERS FAIRS
66 18
COMPANY PRESENTATIONS
COMPANY PRESENTATIONS
18 days
WORKSHOPS
& SKILL SESSIONS
MOCK INTERVIEWS +
RECRUITER-IN-RESIDENCE
WORKSHOPS 32
93 & SKILL SESSIONS
0 days
MOCK INTERVIEWS +
RECRUITER-IN-RESIDENCE
9TH WEEK & VACATION
Springboard for Women
Micro-Internships
OUIP Applications for late internship ads
Insight into Teaching/Medicine
9TH WEEK & VACATION
Micro-Internships
Summer internships: OUIP/Corporate
Insight into Teaching
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 7

A
THE YEAR AHEAD
WHAT TO DO WHEN
FINALISTS & POSTGRADUATES
CREATE A PLAN, EXTEND YOUR RESEARCH
It’s never too late to start thinking about your career: turn to the
Developing Your Career Ideas chapter for advice on how to
start and resources to help you (pp.10-15).
Discuss your options and job-hunting strategy with a Careers
Adviser and create an action plan.
Meet employers at fairs and at company presentations. See the
Events Calendar on CareerConnect for dates and to book your
place (p.5).
Collect free hard-copy careers publications and directories of
employers from The Careers Service.
Research employers online, their application processes and
deadlines.
DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS
There is still time for part-time and voluntary work, to get active
in clubs and societies, and take positions of responsibility – all
will develop your skills and add value to your applications.
Sign up for workshops and skills sessions at The Careers
Service or join one of our employability programmes (pp.29-
30).
PREPARE FOR APPLICATIONS
Attend application skills workshops at The Careers Service and
discuss your job-hunting strategy with a Careers Adviser.
Check closing dates for positions and courses – and judge
whether it’s advantageous to apply early.
Check our website regularly:
]]
Search vacancies and set up email alerts on
CareerConnect.
]]
Practise psychometric tests, find interview feedback, read
subscription only publications and connect with alumni
through the Oxford Careers Network.
]]
Book appointments with a Careers Adviser, mock
interviews with a recruiter, and more.
Consult the ‘Further Study’ section (pp.22-23) and information
on The Careers Service’s website and in the Resource Centre for
course and funding information.
APPLY FOR JOBS, TRAINING SCHEMES OR
COURSES
Polish your CV and set aside enough time to write several
tailored applications to specific organisations, and a generic
one that you can quickly adapt as needed. See pages 38-53
and our advice on The Application Process online.
Make speculative applications for work in areas with few
advertised vacancies. Target your CV and cover letter.
Apply to The Oxford University Internship Programme (OUIP)
from January onwards (p.35) – you can still take an internship if
you’ve completed your studies!
PENULTIMATE YEAR STUDENTS
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
Review your career preferences and interests – or start your
self-assessment. See pages 10-15, Developing Your Career
Ideas.
Generate more ideas and find careers that might suit you by
using online career planning tools like TargetJobs Careers
Report and Prospects Career Planner.
Consider further study: talk to tutors, postgrads and Careers
Advisers.
Review industry sectors that appeal and explore which
careers might be of interest to you. Start with the 20+ industry
sectors in this Guide (pp.55-168), the more detailed ‘Sectors
and Occupations briefings’ on The Careers Service’s website,
and information in our Resource Centre at 56 Banbury Road.
Start planning how to get an internship – in some industries,
these are a recognised route to a full time offer.
DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS & CV
Get elected to a position in a society, common room or club
and make a difference.
Put together a CV and cover letter for a specific sector or
opportunity. Use The Careers Service’s talks, website, and
Resource Centre for help. Get feedback on your draft CV from
a Careers Adviser.
Sign up for workshops and skills sessions at The Careers
Service or join one of our employability programmes (pp.29-
30).
TALK TO PEOPLE & NETWORK
Talk to people about their jobs, their companies and the
sector at the many Careers Fairs and company presentations
held in Oxford – many of the people you meet will be Oxford
alumni. See the calendar (overleaf) and our Events Calendar
on CareerConnect.
Use the Oxford Careers Network and LinkedIn to contact
alumni whose work interests you (pp.16-18).
Talk to a Careers Adviser. Book an appointment on
CareerConnect (p.5).
PREPARE FOR THE LONG VAC
Attend the relevant Careers Fairs, including the Internship Fair
on 4th November.
Get into your job-market research and look for application
deadlines - be aware of deadlines as early as November for
some sectors and schemes.
Make speculative applications to find work experience with
organisations of interest that don’t have formal internships
– or ask network contacts whether they can provide work
experience.
Apply to The Oxford University Internship Programme (OUIP)
from January onwards (p.35).
8
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

THE YEAR AHEAD
A
“
2016
damilola odimayo
Careers Adviser
Making high quality applications
takes time and good research,
so it’s really important to be
on top of your planning. For
each company you’re applying
to, it’s very important to know
both what their application/
assessment process will be and
when their deadline falls, as
these will vary, even between
firms in the same sector
”
FIRST YEAR UNDERGRADS
GET INVOLVED AND HAVE FUN!
Join student clubs and societies in the University – and if
possible take an active role.
Volunteer with OxHub and local charities in term and in the
vac, a great way of gaining skills, meeting people and making
a difference (p.31).
Support outreach to schools for your College, or take part in a
fundraising event or telethon.
Participate in staff/student liaison committees within your
college or department.
START THINKING
It’s never too soon to start thinking about your post university
plans. Develop some awareness of your career related
preferences and interests with some self-assessment
exercises. See pages 10-15, Developing Your Career Ideas.
Visit The Careers Service‘s website, or use our Resource Centre
at 56 Banbury Road to start researching what you could do
and check out your options
Look for, and apply to, Insight Days, Spring Weeks and Work
Shadowing opportunities in different sectors for inspiration
(pp.31-35). In some firms this is a route to an internship the
following year.
Consider your skills and experiences, and where there are
gaps, plan ahead on how to fill them. Talk to a Careers Adviser
if you need help with your plans or ideas for how to get started.
DEVELOP YOUR CV
Start to assemble your CV or refresh the one you used before
for part-time work at school. See pages 41-43 and our more
extensive guidance at www.careers.ox.ac.uk and information
in our Resource Centre.
Attend one of the Careers Service’s CV Preparation talks.
Think about how you can develop employability skills and
experience. See pages 26-30 for initial ideas on getting started,
and consider joining one of The Careers Service’s employability
programmes.
GAIN SOME EXPERIENCE
Apply for vacation/temporary work to earn money and
gain experience and skills. Every opportunity can provide
meaningful experience: for example, bar and retail work can
enhance your customer focus, team-work skills and insights
into what makes a successful business tick.
Visit the vacancy database on CareerConnect to look for parttime
and vacation opportunities.
Apply for a summer placement on The Oxford University
Internship Programme (OUIP) from January for overseas
internships, and from mid-February for internships in the UK
(p.35).
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 9

B
DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
DEVELOPING
YOUR CAREER IDEAS
With hundreds of possible directions many students find it hard to decide
what they want to do after graduating and may even find the process quite
daunting. This chapter will help you make a start and get you thinking
about how to identify and research possible careers that might appeal to
you and how to choose between them.
People often find greatest career satisfaction when their work reflects
their core values and motivations, and allows them to use their skills and
strengths in a field that interests them. Effective career planning therefore
aims to integrate self-awareness with an understanding of the industries
and types of careers available.
IDENTIFYING POSSIBLE
CAREER OPTIONS
STEP 1: WHAT YOU DO AND
WHAT YOU LIKE BEST…
Time invested in developing a clearer idea about what you
hope for from a career is an important first step to securing
work you find engaging and rewarding.
Self
awareness
Identify options
and make
DECISIONS
Occupational
awareness
Start by considering what you are good at and what you really
enjoy doing, both in your studies and beyond. Examine these
to identify the skills you have, and where your career interests
may lie and what motivates you.
Take action!
EXAMPLES OF TRANSFERABLE SKILLS DEVELOPED THROUGH AN ARTS DEGREE
Skills
Written communication (volume of work)
Verbal communication
Organising and Planning /Information synthesis
and analysis
Self management and motivation -
Resilience and tenacity
Problem Solving/Creative Thinking
Independent work/initiative/curiosity
Accuracy and attention to detail
Examples for a CV
Wrote twelve 3,000 word essays each term...
Defended essays in weekly discussions with leading academics and
peers
Conducted independent research and delivered 10,000 word thesis...
praised by tutors as …
Delivered 108 essays to strict deadlines during degree...
Worked under pressure and to strict deadlines
Created original thesis/project, and produced original argument for ‘….’
Researched and analysed 12 new academic areas each term
Maintained accurate and detailed records during research, referencing
24 articles researched for thesis ...
10
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
B
Career Interests: Type of work and
working environment
Analytical: researching and investigating; numerical work
Collaborative style of working
Creativity and generating ideas
Enterprise & business
Managing and leading people
Social & caring roles
Solving problems
Supporting and advising people
Theoretical and conceptual: working with ideas
Working with defined processes
Working with technology
Values and motivations
Affiliation (a sense of pride or belonging)
Altruism/Social good
Autonomy
Capacity to influence others
Challenge
Financial Gain
Fun
Learning and growth
Personal recognition
Positioning (for next career move)
Prestige
Progression
Security
Structure
Variety
Core Employability Skills
(see pages 26-28)
Commercial awareness
Communication – face to face
Communication – in writing
Initiative
IT skills
Languages
Leadership
Organisation and planning
Problem solving
Self-management
Teamwork
Skills from your studies
Through your degree you have developed many core skills.
For example, you have worked independently to manage your
time and demonstrated drive and perseverance in organising
your workload and delivering high quality work on time. You
will have honed your communication skills, and probably used
research skills to find, organise and analyse large volumes
of information or data during your course. Some examples,
related to an Arts degree, are shown in the table opposite.
Skills developed outside your study
Do not underestimate the importance of what you choose to do
beyond studying. Whatever you do, from participating in events
run by a student society or sports – or organising these - to
fundraising, volunteering, acting in or staging a play, or running
the College Ball or speaking at the Union, you will be using and
developing important transferable skills (pp.26-28). For each
activity, consider:
]]
What roles do you take on?
]]
What kind of skills do you use?
]]
Do they involve other people and, if so, how do you work
with them?
]]
What does success look like?
]]
Which results show your contribution?
Identifying what interests and
motivates you
It is equally important to try to understand what interests and
motivates you, and your extracurricular choices can provide
insights into these areas as well.
Consider
]]
What appealed to you when you chose a particular activity?
]]
What has given you most satisfaction?
]]
What have you learned or gained from your extracurricular
activities?
]]
And what are your reasons for continuing with it or,
perhaps, for stopping?
Draw your thoughts together to understand better your unique
pattern of ‘career interests’, motivations and skills. As a start,
select 3 to 5 from the lists above, or create your own list.
For more tools and ideas to help you develop your thinking, see
The Careers Service’s guidance on self-assessment, or search
online for:
]]
the Target Jobs or the Prospects planners, which use short
self-awareness questionnaires.
]]
Windmills interactive tool which supports and directs
reflection and action planning.
Book an appointment with a Careers Adviser (p.5) to discuss any
questions you have or for advice on how to interpret and apply
the insights gained from the above.
STEP 2: EXPLORING POSSIBLE
OCCUPATIONS AND CREATING
YOUR ‘LONG LIST’
There will be a wide range of occupations that you could go
into. The majority of graduate roles do not require a specific
degree and many organisations seek to attract a diverse pool
of candidates. A quick scan of the alumni profiles in this guide
confirms that, as an Oxford graduate, it is possible to work in
many industries, whatever your background.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 11

B
12
DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
You might want to use the knowledge gained from your
degree directly, or find a related role where you can still draw
on that knowledge. Alternatively, you may choose to take the
transferable skills you have developed into a very different
area. The box opposite illustrates how this might look for a
student studying a science subject.
As you research possible occupations, start to build your ‘long
list’. Each time you find an idea of interest to you, consider
the specific skills and attributes typically required for that
role and how strongly these match your preferences. Also,
look for related fields to expand the range of options you are
considering.
You can build your long list by:
]]
Reviewing roles suggested by the on-line career planning
tools.
]]
Exploring what others with your degree have chosen to do:
• See the Oxford leavers’ destination data online.
• Prospects has pages on What can I do with my
degree?
• On LinkedIn, the University of Oxford page enables you
to explore the careers of over 140,000 alumni.
]]
Browsing on jobs boards – including CareerConnect –
what catches your eye?
]]
Thinking broadly about your interests – each one could link
to different career choices.
]]
Creating your idea of a dream job ….
• What are you doing – what skills are you using?
• Who are you working with, and how?
• What does an ideal working day/week look like?
• Where are you working – an office/outside/at home?
STEP 3: RESEARCHING
YOUR OPTIONS
Time invested in researching industries, individual
organisations and roles is time well spent. First, it helps
you make better choices. Secondly, good research lays the
foundation for successful applications (pp.38-53) because it
helps you:
]]
to be clear that you’d be happy doing the job!
]]
to impress recruiters by asking good questions and
demonstrating awareness of issues or trends that may
affect their market, which will underline that you are
serious and committed to the area you are applying for.
Researching options using first-hand
experience
First-hand experience allows you to explore whether you have
the ability and interest to perform well in a role. You also learn
more about the organisation, its people and working culture
which helps you evaluate whether you are likely to enjoy
working there.
The next chapter, ‘Gaining Experience and Developing
Skills’ (pp.26-35), provides a fuller overview of the range of
potential options available to you. These include not only
internships and work experience, but also a variety of shorter
www.careers.ox.ac.uk
SOME CAREER ALTERNATIVES FOR
SCIENCE STUDENTS
For many scientists, a fundamental career decision
concerns how (if at all) you want to use your science in the
future.
Using your science directly in a ’hands-on’ way
Many organisations offer science roles in research,
development and analysis for new graduates (see industry
sector p.159). However, the first step for many scientists
wanting a ’hands-on’ career in science is a PhD (DPhil in
Oxford), with more than a third of Oxford science graduates
going straight on to higher degrees.
Applying your science in some way
There are many opportunities outside of the laboratory that
will allow you to use some of the scientific knowledge you
have gained. Here are just a few ideas:
]]
Science communication or publishing
]]
Science policy or administration
]]
Technology transfer
]]
Intellectual property and patent work
]]
Roles in manufacturing
]]
Technical sales and marketing
]]
Science consulting and market research
Moving away from your science
Your science degree may well have given you opportunities
to develop skills that are in great demand from employers,
including: numeracy, logical thinking and analytical skills;
problem-solving and IT skills.
opportunities for students to visit and learn about their work
through work shadowing schemes, ‘Insight Days’ and ‘Spring
Weeks’ and future leader programmes. These programmes
can help you:
]]
Learn about an industry and a role, and the organisation
and its culture.
]]
Develop transferable skills and a track record that
provides evidence of your ability and motivation.
]]
Secure an offer to the next stage:
• Insight programmes may provide a fast-track into an
organisation’s internship programme.
• Leading employers report that nearly a third of
their graduate intake will have undertaken work
experience with them before they are hired, and this
rises to more than two thirds in some sectors.
However, even to get onto an ‘insight’ or ‘internship’
programme you will need to make an application, which
means you need to do your homework on your target
organisation.
Researching options online
Start by reading widely to research the industries and
organisations you are targeting. Ideas on what to read
include:
]]
Our industry sector introductions in this Guide (pp.55-168).
]]
The Careers Service’s in-depth sector briefings online

DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
B
www.careers.ox.ac.uk, and dig deeper using the
resources listed in these.
]]
Read companies’ own websites and particularly their
career pages – these often provide lots of information,
including:
• Profiles from recent graduates.
• Information about their graduate programmes.
• Tips and practice materials for the recruitment
processes.
]]
Review the websites of professional bodies.
]]
Free resources at the Careers Service:
• Follow links in ‘Our Resources’ sections of our
online guidance, and search for WetFeet (insider
guides), GoinGlobal (country guides), and Practice
Psychometric Tests.
• Books and periodicals in The Careers Service Resource
Centre.
]]
Join relevant LinkedIn groups to keep up to date with
current topics in the sector.
]]
Free services available to Oxford University students
using your Single Sign On and Bodleian Library access,
including:
• The FT, Economist and other leading newspapers and
industry journals.
• LexisNexis - an archive of worldwide newspapers
and journals that can be used to search for recent
news about the employer (available from all ox.ac.uk
domain machines).
• Rocket News – a useful free international news archive
of the last 5 days accessible when you are away from
Oxford.
]]
Annual company reports: if they are not available on the
website, you can request a copy.
RESEARCHING EMPLOYERS’
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
POLICIES
Many employers are proud to have strong equality and
diversity policies, and proactively seek to recruit individuals
from diverse backgrounds. If you are interested in particular
recruiters, look at their equality and diversity policies, or talk
anonymously with their representatives at careers fairs.
Indicators of the strength of their commitment to recruiting
from diverse backgrounds can include:
]]
The ‘two ticks’ Disability Symbol on job advertisements.
This means the employer has made some commitment
to employing disabled people.
]]
They are accredited as a ‘Mindful Employer’, indicating
they are extremely supportive of employees with mental
health issues.
]]
They offer a ‘Guaranteed Interview Scheme’ to disabled
applicants who meet minimum criteria for employment
on their application form.
]]
They partner with and provide internships for people
from under-represented backgrounds through
organisations such as SEO (Sponsors for Educational
Opportunity), EmployAbility, The Windsor Fellowship and
Rare Recruitment.
]]
They score highly on indicators such as the Stonewall
Workplace Equality Index due to their work ethos and
practices.
There is more advice on Equality and Diversity in the
application process on pp. 42, 51 and 52.
Researching Options by talking to people
To go beyond the information on an organisation’s website,
talk to people – lots of people – about what they do, what they
like and don’t like, and ask for their advice. See pp.16-18 for
more guidance on how to find people who are able to share
their experiences and offer relevant advice and insights into
the roles that interest you most.
During term time, particularly in Michaelmas Term, take
advantage of the many chances to meet and talk with
company representatives – check the Careers Service Events
Planner on Career Connect (p.5), to find people to talk to.
]]
Attend The Careers Service’s Fairs (p.5) to meet recent
graduates and recruiters.
]]
Attend company presentations and events to meet senior
managers, alumni and recruiters.
]]
Talk informally with family, alumni and others to
understand their careers and what their organisations are
really like:
• Use the Oxford Careers Network (OCN) and LinkedIn to
find alumni you might approach directly.
• Talk to friends returning from internships or work
placements.
]]
Speak to a Careers Adviser who has particular
responsibility for that sector.
STEP 4: NARROWING DOWN
YOUR OPTIONS
For many people, career planning is an on-going process,
revisited and revised as they gain experience and learn and
grow. It can take time and experience to find your niche and
the choices you make now are just the first step: they do not
tie you to a specific career. Changing career direction in the
years after graduation is in fact quite common, as illustrated by
the contrasting paths taken into the publishing industry by two
alumnae graduating in 2011 (see p.15 overleaf).
If you have considered your unique pattern of personal
preferences, motivations and skills (pp.10-11) you have a toolkit
for evaluating options in your long list. Analyse your options
and listen to your intuitions with the aim of identifying which
roles best match up with your key criteria and to weigh up the
‘pros and cons‘ of different choices.
One option is to build a ‘decision making grid’, where you
weight the relative importance of your key criteria and score
each career option independently.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 13

B
DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
DECISION
FACTOR
Staying in
Oxford
WEIGHTING OPTION A OPTION B OPTION C
2 2×2 = 4 2×2 =4 2×1 =2
Creative job 3 3×1 = 3 3×0 =0 3×1 =3
Learning:
quality of
training
3 3x1 = 3 3x1 =3 3x2 =6
Total 10 7 11
• Weighting of criterion:
3 – important, 2 – quite important, 1 – less important.
• Criterion satisfied in this occupation/role:
2 – almost ideal, 1 – quite good, 0 – not met at all.
In the worked example (above), it seems that Option B is
least attractive, and you could consider discarding this. You
could decide to pursue both options A and C as attractive
choices, or if you wanted to distinguish between them
more fully you may need to do further research or add
additional factors to the grid.
The Careers Service advice on How to Make a Career
Decision provides further details and advice on the
‘decision making grid’ and three other decision making
strategies: the D.E.C.I.D.E.S. model; Force-field Analysis; and
Visualisation. www.careers.ac.uk
Lastly, consider seeking advice from others. Try:
]]
Sharing your ideas with friends and family – ask for
their feedback.
]]
Booking a meeting with a Careers Adviser through
CareerConnect (p.5), who can help you analyse your
options and offer an objective and impartial advice on
next steps.
At this stage, you do not need to narrow your choice to a
single option. Ensuring there is a ‘Plan B’ is often a good
idea in case your first choice does not work out. However
many options you follow, make sure that they are properly
researched and allow yourself enough time to make high
quality applications.
STEP 5: MOVING FORWARD
FROM YOUR DECISIONS
Once you have prioritised and decided on which
roles you are targeting, it’s time to start your job
search and set the groundwork for successful
applications (pp.38-53). Allow plenty of time for this
and in particular:
]]
Identify events you want to attend – use The
Careers Service events listing on CareerConnect
(p.5) to find:
• Careers Fairs.
• Company presentations.
• Skills workshops and training sessions.
]]
Ensure that you are receiving the Careers
Service’s weekly newsletter.
]]
Save a search on CareerConnect to receive job
alerts.
]]
Check application deadlines for your top choices
and begin to plan your applications.
]]
Continue your research into your target
organisations and roles.
]]
Check your own online presence, particularly your
visibility on social media.
]]
Bookmark target firms’ careers pages, set up
email alerts for vacancy notices, and follow them
on Twitter and Facebook.
Also, assess your chances of success and
consider how you can improve these. Think of
positive steps you can take to remove barriers
or address any weaknesses. Focus on what you
can control and influence, like learning new skills
and gaining relevant experience, and planning
how best to present the experience you do have.
Even if the position you are interested in seems
out of reach, do not screen yourself out too easily
- do not underestimate the persuasive power of
demonstrating genuine passion, motivation and
personal commitment during the application process.
14
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

CONTRASTING PATHWAYS INTO PUBLISHING
DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
B
Cecily Gayford
Balliol College
Marine Debray
Balliol College
English Literature 2011 English and French 2011
Profile Books: Editor
I didn’t think about careers much while I was at Oxford – I
was keen to concentrate on my degree. But once I left,
publishing seemed like an obvious avenue to explore
(though I did also think about journalism).
I sent out a blizzard of CVs to pretty much every publisher
I’d ever heard of and did a variety of internships, both short
and long.
I also did a certain amount of freelance work, as a
researcher and an archivist, which definitely helped me
develop general skills like organisation, time-keeping and
so on.
Once I arrived at Profile Books, six months after graduating, I
knew I wanted to stay and really felt like I fitted in.
During my extended internship (3 months), someone left - so
I was really in the right place at the right time to get in as an
Editorial Assistant.
After 2 years more years, I have now been promoted to
Editor.
Reflections: Keep going! Publishing, particularly if you
want to work for an independent or a particular imprint –
is tricky to get into. A lot of it is timing, but just as much is
perseverance and dedication.
Harper Collins: Internal Consultant
At Oxford, I was Fashion Editor at the OxfordStudent and
decided I wanted to work in fashion magazines.
After interning for Tatler, Brides, and Sunday Times I found
that none of these were for me, which left me at something
of a loss.
I joined Danone as a Marketing Intern. I learned a huge
amount, from managing budgets and creating TV adverts,
to doing consumer research and developing new products.
Pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the business
and marketing side, I figured that if I could get passionate
about the products I was working with, I could really enjoy
this line of work.
I left to complete an MSc in European Studies at LSE and
applied to the HarperCollins Graduate Scheme, starting
in 2013. I gained experience in core function, including
Editorial, Marketing, Sales, PR, and Finance through six
3-month placements across the varied imprints and
business divisions.
I now work as a sort of in-house consultant, using all of
my experience, including the skills I learned at Danone. I
am supporting all the divisions, working on creative and
technological innovations to help the business grow.
Reflections: I never thought I would want to work in
publishing – I was more interested in writing. Now I revel in
being part of a big machine that allows fantastic content to
reach millions of readers.
Advice: Publishing is a very social, interconnected industry,
so the more contacts you make, the better position you’re in
for the future.
And it helps if you really like books, so keep reading too.
Advice: It’s OK to not know what the next step is, as long
as you put your all in to what you’re doing presently – learn
everything you can from the most unusual tasks, figure out
what you love to do and what you hate to do, and use that
to filter down to the career that’s right for you.
“All careers evolve. Learning from experience
and being open to the possibility of change is an
important part of that, whether you stay within
a single field or move between different areas.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 15

B
DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
TALKING WITH CONTACTS
AND NETWORKING
Mention ‘networking’ and many people would rather avoid
the topic. However, networking can be a really powerful
way to learn about industries, meet fascinating people,
uncover hidden opportunities (like jobs or internships), and
develop your own skills. It’s something everyone can and
(we would argue) should do.
Networking is about making and maintaining contact with
people, and building relationships that potentially help all
involved. Just as your network of friends can lead to social
opportunities, so a network of professional contacts can
lead to work opportunities. Talking with someone studying
at Oxford might have helped inform your decision to apply;
talking with someone active in the professional sphere
can be a good way of informing your career choices. You
can learn more about a particular field or organisation, a
particular job and whether that kind of work might suit you.
It’s also estimated that a majority of jobs – and a high
proportion of work experience opportunities – are not
formally advertised. This makes sense. Think about what
you might do if you needed help at short notice in your
JCR/MCR or student society - and you know someone who
could do it - you might just ask them if they are interested
rather than advertising it more widely. It’s the same in the
world of work.
Emily Roberts
Associate in Equity Research
at Deutsche Bank
“
The best way to get a job is to
network (for want of a better
word!). Go to events. Meet people.
Follow up with them. Remind them
who you are – they may have
met hundreds of candidates that
day (“we spoke about ABC”, for
example). I never realised how
important the connections I made
on the recruitment events were
going to be for my future career.
”
HOW AND WHEN DO I
NETWORK?
Networking can happen anywhere, at any time. It does
not have to be a formal Networking Event - you can make
professional contacts and have interesting conversations when
at college, careers or student society events in Oxford and
elsewhere. Or you might start networking online through a
conversation with someone on Twitter, being introduced to ‘a
friend of a friend’ on Facebook, or connecting directly through
LinkedIn.
The medium doesn’t matter: online or face-to-face, networking
is all about being respectful and genuine. People are generally
willing – even flattered - to share their experience with those
who are genuinely interested, and often enjoy giving advice
and insider tips. If you meet someone doing something you
think sounds like a really ‘great job’ and wonder how they
‘got so lucky’ – try asking them! Or if the ‘dream’ seems out of
reach, ask for advice on what experience, roles or further study
might provide a stepping stone to move you closer to your
ultimate goal.
In fact, when networking you may find that you have something
to offer in return and both parties feel like they’ve benefited
from the interaction. Perhaps you gain knowledge and insights,
while they find satisfaction in helping you; you learn about a
great industry website, and they hear about an Oxford event
relevant to their line of work. And of course, letting people know
about you, your skills and interests may lead to opportunities.
WHO COULD I NETWORK WITH?
]]
Oxford alumni (your tutors and your college alumni office
may be able to give tips on who to contact).
]]
Contacts of people you know (ask friends/relatives/
tutors for introductions).
]]
People you’ve worked with, or contacted on behalf of a
society/committee.
]]
People you research online and then approach
speculatively.
]]
Mentors in the Oxford Careers Network: for access, use
your Single Sign On at www.careers.ox.ac.uk/OCN
WHAT RESOURCES COULD I USE?
The Careers Service brings scores of companies and hundreds
of representatives (many of them alumni) to Oxford specifically
to talk with you about who they are, what they do, and the
application process. Use our events listings on CareerConnect
(p.5) to find the Carers Fairs, company presentations and events
we offer in the fields you are most interested in: the door is
open, so gather your courage and your questions and join the
conversation.
Lady Margaret Hall
Experimental Psychology, 2011
16
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

LINKEDIN
The biggest professional social network, with powerful search
tools. With a free account, try:
]]
Adding details to your profile: university, experiences, a list
of skills, languages.
]]
Adding professional contacts you know (anyone you’d be
happy to introduce to a future colleague if they asked).
]]
Seeking out Oxford alumni (over 140,000 and rising) in
industries, organisations and roles you are interested in.
]]
Joining groups for sectors of interest – to browse job
discussions, or to post a question. Join the Oxford Careers
Service and Oxford Alumni groups!
]]
Asking for introductions if you have a shared a connection
with someone it would be useful to talk to.
]]
You might also want to try alternative sites like Academia.
edu (academia), or ResearchGate, or Hiive (creative).
DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
OXFORD CAREERS NETWORK
The Oxford Careers Network provides career profiles of hundreds
of volunteer alumni across dozens of industries. This searchable
database enables you to find out more about careers in a sector, a
type of job, or a specific organisation. Many alumni are also happy
for students to email them through the OCN system or to provide
mentoring to current students: information on how to contact an
alumnus is included in each profile. Use your Oxford Single Sign On
to access the OCN at www.careers.ox.ac.uk/OCN
FINDING OTHER LEADS
Social media is of course alive with opportunities, not
least because as many organisations now use Facebook
and Twitter as key communication tools for promoting
themselves, increasingly using it to advertise competitions,
presentations and events, open days and even posting fulltime
and internship opportunities.
Connect online – but remember to set your privacy settings
carefully and have a profile picture that doesn’t alarm
potential employers.
B
WHAT DO I SAY? EMAIL/ SOCIAL NETWORK MESSAGE
To: alumni91@college.ox.ac.uk
From: Juliet.bloggins@college.ox.ac.uk
Subject: Advice from current student on [as [sector/job function].
Dear [Name]
I’m a [second year/finalist] at [college] here in Oxford and I’m interested in working in/
as [sector/job function].
I’ve been developing my ideas [briefly reference relevant courses/websites/societies/
reading …] and John Caruthers suggested that you might be willing to share your
experience in the field. I would truly appreciate a few minutes of your time to discuss
your insights into [the work or role/their company/how best to prepare...]. Perhaps we
can meet for a 10 minute chat/arrange a time to speak by phone/skype …
I know that you might be busy and if it will not be possible to [meet/speak] I fully
understand. Thank you for considering my request, and if there is anyone else
you’d recommend I contact to learn about the sector, I would greatly appreciate an
introduction.
If you don’t have
a direct email
address, try an
organisation’s
generic email
address, writing
to ‘FAO [name of
contact]’, politely
asking for it to be
forwarded
Make a
connection so
your contact
understands who
you are and how
you found them.
With best wishes
Signed ……
Build your credibility and show
you are serious by briefly outlining
relevant research, and explaining
where you identified them as a
potential contact. Perhaps the
College alumni office, their entry
in the Oxford Careers Network or
LinkedIn.
A reference from someone they
know can be a powerful incentive
to respond, but check first with your
source that they are happy for you to
use their name.
Asking for advice or information is
useful – it’s free to give and people
are usually happy to share what they
know. It also covers many possibilities,
including where to find information,
insider views on careers, tips for
getting in, other potential contacts and
even unadvertised jobs.
Explain what you are most interested
in. Try to be specific so they
understand what you hope for and
can judge whether they can help
you – if you ask a vague question,
you will get a vague answer, or none
at all.
Suggest a way forward, and
be specific about what you are
expecting: 10-15 minutes is realistic
for a first chat or call.
Show respect for their time, keep it
polite and positive and keep the door
open to future contact.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 17

B
DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
18
TWITTER: Use the search facility to find people who mention
their employment or university in their profile and send
a short, publicly visible, question to someone asking for
their tips or advice. See who prominent individuals or
organisations ‘follow’ to give you other ideas about who to
contact.
FACEBOOK: Post a message to your personal contacts
letting them know what you are most interested in and
asking for recommendations for people to contact. As with
LinkedIn, you might also find relevant groups to join.
Increasingly, you can also follow recruiters’ pages to find out
about events and competitions, vacancies and deadlines
and follow current employees. Some employers (eg, the Fast
Stream Civil Service) have used Facebook to invite questions
from prospective applicants: a different Fast Streamer logs
on each day to answer them.
INDUSTRY WEBSITES: Many employer websites include
‘about us’ or ‘staff team’ pages where you can learn more
about who works there (sometimes there is also an email
address). You might be able to contact people directly to
ask for advice, but if their email address isn’t published,
you could email the generic address you find with ‘FAO’ (For
Attention Of) and the name of the person you’ve researched
at the top.
In fact, you can generate potential leads from all sorts of
sources. As you get into your sector and company specific
research, check who was quoted in the article that caught
your attention in that industry journal. Who wrote it? Who
were the speakers at that conference you heard about? ….
BUILDING YOUR
OCCUPATIONAL AWARENESS
Possible career directions
It can be useful to examine what Oxford students do after
completing their degrees to gain an initial overview of the
breadth of choices open to you. To go beyond the outline
provided here, use the Careers Service’s webpages on
‘What alumni have done’ to examine the early career
destinations for over 21,000 Oxford graduates from all
courses and research alumni destinations from different
courses by industry sector, the roles they take on and
average salaries too.
Work 54%
Work and study 7%
www.careers.ox.ac.uk
Further study 28%
(Undergraduates 35%)
(Post-graduates 19%)
Unavailable 5%
Unemployed 6%
Further Study
A large proportion of Oxford leavers go on to further study – in
fact, a significantly higher proportion than for other major UK
universities. More than 1 in 3 undergraduates, and nearly 1 in
5 post-graduates, choose the further study route. The Careers
Service can provide support and advice on further study –
from finding courses to assisting with application forms and
advising on potential funding sources or studying abroad. Turn
to pages 22-23 for more information on the possible options
and planning for further study.
Using our ‘Destinations of Leavers from
Higher Education’ (DLHE) Data:
Our annual DLHE survey collects information from students six
months after leaving Oxford. The Careers Service’s website
contains a full, interactive set of anonymous destination data
from the past four years for you to explore: www.careers.
ox.ac.uk/dlhe.
Use these data to find out much more information about
destination trends by sector, as well as by role within sectors.
You can explore the data using different criteria, including:
]]
Department and course of study.
]]
Job titles.
]]
Salary information.
]]
Location of employment.
]]
Differences by gender.
Further study is a prerequisite for some careers and
highly desirable for others. However, for many careers it is
unnecessary and may make no difference to either your entry
point or starting salary, so consider carefully what benefits you
hope to gain from undertaking another degree against the
time and costs required.
Occupational sectors
Careers are often labelled according to the industry sector
they are based in and also by the job function or role. The
second half of this Guide (pp.56-168) provides short industry
introductions and company listings covering over 20 major
industry sectors that students enter on leaving Oxford. More
detailed briefings with links to additional key resources for
these sectors and others can be found on The Careers Service
website: www.careers.ox.ac.uk/SECTORS-OCCUPATIONS
Careers Service industry sector
briefings online cover:
]]
About this Sector.
]]
Entry Points.
]]
Skills Needed.
]]
Gaining Experience.
]]
Getting a Job.
]]
Our Resources.
]]
External Resources.

DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
B
Research & Development 6%
Publishing & Libraries 1%
Other Sectors 4%
Media and Journalism 2%
Law 5%
IT & Computing 4%
HR & Recruitment 1%
Health & Social care 9%
Acadaemia & HE 15%
Accountancy
& Financial Services 4%
Advertising, Marketing
& Communication 2%
Banking & Investment 6%
Charity & Development 4%
Consultancy 4%
Government, Order & Policy 6%
Engineering & Manufacturing 3%
Energy & the Environment 2%
Consumer goods & Retail 4%
Culture, Sport and Leisure 4%
Education 13%
For Oxford students who went into work
on leaving the University, the piechart
(above) shows the percentages that
entered different industry sectors. Because
banking, finance, consulting, and legal
firms tend to be the most prominent
recruiters around Oxford (see overleaf
for reasons why) it’s possible to get the
impression that ‘most’ leavers start their
careers in these ‘City’ sectors. However, a
quick glance at the graph helps to dispel
this myth:
]]
By far the most popular sectors
entered by Oxford’s students are
‘Education’ (mainly as school teachers)
and ‘Academia & Higher Education’
(mainly as researchers).
]]
Similar numbers enter ‘Government
& Policy’ or ‘Scientific Research and
Development (R&D)’ careers as go
into the ‘Banking & Investment’,
‘Consulting’, ‘Financial Services’ and
‘Law’ sectors – each attracting only 4%
to 6% of the 61% of leavers entering
work.
The data presented here include people
who studied undergraduate degrees,
Masters courses and DPhils at Oxford,
so please be aware that it may be easier
to enter some sectors with postgraduate
qualifications. Do more research and talk
to a Careers Adviser if you are unsure of
your chances.
Occupational roles
The piechart (above) provides only
one side of the story about first career
choices. Alongside the industry
that someone starts working in, it is
important to understand that graduates
join organisations in a wide variety of
functional roles. So, for example, the 4% of
Oxford graduates who entered the Charity
& Development sector will include people
working in marketing, accounting and IT
roles within not-for-profit organisations or
who work as analysts or social carers. Or,
the 1% of starters in the HR & Recruiting
industry will likely see people filling
account management, sales and web
development roles in greater numbers
than those employed in an actual HR
function.
As such, it is important to remember that
if you are interested in, for example, a
career in computing you should not limit
your career search to the ‘Computing &
IT’ sector because 40% of IT professional
work in other sectors. In fact, no matter
what your interests, you could consider
researching all sectors for opportunities:
you may be surprised at the possibilities
you find.
Changes in direction
It is also true that careers develop over
time and whatever direction you start
out in does not tie you to that industry or
function for life. It is quite natural for your
ideas to develop and change as you gain
experience and find new interests, or as
new opportunities present themselves.
Experience is often the best way to make
decisions, and a change of career doesn’t
mean wasted time: most of your skills will
be transferable to other careers.
The alumni profiles included in the industry
sections of this Guide demonstrate the
reality that shifts in career direction are
quite common, and that even a radical
change of direction is very possible.
Whilst the Careers Service only tracks
leavers’ initial career directions with any
accuracy, we have surveyed alumni
ten years after leaving. This revealed
that on average alumni had worked for
three employers since leaving Oxford
and confirmed that the sector they were
working in after ten years could be very
different from the sector they initially
entered.
In recognition of the fact that careers are
not fixed, the Careers Service provides
access for alumni to the majority of our
events and services for life. We also have
a Careers Adviser specifically working with
alumni who can advise on decisions and
strategies for managing career change.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 19

B
DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
20
OVERVIEW OF THE
GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT
MARKET
This section provides a quick introduction to the main routes
open to you if you are looking to move into work.
The industry sector briefings contained in the second half
of this Guide (pp.56-168) provide a short introduction to
some 20 industry sectors that students enter on leaving
Oxford. Each briefing also includes profiles from Oxford
alumni, ideas for how to develop relevant skills and
advice on the recruitment processes in that sector. These
briefings are supported by listings from some of the major
graduate employers who provide full-time and internship
opportunities in the sector.
You may notice that certain sectors contain many more
advertised listings: notably Accountancy, Banking &
Investment, Consultancy and Law – sometimes called ‘The
City’ sectors. This is despite the fact that they account for only
about 20% of the initial careers of Oxford graduates who go
into paid work. The same companies tend also to be highly
visible during Michaelmas term recruiting. There are a few
reasons that underpin this apparent imbalance.
]]
In some sectors (such as Media, Retail, FMCG, and
Energy) a few big organisations dominate the market.
These are often household names and students
find their graduate opportunities unaided - think
BBC; Google; John Lewis; Shell and Unilever – so the
organisation feels less need to advertise widely. In
contrast, large City firms can have significant graduate
programmes but are not necessarily well known and
have a greater need to promote themselves.
]]
Smaller organisations generally have less predictable
recruitment needs and smaller recruitment budgets.
They will hire into specific graduate-level positions, but
may not have a ‘graduate programme’ to promote and
will advertise individual jobs as and when positions
arise throughout the year.
]]
In some sectors – for example, Advertising, Arts
& Heritage, Charities, International Development,
Marketing & PR and Media & Journalism – only a
limited number of ‘graduate schemes’ exist and much
of the recruitment is done through the network of people
known to the company, for example as volunteers
(Charities), runners (TV) or field workers (Development).
Gaining relevant experience and visibility through
volunteering and paid or unpaid internships tends to be
very important and direct approaches and speculative
applications are often expected in these industries.
Whatever direction you choose, The Careers Service can
offer support and impartial advice, and we will not push you
in any particular direction. We can advise on all the different
ways that you can use to find work, depending on the sector
and size of organisation you’re interested in.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk
Graduate training programmes
Large organisations that recruit a number of graduates and
interns each year often have structured training schemes.
These often last from one to two years and combine ‘rotations’
- a succession of roles in different parts of the organisation
– with formal training, allowing you to gain both a broad
introduction to the firm and its industry and a range of
experience and specific skills.
Applications are normally accepted during the so called
‘Milkround’ recruitment season during Michaelmas Term,
for start dates the following July to September. An increasing
number open applications before the start of Michaelmas
Term, even as early as July – check the relevant industry sector
briefings for further information.
The Careers Service holds most of its careers fairs in October
and November to coincide with this recruitment cycle. These
are an excellent opportunity to meet a wide range of recruiters,
managers and alumni face to face, to find out more about
their work, and to impress them with your interest in their
organisation. Similarly, many employers also hold individual
company presentations and recruitment events in Oxford to
outline their graduate schemes in more detail and allow you to
ask questions and meet key people from the firm.
Use the calendar (pp.6-7) and the ‘Events’ listings on
CareerConnect to find timings and locations and start to plan
your approach early. Keep up to date through the employers’
websites and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for the
latest news.
JULIET TOMLINSON
Careers Adviser
Delve beneath the surface of
the rotational ‘grad schemes’
offered by many large graduate
recruiters to discover the
wealth and variety of career
opportunities they open up. The
retail sector is a great illustration
where you may quickly progress
to managing a huge business,
become a specialist in buying,
merchandising or logistics or
enter a core business function
such as finance, HR, marketing
or IT.
“
”
Individual graduate roles
The major graduate programmes are only a small part of
the total graduate employment market. Most graduates are
recruited to specific positions rather than onto formal graduate
schemes, with roles generally advertised one to three months

DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
B
before a job commences. These opportunities can be found
in all types of organisations, including the big employers who
also run graduate schemes.
Graduate jobs can be advertised widely, including The Careers
Service’s vacancy database on CareerConnect (p.5) as well
as national graduate sites like Prospects, TARGETjobs and
Milkround. Also, leading news outlets (such as Guardian
Jobs) are often used to advertise entry-level positions, and
there are professional bodies, specialist media channels and
recruitment boards in the majority of industry sectors. Nearly
all organisations will also advertise current vacancies on their
own websites and, increasingly, on social media.
Unadvertised roles
A significant number of job vacancies are not advertised;
instead, employers recruit people they know or who have
approached them directly.
In certain sectors, networking (pp.16-18) is almost part of
the application process. It can help you understand the
industry you are interested in, find the appropriate people
to contact next and help you research and uncover possible
opportunities. There are many places you can start, but one
idea is to search the archive of jobs previously posted on
CareerConnect to identify companies that have sought to
recruit Oxford graduates in the past.
Speculative applications can get results, particularly for gaining
work experience, which can also build your network. They
work best when they are well researched and tailored to meet
an employer’s needs. Multiple mailings of a stock CV are
unlikely to yield positive results.
Recruitment agencies
Recruitment agencies help organisations recruit staff for a
fee (charged to the company, not the applicant). They often
specialise in placing people in specific sectors and can be an
extremely effective way of finding work, particularly if you have
relevant experience. However, because many organisations
advertise vacancies both on their own websites and through
an agency, the hiring firm has a financial incentive to take
candidates who apply direct rather than candidates of equal
calibre sourced by an agency. So, if you are working with an
agency, it is important to remain actively involved in your own
job search and to continue to check employers’ website and
other sources for vacancies.
Finding internships & work experience
Work experience generally, and summer internships
specifically, are increasingly important for securing a full-time
offer. A High Fliers 2015 survey confirmed that across the
top 100 graduate employers, nearly one in three positons
will be taken by graduates who have already worked for the
organisation: our experience suggests that in some sectors
more than two in three positions are filled from a company’s
intern programme.
Many of the companies that offer Graduate Training
Programmes also offer internship opportunities, sometimes
specifically targeted at penultimate year students. In
addition, the Careers Service sources hundreds of
internships in locations around the world exclusively open
to Oxford students through the Oxford University Internship
Programme (OUIP) – see page 35 - and the Oxford Hub
offers an Ethical Internship scheme for you too.
There are many different ways to gain relevant work
experience, and potential routes for arranging shorter term
engagements - including speculative approaches. For
ideas, see the:
]]
Chapter on Gaining Experience and Developing Skills
(pp.26-35).
]]
Advice covering Application Essentials (pp.38-53).
]]
Advice on Networking (pp.16-18).
]]
In addition to our industry focused Fairs, the Careers
Service hosts two Internship Careers Fairs: one in
Michaelmas, and one in Trinity.
Finding work in specific UK locations
Recruitment at Oxford may appear London-centric, and
indeed geography and reputation mean that many Londonbased
recruiters target Oxford students. However, major
organisations have regional offices around the UK, and
you often have a choice of location with graduate schemes.
Thousands of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
offer graduate jobs too, and the websites of professional
bodies usually list the location of SMEs in their particular
industry.
Some sectors – such as Education, and Health & Social Care
– provide opportunities across the country, while others can
be clustered in certain areas. Manchester is increasingly
known as a creative hub, whilst Cambridge has a reputation
as ‘Silicon Fen’ for having many computing start-ups –
Oxford itself is particularly good for science, health and
publishing jobs, and has a vibrant and growing tech sector:
‘Silicon Spires’ perhaps? In Hilary Term 2014, The Careers
Service held its first ‘OX Postcode Fair’ to highlight the wide
range of local opportunities.
You can search CareerConnect – and other online graduate
job boards – by region. You can find jobs in Scotland, Wales
and Northern Ireland on www.s1jobs.com, www.gowales.
com and www.gradireland.com respectively. Inevitably,
most jobs advertised in the UK are for UK positions, whilst
Advice on working in different coutries and UK Visas follows
on pages 23-25, or arrange to see a careers adviser at The
Careers Service for advice if you’re considering working
abroad.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 21

B
DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
FURTHER STUDY
With nearly a third of Oxford’s leavers continuing into further
study, The Careers Service’s website includes guidance
specifically focused on issues to consider when looking at
these options, and you’re welcome to talk with a Careers
Adviser when exploring your options or weighing up
alternative decisions.
Types of further study
]]
Taught courses may be academic or vocational, and
range from taught Masters programmes (e.g. MSc, MA)
to certificates and diplomas leading to specific careers
(e.g. PGCE for teaching, GDL for law).
]]
Research degrees allow you to investigate your chosen
subject in depth, leading to a dissertation or thesis.
Research Masters degrees (e.g. MRes) last one or two
years; doctoral degrees (e.g. PhD, DPhil) take three
or four years, and can take much longer in some
countries.
]]
Masters in Business Administration (MBAs) combine
management theory with practical experience, and are
generally appropriate for those who already have some
experience in the workplace.
]]
Second undergraduate degrees may be useful in some
circumstances, but bear in mind that most careers do
not require a specific degree subject, and funding for
courses at a similar level may be hard to find.
Choosing a course
There are several course search engines listed in our
guidance on What to Study on the website. Other useful
sources that can help you identify and narrow your choices
include:
]]
Asking your Oxford tutors for their recommendations.
]]
Looking at destination statistics for each course.
]]
Using academic literature to identify active research
groups for your specialism.
]]
Talking to people working in your sector of interest for
their opinion on whether further study – or a specific
course – would be useful in a particular career. See
pages 16-18 for advice on connecting with people.
]]
Assessing the reputation of the university and
the individual department or the course you are
considering:
• University rankings are widely available, for
example, on the Times Higher Education, Top
Universities, and Shanghai Ranking websites
• Read quality assessments for UK institutions at
www.qaa.ac.uk.
• Grades for the assessments of individual
departments’ research are available at www.ref.
ac.uk (from December 2014) and www.rae.ac.uk
(pre-2014 assessments).
Fees and funding
UK tuition fees vary enormously, from around £4,000 to many
times that amount. International students pay significantly
higher fees. The cost of living varies too, but a general guide
would be £8,000 to £13,000 a year. Self-funding is the reality
for many graduate students: using savings, family support
or loans is commonplace. Student loans of up to £10k will be
available for those who are up to 30 years of age and who
are UK and EU citizens on taught masters courses in 2016/17.
It is expected that the new loans will be repaid concurrently
with undergraduate loans, and be income contingent (start
repaying at salaries above £21k). There are also several ways
to get external funding.
]]
Research Councils (see www.rcuk.ac.uk) fund some UK
PhDs and some Masters courses by allocating funds
to Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs) or departments to
distribute to eligible candidates. Research Council awards
are most common in science and engineering subjects,
and extremely competitive in the arts and humanities. Talk
to potential departments or DTCs about the availability of
these awards.
]]
Scholarships are listed on the graduate admission pages
of university websites. Check eligibility criteria carefully,
and note that scholarships will often require a separate
application with a different closing date.
]]
Graduate assistantships, and other opportunities to teach
or conduct research in your department or college, may
provide additional income. In the US they are a common
way to fund study. Discuss opportunities with departments
of interest.
]]
Sponsorship or employer support is relatively rare, but not
unheard of in scientific and engineering disciplines (eg,
Industrial CASE awards – via Research Councils – and
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at www.ktponline.org.uk).
Studying abroad
Higher education is an international marketplace. You might
be tempted by lower fees charged in certain countries, by the
opportunity to improve your language skills, by a particular
resource, or by a centre of academic excellence in your
subject. Many universities in Europe offer courses taught in
English, so there may still be options for you even you are not
bilingual.
Education systems vary enormously from country to country,
including the timing of the academic year. Therefore,
application schedules will vary, so research the differences
carefully. There are useful country-by-country overviews at
www.prospects.ac.uk and on GoingGlobal via CareerConnect.
The Careers Service also publishes its own information sheets
on postgraduate study outside the UK, including separate
advice on options for study in the USA, available through our
Further Study pages online.
22
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
B
Futher study FAQs
Do I have to do a Masters degree before a PhD?
Not always: it is possible to go straight on to a PhD
programme from a first degree course. This is common
in science and engineering in the UK, and some PhDs
have a Masters year of taught courses built in. However,
in many continental European countries a Masters
degree is required to begin a PhD. Even in the UK, most
arts, humanities and social science students complete a
Masters degree before embarking on their PhD.
Will I need to have a first?
Most courses ask for at least a 2:1 class degree or
equivalent, and many graduates with 2:1s successfully
apply for further study. However, a first class degree
might increase your chances when applying for popular
courses, and may help you secure funding.
What is a doctoral training centre?
Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs) bring together leading
researchers with diverse areas of expertise, in order to
train postgraduate students. DTCs may be based wholly
in one university, or operate as partnerships between
a number of universities. They offer four-year PhD
programmes with training in technical and transferable
skills, alongside the usual research element. DTCs are
commonly related to Engineering, Physical Science,
Economics and Social Research. Applications are made
direct to DTCs, with deadlines ranging from November
to April, and funding is dependent on meeting eligibility
criteria. See the EPSRC and ESRC websites for details.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about
this sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/what-to-study
WORKING IN DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES
You may decide to work outside your home country as
part of a career with international postings, as time out
after your studies, or as a planned long-term emigration.
Opportunities are numerous and many Oxford graduates
eventually work internationally.
Consider your motivations carefully, and research your
options thoroughly to understand what opportunities are
available. You will need to be aware of requirements in
terms of languages and qualifications and to investigate
any work restrictions: visa options for working in the UK
are outlined on page 25.
Jobs with international opportunities
Multinational companies, multilateral organisations,
international development agencies and diplomatic
services may all offer secondments or transfers to their
international offices after a period of time, or as part of
graduate training. Talk to organisations of interest to assess
your chances of gaining an international posting if you
work for them. If you have wanderlust, there are a number
of recruiters who have graduate programmes that are
explicitly intended to give international experience. Often
these require fluency in more than one language, and/
or extreme flexibility regarding job location. Examples of
such recruiters can be found in many different sectors,
and include WPP (marketing), Heineken, RWE (energy), TUI
Travel, Swire House (logistics) the InterContinental Hotels
Group, and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI).
If you are seeking short-term work in another country, and
an opportunity to experience international environments,
apply to The Internship Programme run by The Careers
Service (p.35), which provides opportunities for current
Oxford students in a wide range of different countries.
Time out after your studies
You might be thinking of taking some time out to travel
after graduating – which can often be funded by working
simultaneously. Depending on your nationality, there are
a number of visa schemes to help you gain short-term
employment outside your country of citizenship. Check with
the embassy of your destination to find out more, and see
the website Anywork Anywhere for many examples and
further resources: www.anyworkanywhere.com
People fluent in English are in demand as teachers all
around the world, and Teaching English as a Foreign
Language (TEFL) is a popular option for experiencing life
in another culture. It can also become a longer-term
international career. Generally, more developed countries
are more likely to require formal TEFL qualifications and
experience. Schemes such as the Japan Exchange and
Teaching Programme (JET) will both train you and provide
employment.
Other options exist for volunteering/work experience where
you receive bed & board: eg, British Council teaching
positions, VSO; WWOOF; Work Away. See the advice on
Gaining Experience and Developing Skills: Volunteering
(p.31) for details.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 23

B
DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
Longer term emigration
Some major employers and international organisations
recruit globally, and if you have the right skills they can
recruit you directly into the location you apply for. Others
may be willing to sponsor visas for successful candidates,
but you should always check before applying. Unless you
qualify for residence, you may need to renew your visa
regularly, sometimes by returning to your home country.
Some countries offer visas to fill specific skills shortages.
National recruitment organisations such as ‘Contact
Singapore’ often advertise these positions. If you have
ambitions to work abroad eventually, it is worth bearing in
mind that vocational qualifications are not all internationally
transferable. You will not, for example, be able to teach
in a state school in France with a British teacher training
qualification. Research the transferability of qualifications
via professional bodies, specialist publications, and
embassies.
Employers at Oxford
The Careers Service’s International Careers Day takes
place in Hilary Term, and brings together a range of
organisations with international opportunities, while many
multinational firms visit Oxford’s UK-centred fairs. If you
are interested in working for one of their global offices, ask
their UK representatives how you can apply to work for the
firm in your home or a different country. There are also a
number of international employers who visit Oxford to give
recruitment presentations (and who sometimes conduct
interviews here), so check CareerConnect’s online events
calendar regularly for details.
Virtual Careers Fairs and recruitment
agencies
As well as events organised by The Careers Service, there
are many other fairs that take place throughout the world
organised by international recruitment organisations. Some
take place in London, and others are ‘virtual’ and held
online. Look out for details of these on The Careers Service’s
blog and e-newsletter.
A number of agencies and governmental organisations
provide information and advice on working in particular
countries. For example, EURES (ec.europa.eu/eures)
provides information and advice for those seeking work
across the EU. These organisations – and others like them –
sometimes come to Oxford to update students on the latest
recruitment trends around the world.
International networking
Take opportunities while you are in Oxford to develop your
language skills and intercultural awareness by joining relevant
international student societies. Employers may contact
international student societies to advertise in-country roles.
Alumni from Oxford live all over the world, and are often happy
to give advice to current students. Use the Oxford Careers
Network, your college alumni office, or LinkedIn to connect
with them, or contact international alumni branches via their
websites or Facebook groups. See pages 16-18 for further
information on effective networking.
Working back in your home country
If you are planning to return to your home country after your
studies in Oxford, use the resources and tips described
above to research your options and stay in touch with
relevant opportunities and developments. In many countries,
employers’ recruitment methods are very different from
those in the UK. Recruitment may happen according to a
different timetable, application processes may vary, and
access to specific opportunities may be more closely related
to your degree than in the UK. If you are an international
student looking to work at home, maintain links with your
home country by networking, keeping in contact with friends
at university there, and joining national student societies at
Oxford for further networking opportunities.
Online resources
Online databases provide a vast array of resources to aid
job-seeking in most countries. Many are referenced on The
Careers Service’s website. Some examples you can search for
include:
]]
The Careers Service’s vacancy database on CareerConnect
frequently holds job postings placed by international
recruiters (p.5).
]]
GoingGlobal – an external resource that you can access
via The Careers Service website with your Oxford Single
Sign On, featuring profiles of 38 countries. You can
also access a directory of employers, and search for
international vacancies and internships.
]]
VENTURE – a website which covers a wide range of topics
related to living, working and studying abroad.
]]
GradLink – advice and job boards for graduates looking to
return to China, Malaysia, India, Africa and Canada.
]]
Graduate Jobs in Europe – a website showing graduate
employer league tables by country (voted by home
students) and live economic data.
]]
The Careers Group: JobOnline – a source of graduate jobs,
schemes and internships with an international section.
24
www.careers.ox.ac.uk
MORE INFORMATION
If you want find out more, visit:
WWW.careers.ox.ac.uk/GOINGLOBAL
WWW.VENTURE-UK.CO.UK
WWW.GRADLINK.COM
WWW.GRADUATEJOBSINEUROPE.COM
JOBSONLINE.THECAREERSGROUP.CO.UK

DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
B
VISA OPTIONS FOR WORKING IN THE UK
To stay in the UK to work after your studies, overseas students will need permission in the form of
an immigration visa, unless you are an EEA or Swiss national. The rules about working in the UK
are complex and change frequently, so be sure to check for full and up-to-date information.
The University’s Visa and Immigration Advisers give regular talks at the Careers Service on the
current work visa options and can also cover individual queries. Check our event calendar on
CareerConnect for details. Regrettably, The Careers Service’s staff cannot advise on visas.
Up to date information on all your visa options is available through the webpages of:
]]
Oxford University: www.ox.ac.uk/students/visa/work
]]
UK Government: www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
]]
UK Council for International Student Affairs: www.ukcisa.org.uk/International-Students/Thenext-stage/Working-after-your-studies/
TIER 2 VISAS
Under Tier 2, licensed employers can sponsor applicants for a specific graduate-level job. There
are special arrangements for applying in the UK for a Tier 2 visa for recent graduates, and DPhil
students who have completed at least a year of their course. To qualify under this scheme you
must have a suitable job offer from a licensed sponsor, have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship,
and meet financial and language requirements. You will need to discuss with a prospective
employer whether they are willing and able to sponsor you. The salary offered must be both
at the appropriate level for the job and a minimum of £20,800. If you apply under the special
arrangements for students, your employer is exempt from undertaking a Resident Labour Market
Test. It is also possible to apply under Tier 2 later from outside the UK, but this is more restrictive
for both you and the employer.
]]
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA – www.ukcisa.org.uk ) provides useful
information about applying under Tier 2.
]]
You can check whether an employer is a Tier 2 licensed sponsor by looking at the Home
Office’s register (via www.careers.ox.ac.uk/ukba-sponsors).
TIER 4 - DOCTORATE EXTENSION SCHEME
Tier 4 (Doctorate Extension Scheme) allows DPhil students nearing the end of their studies to stay
in the UK for one year to seek and take work, or to be self-employed. You must be sponsored by
the University and apply in the UK before you officially complete your studies.
TIER 1 - GRADUATE ENTREPRENEUR
Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) is for graduates who have a genuine and credible business idea
for development in the UK. Oxford University can usually endorse a maximum of 20 places for
applicants under this system each year. Applications for endorsement are made via The Careers
Service, and the process for making an application will be advertised on The Careers Service’s
website and in its e-newsletter. Consider discussing your business idea with our Entrepreneur in
Residence: see Business Mentoring (p.31).
OTHER OPTIONS
Nationals from some countries may have other access to other routes for working in the UK,
including a scheme for Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK, and the Tier 5
visa (Youth Mobility Scheme), both of which you must apply for from your home country.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 25

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GAINING EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPING SKILLS
GAINING EXPERIENCE
AND DEVELOPING SKILLS
Graduate employers expect you
to have both a solid (predicted)
degree class and strong
employability skills that you have
developed at university.
Nine core employability skills
are listed below with some
suggestions of how to build and
improve expertise while studying
at Oxford. These are required in
many careers and are frequently
called ‘transferrable skills’
because they can be developed
and applied in many different
fields and situations. Additional
job specific skills can be expected
for many roles as well, such as
strong numerical and analytical
skills or specific technical
knowledge or expertise.
Recruiters tell us that they are
generally impressed with the
ability of Oxford students to
display these skills compared to
other graduates. However, they
stress the importance for Oxford
students to find ways to develop
and demonstrate skills that
are not necessarily developed
through your academic
work - especially commercial
awareness and team-work.
To support you, The Careers
Service and OUSU run a number
of programmes to enhance your
experience and work-relevant
skills, including insight schemes,
internships and personal
development programmes. These
are outlined on pages 29-35.
1. INITIATIVE &
PROBLEM-SOLVING
Recruiters want you to be able to
analyse facts and situations, and
generate creative solutions on your
own. Ideas to help you develop this
include:
]]
Organising a unique fundraising
event for a charity.
]]
Helping to increase participation
or membership for an event or
society.
]]
Setting up an Oxford student arm
of a professional organisation or a
charity.
]]
Joining The Student Consultancy or
building a business plan within the
Business Mentoring programme
(p.29).
]]
Developing your own website, or
building one for a student society.
]]
Starting your own society, social
enterprise or small business.
2. COMMUNICATION
Employers want to see that you have
good interpersonal skills, and can
communicate verbally and in writing
– to explain, analyse and persuade.
You can display these skills by:
]]
Persuading guest speakers to
attend a society event you are
helping to organise.
]]
Securing corporate sponsorship
for a club or encouraging alumni
to donate as part of a college
telethon campaign.
]]
Representing an external
organisation as their Oxford
brand ambassador.
]]
Doing work experience in a
customer service role.
]]
Writing a regular blog on
something that interests you.
]]
Contributing articles or reviews
to student publications; or
contributing to Oxide Radio.
]]
Creating publicity materials for a
charity.
]]
Acting as secretary of a student
society or your Common Room.
]]
Debating with the Oxford Union
or the Oxford International
Debating Society.
]]
Volunteering to tutor local school
children.
]]
Creating YouTube presentations
or doing your own podcasts on
something of interest to you.
]]
Representing your peers on
a student-staff consultative
committee, and negotiating
changes to your course.
]]
Volunteering to help with
outreach and access events:
assisting at Oxford open days,
or visiting schools to encourage
students to apply to Oxford.
26
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GAINING EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPING SKILLS
C
NINE CORE EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
3. TEAM WORK
Organisations want to know that you can work in a group to
achieve something tangible. There are many possible ways
you can develop this, including:
]]
Joining a sports team. There are dozens of student-run
sports clubs, and many more for individual colleges. See
www.sport.ox.ac.uk for inspiration.
]]
Getting involved in a choir, orchestra or band – or helping
to produce a play.
]]
Contributing to the decision-making of your Common
Room committee, or a student society.
]]
Choosing to do group project work, if the option is offered
on your course.
]]
Joining The Student Consultancy (p.29), or student led
initiatives for consultancy work in a group, like OxAid,
the Microfinance Initiative, or Oxford Biotechnology
Roundtable.
]]
Completing a Duke of Edinburgh award – designed for
people under 25.
]]
Campaigning with OUSU. Campaigns promote many
good causes, from mental health to racial equality.
]]
Becoming part of the student team that runs Oxford Hub.
4. LEADERSHIP
Employers will want you to have the ability to motivate,
influence and organise others. You can develop this by:
]]
Taking a position of responsibility in your Common
Room or with OUSU.
]]
Producing or directing a play, or organising an event,
such as a ball.
]]
Joining the Oxford University Officers’ Training Corps,
for their leadership development training programme.
]]
Volunteering with youth organisations, such as the girl
guides, scouts, or even a cycling proficiency group!
]]
Offering to help train new staff in a part-time job.
]]
Captaining a sports team, or running a student society.
]]
Leading a team on The Student Consultancy (p.29).
]]
Encouraging students to apply to Oxford.
5. ORGANISATION & PLANNING
Employers will want to see evidence that you can schedule
resources and multi-task to achieve objectives to a deadline.
Outside managing your studies, ideas of how you can develop
this include:
]]
Organising a ball, bop, conference or campaign.
]]
Co-ordinating your Common Room’s annual elections.
]]
Organising a group or event to raise money for charity.
]]
Organising an away-day for a society, or an inter-university
match for a sports club.
]]
Editing a student publication, such as a newspaper,
website or yearbook.
6. SELF-MANAGEMENT
Recruiters will want evidence that you can manage
your own time, are flexible, resilient, and can improve
yourself based on feedback. You can demonstrate this
by:
]]
Doing any extra-curricular activities or part-time
work in addition to your degree. This will signal
to employers that you can balance various
responsibilities and workloads.
]]
‘Up-skilling’ yourself. Why not take a course at
the Oxford Language Centre, or a free computing
course at IT services?
]]
Setting yourself personal goals that require training
to complete, such as running a marathon.
]]
Hitch-hiking (with a friend) to Morocco or Croatia
on an organised charity challenge to raise money
for Link Community Development.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 27

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GAINING EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPING SKILLS
7. COMMERCIAL
AWARENESS
All organisations – including not-for-profits – will want you
to understand the key factors behind successful businesses.
You can develop commercial awareness by:
]]
Organising an event that has to turn a profit, such as a
concert, ball or a college bop.
]]
Joining The Student Consultancy (p.29) to get an insight
into a local business.
]]
Suggesting ways to improve efficiency at work,
resulting in time or cost savings.
]]
Negotiating with a local business to give a discount to
members of a student society you belong to.
]]
Taking part in business case studies workshop run by
The Careers Service.
]]
Joining relevant student societies, such as Oxford
Entrepreneurs, or the Oxford Guild.
]]
Joining the Business Mentoring programme, and
producing a business plan for feedback – or for launch
(p.29).
]]
Taking part in virtual investment competitions online.
]]
Attending the Careers Service’s Insight into Business
programme (p.30).
Daisy bland
Charityworks Programme
Manager – Vanilla
Workplace skills are different
to ‘getting-a-degree-from-
Oxford ‘skills. You’re bright,
sure, but you also need to
be professional, practical,
independent, positive,
approachable and have
common sense.
“
”
”
8. COMPUTING & IT
You could boost your IT ability by:
]]
Enrolling in a free course and learning to do something
new: Oxford’s IT Services offer a wide range of free
course, and free coding workshops are run by
CompSoc and CodeFirst: Girls.
]]
Downloading professional software, such as Adobe
Creative Suite, and seeing how proficient you can
become during the free trial.
]]
Familiarising yourself with another operating system.
]]
Taking online courses to develop greater skill with Excel
or other aspects of Microsoft Office.
And if you are already quite skilled, you could try:
]]
Designing an app.
]]
Making a website for a student society.
]]
Volunteering to help out your college IT officer.
]]
Joining CompSoc, or attending Oxford Geek Night or
a hackathon to meet and learn from developers and
designers.
9. LANGUAGES
You could improve your linguistic skills by:
]]
Organising a language exchange – weekly chats over
coffee – with another student to mutually improve your
language skills.
]]
Seeking an international internship where you can also
use the language.
]]
Learning a new language completely, with a course at
the Oxford Language Centre, or taking classes with the
Japanese society, for example.
Lincoln College, 2008 (See
Daisy’s full profile on page 82).
28
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GAINING EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPING SKILLS
EMPLOYABILITY
PROGRAMMES
The Careers Service and Oxford University Student Union run
several programmes to help students develop and practise key
employability skills.
C
THE STUDENT CONSULTANCY
An innovative and unique programme, The Student
Consultancy (TSC) equips Oxford University students with
consulting skills to help local businesses, charities and
community organisations.
No matter what your career aspirations, you can benefit from
the programme. It’s designed to help you develop the core
employability skills (pp.26-28 ) as you work in a team on a
strategic issue or business problem for a client organisation in
Oxfordshire. The TSC is a rich experience relevant for everyone,
not just those interested in a consulting career, and provides a
vast source of evidence for you to draw on in your applications
and interviews (see Application Essentials, pp.38-53).
Students from all degrees and years participate in the
programme. To date over 1000 students have taken part:
]]
Working on projects across many functions, including
market research, promotion and publicity, website design
and international expansion.
]]
Working for clients drawn from a broad range of sectors,
including Arts & Heritage, Charities & Social Enterprise,
Retail & Sales, and Computing (to name a few).
]]
Advising organisations of all sizes (large, small and
medium-sized enterprises), including the Bodleian Library,
Centrica, IBM, Modern Art Oxford, Oxfam, Oxford City
Council, OxFizz, and the Playhouse Theatre … and many,
many more.
The progamme runs once a term, with selections in 0th
week and project completion in 8th week; see The Student
Consultancy for more information and details of how to apply.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/TSC
THE WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMME
OUSU’s Women’s Leadership Development Programme runs
throughout Hilary Term, and provides women with the skills
and the confidence to become leaders, and to thrive in a
variety of different environments. Confidence is key because
women disproportionately do not put themselves forward for
leadership positions, whether this is in their professional life, in
activism and student politics, or even in classes and seminars.
The programme also offers the opportunity for women in
diverse fields to make connections and talk frankly about the
challenges that face women in positions of leadership.
“Participating last year increased my confidence
and competency in leading campaigns and I am now
representing 22,000 students on a university level. I
have also gained a valuable network of inspirational
women across Oxford.”
This year the programme is sponsored by Morgan Stanley.
Applications for the OUSU Women’s Leadership Development
Programme open in 6th Week of Michaelmas Term. Contact
Lucy Delaney, OUSU Vice-President (Women) at vpwomen@
ousu.ox.ac.uk for more information.
www.ousu.org/get-involved/WOMEN-IN-OXFORD
THE SPRINGBOARD PROGRAMME
Springboard is based on an award-winning programme for
female professionals, which was adapted for Oxford students
by The Careers Service and the Springboard Consultancy.
“It’s made me excited about everything in my future
that I was so scared of before.”
Run in 9th week of Michaelmas and Hilary Terms, the
programme consists of workshops that help women take
more control over their own lives. You’ll be helped to identify
the clear, practical and realistic steps that you want to take –
in an extraordinarily wide range of situations – and develop
the skills and confidence to take them. Evidence suggests
that women are less likely than men to take this structured
approach.
“Fabulous – I learnt so much and met so many lovely
people. This has improved my confidence more
significantly than anything else I’ve tried.”
The format is tried and tested and has an impeccable track
record. Springboard is sponsored by Blackstone, Improbable,
Oliver Wyman, RBS Group, and Shell.
Look online at www.careers.ox.ac.uk/SPRINGBOARD to find
more information on Springboard and for details of how to
apply.
BUSINESS MENTORING
Do you have a great idea for a new business, social
enterprise or charity? Want to learn more about being
entrepreneurial in the workplace?
Our Entrepreneur in Residence will help you explore if you
are ready, willing and able to start something new. As well
as a review of the skills and knowledge you will need to
succeed, we can help you to prepare a business plan that is
clear and compelling.
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GAINING EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPING SKILLS
The programme is an opportunity to develop transferable
skills such as strategic planning and problem solving as well
as boosting your commercial awareness.
To find out more about our business mentoring service,
contact student.entrepreneur@careers.ox.ac.uk or visit
www.careers.ac.uk/BUSINESS-MENTORING.
(DIS)ABILITY WORKS
(Dis)Ability Works is a series of events run by The
Careers Services designed specifically for disabled
students. Events will be publicised through the
events listings in CareerConnect and session are
likely to include:
]]
The If, When and How of Disclosure.
]]
Careers Bootcamp for Disabled Students – Get
That Job Hunting with a Disability.
]]
Presenting Yourself with Confidence.
INSIGHT INTO …. PROGRAMMES
The Careers Service has established a series
of Insight into … programmes to accelerate
students’ learning and provide direct
experience of the work place and style of
work in different sectors.
Last year, we offered four programmes: Insight into
Education; Medicine; Business; and Policy. For more
information on these programme, including how to
apply, see our webpages on Employability Programmes,
and monitor our blog posts and Events calendar on
CareerConnect to hear about new programmes.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/EMPLOYABILITY-PROGRAMMES
It builds upon and is complementary to your academic
learning. At the end of the programme you will be able
to demonstrate to prospective employers a broader
understanding of business, strategy and finance principles
and apply the learning to cases and interviews. You will
also learn about your personal profile to help with career
choices and development. The programme runs over
three sessions and is open to undergraduate, postgraduate
students and recent alumni.
INSIGHT INTO TEACHING
Whether you are considering a career in teaching or are
just weighing up your options, experience in school can be
very valuable. This programme allows you to spend three
days in a school, observing lessons, shadowing teachers,
and perhaps planning and teaching a lesson. Placements
are available in a wide variety of subjects; in primary and
secondary schools, and sixth-forms, across the statemaintained
and independent sector, and in Oxford and
other locations nationally. Placements take place during
9th week of Hilary and Trinity terms.
“It was very helpful to see how I felt in a
classroom and to talk to teachers and students.”
INSIGHT INTO MEDICINE
If you are thinking about a career in medicine, spending
time shadowing a doctor is extremely important. It can
help you decide whether a medical career is right for
you, and will enhance your UCAS application to medical
school. If you have difficulty arranging your own medical
workshadowing, this programme enables you to spend
a day with a hospital consultant in Oxford. First offered in
2014, this programme runs in 9th week of Michaelmas
and Hilary Terms.
INSIGHT INTO BUSINESS
Our Insight into Business programme is designed to
demystify business and increase understanding of
professional life to help students become ready for
employment.
DANIEL DRODGE
Graduate-Entry Medical Student
– Harris Manchester College
Daniel studied Physics at
Cambridge, 2010.
WHAT: I’m a student on the graduate-entry
medical course in Oxford. You need a decent
amount of healthcare exposure before even
starting to apply, if only to convince yourself that
you’ll be happy working in that environment.
Aim to experience a range of settings: wards,
clinics and GP practices. I was lucky enough
to know current medical students who could
advise me who to contact to arrange this.
“It went really well ... I got to see a lot of
interesting cases and in particular a variety of
different people with very different needs and
communication skills which made it fascinating to
observe how the doctors worked.”
STUDENT PROFILE
GETTING IN: Throughout my application,
The Careers Service were great supporters,
helping me to clarify my reasons for
applying, advising on what to put in the
UCAS personal statement, and arranging
practice interviews.
30
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

]]
An enjoyable experience.
]]
A way to achieve results and
successes (outside an academic
setting).
]]
A chance to try out some potential
career directions.
]]
An excellent opportunity to make
contacts in fields that interest you.
]]
A chance to earn some money.
Work experience is therefore an
opportunity for you to begin to answer
some fundamentally important questions
and to learn from experience what really
interests you, how you like to work, and
what you find most fulfilling. It also has an
important role in building your portfolio
of work-relevant skills - skills that you will
use throughout your life - and enhancing
your employability.
In a study of major graduate employers
(HighFliers 2015), recruiters reported that
around a third of graduate roles are
expected to be filled by those who have
previous experience with the employer.
Moreover, half the recruiters surveyed
warned that graduates with no work
experience were unlikely to be successful
in applying for graduate level jobs in
their organisations. This is because work
experience both:
]]
enables you to enhance and apply
your skills (see pp.26-28 for more on
key employability skills); and
]]
provides evidence of your skills and
achievements that you can highlight
in your applications and talk about
in interviews (see pp.38-53 on
Application Essentials).
There’s lots of work experience that you
can find yourself doing without ever
having formally applied for it: student
committee roles, volunteering, summer
jobs and individual projects. What you’ve
chosen to do already can be a useful clue
as to what other forms of work experience
and ultimately, jobs, might be fulfilling,
as outlined in the earlier section on
Developing Your Career Ideas (pp.10-15).
There’s no ‘one way’ to do work
experience, so think carefully about what
you want to get out of the experience.
GAINING EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPING SKILLS
IDEAS ON GAINING
EXPERIENCE
Work experience can be many things, and is essentially an
opportunity to make good things happen! It can be:
YOU COULD DO AN INTERNSHIP
“A fixed period of pre-professional
experience in an organisation,
usually working on a project or
task and governed by the National
Minimum Wage.”
These might be advertised opportunities
requiring an application, or arranged
with an organisation after contacting
them speculatively. They can take
place at any time of year, but most
advertised opportunities take place
in vacations, particularly the summer.
Some organisations offer internships
purely to provide interested students
with some first-hand experience and
do not expect to hire interns at the end
of the period. Others use internships as
a core part of their recruitment process,
particularly major graduate recruiters,
who often advertise summer internships
for penultimate year students in
Michaelmas Term.
The Careers Service also runs its
own unique scheme – The Internship
Programme – which provides work
experience opportunities for Oxford
students in locations in the UK and
around the world (p.35).
YOU COULD VOLUNTEER
Volunteering is a great way to develop
employability skills and help others at
the same time. As a volunteer you can
work on projects or tasks which still use
and develop your skills, but you have
the added benefit of full flexibility and
negotiable hours. Volunteers don’t get
the National Minimum Wage, but they
also don’t have to give notice and have
no obligation to work any certain hours.
There are several ways you can find
volunteering experience while at Oxford:
]]
OUSU – organises diverse
fundraising activities you can get
involved in, including the annual
RAG campaign. OUSU also wants
volunteers for Target Schools and
other programmes. See
www.ousu.org to get involved.
]]
Oxford Hub – a student-run
organisation that acts as a focal
point for charitable activity in
Oxford. They co-ordinate a variety
of volunteering projects in many
sectors. You can visit their offices
in Turl Street, or find out more at
www.oxfordhub.org.
]]
Do-It – a web-based national
database of volunteering
opportunities. You can search
their website www.do-it.org.uk for
projects in Oxford.
]]
OCVA – Oxford Community and
Voluntary Action is our local city
volunteering hub, with lots of
opportunities available:
www.ocva.org.uk
]]
UN Volunteers (Online) –
international volunteering
opportunities with a development
focus, that you can do on your
laptop. See
www.onlinevolunteering.org.
]]
Consider getting in touch directly
with local organisations with
causes you care about to discover
if there’s something you could help
with, or to suggest a project.
“
FRAN NEWMAN
HR MANAGER, UNILEVER
To do well in the recruitment
process, make sure you’ve got lots
of good examples to talk about –
you really need to use your spare
time well whilst you are at uni’ and
take part in plenty of activities. Also
– and I believe this is absolutely key
– do a part-time job of some sort,
as this demonstrates you can work
with a team, make decisions, or
deal with customers.
”
Hertford College 2004 (see
Fran’s full profile on page 166).
C
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GAINING EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPING SKILLS
HOW RECRUITERS SUPPORT
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
Recruiters are very keen to raise
their profile with applicants from all
backgrounds and to dispel perceptions
that may deter applications (see page
13 and page 40). The best way to
assess whether their projected image
is ‘reality or myth’ is to speak with
current employees. A useful starting
point can be the ‘buddy and mentor’
groups or forums (eg, LGBT and BAME
forums) which many organisations now
promote.
An increasing variety of organisations
are also establishing internship
programmes, Insight Days and
networking events and mentoring
opportunities to encourage a greater
diversity of applications. These will be
focused on groups that an organisation
feels is under-represented in their
employee profile, so check what is
available in the industries that you
are most interested in. There may be
opportunities for those from lower
socio-economic backgrounds or
focused around gender, ethnicity or
sexuality.
You could also explore specialist
organisations that support candidates
from under-represented groups such
as Creative Access, SEO London or
Rare or look for programmes run by
a specific employers, such as the Civil
Service Fast Stream’s Summer Diversity
Internship Programme.
INSIGHT DAYS / OPEN DAYS
Some organisations advertise Insight
Days, giving students talks and tours
at their place of work. These are
often offered to help students who
are interested in the industry make a
more informed application, but are
not offered in all sectors. In a similar
vein, many major graduate recruiters
will run company presentations and
host socials in Oxford (particularly in
Michaelmas Term), where you can
learn about the organisation, their
recruitment processes and meet their
staff – very often recent Oxford alumni
– who can offer valuable insights from
their experiences.
SHADOWING / OBSERVATION
Shadowing is a short period of time
spent observing in a work place,
rather than actively working on a
project or task. Shadowing can help
you assess at first-hand whether a
possible career might suit you, yet you
don’t have to have the skills needed to
actively participate in the workplace.
For this reason, formal shadowing
programmes are often offered in fields
where further training is required, such
as health professions or teaching.
In addition, you can use your time
spent shadowing to enhance your
applications for training, for example,
an UCAS application to medical
school.
It’s actually not difficult to set up
shadowing yourself in any industry.
Contact the organisation or individual
you’d like to observe, and ask! If they
aren’t able to help, you could ask
whether anyone might be willing to
meet with you over coffee to help
you learn more about the work they
do (See Networking/Information
interviews pp. 16-18).
SPRING WEEKS / SPRING
INSIGHT PROGRAMMES
In an increasing range of sectors,
organisations with larger graduate
intakes now run one- or two-week
insight programmes targeted for first
years and second years on a four-year
course. These discovery programmes
often happen around Easter and
usually have their own application
process. In addition to offering
participants industry insights and
the chance to meet recent graduate
recruits, they frequently include
some skills development, advice on
applications and may lead directly
to offers for summer internships in
your penultimate year of study. Some
accept applications in Michaelmas, so
start looking early.
VACATION AND SEASONAL
WORK
Seasonal jobs can provide money,
an insight into an industry and
demonstrate your adaptability and
skills. They are often advertised
in the few months preceding a
vacation. They might be found on
local employment websites, the
organisations own website, through
temping agencies, word-of-mouth or
by signs on organisation premises.
You might also be interested in
organisations which offer seasonal
work abroad (such as Work Away
or WWOOF), some of which run on
an accommodation-for-work (work
exchange) basis.
PERSONAL PROJECT
Depending on your goals, you
might want to generate your own
experience. It could be:
]]
Managing a ‘fantasy fund’ to
demonstrate your passion for
financial markets.
]]
Creating a piece of work to add to
your artistic portfolio.
]]
Starting an entrepreneurial or
charitable endeavour.
]]
Using your technological skills to
code a new website/app/game.
See if there are any local organisations
that might be interested in using
your project to help their work, or
giving it publicity. Working with other
organisations will give you new
contacts and might lead toonward
referrals as well as increasing the
scope for your project. These could all
be added to your CV under ‘Relevant
Experience’ or ‘Projects’.
32
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

faststream.civilservice.gov.uk
Main locations: London, and around the UK.
About us: The Fast Streams are learning and development
programmes for graduates with the potential to become future
leaders of the Civil Service
Opportunities available: Our internship programmes give undergraduates
from diverse backgrounds (BME, SES, Disabled and
LGBT students) a sense of what being on a Fast Stream placement
is like.
• The Early Diversity Internship Programme is open to first
year undergraduates. It provides a 1-week placement (during
the spring holiday) in a government department. You’ll go to
network sessions and skills workshops and will shadow a
Fast Stream participant as they work
• The Summer Diversity Internship Programme puts talented
undergraduates and graduates on a 6 to 9-week work placement
in a government department. You’ll get an insight into
the broad range of opportunities available across the Civil
Service. By the end of the internship you should feel confident
in your ability to apply for the Fast Stream. You’ll do challenging
project-related work such as:
• conducting research
• supporting projects
• assisting on policy documents
• shadowing senior civil servants
• attending meetings with senior advisors on major
issues
• You’ll get a training allowance of up to £350 per week
Application advice: Applications open in October 2015
// Stand out as an
exceptional applicant as
you research and apply
for career opportunities
// Be greatwithdisability
Concerned a disability or
long-term health condition
will affect your chances
of gaining meaningful
employment and embarking
on a rewarding career?
greatwithdisability provides
answers to the challenging
questions you have around
managing your disability in
the workplace.
Our Partners
@gr8withdis // #greatwithdisability // greatwithdisability.com
C
www.rarerecruitment.co.uk
Main location: London
About us: Rare is a diversity firm specialising in helping students
from under-represented ethnic minority and socioeconomic
groups gain jobs with top firms. Rare has won Race for Opportunity,
Black Solicitors’ Network, and Law Society awards in the last
two years.
Opportunities available: We offer our candidates one-on-one
tailored support with applications to our clients, which include
law firms, investment banks, public sector bodies and technology
firms. We also offer a number of intensive development programmes,
such as the award winning Articles programme, which
is sponsored by eleven City law firms, and Codestar, a development
programme for coders in partnership with Google.
Students sought: Students from ethnic minority and lower socioeconomic
groups are encouraged to apply. We welcome students
studying all subjects and in all years of study.
Application advice: Students should apply using the application
form on our website.
www.seo-london.com
Main locations: Our offices are located in London and the majority
of our internships and grad programmes take place in London. We
also offer international placements in Dublin, Ireland, Holzkirchen,
Germany, Basel, Switzerland and New York as well as numerous
UK regional opportunities.
About us: Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) London
provides superior educational support, career access and
unrivalled in-depth training to young people from underrepresented
and under-served backgrounds to help maximise
their opportunities for university and career success.
Opportunities available: Partner firms in the following industries:
Investment Banking, Alternative Investment Managers, Corporate
Law, Engineering, Technology, Professional Services, Consulting,
Advertising, TV, Journalism
Graduates sought: All degree disciplines
Visa sponsorship: We are unable to sponsor visas but many of our
partner firms have this capacity
Graduate salary: Variable
Vacation work: Internships available
Annual Vacancies: 1000+ opportunities
Application advice: Applications are screened on a rolling basis
so apply early by creating and submitting a profile on our careers
website: www.seolondon-careers.com/apply-now
www.careers.ox.ac.uk
33

C
GAINING EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPING SKILLS
Whatever your interest, with more than 400 clubs and societies to choose from, there will be a club
or society for you, whether in music, sport, literature, politics, performing arts, media, faith, national
and cultural groups and much more. The annual OUSU Freshers’ Fair at the start of the first term is
an ideal opportunity to find out what is available. If there isn’t a society you’re interested in, start one
up!
To make the most of the experience, take positions of responsibility, which might include organising
events, managing a team, leading a membership drive or raising money, or improving the use of
technology.
THE RAG NAKED CALENDAR 2015
FT. THE OXFORD BLUES
STUDENT MEDIA
For the past 22 years OUSU has made
it possible for students to learn more
about the media industry by actively
commissioning articles and publishing
magazines, websites and newspapers.
To see how you can get involved, go to
www.ousu.org or check out:
Oxford Student
www.oxfordstudent.com
Oxide Radio
www.oxideradio.co.uk
CAMPAIGNS
Campaigns OUSU has
12 active campaigns
that have been
created by students
to make change
happen in Oxford.
Ranging from minority
representation to
lobbying for certain
issues, there is
something for
everyone.
WOMEN
At Oxford, many student societies
exist that are mainly or entirely
for women. They’re a great way
to network as well as hear from
women in senior positions in
specific careers. These Societies
include Women in Business,
Women in Politics, Women in
Physics, Women in Computer
Science, and OxFEST (Females
in Engineering, Science and
Technology).
OUSU runs the most famous volunteering group at the University:
RAG (Raise and Give). …. fundraising for four student elected
charities each year, the events put on range from the glamorous
OUSU RAG Ball to the exciting Jail Break. Whether you want take part
in or run an event, there is a place for you on:
www.facebook.com/OxfordRAG
34
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

GAINING EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPING SKILLS
C
THE INTERNSHIP
OFFICE
Part of The Careers Service, The Internship Office runs
a unique scheme – The Internship Programme – which
provides work experience opportunities for Oxford
students in locations in the UK and around the world.
The Internship Office also runs other schemes aimed at
specific groups of students to help them to find internship
placements.
THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
The Internship Office’s flagship
programme sources hundreds of
summer internship opportunities in
locations around the globe, all exclusively
available to current, matriculated Oxford
University students. They’re offered in
a wide variety of sectors, and often
come with generous support or travel
scholarships. There are opportunities
suitable for students of all levels of
experience and of all years of study,
from first year undergrads to final year
DPhils. The internships are advertised
from January each year, with application
deadlines from February onwards. You
may not have considered working for a
children’s publisher in Canada or working
for a mergers and acquisition company
in China, yet these are internships offered
by some of the programme’s regular
sponsors.
Possible funded opportunities include:
]]
Internships with world-leading
international development
organisations, such as the UN
Development Programme and
development charities in Africa, Asia
and Latin America.
]]
Professional placements from
multinational organisations like
Sony in Japan and boutique finance
companies around the world.
]]
Scientific research internships with
universities and institutes in Japan,
India, Brazil, Russia, Germany and
China.
]]
Teaching positions in schools around
the world.
]]
A wide range of arts and heritage
internships, from the Hermitage in
St Petersburg to Washington’s Naval
History Museum.
The Internship Programme also offers
access to placements in the UK,
beyond the undergraduate internship
schemes of the major graduate
employers. There are opportunities
in research, the arts, publishing and
charitable work. As ever, the skills of
engineers, computer scientists and
students with numerical skills are much
in demand.
If you want to remain in Oxford over
the summer, the programme aims
to provide many local opportunities
and is increasing the provision
of placements available within
Oxford University itself. We currently
have placements within colleges,
departments, the Bodleian and the
University museums. The Internship
Office tries to ensure that every
placement comes with either a
stipend or assistance with travel or
accommodation. Funding is also
available for some internships. UK
internships advertised through the
programme will be paid at National
Minimum Wage or above if the work is
offered by a company in the for-profit
sector.
THE DOCTORAL INTERNSHIP
PROGRAMME
DPhil students from the Doctoral
Training Centres in Humanities,
Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary
Biosciences may apply to this
programme for funding and dedicated
support to undertake a three-month
internship. Internships can take place
at any time during your studies and
in any sector. The Internship Office
provides access to a database of
internship providers to assist your
search, and can liaise between you
and employers to find an option that
corresponds to your interests.
FIONA WHITEHOUSE
INTERNSHIP OFFICE
MANAGER
“
If you’re not sure what you
would like to do, internships
are a great way of dipping
your toe in the water and
making contacts along the
way, as well as
building your confidence
and looking great on your
CV.
”
MORITZ-HEYMAN INTERNSHIPS
The Moritz-Heyman scholarships for
students from low income backgrounds
include funding set aside specifically for
internships. If you are a Moritz-Heyman
scholar, you can apply for an internship
scholarship at any point during your
undergraduate studies. Contact The
Internship Office for an appointment
to discuss your interests, and they’ll
be happy to assist you in finding an
appropriate internship placement.
MICRO INTERNSHIPS
The micro-internship programme offers
very short-duration projects of defined
scope, in a wide variety of organisations,
from entrepreneurial local businesses
to development charities, and from
scientific laboratories to museums.
Micro-internships are voluntary, full time
work experiences that last between two
to five days in Week 9 of every term.
They consist partly of a defined project
and partly of work shadowing and are
designed to give you a brief introduction
to working in a particular sector.
They are unpaid but travel and lunch
expenses are covered.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk
35

ENVIRONMENT &
ETHICS CAMPAIGN
OUSU’s Environment & Ethics
Campaign focusses on
environmental and social justice
issues.
We meet weekly during term time to
develop our projects.
Anyone can get involved, so why
don’t you join us!
For more information, email:
eande.char@ousu.org
Want to help young bright students apply to
Oxford and learn valuable skills in the process?
Oxford University Student Union’s Target Schools
campaign is working to inspire young people
from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply to
Oxford through shadowing schemes, training,
and roadshows.
By volunteering with Target Schools you will
develop your interpersonal and communication
skills. If you join the organising team for the
shadowing scheme you will learn vast amounts
about teamwork, project management,
leadership, and financial management, in a
context of making an exceptional difference to the
lives of young people.
To get involved, email target@ousu.org
Raise And Give is the Student Union’s
charitable fundraising committee, and
it’s the society that has it all; sports
tournaments, hitch hikes, talent shows,
bungee jumping, Blind Dates, club nights, a
casino, street collections in fancy dress, and
the prestigious RAG Ball, to name a few!
RAG endeavours to orchestrate all this fun
and more in the name of charity and all you
have to do is take part.
Contact rag@ousu.ox.ac.uk to find out
more or go to facebook.com/OxfordRAG
OUSU’s Women’s Campaign, or WomCam, is an
autonomous campaign supported by OUSU. We
are a feminist society that organises events, raises
awareness of issues, and creates a platform for
feminist discussions.
Sitting on the committee provides a great
opportunity to learn lots of useful skills in a friendly
and feminist environment, from chairing meetings
to planning large events.
To find out more about all the great things that
WomCam does, from panels and workshops to
social events, find us at
facebook.com/womcam
or email women@ousu.org or
womensofficer@ousu.org
36
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

THE
CAREERS
SERVICE
C
T H E
S T U D E N T
C O N S U L T A N C Y
Students have the power and
potential to shape a better world.
Oxford Hub supports over 600 students to
volunteer on 49 student-led projects,
inspiring others with over 100 events,
including 3 conferences.
• Get consultancy training
• Work in teams to solve a real
business problem
• Help Oxfordshire organisations
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/tsc
Career development
Personal development
Considering a social impact career?
Check out our Social Impact Internship
Scheme.
!
Find out more at www.oxfordhub.org or email
hello@oxfordhub.org
STAND
FOR
ELECTION
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 37

D
APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
application
ESSENTIALS
38
Good advice on applications applies to every aspect of the
process from preparing your CV and cover letters through
to interviewing and assessment centres. It is relevant for
any application, whether for a small charity, or a graduate
position with a leading multinational, or an internship. And,
although the context may differ, it also applies equally to
applications for Further Study.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS
Throughout the application process:
]]
Demonstrate that you have the:
Desire to do the job.
Right mix of skills.
Potential to grow and learn.
]]
Explain clearly:
Why you want to join their
organisation.
How you fit both the role and
the culture.
Successful applications therefore
grow from enthusiasm and knowing
you would be happy doing the job!
Invest time to identify your preferences,
motivations and skills. Add research
into industry sectors to target you
efforts better, and try to understand
the culture and style of different
organisations. See the section on
Developing Your Career Ideas, pages
10-15 for advice.
Before applying, analyse the
job advertisement or personal
specification to understand:
]]
What the job entails.
]]
Which skills are most important.
]]
What excellence might look like.
Your combined research is the
foundation for communicating clearly
how you meet the requirements for the
role and fit the organisation.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk
All elements of your applications can
then:
]]
Actively promote your strongest
relevant skills and abilities.
]]
Present evidence showing where
and how you have developed
and applied these skills and
abilities.
]]
Persuade your audience of
your interest, excitement and
motivation for the role and their
organisation.
Good research also helps you
stand out and convince recruiters
by preparing you to demonstrate
commercial awareness. Just what
this means depends very much on
“past behaviour is often
considered the best
indicator of future
performance
“
the sector and positions applied
for. Greater financial acumen is
expected in the investment and
banking sectors than, say, an IT
firm or marketing roles, but all
expect you to have an interest in,
and awareness of, commercial
pressures.
DEMONSTRATING COMMERCIAL AWARENESS:
]]
Learn about the sectors you are targeting, ask for insights from recent
graduates and join relevant societies for additional information and training
opportunities.
]]
Read the (financial) news and be ready to discuss industry trends or how
current issues might affect their markets or strategy – or their clients’
business for professional service firms.
]]
Pick a specific current affair and follow it over time. It is easier to digest a little
and often to build up your understanding and you can set a feed for daily
updates to your inbox.
]]
Consider how organisations in the sector differ and compete with one
another.
]]
Become comfortable with key financial and business terminology relevant to
the sector and role.
See the Chapter on Gaining Experience for more information, ideas and the wide
range of support offered through the Careers Service, or book a meeting with a
Careers Adviser.

IDENTIFY AND
EVIDENCE
THE REQUIRED
SKILLS...
Identifying the skills and ‘competencies’
required for a role can be
straightforward because these are often
listed in the job description or personal
specification; online application forms
often ask you to give examples of
specific skills. Even where these are not
clear, or when making a speculative
approach, you should try to identify
which core employability skills (see
pages 26-28) are likely to be most
important for the organisation.
By talking to people who work in the
sector you can also gain a sense of
which personal qualities are most
important and begin to understand
the contrasting styles and cultures of
different organisations.
Effective applications are supported
throughout by evidence: it builds
credibility. Simply asserting that you have
a skill does not work, not least because
anybody can do that! Compare the
examples following and weigh the value
of the additional 14 words.
APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
STRUCTURE YOUR RESPONSES
s
SITUATION
TASK
ACTION
RESULT
CONTEXT
ACTION
RESULT
For example, use the STAR outline to:
• Briefly describe the specific Situation you were in.
• Describe the Task you needed to accomplish – giving
only enough detail for the recruiter to appreciate your
contribution.
• Describe the Action(s) you took – even for a group project,
keep the focus on what you did rather than the efforts of
the team.
• Describe the Result. Based on relevant measures of success,
outline what happened and what you accomplished.
When appropriate, probably within an interview, you can extend
this structure by including ‘E’ for Evaluation (STARE/CARE):
• Highlight what you learned from the experience; what
you would change if went through the process/experience
again; or explain how this experience might be relevant in
the role applied for.
D
Assertion or Evidence?
]]
I will make a strong contribution at
[Company’s name] because I am
a good team player and natural
leader.
]]
Last Spring, my leadership enabled
our student consultancy team to
make robust recommendations to
our client, a local charity, on how to
increase volunteering amongst 6th
Formers based on over 100 survey
responses.
When selecting which examples to
use in your written applications and
interviews, aim to draw these from a
variety of activities to reflect the diverse
situations in which you have developed
transferrable skills – during your studies,
work experience and extra-curricular
activities. Choose examples that:
]]
Relate to what you actually did,
rather than what you might do in a
hypothetical situation.
]]
Show your personal contribution,
even within a team effort.
]]
Had positive outcomes.
]]
Are relevant to the employer - you
may want to signpost this relevance
by cross referencing to the job
description.
]]
Are fairly recent (preferably in the last
2 to 3 years).
]]
Allow scope for you to expand on if
asked for more detail in an interview.
From building your CV to answering
open competency based questions in
interviews, you can add structure to your
evidence by using a simple mnemonic,
such as CAR or STAR (see box above).
Remember
Lastly, remember that recruiters are not
mind readers, and frequently work to
tight deadlines. Never expect recruiters
to infer how you fit their criteria. Instead,
make it easy for them to find the
evidence they are looking for:
]]
Be direct and state how you meet the
criteria clearly, with lots of evidence
to back up your claims.
]]
Mirror the language used in their
recruitment literature:
aligning your style to theirs;
and
enabling computer software
used to scan applications
to match your evidence to the
key competencies and skills
required.
]]
Build different relevant aspects of
your background, knowledge and
experience to the organization and
role, and your longer term goals.
For example, you might highlight how
your interest in a role is a natural
extension of your studies, or explain why
the insights gained in a work placement
indicate how well suited you are to a
particular type of role or a good fit for
the organisation. More detailed advice
follows in the sections on CVs and cover
letters.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 39

D
APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
EQUALITY & DIVERSITY
IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Many individuals worry about how recruiters will
view their application owing to preconceptions
about race, disability, ethnicity, gender, sexual
orientation, mental health conditions, social
class or age. The reality is that recruiters want
the ‘best individual for the role/scheme’ and
are keen to recruit employees from diverse
backgrounds.
Many employers are proud to have
strong equality and diversity policies
- look for details when researching
organisations (see page 13). These
organisations recognise and value
the unique skills, experience and
attitudes that individuals bring owing
to their personal circumstances. They
also understand that students with
a disability, health condition or those
who have had to ‘suspend studies’
are often concerned that they may be
at a disadvantage in the recruitment
process – that it will not be fair.
To create a ‘level playing field’, they
recognise that the recruitment process
will benefit from adjustments in
some circumstances. For example,
they may provide additional time
for verbal reasoning tests so as not
to disadvantage an individual with
dyslexia or dyspraxia.
Applicants also have protection in law.
The UK Equality Act 2010 protects you -
at all stages - from discrimination due
to disability, age, gender, race, religion
and beliefs and sexual orientation. It
may be worth familiarising yourself
with the law - see www.gov.uk/
equality-act-2010-guidance.
Whilst you may fear that your
circumstances will be viewed
negatively, for the recruiter they may
in fact be seen as an asset - for
example, your problem solving skills
developed through having a disability
may be much higher. Ultimately, what
matters is how you evidence your
skills, motivation and competencies
throughout the application process -
you are your best advocate!
Depending on your situation, you
may find it advantageous for you to
‘disclose’ so that the recruiter can
put in place processes (eg, selection
material put into an accessible format
dependent on your disability) and
resources that enable you to meet the
demands of the selection process and
job function without disadvantage.
It is your personal decision whether
or not to inform a recruiter of your
circumstances. And, if you do choose
to disclose this information, you
must also decide at what point in
the recruitment process (application,
interview, job offer or in the job) to do
so.
Everyone’s circumstances are different
and understanding your situation in
this context can be difficult. Try not
to pre-judge how recruiters might
view you from what you have read or
heard in the media and from others
- instead, seek advice and more
information to help you make your
best decision.
]]
The Careers Service has advisers
who specialise in disability and
diversity issues and can help you
to decide how to present your
situation and potential needs
effectively.
]]
Approach the organisation’s
recruitment team for advice – this
is an important part of their role,
as outlined in the employer’s point
of view opposite.
Disclosing a disability to an employer is a
personal decision. Understandably, people with a
disability worry about possible negative effects if
they disclose information to potential employers
and the truth is you are not obliged to disclose
any information to an employer. However,
information can be used to help you not to hinder
you, and it’s really important that you think of that
angle too.
PwC is committed to treating all our job
applicants fairly and with respect. We understand
the right ways to treat sensitive information
and we’ll make reasonable adjustments to help
you if we know that your disability puts you at a
disadvantage. If we have the right information in
advance of any interviews or assessments we’ll
be best placed to assess you fairly for the role,
and if you are successful we’ll need the right
information to understand what help you might
need to do your role. We can only do that if you
help us to help you and so we encourage you to
give us the relevant information.
When you are deciding whether to disclose a
disability when applying for a particular role, you
should consider the following:
]]
Might aspects of the selection process
pose particular problems for you? And what
adjustments might reasonably be made to
address the disadvantage that would cause?
If you want to know more about that process
discuss it with a recruiter as soon as you can.
]]
Might aspects of the role itself pose
particular problems for you? It’s important
to understand all aspects of the job (the
essential duties and the context in which
they’re done) so you can consider this,
whether and what adjustments might
reasonably be made so you could do the
role successfully. A job description can only
tell you so much, and your concerns may be
very specific. If so talk to a member of the
recruitment team to get as good an idea as
you can of the job in practice. (They won’t
make promises, nor a decision for you, but
they can give you more of what you need to
make your own decision about the job.)
Being open about your requirements as soon as
possible will allow us to support you in the best
way we can. Remember, if you’re not sure about
what the role involves or have any questions
about the selection process, get in touch with our
recruitment team who will be happy to speak to
you.
Angela J Cooke | PwC
Diversity, Inclusion and
Employee Wellbeing
40
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

CVs
The goal of a CV and its cover letter is to get you to
an interview: for a speculative application, it is to
encourage the reader to respond positively.
Remember, recruiters usually review CVs very quickly –
perhaps only for 10-20 seconds – so CVs have a certain
style all of their own. The primary challenge is to
make it easy for the recruiter to find exactly what they
are looking for. Focus on their core requirements and
adjust or adapt your CV for each specific application.
There are four key characteristics of CVs that work
well:
RELEVANCE:
]]
Content is relevant to the
position applied for – this is not
a list of everything that you’ve
done.
]]
Content highlights your personal
contribution.
EVIDENCE BASED:
]]
Provide evidence of your
contribution and impact
]]
Focus on ‘actions taken’
rather than ‘responsibilities’ to
showcase your skills.
]]
Use numbers, percentages and
values to quantify your impact
and give a sense of scale to
your actions.
]]
Avoid unsupported assertions or
opinions.
BREVITY:
]]
Bullet points package
information succinctly.
]]
Avoid too much context,
excessive detail or unfocused
material that will dilute the
impact of your most relevant
messages.
CLARITY:
]]
A well laid out CV is inviting to
read and easy to scan quickly.
]]
Use simple language – avoid
jargon, acronyms and technical
details which may not be
understood or provide too much
detail.
]]
A standard reverse chronological
format helps recruiters as they
know where to find what they are
looking for.
Stylistically, avoid writing in paragraphs - space is limited and prose makes it
slower to find key points. Also, CVs are (mostly) a record of what you have done, so
completed tasks and activities are written in the past tense.
Aim to create powerful bullet points, with each bullet focused on a single idea.
Consider applying the CAR mnemonic (p.39):.
]]
Context: the organisation name, your job tile and dates is often sufficient.
]]
Start bullet points with Action words that highlight skills used, eg, analysed,
created, recommended, managed, led.
]]
Results can often be linked within an individual bullet point.
APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
Getting ready to create
focused, relevant CVs:
D
1. List for yourself all your
experience, achievements
and key dates, including
educational achievements,
work experience, prizes,
awards, involvement in
societies, sports and clubs, and
your other interests and skills
(e.g. languages; IT skills).
2. Identify the skills and
competencies required for the
role (see previous section).
3. From your list, select your
most relevant examples
that demonstrate the skills
and competencies required
for the role. Remember,
valuable transferable skills are
developed and demonstrated
in diverse roles.
4. Select your format – for
most student applications,
following the standard reverse
chronological format is
recommended (see example
overleaf).
5. Consider the headings that
are most relevant for your
experience and in which order
to present them:
a. EDUCATION will normally
be at the top;
b. WORK EXPERIENCE
rather than just
‘Employment’ or consider
using RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
if you are including
voluntary or unpaid work.
c. Headings such
as ‘POSITIONS OF
RESPONSIBILITY’ and
‘AWARDS’ can also be used
to emphasise other relevant
experience
d. INTERESTS or OTHER
INTERESTS AND SKILLS
should be included to
indicate extra, diverse
talents. Within this section,
you might use subcategories
such as IT Skills;
Languages; Music; Sports.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 41

D
APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
“Recruiters will usually review your CV very quickly [...] and so you
need relevant skills and experience to stand out immediately.
“
SIAN MAGELLAN
Balliol College, Oxford, OX1 3BJ
Mobile: 07685 314529
email: sian.magellan@balliol.ox.ac.uk
EDUCATION
2013 – 2016 BA Hons English, Balliol College, University of Oxford
First year exam results: 2.1 (65 average)
Researched and delivered on time twelve 3,000 word essays on new topics in each
eight week term for discussion with peers and leading academics
2006 – 2013 St John’s School, Milton Keynes
A levels: French A*, English A*, Chemistry A, Geography A
GCSEs: 5 A*, 3 A, 1 B including A* in English and Maths
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
2015 Organic Farm WWOOF Volunteer, Haute Vienne, France (summer)
• Independently planned and organised two months’ work in France
• Improved to near-fluent French, while learning food production chain process
• Developed good working relationships with 22 colleagues from 12 countries
2015 Team Leader, The Student Consultancy, Oxford University (8 weeks)
• Led a team of five students to develop marketing strategy for local start-up
• Designed and executed paper and phone surveys, engaging 250 participants
• Presented recommendations to client; all implemented within 3 months and
delivering 20% increase in sales within 6 months
2014 Market Research Assistant, EGM Analysis (1 month internship)
• Produced eight accurate data tables to summarise previous field activities using
SPSS
• Presented daily key data summary to managers with a colleague
• Developed knowledge and interest in marketing and consumer goods
2013 Customer Assistant, Pies-R-Us (part-time summer work)
• Communicated in a professional manner with up to 80 customers per day
• Maintained positivity in high-pressure service environment
2011-14 Data Entry Clerk, Milton Keynes Hospital (part-time holiday work)
• Developed administrative skills, and understanding of organisational processes
• Ensured accurate classification of records and meticulous proof reading
• Liaised with six hospital departments to compile datasets to tight deadlines
OTHER SKILLS AND INTERESTS
Languages:
IT:
Music:
Sport:
Travel:
English – native; French – near-fluent; German – conversational
Proficient in Excel and SPSS, WordPress, InDesign and MS Office
Lead clarinettist in Milton Keynes Youth Band; member of National Youth Orchestra
Marketing Officer for Balliol College wind ensemble. Promoted concerts and
managed ticket sales, increasing audience numbers by 30% in the first year
Balliol College football team; training twice a week
Captain of St John’s School women’s football team (under 18s)
Extensive travel throughout Europe, including organising work placement in France
42
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

COMMENTS ON SIAN MAGELLAN’S CV OPPOSITE
OVERALL:
• Looks easy to read.
• Text and dates aligned, no full-stops
and plenty of ‘white space’ around text
• Consistent use of headings, capitals
and bold text provide clear signposting.
• No jargon or acronyms which may
muddle understanding.
APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
BULLET POINTS
• Separate bullet points cover only one idea, skill, or
activity.
• Bullets start with active verbs: all aligned to left
hand margin for ease of scanning.
• Bullets include results, showing how and where
Sian added value.
• Numbers, percentages and values add clarity and
give a sense of scale.
D
OTHER FORMS OF CV
Some roles may allow for, or invite, different
forms of CV.
Creative CVs:
If you are applying for a ‘creative’ role, in
advertising or design for example, they
may look favourably upon an infographic or
otherwise visually unusual CV. This allows
you to project something of your style and
personality and can demonstrate your ability
and skill communicating information clearly in
a creative and striking way.
Academic CVs:
There is no upper limit on the number of
pages expected in a CV for an academic
post. If applying for a postdoc, fellowship,
lectureship or research assistant post, make
sure your CV has:
• Sections for professional
memberships, publications, and
conference presentations/posters at
the end.
• A focus on areas specific to academia,
such as research experience, teaching
experience and any university/college
administration or committee work.
• Details of successful bids for awards,
grants and collaborations.
• Referee details – usually three – ideally
academics who both know you and
are recognised in your field.
It can take a number of revisions before
you are happy with your CV, and getting
independent advice can prove very helpful: it
might all make perfect sense to you, but you
could be surprised by the things that others
may question or not understand. Make an
appointment and ask for feedback from a
Careers Adviser (p.5).
Applications
outside the UK:
Expectations and
conventions for what is
acceptable in a CV can
vary between countries:
e.g. German CVs normally
have a photograph at the
top, but never do in the UK
or USA. If applying outside
the UK, search the web
for country-specific current
practice or:
• See our advice on
Working in Different
Countries (pp.23-24).
• Check the Going
Global country
reports: go to
www.careers.ox.ac.
uk/GOINGLOBAL
Is your CV ready to send out now?
We recommend a few final checks:
1. First, for a specific position,
re-check the job description
and ensure that you are putting
forward your best case – that
everything included is relevant.
2. Second, ALWAYS check carefully
for errors and typos: many
recruiters will dismiss even the
most qualified candidate if there
is even one typo in the CV, cover
letter or application form!
3. Finally:
]]
Hold your CV at arms-length
– does it look easy to read?
]]
Fold it vertically and scan the
left side in 10 seconds:
Will the reader get
the gist of your
application?
Are your strongest
skills immediately
visible?
]]
Check for jargon and
acronyms, and over-long
bullets - edit vigorously.
]]
Is it the right length?
Some employers
(e.g. investment banks)
expect just one page, so
check beforehand.
Aim for a maximum of
two pages, except for
an academic CV.
]]
Save and submit your CV as
a PDF to ensure it keeps its
beautiful formatting.
]]
Finally, finally, take a good
break and then proofread
- yes, again! - double
checking for errors and
typos.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 43

D
APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
COVER LETTERS
Always take the opportunity to submit a cover letter if you
are given the opportunity to do so. Aim to be focused and
engaging in order to make a strong and persuasive case
built on the foundations of your research and supported by
evidence linked to your CV.
The cover letter gives you scope to
showcase what interests and drives you,
and your enthusiasm for an organisation
and the role. You can also use it to align
yourself with the organisation’s strengths,
values and culture and highlight in
a targeted way your knowledge and
strongest, most relevant skills for the
position.
Try to sound professional yet
conversational, rather than wordy or too
stiff and formal. And write in clear, concise
English – take care not to drown your
reader with detail, and avoid jargon they
may not understand. The Plain English
Campaign has some good guidance on
improving your writing style.
Whilst this may sound simple, you should
expect your early cover letters to go
through 3 or 4 iterations (at least!) before
you are happy with them.
Finally, once it’s finished, put it down
and leave it overnight, or at least for a
couple of hours. Then, read it aloud to
yourself and listen:
• Does it say clearly what you want
it to say?
• Does it have your ‘voice’? Do you
sound confident? Enthusiastic
about to the company? Excited
about the role?
• If you insert a competitor
company’s name, does the letter
still read the same? If so, try to
differentiate each letter more!
• Are there any sections that are
hard to read or follow? If yes, try
simplifying your language, using
shorter sentences or try taking that
section out completely.
If you are writing a speculative letter
or application, perhaps to ask an
organisation if they could offer you
work experience, this advice holds
true. Clearly state what you are hoping
for in your opening paragraph. You
can go on to outline two or three
areas where your core employability
skills (pp.26-28) and experiences
should fit the organisation’s needs,
drawing on your research in place
of the requirements set out in a job
description.
TOP TIPS FOR COVER LETTERS
44
• See the ideas about
content and structure
opposite for ideas to
enhance your letters.
• Keep it short. A concise
letter demonstrates
focus and strong
communication skills.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk
• Keep the tone and
content professional –
attempts at humour are
best avoided.
• Project confidence – write
on the assumption that
they will interview you.
• Include details about the
company to demonstrate
this is not the same letter
you have sent to their
competitors.
• As for CVs, double check
for errors and typos:
using a spell checker is
not enough.
• Ask for feedback from a
Careers Adviser.

APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
“The cover letter gives you scope to showcase what interests and drives you,
and your enthusiasm for an organisation and the role.
“
Your Address
your.email@provider.com
D
Their Address
Date
Dear . . .
Opening Paragraph: Simply state what you are applying for and where you found out about
it – for example CareerConnect. This tells the recruiter why they are reading the letter, and gives
them feedback on which of their advertising sources are working. Introduce yourself: what you
are studying, where, and which year you are in or when you will finish.
Your letter needs to explain why you are interested in the position and/or the organisation.
Differentiate yourself. A genuine show of evidenced enthusiasm and specific knowledge of
the organisation will set you apart from those sending generic letters. Draw on your research,
especially what you have learnt from speaking with their staff, to demonstrate an awareness
and understanding of the business or the way they work which goes beyond the corporate
website. Be specific about why you want to join the organisation or why the position is
particularly attractive for you, and back this up with evidence from your past, or by linking this to
your overall career plans and what you find exciting about the particular sector.
You should also aim to show how you meet each ‘essential’ criterion within the job
description, and maybe some ‘desirables’ too. Even if you think the position is out of reach, your
job is to convince the recruiter you are qualified enough and able to do the job. Focus on your
accomplishments and the transferable skills that are relevant to the role and state explicitly
how you match the criteria - don’t expect the person reading your letter to infer skills or abilities
from your experience.
Support your claims by referring to examples that are further detailed in your CV. You can
make a stronger, more credible case by linking different experiences that highlight similar skills
or competencies. For example:
• you first demonstrated your organizational skills by creating [an event] at school, and you
have developed these further by raising [£---] at last year’s fundraiser and, most recently,
by leading [another event] for your Society attended by [number] of people.
• the role (applied for) would allow you use your passion for helping others, which has
driven your success as College Welfare Officer and the personal sense of achievement
gained from working as a peer counsellor.
Closing paragraph: Keep it simple and clear. Thank the employer for their interest in your
application and reiterate your desire to join the organisation! Point towards the next step: say
that you look forward to interviewing or discussing the position with them soon, and can even
specify the week/date if you know there is a clear interview timescale.
Yours faithfully, (If you have started ‘Dear Sir or Madam’)
Yours sincerely, (If you managed to address the letter to a specific person)
Signature
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 45

D
APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
APPLICATION FORMS:
FOR EMPLOYMENT AND FURTHER STUDY
Many applications, both for employment and further study, now require an application
form. In the same way that a cover letter should be both persuasive and tailored to
the position, you are more likely to be successful if you send off targeted applications,
rather than sending off a mass of near-identical forms.
Application forms usually include questions that prompt
similar content to a good cover letter and/or competency
based interview questions (please read that advice too), eg:
• Why are you interested in this role/organisation/career?
• What are your three strongest skills for this role?
• Provide an example of a time when … you have taken a
leadership role; learnt from a mistake …
• Outside your course, what extra-curricular activities are
you involved in [and which relevant transferable skills
can you demonstrate?
If the application form is online, we advise that you create
your answers in a Word document first, so you can:
• Bring your answers and job description to review with a
Careers Adviser at The Careers Service.
• Thoroughly check for typos in Word (a form claiming
you’ve got ‘high atention to detail’ will get binned straight
away!).
• Ensure you don’t lose your answers if the server times
out.
• Create a bank of material to help you answer similar
questions asked by different companies - but always
take time to tailor responses and do not be tempted to
copy and paste directly from one application to another.
• Save your answers, to review before interview.
Always follow the instructions given. For example, often you
are asked to write to a word count, so stick to that: consider
using bullet points, concise sentences and active verbs – as
you would on a CV – to pack in more information. But never
take a shortcut by simply including your CV - if a recruiter
wants your CV, they will ask for it.
Personal statements are often required if an organisation
has listed the skills and experience needed for the role
in detail. Aim to show how you meet each item on the
list. Be guided by their sub-headings, and consider using
these to organise your own statement if feasible – making
it even easier for recruiters to find the evidence they are
looking for! See the feature opposite which illustrates how
to approach the personal statement in the context of an
application for further study.
46
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
D
APPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY
For most courses you should apply direct to the university
using their online application system. In the UK most further
study applications open during the autumn with deadlines
between Christmas and Easter, but some do close earlier
so check individual closing dates carefully.
Some vocational courses have a centralised application
system, notably graduate entry medicine (via UCAS), PGCE
courses for teaching (via GTTR) and the Graduate Diploma
in Law (via Law CAB). Details differ between courses and
institutions, but you are likely to need some or all of the
following:
]]
Application form.
]]
Personal statement and/or research objective.
]]
Transcripts of university exam results.
]]
Two or three references.
]]
CV.
]]
Examples of written work.
]]
Results of standardised tests (if relevant).
]]
Payment of a fee.
For guidance on types of further study, choosing a course,
fees and funding and studying abroad, see pages 22-23,
and our guidance online:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/FURTHER-STUDY
“your personal
statement needs to
be tailored to the
institution to which
you are applying.
“
PERSONAL STATEMENTS FOR FURTHER
STUDY
Your personal statement needs to be tailored to the
institution to which you are applying. If you need some
inspiration, come and have a look at a file of examples at
The Careers Service Resource Centre. In general, you need
to convey:
YOUR INTERESTS
Why you want to study this topic or field. Is it a natural
extension of your current interests? How did you become
interested in this area? What have you done within your
degree or outside of your study to fuel this interest?
WHY US?
Why you have chosen this specific course and institution?
Are there particular options or modules of interest? Is there
particular expertise in that department? Has access to
specific resources such as museum collections, libraries or
laboratory equipment been a factor? Has the reputation of
the course inspired you? Are you attracted by opportunities
for collaboration or work placements? Have you attended
any Open Days or made other visits?
WHAT YOU BRING
How your experience equips you for the course; consider
the subjects you studied at undergraduate level, your
relevant skills (technical, language, computing, research
methods), independent study or research, prior (relevant)
experience, academic awards and other achievements.
YOUR ASPIRATIONS
Where the course might lead you and how it will help you
move towards your goals. You don’t need a detailed career
plan, but you do need to show how this course fits in with
your general aspirations. Do you have a broad interest in
contributing to a particular issue or field? Or do you have a
more specific goal in mind?
Summarise your application in your closing paragraph,
return to any themes you introduced at the beginning, and
restate your enthusiasm for the course.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 47

D
APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU COULD USE THE SAME EXPERIENCE IN A COVER
LETTER, A CV, AND AN APPLICATION FORM.
The paragraphs below illustrate how leadership skills might be shown based on
the same experience in different styles of written application.
COVER LETTER
Whilst participating in The Student Consultancy, I developed my leadership skills by leading a
team of five students to design and implement a marketing strategy to increase sales for our
local start-up client. I organised our meeting schedule, allocated roles to each team member,
coordinated with the client, implemented our surveys and ensured that we delivered our
recommendations on time. As a result of my team’s recommendations, six months later our
client’s sales have increased by 20% and I received excellent feedback both from the client and
other members of my team.
EMPLOYER APPLICATION FORM (EAF)
Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership skills (250 words)
Last January I led a 5 member team on The Student Consultancy, an 8 week programme run
by Oxford University Careers Service to build commercial awareness and team skills. Within this
timeframe, my goal as team leader was to deliver a series of recommendations to our team’s
local start-up client to increase their sales. First I organised a series of meetings across the 8
weeks when all or most of us could get together to work on the project. Secondly I asked each
team member to share their skills and insights into how they could contribute to developing an
effective marketing strategy. Thirdly, and based on the combined skillset of my team, I allocated
roles to each member, covering research, survey design and implementation, budgeting and
reporting. Having established a way forward, we then agreed a timeframe for each aspect of the
project. As team leader, as well as being responsible for survey implementation, I remained the
focal point of contact with our client, keeping them up to date with all our project implementation,
key findings and asking for any clarifications when required. I also kept in touch regularly with
each team member in between our team meetings so that I could deal with any unexpected
delays or findings and keep our project on track. We delivered our recommendations on time
to our client, who welcomed and implemented them all. Six months later, the client’s sales have
increased by 20% and our suggestions are still being followed. (247 words)
CV
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
2015 Team Leader, The Student Consultancy, Oxford University (8 weeks)
• Led a team of five students to develop marketing strategy for local
start-up
• Designed and executed paper and phone surveys, engaging 250
participants
• Presented recommendations to client; all implemented within 3 months
and delivering 20% increase in sales within 6 months
48
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
D
PSYCHOMETRIC TESTS
Many graduate schemes use online tests in the initial
application stage and, if successful, you’ll probably be
asked to take similar tests as part of an Assessment
Centre. These tests typically include numerical,
verbal and critical reasoning tests – and occasionally
‘personality’ tests, or in-tray/e-tray exercises as well
(see page 51).
Psychometric tests are normally multiple choice questions, and
both speed and accuracy are important. It is therefore important
to familiarise yourself with the structure and style of the tests
in advance and develop your technique. This will allow you to
focus your time and energy in the actual test on the questions
asked, not wondering how you should answer them.
The recruiter’s site will normally provide both advice and practice
questions, and you should always complete these practice
tests. In addition, the Careers Service provides free access to
online practice tests (accessed using your Oxford Single Sign On)
through the section ‘Our resources’ in our more detailed advice:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/PSYCHOMETRIC-TESTS. We also
have a variety of practice materials and books in our Resource
Centre and run numeracy refresher skills sessions, which are
advertised in our Calendar of Events on CareersConnect.
To perform at your best in these tests:
]]
Choose a time and place where you can focus and not be
distracted.
]]
Follow the instructions exactly.
]]
Work as quickly and accurately as you can, reading both
questions and answer-choices carefully.
]]
A good strategy is to eliminate as many wrong answers
as possible. For example, with numerical tests a quick
estimate may help you discard several of the options
without working out every alternative.
]]
Keep an eye on the clock.
]]
Don’t spend too long on any one question – if you get stuck,
leave it and move on rather than wasting time.
NUMERICAL REASONING TESTS
On these, you’ll likely be asked to do addition, subtraction,
division, multiplication and calculations of percentages and
ratios. The ability to extract information from charts and graphs
can be as important as actual calculations. Remember that,
unless a job requires a high level of numeracy, numerical tests
are not likely to be pitched higher than GCSE-level Maths or
equivalent. To prepare, read financial reports and study different
types of charts (e.g. in quality newspapers or the financial
press). The Careers Service holds numeracy refresher sessions
in addition to the resources listed in our guidance and available
in our Resource Centre.
VERBAL REASONING SKILLS
These typically test your ability to make logical inferences, and
to extract the details and main points from different passages
of information. They are more difficult to prepare for than
numerical tests, though reading manuals, technical reports or
academic and business journals may help. If English isn’t your
first language, practise by reading outside your own course
subject, to ensure you are comfortable with different styles.
Less frequently, you may also encounter PERSONALITY TESTS;
SITUATIONAL JUDGEMENT TESTS; or INDUCTIVE/ABSTRACT/
DIAGRAMATIC REASONING TESTS. Look online for more
information on these or speak to a Careers Adviser if you want
some guidance.
FURTHER STUDY APPLICATIONS:
TESTS AND INTERVIEWS
Admissions tests are rare in the UK for Masters and PhD
programmes. However, some vocational programmes (e.g.
Medicine) do require test results, and there may be tests to
demonstrate your language capability.
In North America, standardised tests are an almost universal
part of the application process. You will most commonly
come across the GRE, but others exist and it is important
that you check both which tests are required for your chosen
courses and the cut-off dates for taking these.
In the UK, interviews are common but not ubiquitous. Not
all Masters courses interview candidates, but most PhD
programmes will. Vocational courses like the PGCE nearly
always involve an interview. If you are based in a different
country, you won’t usually be expected to travel for interview:
Skype and telephone interviews are becoming more
common in those cases.
If you are interviewed, then expect a rigorous examination of
your motives for applying to the course, as well as questions
exploring your academic interests and knowledge. Be ready
to talk about dissertations or other pieces of work, and keep
in mind that this is also your chance to determine whether a
course is right for you – particularly important for PhDs.
DISCLOSURE?
If you feel a disability or dyslexia might
disadvantage you in sitting these tests,
contact the recruiter beforehand, in good
time, for advice and to see if reasonable
adjustments could be made for you.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 49

D
APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
ASSESSMENT CENTRES
Larger organisations often use assessment centres to assess candidates’ performance against
a range of competencies in more than one situation. By the time you attend an assessment
centre, you should have developed a clear understanding of the organization, its core values
and preferred competencies: even so, it’s well worth revisiting your research and your
application materials.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Assessment centres will usually last from half
a day to two days and will consist of a range of
selection methods such as aptitude tests, personality
questionnaires, case studies, group discussions,
spoken presentations, one-to-one interviews,
socialising (which is still observed!) and meeting
current trainees.
Because of this overall breadth of assessment,
assessment centres are often considered a better
predictor of future performance in the workplace
than just a final interview. They are also considered
fairer for candidates as a strong performance in
one task can compensate for a less impressive
performance elsewhere
A typical one day assessment centre may consist of:
• Introduction and company presentation.
• Psychometric testing (p.49).
• In-tray exercise.
• A presentation.
• Buffet lunch, socialising informally.
• Group exercise, solving a work-related
problem.
• Competency-based interviews (p.52-53)
EQUALITY & DIVERSITY:
DISCLOSURE?
If you feel that you might be at a
disadvantage to others sitting the test,
owing to a disability or dyslexia and
dyspraxia then do contact the recruiter
beforehand, to discuss if adjustments
could be made for you, eg, extra time
in the timed tests. Your experiences
of adjustments that are made for you
at University are a good guideline as
to what you can ask for, or advise a
recruiter to put in place.
The employer will have a checklist of ‘competencies’
(abilities, skills and behaviours) based on the
organisation’s core values to use as the selection
criteria. These competencies are likely to include key
transferable employability skills (pp.26-28) as well
as company specific competencies and/or technical
skills for some roles. Typically, competencies cover
areas like:
• Creative problem solving.
• Effective communication skills.
• Team-work.
• Business/commercial awareness.
• Ability to influence/persuade.
• Initiative and flexibility.
The assessors will keep notes of how each
candidate performs during every exercise and
interview, and they will score the candidate’s
performance against the relevant competencies.
Try to stay focused throughout the day, and don’t
allow yourself to lose confidence if you feel you
have under-performed in an exercise because the
assessors are looking at your overall performance.
“assessment centres are often
considered a better predictor
workplace than just a final
interview.
of future performance in the
“
50
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
D
PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN REPORTS
You may be asked to prepare some materials in
advance of the assessment centre, or be given some
time to prepare on the day based on a case study.
You will present to the assessors, and possibly other
candidates. When preparing your presentation:
• Make sure that you understand what is required
and the time you have.
• Consider your audience – this will influence the
content, level and tone of your presentation.
• Timing is important as you will be stopped when
your time is up.
• Keep the structure simple:
1. Tell them who you are and what
you are going to tell them.
2. Tell them.
3. Tell them what you have told them.
Because time will be short, it is best to start with the key
issue and your main conclusion or key recommendation.
The rest of the presentation should support that
conclusion.
• Structure your arguments and limit complexity: three
to six main messages.
• Support your ideas and themes with (brief)
anecdotes, examples, statistics and facts – but keep
it moving to reach the end of your presentation.
Consider whether an interactive element would be
appropriate given the context – in a teaching or training
type role play, this could certainly work. And consider
pausing for or inviting questions at the end if this feels
appropriate.
GROUP EXERCISES
This really is not about winning or losing! Group
exercises are about how you contribute in helping the
groups deliver against the given brief. Assessors can
only judge you on the contributions they see, however,
so make sure you get involved and contribute: eg,
leading, facilitating, generating ideas, encouraging,
monitoring progress, questioning, or analysing.
Remember, good team-work involves listening to,
acknowledging and following through on the ideas
of others in the group as much as making your
contribution and being heard: it’s about building
on one another’s strengths and contributions, not
necessarily about getting your ideas taken forward.
• Get a good grasp of any information you are
given, but don’t waste time on minute details.
• In the light of the information given, help the
group decide on your objectives and priorities,
make a plan, and follow it.
• Be assertive and persuasive, but also diplomatic.
• Listen to what everyone else has to say, and try to
get the best contribution from each person.
• Don’t assume that shy or quiet members have
nothing to contribute – ask for their thoughts.
• Find the balance between taking your ideas
forward and helping the group to complete the
task.
• Keep an eye on the time and overall objective
of the exercise, and help ensure that the group
keeps on track and delivers against the brief.
IN-TRAY EXERCISES
In-tray or ‘e-tray’ exercises are a test of your ability
to deal with a real work scenario. You may be given
a simulated inbox full of emails, reports and other
correspondence. Employers are usually looking
for you to prioritise your workload, draft replies,
delegate tasks and recommend actions.
Keep focused - time is often short, so work quickly
and avoid getting too absorbed in any single aspect
of this task. Take care to:
• Read the instructions carefully and thoroughly.
• Prioritise what is most important or urgent by
scanning the information.
• Identify which items you need to complete
during the exercise, handling tasks that are
both ‘urgent & important’ as a priority.
• Select which items could be delegated/referred
to someone else and those that can be noted for
completion ‘later’.
• Highlight any resource constraints, conflicts between
tasks, or implications for the organisation.
• If asked to draft a written response to any item,
identify the main points of your response quickly
and expand concisely on them.
!
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 51

D
APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
CONFIDENT INTERVIEWS
If you’ve been invited to interview, you’ve convinced
the employer that you are suitable for the role on
paper. An interview is your opportunity to confirm
this impression, and demonstrate that you are what
the hiring manager is looking for.
HOW TO PREPARE
Repeat the preparation detailed in this section, but in more depth.
Re-read the job description and candidate specification and
ensure you understand the job and the competencies required.
And be clear about the points you absolutely want to make, and
practise building them into different answers.
]]
As a starting point, prepare some answers to typical
questions, and practise answering them out loud.
Articulating your answers is harder than thinking them over
in your head, and saying them out loud will help you to
sound more convincing and fluent on the day.
]]
Be clear on your motivations for why you want to work for
the organisation.
]]
Be ready to show commercial awareness (p.38):
• Consider how recent global events, current affairs and
the economy may affect the organisation.
• Think about how the organisation competes in its
market, and how it compares with its competitors.
• Read a quality broadsheet and be ready to offer an
informed opinion on business and current affairs.
]]
Prepare some questions - note them down - to ask at the
interview.
THE
CAREERS
SERVICE
SUPPORT AT THE CAREERS SERVICE
• Sessions for improving your interview skills are held
each term, and dates and times are advertised in the
weekly newsletter and on CareerConnect (p.5).
• Mock interviews, led by employers, are offered every
term. The recruiter will give you feedback to improve
your technique, and you can make a recording to
review later.
• You can also use a short discussion with a Careers
Adviser to discuss interview technique or tackle some
general interview questions.
• The Careers Service’s Resource Centre holds a number
of DVDs, books and handouts that can help you
prepare for interviews.
• The Interview Feedback Database on CareerConnect
contains helpful tips from past students’ interview
experiences – which you can filter by sector.
TOP TIPS FOR ANSWERS
Try to use examples from different experiences, such as
your studies, work experience, extracurricular activities and
volunteering.
]]
Try to be precise – many of us tend to ramble when
we’re nervous, but try to make your answers as clear as
possible.
]]
Feel free to use examples already mentioned on
your written application: the interviewer will not have
memorised all of them. Be ready to go into more detail.
]]
Think about the structure of your answer to ensure you
get the relevant points across clearly. For competency
based questions use the STAR/CAR mnemonic to ensure
you highlight the transferable actions from your example
(p.39).
]]
For key questions such as “What are your strengths?” it may
be useful to structure your answer and signpost this in your
answer e.g. “I have three major strengths relevant to this
role, the first is...”. But do not use this for every questions as
you may start to sound robotic and over-prepared.
]]
A good interview is a dialogue, and you should take an
active role in the conversation.
]]
If you are not sure you understand the question – ask for
clarification; similarly if you are wondering whether you
have answered a question fully ask whether the interviewer
would like more information.
PREPARE FOR THE MOST TYPICAL QUESTIONS
Some questions are asked by many employers because all
want to understand what your interests are, what you enjoy
doing and and how these relate to the position. They will also
seek to understand what motivates you, and how much insight
you have into yourself, their company and the role – so be sure
to prepare well and practise aloud for these FAQs.
]]
“What attracted you to this company?”
]]
“Why do you want this position?”
]]
“What will you bring to this role?”
]]
“Tell me about a time you led a team/completed a project/
communicated with a difficult client ...”
]]
“What would you do differently if faced with that (difficult)
situation again?”
]]
“Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?”
]]
“What do you consider your greatest strengths?” “…
weakness?”
]]
“What has been your greatest achievement?”
]]
“Tell me about yourself.”
ON THE DAY
]]
Plan your route and arrive promptly – 15 minutes is early
enough to settle down and relax. Think how you will
cope if there is an unexpected delay.
]]
Consider what you’re going to wear; be clean, neat and
tidy, and dress appropriately to the environment you
would be working in.
]]
First impressions are important. Be ready to say hello
with a confident handshake and steady eye contact.
52
www.careers.ox.ac.uk

APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
D
]]
Remember - you are on show from the minute you
arrive to the point that you leave.
]]
Be polite and friendly (but not over-familiar) to
everyone you meet – receptionists, secretaries:
everyone. Rudeness or arrogance will be noticed and
will work against you.
IN THE INTERVIEW(S):
]]
Don’t be afraid of silence:
• Take time to think before answering.
• Make sure you answer the question you have
been asked.
• Structure your answer so it is easy to understand.
• If you have finished - and the interviewer remains
silent - don’t keep talking to fill the gap.
]]
Be positive in everything you say.
• Don’t make negative comments about previous
employers or tutors.
• If asked about something that went wrong, outline
what you learned from the experience and how
you would handle it differently next time.
]]
Aim to speak for only about 50% of the time and keep
answers reasonably short – asking the interviewer
if they would like more detail or further examples is
better than rambling.
]]
Don’t let a friendly, informal interview style lull you
into a false sense of security. Keep your answers
professional, focused and relevant.
]]
Be aware of body language and try to maintain
eye contact. This is particularly important in a panel
interview, where eye contact can help you to engage
all the panel members.
“
Fran Newman
Leadership Development Director – Unilever
I hadn’t done an internship but I did
have part-time work during holidays,
and had both rowed and coached
rowing: this experience was hugely
valuable and when applying gave me
something to talk about in interviews.
Whatever experience you have, just
make sure that you can say what you
learned from it, and that it demonstrates
your willingness and ability to learn and
get out of your comfort zone.
”
Hertford College 2004
(see Fran’s full profile on page 166).
TELEPHONE, SKYPE &
PRE-RECORDED INTERVIEWS
Some larger employers use virtual interviews as a first stage of
sifting applicants. Prepare for this type of interview as if for a faceto-face
interview - don’t treat it any less formally.
If you’re asked to do a pre-recorded interview, you’ll be sent a
video link and will complete the interview via web-cam. You’ll be
asked a question, given a short time to prepare and then have to
record your answer; you can usually pause between questions
but not after the question has been asked.
When preparing for the interview:
]]
Ensure that you have privacy for the interview, away from
noise and distractions. Ask friends not to disturb you – put a
sign on your door!
]]
Ensure your phone/laptop has charge and check the signal/
internet access and/or that Skype is working properly.
]]
Have your CV or application form available as a prompt, as
well as some paper and a pen for making notes.
The main difference with telephone interviews from standard
interviews is the lack of visual cues, but your body language is still
very important as it affects your confidence and performance.
]]
Sit up straight or stand, as it will help you to project your voice
effectively.
]]
Dress smartly. Don’t just sit in your pyjamas – even for a
telephone interview – as this will affect your overall attitude
and confidence.
]]
Smile! By smiling, you will sound friendlier and more
confident.
]]
Use gestures as you would in a normal conversation; they
will tend to make your voice sound livelier – and try to avoid
monotones.
]]
If there are any long silences after your answer and you are
not sure whether to continue, you can always ask “Would you
like me to expand further on that?”
After the interview
As soon as possible after the interview, jot down notes of what
was discussed, what you feel went well (and what didn’t go well).
Consider how you might respond differently and what you can add
to strengthen your answer. This could help if you are asked similar
questions in future, including final round interviews should an
organisation decide to drill deeper into areas already assessed.
Consider sharing your experiences and insights with others through
the Interview Feedback Database on CareerConnect.
HANDLING OFFERS OR REJECTIONS
If you’re offered a job and are still hoping to hear back from
other recruiters, look up the advice on handling offers on
the ‘Application Process’ pages of The Careers Service’s
website. If you are still unsure, discuss your situation with a
Careers Adviser (p.5). If you are not offered the job, do feel
free to contact the recruiter for feedback. It is not always
given – and, even when it is, can be rather bland – but
sometimes it can be really helpful. Most importantly, learn
from the experience and try not to lose confidence.
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 53

CE
Gina Allchorn
Consumer Sales and Marketing
Graduate – Glaxo Smith Klein
“
Being self-aware and knowing
where your strengths lie is
critical. You also need to be
willing to try new approaches
and look to develop your
blind spots. There is no one
personality fit for GSK - not
all people are necessarily
gregarious or outgoing, but
you do have to be confident/
capable, and be willing
to learn and work across
boundaries.
”
Leila Molana-Allen
Video Journalist, The Economist
“
Don’t be proud, and be willing
to try a variety of things
to build your skill set. Be
charming, work hard, don’t
expect to be handed anything
and most importantly, be
as co-operative as you are
competitive. Ask everyone for
help, and help everyone who
asks.
”
Leila studied Ancient and Modern
History at Balliol Colege, 2010.
“
Miranda Hadfield
Associate - The Boston
Consulting Group
Pursue what you are
interested in outside your
studies and try to get a feel
for which industries would
suit you. All these diverse
experiences will be interesting
for consultancies. I worked
for the Oxford Hub whilst an
undergraduate and it was
important to me that BCG has
a large social impact practice
and opportunities to pursue
secondments in the social
sector.
”
Miranda studied Modern Languages
at St Anne’s College (2011)
Gina studied Geography at St Peter’s
College (2013)
(See Gina’s full profile on page 125).
54

INDUSTRY SECTORS
The following pages provide brief introductions to over 20 key industry
sectors which have consistently appealed to students from Oxford. We’ve
included profiles and advice from Oxford alumni to highlight some core
aspects of their career development and ideas to help you prepare for and
succeed in the application processes. These are supported by advertisements
from a selection of the companies that regularly recruit at Oxford, and which
you will be able to meet at both our sector specific career fairs and their
company presentations.
These Industry Briefings really are that – brief! For fuller descriptions of
these and other industries, and to find further valuable resources to extend
and deepen your knowledge, go to The Careers Service website and see our
guidance on Sectors and Occupations.
56
58
65
68
71
81
88
96
112
118
ACADEMIA + HIGHER EDUCATION
ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
ADVERTISING, MARKETING + PR
ARTS + HERITAGE
BANKING + INVESTMENT
CHARITY + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
COMPUTING + I.T.
CONSULTANCY
EDUCATION
ENERGY + THE ENVIRONMENT
121
124
127
130
134
147
151
154
157
159
162
164
ENGINEERING
FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS
HEALTH + SOCIAL CARE
INTERNATIONAL POLICY + DEVELOPMENT
LAW
MEDIA + JOURNALISM
NATIONAL POLICY + GOVERNMENT
PUBLISHING
RETAIL + SALES
SCIENCE
WORKING FOR YOURSELF
OTHER CAREERS
55

ACADEMIA +
HIGHER EDUCATION
Higher education is a major sector of employment for
university graduates. Indeed, the largest single employer of
Oxford graduates is Oxford University. Although Academia
will be the focus of this page, there is a wide variety of
other professional roles in the University sector, such as
in student services, finance, IT and fundraising. Search
the professional, managerial and support roles advertised
on www.jobs.ac.uk for inspiration. Despite there being
only a few graduate schemes, most professional support
functions are filled by university graduates.
Academia itself can be a stimulating
career option, offering the potential
for significant autonomy and flexibility
in your working life. On the downside,
there is a high degree of competition for
roles and insecurity after the doctorate,
in the short term, while many try to find
a permanent position. It is near essential
to have a DPhil/PhD in order to gain a
permanent academic position in the UK
and many other countries. Following a
DPhil/PhD, you might find a postdoctoral
position or a fixed-term teaching contract
as a tutor or lecturer. Alternatively,
you might apply for an independent
fellowship, where you receive a grant to
develop your own research. Postdocs
and fellowships can last from six months
to several years. These are traditionally
more common in science disciplines,
so Humanities and Social Science
researchers looking to develop their
career after the doctorate may have to
take on teaching or a variety of other
roles until they can secure a permanent
position. Permanent lectureship positions
combine research and teaching with
administration duties, such as organising
seminar series and sitting on committees.
There are very few teaching only or
research-only permanent academic roles.
Career paths vary depending on
discipline, type of institution, and
location. There are opportunities for
travel and working abroad, and aspiring
academics will find more opportunities
if they are flexible about location. The
sector is expanding, for instance, in
South America, Asia and the Middle East.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about
this sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/academia
56
John Elliott
Research Scientist in Earthquakes,
“
University of Oxford
Whilst there are large academic
Whilst there are large academic
freedoms to be found working
in universities, this is a highly
competitive world - probably just
as ruthless as the city - with room
for only a tiny percentage to
make it to a permanent job.
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
FOR UNDERGRADUATES/MASTERS
STUDENTS:
Depending on your subject, you may
need a Masters before you undertake a
DPhil/PhD. Most application deadlines
for postgraduate study and funding in the
UK are between December and February
in the academic year prior to starting,
but make plenty of time to talk to your
tutors, The Careers Service, and research
institutions so that you can find the best
place for your studies.
“
FOR DPHIL STUDENTS:
Networking throughout your DPhil will
mean you hear of posts through contacts,
and will know people to advise you
on applications. Postdoc positions are
advertised all year round, but fellowship
deadlines can be up to one year before
they start. Junior Research Fellowships
– offered at Oxford, Cambridge and a
few other UK institutions – are highly
competitive, vary in salary, and are
advertised from September onwards. Most
are advertised between February and
April. Lectureships are advertised yearround
for the UK, and from September to
December for North America.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ +
If you are not yet doing a DPhil, try to
gain some summer research experience
by speaking to tutors/academics in
your field, or get tutoring or lecturing
experience, even with school children.
+ +
If you are doing a DPhil, get university
teaching experience or get involved
in The Brilliant Club – giving tutorials
to outstanding school pupils from
disadvantaged backgrounds.
+ +
Start building a network. Join societies
related to your subject, and attend talks
at The Careers Service on developing a
professional network.
+ +
Submit articles for publication.
+ +
Speak at conferences, or organise one
yourself.

ACADEMIA + HIGHER EDUCATION
PROF. ALISON BANHAM
Professor of Haemato-oncology
and Head of the Nuffield Division of
Laboratory Sciences – University of
Oxford
Alison studied Botany at St
Catherine’s College,
BA 1986, D.Phil 1990.
A fascination with natural history
led me to study Botany at Oxford. I
subsequently decided to pursue a
DPhil because I was curious about how
biological systems worked and had
enjoyed the challenges of designing
and doing experiments during both my
course and summer internships.
I currently lead a cancer research group at
the John Radcliffe.
EARLY CAREER: Looking for a job after
my DPhil, I quickly discovered that having
a postgraduate degree (even one from
Oxford) did not mean I could just step into
a postdoctoral research position, either in
industry or academia.
I had not even considered, when embarking
on my DPhil, whether the experimental skills
I was learning could be easily transferred
to research projects in another laboratory. I
was persistent and after 6 months unpaid
work in the Plant Sciences Department I
got my first job, and was only successful
because of the additional technical skills
I had acquired. The broad range of
experimental techniques and publications
from my first postdoctoral position made
it relatively easy for me to find subsequent
research jobs.
ALUMNI PROFILES
PROS & CONS: I am easily bored and
find the constant learning and problem
solving rewarding, although success
has not come without failures or the
need to step outside my comfort zone.
While scientific research is an exciting
and flexible career it can be difficult
to make the transition from being a
postdoctoral researcher to a Principal
Investigator. This reflects the scarcity
of tenured positions, and the need to
transition into a role requiring a new
skill set to obtain research funding,
run a research group, engage in peer
reviewing and teach. I found that
participation in tutorial teaching and
practical demonstrating early in my
career and exploiting the wide array of
University staff training courses helped
considerably. I have been fortunate
to stay in Oxford, although it can be
easier to progress when colleagues
don’t remember you as a student!
ACADEMIA + HIGHER EDUCATION
ALUMNI PROFILES
JOHN ELLIOTT
Research Scientist in Earthquakes
– University of Oxford
WHAT: I want to understand how
the earth deforms, with the ultimate
goal of reducing seismic hazard by
better understanding earthquakes. I
am very fortunate that by using the
latest satellite technology, I can look at
ground deformation anywhere across
the world. That means I have been
able to work on large devastating
earthquakes globally, such as the 2015
Nepal earthquake and the 2012 New
Zealand earthquakes. We map faults,
measure how and where faults break
in earthquakes, and how fast the
pressure is building up on them - like
an elastic band, the longer and harder
you pull the earth’s crust, the more
likely it will snap.
It is not just a desk job though, and
sometimes I go out into the field to
look at faults on the ground. I also
teach undergraduates both in the
field and the lecture theatre, and help
co-supervise DPhil students on their
research projects.
WHY: I have always enjoyed looking at
our planet and understanding the way it
works. My job lets me apply quantitative
geophysics to the earth using highresolution
images from space. Therefore,
my research is both scientifically rigorous as
well as having a pleasing aesthetic in being
able to map the continents and produce
beautiful pictures of the world.
ADVICE: Academia is very tough, and
particularly competitive at the moment.
The postdoctoral life is a state of perpetual
transition, with typically temporary, shortterm
contracts. Many young scientists
aspire for the ultimate pinnacle of academia
– the permanent lectureship, with over 100
well-qualified applicants per advertised
post typical. Also scientific funding is in
crisis, with success rates (the bread-andbutter
income of a research scientist) below
10%. Therefore the academic path must
be taken with eyes wide open to the poor
career prospects. Success in academia
relies on luck, hard work and innate ability,
but the greatest of these is luck.
John studied Earth Sciences
at University College, 2005.
57

CE
ACCOUNTANCY +
FINANCIAL SERVICES
The finance sector is vast and has demonstrated strong growth
in graduate opportunities in recent years. A range of skills
is needed including strong communication, analytical, and
problem-solving skills. Naturally, you also need to demonstrate
a high degree of comfort when working with numbers, although
not all roles require a numerate degree.
In all areas, graduate training contracts
frequently require trainees to study for a
professional qualification whilst working.
Many employers contribute towards the
cost and offer study leave as part of the
package. Accountancy training normally
takes 3 years, and Actuarial training 3 to
6 years.
ACCOUNTANCY: Accountants work in
varied roles across a broad range of services
and businesses, including advisory,
assurance, corporate finance and tax.
Opportunities exist at firms of all sizes,
including the ‘Big 4’ (Deloitte, EY, KPMG
and PwC), in both commercial and public
sector organisations. Accountants play a
key role in decision-making by providing
accurate financial information and analysis
to management. The larger organisations
have broadened their focus to
encompass strategic advisory service and
now have large management consultancy
practices as well. As such, organisations
are not just looking for ‘number-crunchers’,
but people with strong commercial
awareness, attention to detail and good
interpersonal skills.
]]
Chartered Accountants provide
professional advice to fee-paying
clients, small businesses, large
organisations and individuals –
in areas such as audit, financial
reporting, insolvency and
restructuring.
]]
Management Accountants usually
work in-house (although they can be
external) and their role is to advise an
organisation’s senior management
about the financial repercussions of
business decisions, and to monitor
corporate spending.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about
this sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/acctuArial
ACTUARIAL WORK: Actuaries are risk
management experts who use their
mathematical skills to help measure the
probability and risk of future events.
The information they generate is used
by various industries – especially in the
Pensions, Insurance and Investment
sectors. Most graduates have a numerate
degree (eg, mathematics, statistics,
economics, physics, chemistry etc), but
students from other disciplines can take
the Certificate in Financial Mathematics
(CT1) exam to demonstrate their numerical
ability to prospective employers.
INSURANCE: Insurance is focused on
protecting the value of an individual’s
or organisation’s assets, and has huge
breadth, including Corporate Insurance,
Personal Insurance, Reinsurance,
and Life Assurance. Firms are similarly
diverse. Employers are generally open
to graduates of all degree disciplines,
although some employers have a preference
for numerate degrees. Other key
skills include strong attention to detail,
and strong communication – both written
and verbal.
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
ACCOUNTANCY
Traditionally, the larger accounting firms
open graduate recruitment during the
summer in the year before graduation,
usually closing in December. Firms with
lower annual intake will typically start
recruitment later, with most opportunities
opening in Michaelmas Term of
the final year. Smaller companies often
have rolling recruitment and are worth
an early speculative approach. In 2014
and 2015, some bigger firms opened
a second, smaller round of recruitment
during Hilary term.
ACTUARIAL WORK
Application deadlines vary, so do your
research early, prepare applications well in
advance and keep looking at your target
websites.
INSURANCE
Graduate programmes will vary depending
on the size of firm and area of specialism,
so it’s important you do thorough research
on the organisation you are applying to
beforehand.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ + Demonstrate your interest in the sector
by becoming active in related student
societies – such as the Oxford Guild,
CapitOx and the Oxford Investment &
Finance Society.
+ + Show your financial acumen as
Treasurer for a society or JCR/MCR.
+ + Help run an event that makes a profit,
from fundraising to College Ball.
+ + Attend ‘Insight Days’ or ‘Spring Week’
programmes to understand the sector.
+ + Sign up for the ICAEW’s online
programme “The Importance of Money
in Business”.
“
Hugh Lailey
career advisor, The Career Service,
University of Oxford
When applying, investigate the
full range of possibilities and
find your niche. Once you’re
in, the training and skills you
develop will open up a myriad
of opportunities both within
the sector and outside because
every organisation needs to
manage its finances.
“
58

ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
EMILY STEVENSON
Associate in Assurance –
EY
Emily studied Biological
Sciences and a PGCE at St.
Hilda’s College, 2012 and 2013.
WHAT: In Assurance we work to
provide an independent opinion on
a company’s financial statements.
We work in teams and spend the
majority of our time at the client site.
We are constantly learning as each
client is different, and receive on the
job coaching daily from senior team
members.
The key attributes to be successful
in Assurance are attention to detail,
a structured approach to problems,
communication skills and a proactive
nature.
WHY: One of the things I enjoy most is the
high level of client exposure. Every day I
work alongside my client to perform work;
this ranges from more junior staff up to
CFOs and MDs. Furthermore, I understand
the controls and processes in place at
different clients allowing me to understand
best practice across the industry.
I really enjoy the opportunity of working
with different EY teams. It provides me with
exposure to a wide range of working styles
and coaching and thus allows me develop
quickly. The summer after I graduated I
had a temporary role processing invoices
and payments at a global pharmaceutical
company; I enjoyed the role however I
did not feel sufficiently challenged. One
ALUMNI PROFILES
of the great things about my current
firm is that I find the challenge I want
to ensure I enjoy my job but in a
supportive environment.
GETTING IN: EY’s selection process is
strengths based and consists of an
online application form, psychometric
and strengths test, first interview,
assessment centre and final interview.
TOP TIPS: Apply as early as possible,
ensure you know what the day to day
role involves (by attending events run
by the firm and speaking to those in
graduate roles) and don’t rush to take
the first offer you receive, make sure
the firm and the role are a good fit for
you and your strengths.
ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
ALUMNI PROFILES
ALBERT PONS
Engineering Expert &
Underwriter – Allianz
WHAT: I’m commonly asked “what
is an engineer doing in an insurance
company?” The reality is there are
opportunities for a wide variety of
profiles in the insurance sector. In
my case as an Engineering Expert
& Underwriter, for example, I insure
things like power plants, bridges,
tunnels, etc. worldwide at Allianz
Reinsurance.
My postgraduate study in Business
Strategy & Innovation at Oxford
was planned to complement my
engineering background and I am
convinced that this helped me when
I was head-hunted for my current job
at the Allianz Headquarters in Munich.
The job in the central office requires a
higher degree of strategic thinking as
well as a rigorous approach in all the
technical papers that we write, and
these are skills that I learned during my
time at Oxford.
WHY: One of the best things in
my job is the global geographical
scope, insuring engineering projects in
almost any part in the world. Additionally,
I find that each case is different and I am
constantly learning about new construction
techniques, technologies and machines in
the market. However, compared with my
previous jobs as an engineer, I miss the fact
that we don’t create anything tangible in the
insurance sector.
ADVICE: Be totally open to new
opportunities, even if they don’t exactly
match the perfect job that you have in
mind. It is often by following unexpected
paths that many people achieve great
professional careers. Take different
internships if possible: they are a great
opportunity to explore the market and find
where you fit best.
TOP TIPS: Don’t be afraid of changing
companies, especially in the first years of
your career. In my experience, as long as
you have a good professional reason for
your change, having different jobs on your
résumé won’t be a problem.
Albert gained a Postgraduate
Diploma in Strategy and
Innovation at Oriel College,
2014.
59

ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
cv@altaadvisers.co.uk
Main location: London.
About us: Alta Advisers is an investment office that represents a
wealthy and philanthropic European family. We advise on a globally
diversified portfolio, including public equities, private equity,
hedge funds, fixed income, and natural resources. To achieve this,
we adopt a fundamental, “bottom-up” approach that combines
thoughtful asset allocation with world class security selection. We
meet with the most knowledgeable investment partners, perform
detailed and differentiated research, and form independent and
fact-based investment judgements to allow our client to preserve
and grow wealth while pursuing ambitious philanthropic goals.
Opportunities available: Investment Analyst.
Investment Analysts at Alta gain a broad exposure to the work
we do. From the outset, Analysts interact with the world’s top
investors across asset classes, providing an exceptional learning
environment in which bright and motivated individuals can
thrive. Analysts work closely with the Chief Investment Officer
and Investment Directors to identify new managers, monitor the
portfolio, and evaluate investment ideas. Analysts participate in
meetings with external investment managers, contribute to investment
discussions, and travel globally.
Analysts are also supported through the CFA qualification.
Graduates sought: 2.1 minimum, in any discipline.
Visa sponsorship: Yes.
Graduate salary: Highly competitive.
Annual vacancies: 1-2.
Application advice: Send your CV and cover letter to cv@altaadvisers.co.uk,
including the reference OXCG15.
www.aprllp.com
Email: grad.recruitment@aprllp.com
Main locations: Offices in London and Edinburgh. As most of our
work is in the form of on-site support you should be enthused by
the prospect of working for our clients in different locations in the
UK and occasionally Europe.
About us: APR provides actuarial solutions and other services
including modelling, data analysis and training to our clients,
typically insurance companies and other large UK financial institutions.
Key to our success is our recruitment of a number of the
UK’s brightest numerate graduates who, after being provided with
comprehensive training, support our clients on a wide range of
projects. Clients choose us because of our reputation for developing
high-quality actuarial talent that can assist them on some of
their most challenging projects.
Opportunities available: Our Graduate Actuarial Associate
scheme offers the opportunity for unrivalled variety in your work
and accelerated technical development, and naturally we provide
full study support towards the actuarial exams.
Graduates sought: Minimum 2:1 in any degree, 340 UCAS points.
Graduate salary: £32,000 plus bonus and profit share in your first
year, generous salary increases thereafter.
Vacation work: Our Mini Actuarial Academy runs for a week in the
summer. Please email us for details.
Annual vacancies: 3.
Application advice: CV and covering letter to grad.recruitment@
aprllp.com.
graduate careers
in accountancy
SHOW YOUR
TRUE COLOURS
We’re BDO. Welcome to our world.
It’s a world where the only predictable thing is that today will be different.
It’s bright people turning professional solutions into an art form. It’s a place
to be yourself and give your best.
We give you all the training you need to attain your professional qualifications, along
with extensive practical experience that includes on-site client work. And given the size of
our firm, the rewards and benefits are of course highly competitive.
colourful careers | colourful characters
find out a shade more about bdo
BDO-TraineesUK
@BDO_TraineesUK
www: bdo.co.uk/careers | e: student.recruitment@bdo.co.uk
60

ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
That’s the sum we invested last year in our people’s training and
development. A big chunk of which was allocated to graduates just like
you. Couple that commitment with the ever-more consultative nature of
our work, and you’ll realise what makes this such an inspiring place to
launch your career. Start by visiting our website.
www.deloitte.co.uk/students
Audit and Risk Advisory • Tax Consulting • Financial Advisory •
Consulting • Technology
£27 million
says you’ll
never stop
learning
ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
© 2015 Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is an equal opportunities employer.
Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
Start today.
Change tomorrow.
Our work impacts at the highest level of global
business. We advise some of the world’s most
important organisations on the issues that are
shaping tomorrow.
It’s the perfect environment for graduates who
want to make an impact on business and their
own careers.
Start thinking today about the impact you want
to make tomorrow.
Find out more and apply ey.com/uk/students
© 2015 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved.
61

GRADUATE RECRUITMENT
1st
Voted the Number
1 Consulting
Employer in
the UK
Never stop
learning
Reshape
organisations
Careers in
Consulting
Work with the best
in the Consulting
industry
Influence big business
Work in:
Economics Consulting
Management
Consulting
Strategy Consulting
Sustainability &
Climate Change
Technology Consulting
Exposure to diverse industries, projects and clients. The opportunity to
work alongside, and learn from, exceptional people. And the best training
and development around. With all that behind them, it’s not surprising
graduates in our Consulting practice build a deeper understanding of the
issues – plus the confidence and credibility to help major businesses work
smarter and grow faster. Find out how joining one of our five specialist
areas can help develop the skills you need to succeed.
Take the opportunity of a lifetime
pwc.com/uk/work-in-consulting
62
© 2015 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved.
/pwccareersuk
@pwc_uk_careers
Create value through diversity.
Be yourself, be different.

ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
RBB Economics offers career opportunities for
entry level economists
Who are we?
RBB Economics is an independent economics
consultancy specialising in competition policy.
We are one of the largest competition
economics practices in the world, with offices
in London, Brussels, The Hague, Johannesburg,
Melbourne, Madrid and Stockholm. Our work
concerns the behaviour of firms with market
power, and covers issues such as mergers,
vertical agreements, joint ventures, price
setting and the abuse of dominant positions.
We work in dedicated, multi-national teams
which combine the experience and expertise
relevant to each case. This enables us to
respond to our clients’ needs in a focused and
flexible manner. We offer a hands-on service,
supporting and working in partnership with our
clients and their legal advisers.
Our working environment
The work at RBB is stimulating, challenging,
demanding and rewarding. We give our
staff the opportunities they need to flourish
professionally, including early responsibility
for our work product and to engage directly
with clients and their legal advisors as well
as with competition authorities.
However, we always offer our staff support,
guidance and career progression advice from
more experienced team members.
RBB is meritocratic, not hierarchical and offers
a supportive and highly sociable working
environment that adds greatly to the enjoyment
of working here.
Our clients
RBB have built up strong relationships with
clients from all areas of industry and commerce
as well as with all of the major law firms
specialising in competition law. Over the years
we have been involved in hundreds of the
most high-profile competition cases around
the world.
Our expertise is wide ranging, from industries
such as energy, mining and steel, to the
manufacturing of sophisticated medical
equipment, financial services and sports rights.
Our requirements
We’re looking for exceptional, highly motivated
economists to join our multi-national team. If
you have outstanding academic credentials and
flourish in the face of complex, intellectually
challengin issues then we would love to hear
from you.
Qualifications are usually to postgraduate
level, preferably with an interest in industrial
organisation. We are looking for consultants
with a range of quantitative and analytical
skills, and the ability to communicate complex
economic concepts in a clear concise style.
To apply
To apply, please send your CV with a covering
letter explaining why you would like to join RBB
Economics to vacancies@rbbecon.com. For
further information please visit our website at:
www.rbbecon.com
www.rbbecon.com
ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
www.rbbecon.com
About us: RBB Economics is an economics consultancy specialising
in competition policy. It is one of the largest competition
economics practices in Europe, with offices in London, Brussels,
Madrid, Stockholm and The Hague, as well as in Johannesburg
and Melbourne.
Competition policy concerns the behaviour of firms with market
power, and covers issues such as mergers, vertical agreements,
joint ventures, price setting, and potentially abusive behaviour.
RBB provides professional, independent economic advice on such
matters, applying the latest advances in economic theory and
cutting edge statistical and econometric techniques in helping
our clients navigate their way through complex competition challenges.
Graduates sought: We are always seeking ambitious, highly
motivated economists to join our multinational team. If you have
outstanding academic credentials and flourish in the face of
complex, intellectually challenging issues then we would love to
hear from you.
Application advice: Wherever you are based and regardless
of the time of year, please send your CV with a covering letter
explaining why you’d like to join RBB to vacancies@rbbecon.com
Careers in accountancy and tax
As a top 20 UK accountancy firm, and advisers to
some of the UK’s wealthiest individuals, Saffery
Champness is a dynamic and exciting place to
launch your career.
We offer a competitive salary and flexible benefits
package, along with varied work experience and
early responsibility.
To find out more about working for us,
visit www.saffery.com.
63

ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
www.sparx.co.uk
Main locations: Exeter.
About us: Using a powerful combination of data, technology and
daily classroom trials, we scientifically investigate how we learn,
and take the resulting evidence and insights to develop a learning
system that is proven to work. Our ambition? Simple. To take the
guesswork out of education and by harnessing the power of technology,
to help each and every child realise their full potential.
Our bespoke technology platform – running on tablets – provides a
data driven approach, using scientific methods to test what does
and doesn’t work in teaching. We capture real-time, real-world
data directly from students and teachers, and work closely with
teachers and heads on a daily basis, analysing and reviewing
qualitative and quantitative information.
Things move fast here, so we are looking for exceptional individuals
who are up for a challenge and the opportunity to be part of
something that’s really going to make difference.
Opportunities available: Summer Intern and Graduate roles in
Content Science and Software Development.
Graduates sought: Bright and determined graduates with at least
a 2:1 in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering or the Sciences.
Graduate salary: £30,000
Vacation work: We offer opportunities for internships and placements
– see our website for details.
Annual vacancies: No fixed number – we’re growing and are
always on the lookout for great people to join our team.
Application advice: Please check website for relevant deadlines
and application instructions.
STUDENT SOCIETY
CapitOx is the fastest growing finance and consulting oriented
society in Oxford University. The society runs a multitude of
company presentations, networking events, skills workshops,
speaker events and international business trips throughout
the year. In doing so we aim to help every member develop
the skills needed for their future job, prepare for the internship
application process and potentially meet his or her future
employer.
Our society is structured into four main divisions: Banking,
Investing, Consulting, and Actuarial & Professional Services;
a structure benefiting students who want to get involved in
finance but who aren’t yet sure which area. By becoming a
member of CapitOx we provide the framework for all students
in the University to learn about each division before focusing
on the area that interests them the most.
We currently have connections with the Oxford Careers
Service as well as numerous top-tier banks and financial
institutions, giving you direct access to those in the industry.
Last year’s sponsors included JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, Bank
of America Merrill Lynch, Deloitte, Accenture, Fidelity, HSBC,
Barclays, Towers Watson, Target Jobs and many more.
The best way to stay up to date is to join our mailing list at
capitox.co.uk – we look forward to seeing you at our events!
STUDENT SOCIETY
STUDENT SOCIETY
64
The Oxford Finance Society is an Oxford University-based
organisation that provides information on the role of the
financial services sector and related fields.
OFS is open to anyone in the university and aims to appeal to
anyone with an interest in finance, economics and business,
with the goal “to provide our members with the
foundation skills and relationships to develop successful
financial careers”.
We have a number of events during the term, both speaker
and social events, that will cater for everyone’s needs.
The Oxford Guild Business Society is both Oxford and the UK’s
largest and oldest student business society, and has always
been associated with a range of commercial organisations
from investment banks and consultancies to professional
services, technological and industrial firms.
Widely known as one of the best societies at Oxford, the
Guild was founded in 1897 and over the years the society
has accrued numerous prizes and glowing testimonials from
members, sponsors and the national media. The Guild is free
to join and being a member enables you to receive weekly
updates about our events and gives entry to our socials.
If you are interested in attending our fantastic events and
socials, finding out more about different career options from
some of the world’s largest companies or hearing from inspirational
speakers whilst meeting like-minded individuals, then
join today at www.theoxfordguild.com.
We hold over 80 events a year ranging from invaluable networking
sessions, mock interviews and famous speakers to
our hit champagne social and have over 20 sponsers including
Morgan Stanley, Oliver Wyman, Accenture and BP.
With over 7,000 members, become part of something special!
Visit www.theoxfordguild.com and join for free today!

ADVERTISING,
MARKETING + PR
Dynamic, diverse and fast-moving, this sector offers roles
for graduates from all degree disciplines. Employers look
for creative graduates who have high-level communication,
analytical and organisational skills. The ever changing digital
landscape requires you to have a keen interest in digital
and social media platforms and an understanding of how
companies can use ‘big data’ to analyse and harness customer
behaviour. For some roles, programming, web and IT skills are
particularly sought after too.
The specialisms within the sector (and the
terms used to describe them) overlap, but
can be broken down as:
ADVERTISING, uses paid-for space in
various media to motivate people to buy
products and services, or to alter their
attitudes.
PUBLIC RELATIONS, involves managing
and enhancing reputation (of a product,
person or service), principally by influencing
the media. Tools range from press releases
to promotional events.
MARKET RESEARCH, focuses on
collecting information about people’s
preferences to inform product development
or marketing campaigns.
MARKETING, encompasses and
strategically uses the industries above to
promote a product or service. The best
way to distinguish between advertising
and marketing is to think of marketing
as a pie, inside that pie you have slices
of advertising, market research, media
planning, public relations, distribution, sales
strategy, and so on. Advertising only equals
one piece of the pie in the strategy.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS, which is similar to PR,
but focuses on persuading policymakers to
adopt particular viewpoints.
Opportunities exist all over the UK in
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about this
sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/MARKETING
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/advertising
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/PUBLIC-RELATIONS
cities such as Leeds, Manchester,
Birmingham and Edinburgh, but the
main cluster of agencies is in London.
Large agencies and PR consultancies are
often international in scope. Many are
part of a larger communications group
with a parent company based in another
country.
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
Deadlines for graduate schemes in this
sector generally fall between October
and January, with larger agencies
often setting late October and early
November deadlines. Marketing and
communication roles exist in all sectors,
so you could find initial opportunities as
an in-house marketing assistant with a
charity or technology firm, for example.
Large companies in other sectors – such
as FMCG or Media – also offer graduate
trainee programmes in marketing and
market research (often termed consumer
business insight). Deadlines for these are
generally in December.
Many agencies in the Advertising,
Marketing & PR sector accept
speculative approaches, for both
graduate roles and internships. Think
about a variety of ways to make a
speculative approach, because not all
agencies will want to read a traditional
CV. Creative alternatives can sometimes
be effective, such as an infographic
or videographic CV, or a website
showcasing yourself. Use The Careers
Service’s vacancy database and the
Institute of Practitioners in Advertising
(IPA) website for listings of agencies
to approach. PR and Public Affairs
rely heavily on networking skills, so be
prepared to develop and use these to
get in!
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ + Get involved in the marketing of an
event, fundraiser, or any aspect of
promotion for a student society.
+ + Join the Advertising Society (AdSoc)
to learn more about, and demonstrate
interest in, the sector.
+ + The Student Consultancy (p.29) often
has projects that involve market
research for Oxfordshire companies:
a great way to provide evidence of
practical experience and commercial
awareness.
+ + Get involved with promotion of one of
OUSU’s campaigns.
+ + Consider applying for ‘Brand
Ambassador’ roles for large firms
looking to raise their brand awareness
at Oxford.
+ + Keep up-to-date with social media
platforms: you will be expected to
understand how to use Twitter, for
example.
Enni-Kukka Tuomala
Strategist– Saatchi & Saatchi
“
You can be creative when
applying for jobs; we receive
videos, posters and even
cakes with CVs written on
them from people trying to
stand out.
”
65

ADVERTISING, MARKETING + ADVERTISING, PR
MARKETING + PR
ADVERTISING, MARKETING + PR
TANIA GUPTA
Digital Analyst – Ogilvy One
Worldwide
Tania studied Social Science
of the Internet at St. Cross
College, 2014.
WHAT: I consult for brands in the
areas of digital communication and
data analytics. A lot of what I do
involves building data and analytics
solutions for clients to help them meet
business objectives. I am also involved
in working on research projects
and analysis. Working in digital
requires some understanding of code or
programming languages but you do not
need to be an expert - an appreciation of
the field can take you very far.
PROS and CONS: I am at the forefront of
the digital revolution and get to see the field
as it changes and evolves. Studying the
many exciting prospects that the Internet
and the digital world bring in on a daily
basis is what excites me the most. I am also
developing a better understanding of the
business side of things and learning about
the commercial arguments behind issues
such as data privacy.
However, working in digital media also
brings a lot of uncertainty. There are
many soothsayers and few reliable
methodologies. It is almost like a gold rush,
with everyone trying to strike gold with data
mining.
ALUMNI PROFILES
GETTING IN: I started applying
during Trinity Term and started work
immediately on completing my MSc.
I had a number of years’ work
experience at a digital start up in
the Middle East and kept up to date
through part-time work at a local firm
during my Masters, providing analytic
reports on the digital presences of
non-profit organisations. Luckily I had a
very understanding line manager so I
could fit my work around my study.
TOP TIPS: On a one-year programme,
start career planning early to help you
understand the job landscape and
navigate other potential obstacles,
which - for me - included finding work
at a company able to sponsor my UK
work permit. Use The Careers Service
early in Michaelmas to kick-start your
thinking.
ALUMNI PROFILES
ENNI-KUKKA TUOMALA
Strategist – Saatchi & Saatchi
WHAT: Having a strategy means trying
to achieve more from a situation than
the ingoing balance of power would
suggest. My job as a strategist is to
help brands get more out of the market
by using creativity. Sometimes it takes
the form of traditional communications
like TV, other times it involves building
the world’s first artificially intelligent
gaming and snacking robot to engage
teenage gamers through YouTube.
HOW: It’s tough to get your foot in the
door, but don’t be disheartened! I had
no experience in advertising and very
limited knowledge of it before I started
on the Saatchi grad scheme. You will
however need to demonstrate that you
are curious and passionate and love
ideas /adverts /culture.
Agencies look for interesting people
with different ways of seeing the world
– they can teach you everything you
need to know but they can’t teach you
to be interesting. So make sure you
talk about your passions outside of
your academic achievements! Just make
sure it’s true to who you are, don’t do it just
for the sake of doing it.
WHY: I knew I didn’t want to do the usual
banking, consulting or law, but it was
actually really hard to find what I did want
to do. I stumbled upon the Saatchi grad
scheme on Facebook.
Advertising combines business and
creativity, which means it attracts a
fascinating mix of people who are both
clever and creative. Being surrounded by
and learning from such interesting people
has been awesome.
Because advertising is more about how
you think and what your ideas are and not
where you came from or what you know,
your contribution is valuable even when
you’re junior. When I started my boss told
me that strategists don’t get better with
time, they just get faster.
Enni-Kukka studied Classical
Archaeology and Ancient History
at St. Hilda’s College, 2010.
66

ADVERTISING, MARKETING + PR
The Fellowship 2016
Ambidextrous
brains required
WPP is the world leader in marketing communications, with more than 155
companies setting industry standards in Advertising; Media Investment
Management; Data Investment Management; Public Relations & Public Affairs;
Branding & Identity; Healthcare Communications; Direct, Digital, Promotion
& Relationship Marketing; and Specialist Communications.
We are manufacturers of communications ideas that help to build business for our
clients, through creating and developing relationships with the people who buy
and use their products and services. We do this through a demanding combination
of hard work and flair; logic and intuition; left brain and right brain thinking.
The Fellowship was started, 20 years ago, to create future generations of leaders
for our companies. Fellows tend to be intellectually curious people who are
motivated by the challenges of marketing communications and by the prospect
of working at the confluence of art and business. They spend three years on the
program: in each year they work in a different WPP company, in a different
marketing communications discipline and, usually, on a different continent.
ADVERTISING, MARKETING + PR
Long-term prospects within a WPP company are excellent, with many former
Fellows now occupying senior management positions.
Deadline for entry:
5 November 2015
Visit our website and apply online at
www.wpp.com
To find out more, come and meet us on:
Monday 19 October, 6.30pm
Modern Art Oxford
30 Pembroke Street
Oxford
OX1 1BP
uki.experiencepg.com/
Main locations: Various locations in the UK/Ireland.
About us: As one of the world’s largest consumer goods company,
P&G has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, globally recognised
leading brands of any company in the world. P&G recruits
the finest people in the world, because they develop talent almost
exclusively from within. This means graduates won’t just get their
first job out of university; they are being hired into a career, with
the expectation that they will grow into one of P&G’s future leaders…
maybe even the next CEO.
P&G hires graduates into permanent roles, following a successful
internship, placement or career academy with the company.
Opportunities available: Brand Management, Sales, Customer
Business Development, Finance & Accounting, HR, IT, Manufacturing,
Engineering, Supply Network Operations and Research &
Development.
Graduates sought: The commercial functions welcome applicants
from any degree discipline. Product Supply (Manufacturing,
Engineering, and Supply Network Operations) requires a technical
degree. R&D requires an engineering or science degree.
Visa sponsorship: You will need a student visa or a work permit
that will allow you to work in the UK/I.
Graduate salary: Competitive
Vacation work: Summer internships, placements or a career
academy.
Annual vacancies: 100
Application advice: Varies by function. Please check our website
for details.
The Oxford Marketing Project provides you with the
opportunity to work on upcoming and creative marketing
initiatives for real corporate clients. We are a society that
work closely with our sponsors to provide a tailored
consultancy service that will allow you to engage closely
with the world of marketing across a number of different
industries.
STUDENT SOCIETY
The projects will involve working in conjunction with an
allocated team, to produce reports on current marketing
questions/initiatives set out by our sponsors, but how you
present them is up to you. The aim is that by harnessing the
creative potential of the sharpest minds at the University of
Oxford, we will be able to offer a valuable set of marketing
ideas and products that will contribute to the work of modern
business.
It provides you with an exciting and open ended way to gain
experience in the marketing sector, and will help you develop
important skills that are transferrable to any future career you
may choose to take. If you feel as though you want to involve
yourself with marketing in any official capacity during your
time at university, the Oxford Marketing Project is the society
for you.
67

ARTS + HERITAGE
This sector includes work in museums, public and
commercial galleries, archaeology organisations, auction
houses, theatres, the music industry, performing companies,
venues, historic sites – and many specialist organisations.
The sector has a huge range of roles,
some artistic (designers, performers,
artists, writers, often self-employed)
and many more using organisational,
leadership and operational skills
(sometimes known as ‘arts management/
administration’).
In addition there are teaching or training
roles (‘arts education’), jobs using
research or academic skills (‘curatorial/
specialist’ roles), and those requiring
technical skills (from set design to art
conservation).
If you’re looking for paid work, it’s
important to note that employers in
arts and heritage often rely on you to
find them, and don’t tend to have big
graduate recruitment campaigns. The
following advice can help:
]]
The vast majority of roles are
advertised as individual opportunities
– check organisation websites, as
well as sector-specific job sites like
Arts Jobs, Arts Professional, Museum
Jobs, BAJR (for archaeology),
Heritage Daily, etc.
]]
A handful of graduate schemes
exist (eg, the Ambassador Theatre
Group graduate scheme and the Arts
Fundraising Fellowships), but these
are really unusual in this area.
]]
Don’t just consider the big names!
There are hundreds of smaller
organisations working regionally
which can present less competition
- research the organisations in your
local area.
]]
Lots of organisations provide
specialist support and services to
the Arts and Heritage world: art
investment, specialist legal and
insurance firms, PR firms, specialist
IT companies, marketing companies,
training companies, public sector
bodies and charities. Consider
starting in one of these.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about
this sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/arts
68
]]
Many people working in the arts begin
their career in a different sector and
move across having gained relevant
skills (eg, accountancy or teaching).
FURTHER STUDY
Further study may be needed for certain
careers (eg, for curatorial roles, roles with
particularly high competition, or technically
skilled roles). Before signing up for an
additional course, the following research is
advisable:
]]
Browse job adverts and notice where
roles commonly require additional
study and which qualifications are
sought.
]]
Investigate the destinations of
graduates from courses you’re
considering, the background of tutors,
and what courses those working in the
field have taken.
]]
Ask alumni who are working in your
preferred area which courses are
particularly well-considered.
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
Opportunities often attract a high number
of applications and having relevant
experience on your CV is vital. Consider:
+ + Volunteering with local arts and
heritage organisations.
+ + Internships, which are frequently offered
as unpaid volunteering, although paid
opportunities are also advertised.
+ + Asking directly about jobs, internships
or volunteering with an organisation
even if you don’t see information on
their website. Many opportunities aren’t
advertised so contacting speculatively
is key.
+ + Short term/seasonal jobs – paid work,
often a little less glamorous, but great
experience. This includes staffing
festivals and events, front-of-house
work, promotional work, supporting
tours and summer work for children
and young people. Check individual
websites of organisations or get in
touch directly, as often these roles
aren’t advertised very widely.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
As both Oxford and our university have
such a rich cultural life, there are many
varied opportunities to build experience.
Some initial ideas are:
+ + Get involved with student theatre –
explore the OUDS or TAFF websites.
+ + Join in community arts projects: start
by exploring www.oxonarts.info.
+ + Find music or performance groups to
join or collaborate with – or start your
own.
+ + Explore the Oxford Broadcasting
Association to work on student films.
+ + Contribute to student arts writing.
+ + Sign up for volunteering at
www.museums.ox.ac.uk and other
museum and heritage websites.
+ + Get involved with Oxford Preservation
Trust projects locally.
+ + Come up with your own ideas: from
creating a heritage-style ‘audio guide’
for visitors to your college, to curating
a sale of student art.
alice purkiss
curatorial trainee,
the charleston trust
“
Be open minded and ask people
about their own career path. I had
no idea that there were so many
jobs within museums before I
started working.
”
ARTS + HERITAGE

ARTS + HERITAGE
ALICE PURKISS
Curatorial Trainee –
The Charleston Trust
Alice studied History of
Art and Visual Culture at St
Hugh’s College, 2012.
WHAT: Based at Charleston, once
home to the British painters Duncan
Grant and Vanessa Bell, I am working
to catalogue and research a collection
of over 8000 items made by the artists
over 70 years. In addition to digitalising
the collection, I also write public talks,
academic papers and blog posts on
my research.
WHY: Working within museums and with
world class collections is fantastic; you
work daily with the things you love and with
similarly passionate people. The collection
here contains such a diverse range of works
that exciting discoveries are made daily in
the attic studio where I work.
ADVICE: Volunteering is key. If you really
are passionate about working in museums,
make a concerted effort to gain experience.
Internships are great, but they’re not the
only way forward. Even if you work full time
to support yourself financially, everyone can
find a few spare hours to volunteer. I also
kept up my voluntary roles even when I was
working full time, as these can often lead to
further work.
EARLY CAREER: I always wanted to work
in the arts and volunteered in museums
throughout my studies. I found my first role
by chance, working for a start-up company
within the British Library – and moved to
ALUMNI PROFILES
a similar role at Tate Britain, licensing
images from the Tate’s collection
to clients across the world and for
projects including films, books, luxury
mobile phones and even biscuit tins!
Neither were ‘dream jobs’ for me, but
they did provide the skills, experience,
and a knowledge of the museum
industry which were indispensible for
my transition into curatorial work.
TOP TIPS:
]]
All experience is good experience,
even if it doesn’t feel like it at the
time!
]]
Be open minded and ask people
about their own career path. I had
no idea that there were so many
jobs within museums before I
started working.
ARTS + HERITAGE
ALUMNI PROFILES
CLAIRE MEAD
Press Intern –
Centre Pompidou, Paris
WHAT: As a press intern at the Centre
Pompidou, I helped manage relations
with print and online press, radio and
television; managing interviews, press
releases and helping to organise press
openings. As well as my daily tasks
I was involved in intensive projects
such as the press coverage of new
exhibitions, and I’ve acquired strong
skills in communication, teamwork and
organisation.
EARLY CAREER: I decided to spend
some time acquiring work experience
in different cultural and art market
environments before deciding on a
specific career. This led me to work in
galleries and auction houses before
deciding I preferred working in a
museum environment.
magazine I edited whilst at Oxford to my
interviews to show the press department
that I could provide an insider’s knowledge
of press relations both as an editor
and journalist. Committing to a project
and showing tangible proof of your
achievements shows both your enthusiasm
and your willingness to learn new skills.
If you are interested in press relations, get
involved with communication strategies
for your society, help edit a magazine,
or start blogging and writing articles.
Do not underestimate the importance of
knowing your way around social media,
online journalism, and speaking several
languages: press offices are becoming
increasingly internet-savvy and international
so you could provide the new insight they
need!
ADVICE: Take advantage of student life
to take on positions of responsibility
in societies and projects, however
small. Something you did for fun
could suddenly become relevant to
your employers! I took a copy of the
TOP TIPS: View an internship as a learning
experience rather than a definite career
step: you may not want to continue working
in this particular field after a few months,
but the experience you acquire along the
way often points you in the right direction.
69

ARTS + HERITAGE
ARTS + HERITAGE
STUDENT SOCIETY
Oxford’s Arcadian Singers are a student-run
classical chamber choir founded in 1976, singing termly
concerts in Oxford and engaged in musical ventures both in
and outside of the city. In recent years we have toured yearly,
recorded two successful CDs and are planning a third next
summer.
We focus on preparing music of a scale and standard that
goes far beyond what an evensong can facilitate, and this
term’s concert is set to feature Howells’ Requiem as well as a
premiere specially composed work for the choir by Laurence
Armstrong Hughes.
On top of benefits to musicianship, being part of the choir and
its committee offers fantastic opportunities to gain experience
in arts management and marketing. We furthermore maintain
close ties with a network of alumni employed in incredibly
diverse careers, and greatly look forward to welcoming new
members for this academic year.
VOLUNTEERING
OU Photo
VOLUNTEERING STUDENT SOCIETY
Thinking about a career in arts, heritage, education,
or events? Want to develop your customer service
or communication skills in an interesting and inspiring
setting?
If so, volunteering at the Oxford University Museums and
Collections could be just for you...
The Joint Museums Volunteer Service offers a variety of
opportunities across seven collections: from astronomy to
zoology, paintings, people, and plants… Most
opportunities involve volunteering with the public, including
families, tourists, and school groups; some involve helping
behind-the-scenes.
OU Photography Society is about learning to take better
pictures. We aim to make photography an accessible hobby
for all, you really don’t need fancy kit to take great photos,
your pocket digital or grand-dad’s old film SLR are capable of
great things! It’s not what you’ve got, it’s how you use it.
E-mail photographic.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk or go to
our website to learn more: www.ouphoto.com
For more information and to register your interest, go to:
www.museums.ox.ac.uk/volunteers.
70

BANKING +
INVESTMENT
Investment bankers provide specialist financial services and advice to
a range of institutions including governments, commercial firms and
charitable organisations. The range of services include corporate finance
(raising capital through issuing shares or bonds) and advising on mergers
and acquisitions (M&A), sales and trading (working with clients to sell
and execute trades) and treasury services (such as currency hedging
for corporate clients). Roles are often referred to as “front office” (eg,
sales, trading, research and analysis), “middle office” (risk management,
compliance and legal) and “back office” (IT Support, HR and Admin).
RETAIL BANKING: Comprised of
the highly recognisable high street
banks (eg, Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC,
Santander and RBS), the sector offers
opportunities both in retail banking and
also in specialist areas such as Corporate
Banking, International Management,
Finance and Private Banking and
Operations Management.
ASSET MANAGEMENT & HEDGE
FUNDS: Asset managers (also known
as wealth managers or investment
managers) buy and sell shares, bonds
and other assets to increase the value of
their clients’ portfolios. Their clients can
be diverse, ranging from large pension
funds to high net worth individuals
(HNWs). Careers in asset management
can be found in stand-alone boutiques,
independent companies (eg, Fidelity
and Blackrock) and sub-divisions within
a bank. Hedge funds are similar in
their remit to invest clients’ money,
however are less regulated, often more
specialised, and can vary greatly in size
(from five to 500 employees).
PRIVATE EQUITY AND VENTURE
FUNDS: These firms help raise money
for companies, often offering funds
in return for an ownership stake. They
typically invest in an under-performing
company, turn it around financially and
sell their stake at a profit at a later date.
The vast majority of people entering
this sector have some experience –
commonly in investment banking or
strategy consultancy – but some of
the larger firms now have graduate
programmes (eg, 3i, Blackstone and
Terra Firma).
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about
this sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/banking
Jonathan Haas
Real Estate Debt Strategies
Analyst – Blackstone
“
Weekly tutorials with professors
grilling you on everything
about a particular subject is a
great preparation for a job in
the investment industry, and
in particular some theoretical
modules I took really helped
my general understanding of
my job.
”
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
You don’t need to have studied a finance
related degree for a career in Banking &
Investment, but it is important to have
a keen interest in and understanding of
the wider concepts within the banking
industry and global markets, a high degree
of analytical intelligence and the ability
to build and maintain good working
relationships in what can be a competitive
and pressurised environment.
Relevant work experience is very
important for a competitive application
for a full time graduate role in this
sector and penultimate year students
are recommended to seek a summer
internship. Most banks use internships
as a major pipeline to their graduate
programmes and over 60% of Banking &
Finance graduate vacancies will be filled
by graduates who have already worked
for the employer*. First years (and second
year students on a four-year course) can
gain experience through ‘Insight’
events and ‘Spring Weeks’ (p.32) now
offered by many firms.
Most recruitment for graduate
schemes, internships and Insight
events takes place between
September and December during the
‘Milkround’. Applications for fulltime
positions open during the summer
and may close in late October;
internship and ‘Insight’ applications
close shortly afterwards. It’s best
to apply as early as possible, as
many firms recruit on a rolling basis,
meaning that places are often filled
before the application deadline.
Smaller or boutique firms may post
vacancies throughout the year, so it is
advisable to check the deadlines for
each firm.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ + Investment related student
societies offer experience, insight
and networking opportunities:
these include The Oxford Guild,
the Oxford Finance Society,
CapitOx and the Oxford
Microfinance Initiative.
+ + Gain experience managing
finances through extra-curricular
roles, eg, become treasurer for a
society/MCR/JCR; run an event
that makes a profit (it doesn’t have
to be large!) such as a theatrical
production or college bop.
+ + Sign up for Insight into Business,
a certificated development
programme offered by The Careers
Service that aims to improve your
business acumen and commercial
awareness.
*The Graduate Market in 2015, High Fliers.
71

BANKING + INVESTMENT
BANKING + INVESTMENT
EMMA FOURACRE REID
Equity Trader – Deutsche Bank
Emma studied Philosophy,
Politics, and Economics at
Corpus Christi College, 2012.
WHAT: I trade Emerging Market Equity
– primarily Russia, Turkey, Central
Europe, Greece and Frontiers.
WHY: I love what I do. There is nothing
like the buzz of a trading floor - no
office I’ve seen can rival it.
I never stop learning, every day is different
and you don’t know what to expect when
you get into work in the morning. News,
commodities, currencies – everything has
an impact and there is always something
going on. What I trade is politics heavy and
I have a front seat to what’s happening and
how it impacts the financial world. I get to
talk to the people that make things happen
and I learn a huge amount about the world
from them. The flow of information and
resources is continuous so my days are
never dull.
ADVICE: If you are interested, get some
experience. Financial institutions are mazes
with all kinds of different roles, so talk to
people - as many as you can - you never
know what might suit.
You have to love this environment. It’s hard
work and not for the faint-hearted but it’s
exciting and I enjoy the challenge. The days
are often challenging and stressful so it
doesn’t suit everyone: interest, enthusiasm
and resilience are key.
ALUMNI PROFILES
GETTING IN: Internships remain the
best route into finance and the best
advice is still to get as much exposure
and experience as you can. Internships
work like a 2 month long interview and
are the best way for the business and
the applicant to see what is suitable
for them.
EARLY CAREER: I rotated through
four different teams on the graduate
programme - with 2 months training
in New York- before joining my trading
desk. I found the process very helpful
and would have likely ended up
somewhere very different without this.
I got promoted last year and now I am
the market-maker for what I trade for
us globally.
TOP TIPS: So much of finding a first job
you like is luck, but it matters that you
enjoy what you do. If it doesn’t work
the first time keep trying.
ALUMNI PROFILES
JONATHAN HAAS
Real Estate Debt Strategies
Analyst – Blackstone
WHAT: In my role as analyst in the real
estate debt strategies group (BREDS)
I am responsible for the day-to-day
practical work on projects. This involves
a lot of the standard analyst work of
Excel modelling, PowerPoint slides and
reading investment materials, as well
as legal reviews and due diligence.
Analysts in our team typically work
directly with one of the senior
members of the team and play a
key part in all stages of the decision
making process right up to the
investment committee meeting.
WHY: Having started my career as an
analyst at an investment bank, I was
interested in moving onto something
more challenging, practical and
specific. What I do at Blackstone is both
very practical and tangible due to the
nature of our investments but it can
get quite complicated once you dig
into the details, and you get a lot more
responsibility right from the start than you
do at the bigger banks or financial firms.
GETTING IN: My interview process at
Blackstone was primarily focused on fit
within the team, and my ability to learn
new things. The individual project teams we
work in are typically only 2-4 people, so it’s
important we get on well!
ADVICE: If you are interested in a similar
career, make sure you know what you are
getting into and are comfortable with that.
And prepare well for your interviews. If you
apply for a specific role but don’t know
much about it, you will not get very far –
and if you succeed but then discover you
are not actually interested in it you won’t
have much enjoyment in the first couple of
years of your career.
TOP TIP: Keep your interests and hobbies
alive outside of work – that’s the best way to
keep a healthy balance over a long career!
Jonathan studied Economics
and Management at St. Peter’s
College, 2012.
72

BANKING + INVESTMENT
BANKING + INVESTMENT
Graduate and internship opportunities
Imagine the thrill of wrapping up the deal of the year while
the rest of Europe is gearing up for the holidays. Moments
like this define our business, and the careers of everyone
involved. You could play the next defining role.
Find out how joinus.barclays.com
Barclays Bank PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Barclays Bank PLC is registered in England. Registered number 1026167. Registered Office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.
Graduate and
internship
opportunities
Imagine the thrill of wrapping up the
deal of the year while the rest of Europe
is gearing up for the holidays. Moments
like this define our business, and the
careers of everyone involved. You could
play the next defining role.
Find out how joinus.barclays.com
Barclays Bank PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation
Authority. Barclays Bank PLC is registered in England. Registered number
1026167. Registered Office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.
www.graduates.bnpparibas.com
Main locations: 75+ countries
About us: 185,000 employees (141,500 based in Europe); €39.2billion
revenue (2014); a presence in 75 countries and an enviable
client list – this is BNP Paribas.
BNP Paribas has been serving clients for almost two centuries.
We can trace our origins back through a series of mergers
between European banks, all of which had long histories – the
earliest dating back to 1848. Today’s BNP Paribas was the result of
a merger between Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP) and Paribas
(formerly Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas) in 2000. Our customers
come to us for outstanding service and unwavering client
focus. We believe that diversity is the key to meeting their needs,
driving success and innovation. That means we take on-board
different viewpoints, value individual expression and give our
employees freedom, responsibility and room to grow.
Opportunities available: Opportunities for students and graduates
exist within our BNP Paribas Corporate & Investment Banking
(CIB) division. We offer Spring Insight weeks, Summer Internships,
Long-term Internships and Graduate opportunities in areas ranging
from Global Markets, Corporate Finance, Corporate Banking
and IT.
Visa sponsorship: We are willing to sponsor visas for international
students
Graduate salary: Competitive
How to Apply: Please apply online
73

Deutsche Bank
db.com/careers
Originate
Discover a graduate career for
innovative minds at Deutsche Bank
Bring fresh ideas to traditional problems. Spearhead inventive, market-leading solutions.
Help lead change and innovation in our industry. Whether you’re looking to excel in
finance, technology or a business operations role, you’ll need plenty of mental agility to
take on the challenges we’ll give you. And to deliver work that’s of real value not only to
our business, but to our clients’ businesses too. But if you have what it takes we’ll give
you everything you need – from structured training to global exposure – to grow a longterm
career as a leader in our global bank.
Deutsche Bank Graduate Programme – 27 November 2015
Deutsche Bank Internship Programme (Corporate Banking & Securities, Deutsche Asset
& Wealth Management, Global Transaction Banking) – 27 November 2015
Deutsche Bank Internship Programme (Infrastructure divisions) – 31 December 2015
Spring into Banking – 3 January 2016
GROW – 7 February 2016
Start a career with a difference at db.com/careers
74

BANKING + INVESTMENT
credit-suisse.com/careers
Main locations: 50+ Countries
About us: Credit Suisse provides a broad range of financial
solutions through two global divisions, Private Banking & Wealth
Management and Investment Banking, to companies, institutions
and private clients.
Opportunities available: We offer one of the most in-depth entry
level and internship programs in the financial services industry.
Our programs offer intellectual challenges and real business
experience. From day one, we’ll help you develop your skills. You’ll
gain meaningful insight into the different areas of our business,
while participating in our unique collaborative culture. You’ll face
real challenges, enjoy real achievements, and have your talents
recognized every step of the way.
Opportunities are available in: Fixed Income, Equities, Investment
Banking Department & Global Markets Solutions Group (GMSG),
IB Chief Operating Officer/Chief Finance Officer (IB COO/CFO),
Global Operations, Finance, CFO - COO Change Program Services,
CRO Risk and Information Technology
Graduates sought: All disciplines
Graduate salary: Competitive
Vacation work: Spring Internship (1 week) 2018 graduates; Summer
Internship (10 weeks) 2017 graduates; Autumn IBD Internship
(10 weeks) 2016 graduates
Application advice: Please apply online with CV and cover letter.
Numerical and verbal reasoning online tests are required
Deadlines: Spring Internship, 17 January 2016; Summer Internship,
13 December 2015; Autumn IBD Internship, 6 March 2016; Full-time
Program, 22 November 2015
www.gsacapital.com
Main locations: London, New York
About us: GSA is a multi-award winning quantitative investment
firm. We apply a systematic approach to investing on liquid
markets for equity, futures and foreign exchange globally. We
have built an exemplary track record stretching for more than a
decade of producing superior risk adjusted returns for our clients,
who include some of the world’s largest institutional investors. Our
organisation is research led with a heavy emphasis on scientific
rigour. All trading decisions are automated with individual trades
generated and executed systematically by computer algorithms
conceived, carefully developed and rigorously tested by our team
of researchers and software engineers. We operate a meritocracy;
people are rewarded based on merit and excellence, not
necessarily on experience. We seek to avoid the bureaucracy of
larger organisations and keep our management structures flat
so decisions can be made efficiently and changes implemented
quickly. People working at GSA enjoy a culture of trust and innovation.
Graduate roles available: Quantitative strategists, software engineers,
algorithm developers, systems engineers.
Graduates Sought: Students of all academic levels from the
following and any other closely related disciplines including
Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics,
Economics, Empirical finance
Graduate Salary: Competitive base salary + discretionary bonus +
comprehensive benefits package
Internships/Work experience: Available all year round
Application advice: Applications to careers@gsacapital.com
BANKING + INVESTMENT
www.janestreet.com
Main locations: London, New York, Hong Kong.
About us: Jane Street is a quantitative trading firm with a unique
focus on technology and collaborative problem solving. Our
trading is based on our own proprietary models and on busy days
we engage in over a million trades. Technology is at the core of
how we approach trading, and we consider ourselves
as much a technology company as a trading firm. Our growth
comes from hiring and training amazing people and giving them
the tools they need to innovate. Our culture is casual and our
careers are intensely rewarding.
Graduates sought: Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science and
other quantitative subjects are preferred. No finance experience
is necessary.
Opportunities available: Full time and internship opportunities
(during summer and winter) are available in Trading, Software
Development, Information Technology & Networking and
Research.
Visa sponsorship: Yes.
Application advice: Applications are open all year round. Please
submit your CV online via our website. A cover letter is not
required, however you have the option to add further info about
yourself in the comments section of the application.
optiver.com/amsterdam
Email: recruitment@optiver.com
Tel: +31 20 708 7000
Main locations: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
About us: We are Optiver, an international trading company, headquartered
in Amsterdam. With more than 700 colleagues across
four continents we constantly offer fair and highly competitive
prices for the buying and selling of stocks, bonds, options, futures,
ETF’s etcetera. It is called ‘market making’. We build markets and
provide liquidity to international exchanges in Europe, the US and
Asia Pacific.
Optiver is above all a state of mind. We are looking for you when
you believe in daily improvement, when you like to be seriously
rewarded for your performance and when you easily adapt to
change and enjoy some humour and fun.
Vacancies: We are recruiting for the following graduate roles
throughout the year: Trader, Algo Trader, Wholesale Trader, Junior
Researcher, IT Operations Trainee. Occassionally we have graduate
roles available in Risk, Compliance and Finance.
Internships: Trading Summer internship in 2016 for students graduating
in 2017.
Recruitment criteria: A bachelor degree is required for our graduate
positions.
Application process: Apply via our website. For a role within
Trading, the next step will be the assessment centre in London. For
other roles we will start with an online assessment.
75

Your career.
Your way.
Draw on all of your experiences and bring the whole you to J.P. Morgan.
We’ll make sure you have the training and opportunities to turn your talent
into an exciting career. Wherever you want to go, and whatever you want to
achieve, we’ll help you get there.
If you’re talented and driven to succeed, start your journey with us.
Start your journey.
jpmorgan.com/careers
76
J.P. Morgan is a marketing name for JPMorgan Chase & Co., and its subsidiaries worldwide.
©2015 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved. J.P. Morgan is an equal opportunities employer.

BANKING + INVESTMENT
www.rothschild.com/careers
InternRecruit@Rothschild.com, GradRecruit@Rothschild.com
Main locations: Worldwide. UK includes London, Leeds, Birmingham
and Manchester.
About us: Rothschild is one of the world’s largest independent
financial advisory groups, employing approximately 2,800 people
in 40 countries around the world. We are family-controlled and
independent and have been at the centre of the world’s financial
markets for over 200 years. We have developed a unique global
footprint and today have full-scale advisory businesses across the
world, including offices in China, Brazil, India, Russia, the United
States of America, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. We provide
strategic, M&A, wealth management and fundraising advice and
services to governments, companies and individuals worldwide.
Opportunities available: Spring Insight Programme (for first year
students or second year students on a four year course); Summer
Internship Programme (for penultimate year students); Graduate
Programme (for recent graduates); Long-term Internships (for
penultimate/final year students and recent graduates).
Graduates sought: We recruit from all degree disciplines. A high
level of academic achievement is required, with strong numeracy
and excellent communication/interpersonal skills. Minimum of 340
UCAS points and a 2:1 at degree level.
Visa sponsorship: Yes
Graduate salary: Competitive
Annual vacancies: Approx. 100 including graduates and interns.
Application advice: All candidates must submit an online application.
Deadlines vary but all applications are reviewed on a rolling
basis so early application is strongly encouraged.
www.sparx.co.uk
Main locations: Exeter.
About us: Using a powerful combination of data, technology and
daily classroom trials, we scientifically investigate how we learn,
and take the resulting evidence and insights to develop a learning
system that is proven to work. Our ambition? Simple. To take the
guesswork out of education and by harnessing the power of technology,
to help each and every child realise their full potential.
Our bespoke technology platform – running on tablets – provides a
data driven approach, using scientific methods to test what does
and doesn’t work in teaching. We capture real-time, real-world
data directly from students and teachers, and work closely with
teachers and heads on a daily basis, analysing and reviewing
qualitative and quantitative information.
Things move fast here, so we are looking for exceptional individuals
who are up for a challenge and the opportunity to be part of
something that’s really going to make difference.
Opportunities available: Summer Intern and Graduate roles in
Content Science and Software Development.
Graduates sought: Bright and determined graduates with at least
a 2:1 in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering or the Sciences.
Graduate salary: £30,000
Vacation work: We offer opportunities for internships and placements
– see our website for details.
Annual vacancies: No fixed number – we’re growing and are
always on the lookout for great people to join our team.
Application advice: Please check website for relevant deadlines
and application instructions.
BANKING + INVESTMENT
Technology Rotation
Scheme UK
Winton is a world leading quantitative investment manager
specialising in applying advanced scientific techniques to the
analysis of financial markets. We offer a Technology Rotation
Programme, allowing outstanding Software Engineers, early in their
career, to gain experience within the Software teams that deliver
our Research and Trading platforms.
Successful applicants will have three, six-month placements with
different Software teams working on various applications before
taking up a permanent position.
Our software teams work on:
• Software written in C++, C#, SQL, KDB/Q, Python and
various other languages.
• Back-testing platforms used by research to evaluate
candidate trading systems.
• Real-time systems such as our execution and front-office
platforms.
• Our large database infrastructure, which manages our
terabyte-scale financial datasets.
• Web applications for monitoring the trading system
and visualising our data.
Requirements:
• A graduate or post-graduate degree in Computer Science
or similar, from a top tier university.
• An interest and enthusiasm for working on a variety of tasks
in a range of environments and languages.
• Knowledge and experience of modern software engineering
practices from design, to implementation, to testing.
Winton Capital Management Limited, Authorised and Regulated by the
Financial Conduct Authority Registered Office: 16 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7EG.
Registered in England & Wales No: 3311531. 0092 | 11052015
STUDENT SOCIETY
CapitOx is the fastest growing finance and consulting oriented
society in Oxford University. The society runs a multitude of
company presentations, networking events, skills workshops,
speaker events and international business trips throughout
the year. In doing so we aim to help every member develop
the skills needed for their future job, prepare for the internship
application process and potentially meet his or her future
employer.
Our society is structured into four main divisions: Banking,
Investing, Consulting, and Actuarial & Professional Services;
a structure benefiting students who want to get involved in
finance but who aren’t yet sure which area. By becoming a
member of CapitOx we provide the framework for all students
in the University to learn about each division before focusing
on the area that interests them the most.
We currently have connections with the Oxford Careers
Service as well as numerous top-tier banks and financial
institutions, giving you direct access to those in the industry.
Last year’s sponsors included JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, Bank
of America Merrill Lynch, Deloitte, Accenture, Fidelity, HSBC,
Barclays, Towers Watson, Target Jobs and many more.
The best way to stay up to date is to join our mailing list at
capitox.co.uk – we look forward to seeing you at our events!
77

Want to get published?
We’re looking for authors.
How about writing papers that move the minds of traders,
influencers and leaders across the world? We believe clear
writing and bold thinking can do more than just create returns
for investors — they can help lead the way forward. Join us.
What Will You Create?
morganstanley.com / campus
Elizabeth
Research Associate
78
Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversifying its workforce. © 2015 Morgan Stanley

BANKING + INVESTMENT
The Oxford Finance Society is an Oxford University-based
organisation that provides information on the role of the
financial services sector and related fields.
STUDENT SOCIETY
OFS is open to anyone in the university and aims to appeal to
anyone with an interest in finance, economics and business,
with the goal “to provide our members with the
foundation skills and relationships to develop successful
financial careers”.
We have a number of events during the term, both speaker
and social events, that will cater for everyone’s needs.
STUDENT SOCIETY
The Oxford Guild Business Society is both Oxford and the UK’s
largest and oldest student business society, and has always
been associated with a range of commercial organisations
from investment banks and consultancies to professional
services, technological and industrial firms.
Widely known as one of the best societies at Oxford, the
Guild was founded in 1897 and over the years the society
has accrued numerous prizes and glowing testimonials from
members, sponsors and the national media. The Guild is free
to join and being a member enables you to receive weekly
updates about our events and gives entry to our socials.
If you are interested in attending our fantastic events and
socials, finding out more about different career options from
some of the world’s largest companies or hearing from inspirational
speakers whilst meeting like-minded individuals, then
join today at www.theoxfordguild.com.
BANKING + INVESTMENT
We hold over 80 events a year ranging from invaluable networking
sessions, mock interviews and famous speakers to
our hit champagne social and have over 20 sponsers including
Morgan Stanley, Oliver Wyman, Accenture and BP.
With over 7,000 members, become part of something special!
Visit www.theoxfordguild.com and join for free today!
STUDENT SOCIETY
THE
CAREERS
SERVICE
Oxford Microfinance Initiative is a student-run
consultancy that provides free services to microfinance institutions.
We aim to assist MFIs in conducting research and
developing innovative development solutions.
OMI acts as a link between MFIs and the Oxford student
population. We talk to MFIs to ascertain their needs, and
draw up a formal project proposal detailing the scope of the
project, its objectives and the expected timeline.
OMI then invites applications from our Oxford student
members. Typically, eight or nine projects will be launched at
beginning of Michaelmas. With the help of an application form
and interviews, student teams are formed for each project.
OMI offer Oxford students invaluable insight into the work of
microfinance institutions, internship opportunities and experience
in consulting, finance and academic research. OMI
alumni have gone on to work in consultancy, banking, and all
fields of international development. For more info, visit us at
oxfordmicrofinance.org.
79

HIGH LEVEL
COMPLE ITY
We’re looking for people who can
get to the root of high level challenges
using innovative solutions.
OxFORD ASSET MANAGEMENT
is an investment management company
with a quantitative focus, based in
central Oxford. We invest and trade
world-wide, 24 hours a day.
We are looking for exceptional
candidates in the following areas:
Data Analysts
Quantitative Analysts
Linux Systems Engineers
Linux Systems Administrators
Internship: Research Developer
80
www.oxam.com

CHARITY +
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
The charity and social enterprise world is bigger than you
might think, with 164,000 charities in England and Wales
alone, and 70,000 social enterprises operating in the UK.
Charities do not seek to make profits, and are usually
funded through donations and grants. Social enterprises
are businesses which trade for a social/environmental
purpose, reinvesting profits to further this purpose.
There is a huge range of causes served,
and workplaces range from small and
informal start-ups to big organisations with
a more corporate culture. Charities and
social enterprises have the same range
of job roles as any organisation, such as
marketing, HR, PR, IT, project management,
fieldwork, finance, policy, and research.
Charities often also have an extensive
fundraising or ‘development’ department.
Salaries tend to be a little lower in charities
than in for-profit businesses: a recent
survey of Chief Executives found that those
working in charities were paid an average
of 18% less than their private sector
counterparts.
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
The following options offer different ‘ways
in’ to the charity and social enterprise
sector:
+ + Internships – often offered as unpaid
volunteer internships, although paid
opportunities are also advertised. If it
isn’t possible to volunteer unpaid, get
in touch to ask whether there’s any way
they could make the opportunity more
accessible: fewer days, hours or working
remotely to allow you to accommodate
other paid work, for example.
+ + Job opportunities generally will
require some previous experience,
although voluntary experience is fine.
Administrative and project or case-work
support roles are usually accessible to
most recent graduates, as a way in to
the sector. Check organisations’ own
websites and specialist job sites such
as Charity Jobs, Third Sector Jobs,
Guardian Jobs, Idealist and Social
Enterprise UK.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about this
sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/charity
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/Work-for-youRself
+ + Contact organisations speculatively
too – lots of roles, particularly short
term roles or entry level work aren’t well
advertised.
+ + Graduate schemes are rare in the
sector, but some examples include
Sanctuary Group, CharityWorks,
Worthwhile, On Purpose (for recent
graduates) and Cancer Research UK.
+ + Many people transfer into the charity
sector having acquired skills and
expertise in a private company first.
This is particularly true of roles like
accountancy or legal work where the
charity or social enterprise might not
have the resources to train someone up.
+ + Further study – many roles are
accessible without a further degree but
this may be important for some roles
(eg, policy). Check job adverts and
their criteria to research which roles
commonly require a further degree.
If you are considering further study as
part of your strategy, it is advisable to:
+ + Understand which roles commonly
require higher qualifications by
reviewing job descriptions and
advertisements.
+ + Ask people working in your preferred
area what qualifications they have and
which courses are particularly wellconsidered.
+ + Investigate providers and specific
courses, including the background
of tutors and destinations of recent
graduates.
“
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
For any charity role or social enterprise
role, relevant work experience is usually
essential. Here are some ideas to try
while you’re here at Oxford:
+ + Explore volunteering opportunities
offered to students through Oxford
Hub, which also offers grants and
training for those wishing to try out a
social enterprise idea.
+ + Join a cause-related student society:
get involved in projects and committee
or leadership positions.
+ + Establish a new society if there isn’t
something serving the cause you care
about.
+ + Participate in The Student Consultancy:
charities and social enterprises are
among the clients seeking student
advice.
+ + Volunteer for local charities – find
opportunities using www.do-it.org.uk
or OCVA.
+ + Look at other sectors in this Guide
for advice on gaining skills useful for
specific roles.
+ + Join the international social enterprise
society ENACTUS.
+ + Explore Business Mentoring at The
Careers Service for help to develop
your social enterprise idea (p.29).
+ + Look for the Skoll World Forum
activities and the fringe events
(Marmalade/OxJam) in April each year.
Daisy Bland
Charityworks Programme
Manager – Vanilla
You can make a difference in wildly different ways, and you
are looking for one that you like. We need your passion and
skills, you will have a real impact, and this is a wonderful
sector to work in. Go for it!
”
81

CHARITY + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
CHARITY + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
DAISY BLAND
Charityworks Programme
Manager – Vanilla
Daisy studied Medieval
and Modern Languages
(French and Spanish) at
Lincoln College, 2008.
WHAT: I work for a small but
impactful social enterprise working
mainly on the operational delivery
of the Charityworks programme - a
collaborative graduate programme we
run in partnership with charities and
housing associations around the UK.
Together, we recruit, challenge, support,
develop and put to work some of the
brightest and best graduates in the country
- some of the non-profit sector’s futures
leaders.
This year we are working with 104
graduates across 60 organisations. My job
involves preparing for the next year’s intake
(collaborating and planning with partners to
shape the programme), leading recruitment
(shortlisting, interviewing & running
assessment centres), and delivering the
programme with partners, and includes
mentoring and advising 36 trainees who
are my direct responsibility. I’m also leading
on some more strategic work to develop the
programme, writing strategies and getting
buy-in from partners.
WHY: It’s fun, because the team I’m part
of is bright and funny and effective, and
because I feel like collectively, we are
making a difference to beneficiaries.
ALUMNI PROFILES
EARLY CAREER: I was clear when
I graduated that I wanted to do
something “good”, to “contribute to
society” in some vague way, but I didn’t
know what that would look like.
Like many of my peers, I found the
transition from education to work really
hard. Not having a clear direction
and, at times, not having a job
challenged my sense of identity and
self worth. I applied to lots of entry
level government jobs and charity
internships – I didn’t get onto any grad’
programme, but did find other stuff …
and I did three internships.
Two years after graduating, I
discovered Charityworks through a
friend. Within this programme I worked
for St Mungo’s and Community Trust
Housing, including work to support
homeless women. I also completed
an MSc in Neuroscience part-time
alongside that, and started my current
role in 2014.
CHARITY + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
ALUMNI PROFILES
MASIE JENKINSON
Graduate Trainee: Programme
Delivery – Sanctuary Group
WHAT: The graduate scheme at
Sanctuary Group provides a great
opportunity to enter the not-for-profit
sector whilst being able to develop
transferable business skills. The
scheme consists of four six month
placements in various business areas.
You’ll be based in Worcester, where
the head office is located and all the
corporate services are based, including
HR, Finance, Marketing, and teams
that look at project management or
assurance (making sure everything’s
running as it should be). There’s also
the opportunity to get involved in
Sanctuary’s operations – these include
residential care homes for the elderly,
student accommodation, housing for
people with support needs and social
housing. Social housing is Sanctuary’s
core business and it means providing
housing at low rents for people on low
incomes. Sanctuary is a registered
charity, so any surplus is reinvested
back in to the business.
WHY: I have really enjoyed my time on
the graduate scheme. It’s been hugely
varied and I’ve been able to lead some
great projects, including a research piece
that looked at fair access to services in our
social housing business. I’ve been able
to travel around the country visiting sites,
meeting local teams and really getting
to grips with what the organisation is
all about. The graduate scheme is also
very well supported from a personal
development perspective, with an
extensive range of training opportunities
and clear progression throughout the
scheme in terms of responsibility. I am
also a qualified PRINCE2 Practitioner (a
project management certification) and I am
halfway through a CIMA (Chartered Institute
of Management Accountants) certificate.
So even though I’m not from a business
background (my degree was in Human
Sciences!) I’ve learned a lot that will support
me through my future career.
Masie studied Human
Sciences at Mansfield
College, 2013.
82

CHARITY + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
CHARITY + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Students have the power and
potential to shape a better world.
Oxford Hub supports over 600 students to
volunteer on 49 student-led projects,
inspiring others with over 100 events,
including 3 conferences.
Career development
Personal development
Considering a social impact career?
Check out our Social Impact Internship
Scheme.
!
Find out more at www.oxfordhub.org or email
hello@oxfordhub.org
www.opml.co.uk
Main locations: Africa: Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania. Asia:
Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal and Pakistan. Europe: United
Kingdom
About us: Oxford Policy Management Limited (OPM) is one of the
world’s leading international policy development and management
consultancies. We enable strategic decision-makers in the public
and private sector to identify and implement sustainable solutions
for reducing social and economic disadvantage in low- and
middle-income countries.
Opportunities available: We welcome applications for a number
of entry level positions across Social Policy, Public Sector Finance
& Management, Economic Policy, and Statistics, Evidence & Accountability.
Graduates sought: We are particularly interested to hear from
graduates with a degree and post-graduate qualification in
relevant discipline to our work (for example, economics, finance,
international development) as well as demonstrable quantitative
and qualitative research skills.
Graduate salary: Up to £26,000 - depending on level of experience.
Vacation work: We run a summer internship program with applications
opening in March.
Annual vacancies: Due to significant business growth, a number
of graduate positions are available.
Application advice: Please submit a copy of your resume and
application via the website on www.opml.co.uk
83

THE
TOUGHEST
JOB IN
THE CITY.
COMES
WITH THE
BIGGEST
BONUS.
Frontline is a new initiative designed to recruit
outstanding graduates to be leaders in social work
and in broader society. Successful applicants will
take part in an intensive and innovative two year
leadership programme, and gain a masters degree.
But most importantly, they’ll be working to transform
the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
Because there’s no bigger bonus
than changing a life for the better.
www.thefrontline.org.uk
84

CHARITY + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
jobs.savethechildren.org.uk
About Us: Save the Children works in 120 countries. We save
children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their
potential.
Our vision is a world in which every child attains the right to
survival, protection, development and participation.
Our mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats
children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their
lives.
Opportunities available: From Advocacy to IT, Fundraising to
Humanitarian, we are looking for talented, hardworking people
from across the world who share our mission and are passionate
about making a difference for children, whatever their discipline.
Vacation Work: Volunteer opportunities across the organisation,
with our Humanitarian Department running a entry level trainee
scheme (funding dependent).
Application Advice: For our currently advertised roles and to
apply, please see https://jobs.savethechildren.org.uk.
www.worthwhile.org.uk
About us: Worthwhile is an organisation that creates career paths
for young professionals in the social impact sector. Through our
Worthwhile Graduate Scheme we facilitate ten-month meaningful
work placements for graduates with small, ambitious social
impact organisations, and provide support networks, training and
networking events - redefining ‘entry level’ so that graduates can
start building their careers in social impact from the get-go.
Opportunities available: We are recruiting fantastic graduates to
take up meaningful work placements with a range of innovative
social impact organisations.
Graduates sought: We’re looking for bright, ambitious and passionate
people who can demonstrate a deep and longstanding
commitment to social impact.
Main locations: London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Southampton,
Winchester (expanding to other locations soon).
Graduate salary: We offer both living wage placements and fullyfunded
placements with registered charities (includes centrallylocated
accommodation with bills included, a monthly stipend to
cover your living expenses, a travel card if you’re based in London,
and all expenses for work-related travel).
Annual vacancies: 30-50 positions available on the Graduate
Scheme.
Visa sponsorship: You must be legally entitled to work in the EU.
Application deadline: Early 2016. Keep up to date and apply via
the website www.worthwhile.org.uk
CHARITY + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
yearhere.org/welcome/
About us: Year Here is a full time postgraduate course in London,
designed to cultivate entrepreneurial approaches to social problems.
It’s immersive, action-oriented - and puts focus on the daily
experience of those at the frontline of inequality.
We’re looking for people who are driven to make society better.
Supported by a leading network including Citizens UK, FutureGov,
Bain & Company and the Cabinet Office - you’ll test and build
solutions to social problems. As a Fellow you’ll be part of a rapidly
growing movement of activists and entrepreneurs. Whether you’re
fresh out of uni or a few years into your career, this is a unique
opportunity to develop novel approaches to social change.
If selected, you will:
• Serve on the frontline. Your first four months will be spent
in homeless shelters, care homes and community centres,
learning first-hand from people hit hardest – and designing
innovative measures to boost your placement’s impact.
• Build ventures, secure investment. You’ll design and implement
your projects, with opportunities to secure seed investment
from funders including O2 and The Funding Network.
• Learn from an expert faculty. You’ll be assigned a personal
mentor and receive extensive training from a faculty of more
than 60 leaders from across the social sector.
• Develop a creative portfolio and connect with platforms to
share radical ideas. Previous fellows have written in the Independent,
the Huffington Post + the Guardian, directed films
and delivered TED talks.
Funding: Unlike traditional postgraduate courses, we cover your
tuition fee and offer packages of accommodation and bursaries.
VOLUNTEERING
The Broken Spoke is a DIY (do-it-yourself) bicycle
workshop that aims to address social inequality, create a
healthier environment, and strengthen the culture of bicycling
in Oxfordshire by teaching bicycle maintenance and riding to
people from all backgrounds. We offer mechanical advice,
courses, new & used parts, cycle confidence training,
volunteer opportunities, film nights, talks, and much more.
We’re always looking for volunteers with a passion for bikes,
learning, and communicating. No prior experience is
necessary, but we do offer mechanics training and have
non-mechanical volunteer roles available. Volunteering is an
excellent way to meet diverse people in the community and
become involved with a burgeoning social enterprise.
Volunteers who commit at least 6 hours per month (on
average) get free access to the workshop (usually £7), 50% of
mechanics training courses, and 10% off all stock.
If you are interested, please contact volunteer@bsbcoop.org
with a short statement of your availability and interest.
Where to find us:
• www.bsbcoop.org
• info@bsbcoop.org
• The Gates, 42 Pembroke Street, OX1 1BP
85

CHARITY + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
CHARITY + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
University of Oxford
VOLUNTEERING
Interested in tackling food waste and increasing
sustainability? Keen to volunteer locally and meet other likeminded
people?
UK households waste 25% of all the food they buy, yet four
million people in the UK suffer from food poverty. The Oxford
Food Justice Group was set up in 2010 to do something about
this discrepancy.
The Oxford Food Justice Group aims to facilitate student
volunteering with The Oxford Food Bank, while raising
awareness of food waste issues across both of the city’s universities.
We meet approximately twice a term to share some
(sustainably sourced!) nibbles, a laugh, and our
experiences of volunteering. We also put on dinners, talks
and events to get people thinking about food ethics.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved, and you can
commit to doing as much or as little as you like. To find out
more, take a look at our website -
oxfordfoodjustice.wordpress.com - or drop us a line at
foodjustice@oxfordhub.org.
VOLUNTEERING
VOLUNTEERING
Oxford Homeless Pathways provides a range of services for
homeless and recently homeless people across Oxfordshire.
We help people tackle the issues that have led them to
become homeless and to build confidence, develop new skills
and put in place plans to change their lives and move them
into a brighter future.
We are always looking for people to donate their time, skills,
and knowledge in a variety of ways, from accompanying
clients to important appointments, to running a workshop on a
topic you are knowledgeable about, or helping run a group or
club, from books to football to poetry or art!
For more information on how to get involved, please contact
us at: info@oxhop.org.uk, or telephone us on 01865 304600.
Oxford Nightline is a confidential listening, advice
and information service run for students, by
students. We offer every student in Oxford a supportive and
non-judgemental space to talk about whatever is on their
mind, no matter how big or small. We are open every night of
term from 0th-9th week, between 8pm and 8am.
You can ring us on (01865) 27 0270, skype us at
oxfordnightline, or visit our office in 16 Wellington Square.
Training to be a Nightline volunteer is an intensive but
rewarding process which develops empathetic listening and
communication skills. Our training equips students with the
knowledge and skills they need to listen and provide support
in a calm and reassuring manner, whatever the circumstances.
Nightline training is valuable for those considering a career
in mental health or student welfare provision. If you would
like to train with Nightline, you can find out more information
on our website, http://users.ox.ac.uk/~nightln/, or by emailing
training@oxfordnightline.org.
86

CHARITY + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
VOLUNTEERING
Interested in learning how to be an effective campaigner,
engaging with the wider Oxford community and working in a
great team?
We are a group of students who meet weekly and campaign
on a variety of issues such as targeting harmful stigma and
stereotypes of homeless people; lobbying colleges to employ
ex-homeless citizens in Oxford, and encouraging individual
colleges and students to fundraise and come to a fuller
understanding of the complex issues of Oxford’s housing
crisis.
Last term we led a campaign on the City Council which
stopped them from criminalising rough sleeping in the city
centre.
If you want get involved in our campaign or just want some
more information about it or homelessness we would love to
hear from you.
Find out more on our website www.oydoxford.com or get in
touch – onyourdoorstep@ousu.ox.ac.uk
STUDENT SOCIETY
Oxford Aid to the Balkans (OXAB) is a student run charity and
volunteering organisation which supports underprivileged
children across the Balkans.
This year we’re running projects in Bulgaria, Bosnia and
Albania over the summer holidays in a range of settings
including a summer camp, orphanages and community
centres. Volunteers usually go out to work with these projects
on a short term flexible basis making volunteering with easy
to fit in even if you already have some plans this summer.
Although fundraising is very valuable to our organisation, we
have no minimum fundraising fee making our trips cheap and
accessible all (just a £25 administration fee)!
OXAB is keen to take on volunteers of varying levels of
experience and will make sure that regardless of this, all
volunteers are fully prepared before they go out through
activities and language training sessions.
For volunteers interested in doing something more
challenging, we’re also looking to start up a project working
with Syrian refugees in camps near Bulgaria’s capital Sofia.
For this project we’d require volunteers for a much longer
time period and are looking for volunteers with more specific
skill sets or previous volunteering experience.
CHARITY + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
STUDENT SOCIETY
VOLUNTEERING
Raise And Give is the Student Union’s
charitable fundraising committee, and
it’s the society that has it all; sports
tournaments, hitch hikes, talent shows,
bungee jumping, Blind Dates, club nights, a
casino, street collections in fancy dress, and
the prestigious RAG Ball, to name a few!
RAG endeavours to orchestrate all this fun
and more in the name of charity and all you
have to do is take part.
Contact rag@ousu.ox.ac.uk to find out
more or go to facebook.com/OxfordRAG
UNITED Oxford is a student-led international development
organisation, mainly working with Oxford University and
Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. It aims to inspire
student-led social action worldwide, by initiating and
sustaining locally-led, student-led social action projects.
Oxford students collaborate and planning social action
projects throughout the year via Skype and email.
Beyond the project work, we hold annual exchanges: Oxford
students visit Kampala in August to assess the progress
of the projects and Makerere students visit Oxford every
February for OxFID, the UK’s leading student-run development
conference.
If you’re interested in gaining real experience in grass roots
development and international project-based consultancy or
simply just making some great friends, or fancy sharing your
experience or expertise then find out more at:
Website: www.unitedpartnerships.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedOxford
Email: Katie@unitedoxford.org
87

COMPUTING + IT
IT is an operational necessity for nearly all organisations
today and IT technical roles can be found within all types of
organisations – in fact, more than 40% of all IT professionals
work outside the Computing, IT and Telecoms sector. Other
industries which recruit large numbers into IT related roles
include financial services, games development, management
consulting, manufacturing, retail and the public sector –
and the rapid growth in the number of technology-driven
start-up organisations also creates significant demand for
technical skills. In return, the IT sector employs a wide range
of non-technical staff – from sales and marketing to project
management, HR and finance.
88
IT consultancy is also a rapidly growing
industry, with many organisations
recruiting consultants on standard
contracts and seconding them out
to clients to work on their projects.
A more recent trend has been the
emergence of companies that provide
‘free’ training in exchange for a two
year employment bond – although an
employee who leaves before the end
of their ‘bonded’ period may face a
financial penalty or be asked to pay
the costs of their training.
There is also a huge range of jobs,
roles and job titles - from software
engineering, to website production;
cloud computing and systems
development to cyber security.
Across the board employment of IT
professionals is predicted to grow
nearly twice as fast as employment in
the UK generally until at least 2020,
meaning that many firms struggle
to recruit enough staff and starting
salaries, even for those with no
previous technical training, often
exceed £30,000. Competition for talent
also means that many companies
are keen to attract people with the
potential to learn and develop quickly
and they provide excellent training
and support for new graduates
without much experience. If you have
programming skills already, these are
highly sought after for technical roles,
and popular languages include C,
C++, C#, HTML, Java, JavaScript, NET,
Python and SQL.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about
this sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/computing
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
You don’t need a Computer Science degree!
Although previous technical experience
is highly sought after, there are lots of
opportunities for you to secure a technical
role if you have a numerate degree,
some self-taught programming experience,
or can even just prove potential in
a recruiter’s aptitude test. Being able to
demonstrate a keen interest is important,
so consider what evidence you have for
this – if you don’t have any, now is the time
to build it!
Internships and jobs can be advertised
year-round, although the bigger multinational
companies generally advertise
from the autumn to late January/February,
which is around the time of The Careers
Service’s ‘Careers in Computing’ and ‘Jobs
for Mathematicians’ fairs hosted at the
respective departments. Full-time IT hiring
will continue into June for summer starts,
with some firms specifically returning to
Oxford at the end of the academic year.
Nadia Odunayo
Software Engineer– Pivotal Labs
“
There are many ways now
that enable people to move
into the software industry.
There are lots of tools to help
you learn by yourself at home
or you can opt to enrol onto
an intensive bootcamp.
”
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
IDEAS
+ + Join CompSoc (www.compsoc.
net) and/or OxWoCS (Women in
Computer Science) and attend
some events – make friends.
+ + Sign up for a free taught course at
IT Services on Banbury Road – or
train for free with CompSoc or the
Oxford branch of CodeFirst: Girls.
+ + Self-directed learning of a
programming languages for free
at www.codecademy.com (or
similar).
+ + Offer to take on some IT-related
projects/responsibilities for your
JCR/society/club.
+ + Contact a local charity to offer
support as a volunteer for a
technical area of work.
+ + Mingle with local entrepreneurs
and designers and hear
about their latest ideas and
developments over a (free!) beer
at regular Oxford Geek Nights.
+ + Approach a local firm to arrange
a day’s work shadowing. Look at
DigitalOxford.com to find local
companies working in fields that
most interest you.
+ + Find and follow IT professionals
on social media – read their
blogs/tweets/posts to learn more
about their world, and join the
conversation.

COMPUTING + IT
NADIA ODUNAYO
Software Engineer –
Pivotal Labs
Nadia studied Philosophy,
Politics, and Economics at
University College, 2013.
WHAT: I work with a range of clients of
all sizes to help them build applications
and transform the way their team
works. I’m also part of a team building
an internal cloud platform product.
WHY: I love working with a range of
interesting people to help them to solve
their problems, and I’m constantly
building skills that will help me to develop
my own ideas into a reality.
SHIFTING FOCUS: Whilst at university, I had
successfully pursued a career in investment
banking, but after my second-year
internship - and faced with an imminent
start-date post finals - I realised that I
wasn’t as excited as I’d hoped about going
into my first job.
Simultaneously, I had started to meet lots of
recent graduates who had started their own
ventures which helped me see there were
many more options. I quickly realised that
having technical skills would be invaluable
in the entrepreneurial world. I had thought
that you needed to have been coding from
a young age or have studied computer
science to get a job as an engineer, but
it isn’t like that at all – there are lots of
options to develop skills. I was lucky to
win a competition for a free place at
Makers Academy, a top intensive software
bootcamp – which was a key driver in my
transition into software.
ALUMNI PROFILES
GETTING IN:
I met the Director of the London
office of Pivotal Labs at the “Silicon
Milkroundabout tech jobs fair” in East
London in November 2013. There
were 2-stages to selection: a 1 hour
problem solving interview to assess
how I assimilated information, what I
understood of particular concepts and
how I worked to find solutions - very
similar to an Oxford interview! And I
spent a full day of working alongside
someone at the company, which was
a great way to see if there was a fit
both ways.
COMPUTING + IT
ALUMNI PROFILES
RYAN NORRIS
Software Developer –
Metaswitch Networks
WHAT: My current position involves all
aspects of the software development
process, taking new features all the
way from conception, through design
and implementation, giving a real
sense of achievement and ownership
of my work. At the same time my
personal development has always
been put first, and my skillset as an
engineer has increased dramatically
over the past two years.
I work on an industry standard
telecoms product, powering the
networks of some major phone
providers around the world. When
asked what I do for a living, it’s pretty
cool to be able to legitimately say “I
make phones work”.
WHY: I had been interested in software
development for a few years before
I finished my degree, playing around
writing programs was a hobby of
mine, and I knew it was something I’d
like to try as a career. In my final year,
a friend enthusiastically recommended
Metaswitch, where he had interned the
previous summer: he told me it was a
company full of intelligent, interesting
people solving difficult problems, and that
I’d love it. He wasn’t wrong!
The office atmosphere is very relaxed, and
I am never forced to work late, although
sometimes my work is so interesting I feel
like I want to!
GETTING IN: The interview process was
actually very enjoyable, and very akin to the
tutorials you’ll be used to in Oxford. Talking
through interesting problems with the
interviewers, they’re much more interested
in how you think and discuss, rather than
what your answer is. Logic and deduction
were valued much more highly than any
raw knowledge. If you enjoy solving those
kinds of puzzles, you really have nothing to
worry about.
89

WHAT I BUILD
IMPACTS WORLD
MARKETS,
NOT JUST LOCAL
BUSINESS.
The data included in these materials are for illustrative purposes only.
©2015 Bloomberg L.P. All rights reserved. 549679148 0115
Bloomberg R&D works on
some of the most fascinating
and infl uential technical challenges
in business and fi nance. We’re
looking for top developers with a
passion to design, build and deploy
solutions that have a real impact
on fi nancial markets worldwide.
Visit bloomberg.com/rd for more
information on Bloomberg R&D.
Are you ready to make your mark?
jobs.bloomberg.com
90
46
/bloombergcareers

COMPUTING + IT
At American Express, we’re in the midst of an exciting
digital transformation that is changing the way we do
business. We’re developing innovative solutions that work
for our customers, merchants and partners in today’s world
of big data and big opportunities. That’s why we’re building
a diverse group of engineers, data scientists and designers
who are passionate about what they do.
COMPUTING + IT
We offer highly competitive, highly customizable benefits,
including great health care, paid leave, onsite amenities and so
much more. Work-life balance is important to us, too.
We’ve got the know-how, technology, benefits and global reach
to make nearly any idea a reality. All that’s missing is you.
Named to the 2014 Top 100 Employers
by Stonewall
Named one of the 2015 Top 25 Big Companies to Work For
by The Sunday Times
let’s connect
Join us at
careers.americanexpress.com/tech
661-01B-SP-15-23.indd 1
8/17/2015 11:32:12 AM
www.atkearney.com
Main locations: London and Europe
About us: At A.T. Kearney, we are committed to excellence in all
we do: for our clients, our colleagues and our communities. From
the moment you join us, you will see that our collaborative culture
transcends organisational and geographic boundaries.
Our consultants are genuine, approachable, passionate about
delivering great client work, and have a very strong team spirit.
The experience you gain and the bonds you form here will last
a lifetime – as underscored by our global alumni network, some
18,000 strong.
Our collaborative working style brings amazing opportunities for
colleagues at all levels to make an immediate impact. We give
consultants a lot of responsibility quickly and client interactions
early on in their careers. We do innovative work around the globe
and our clients give us high praise for our candid communication
style, the quality of our work, the results we deliver, and our ability
to work with them shoulder to shoulder.
Opportunities available: Business Analyst.
Graduate salary: Competitive.
Vacation work: Unfortunately we don’t offer internships or summer
work experience.
Annual vacancies: No set quota.
Application advice: Please apply via our website: www.atkearney.
com.
www.ensoft.co.uk
Email: recruitment@ensoft.co.uk, Twitter (@ensoftuk), Facebook
(ensoftuk)
Main locations: Harpenden, Hertfordshire
About us: Ensoft develops software that connects the world.
The Internet depends every single day on the code we write. It’s
interesting and challenging work that matters.
We’ve grown to a team of about sixty software developers by
recruiting some of the best Oxbridge graduates each year, and
investing heavily in their training. It’s an ideal environment for
bright people who want to develop rapidly. It is a very successful
business and all employees share in this.
We also offer an excellent work environment with flexible hours
and distractions like table football, pool and table tennis. Our very
active social scene ranges from weekly breakfast and cinema
trips, to fell walking and weekends in places like Cape Town and
Valencia.
Graduates sought: Any numerate discipline.
Graduate Salary: £35,000, rising rapidly in line with performance,
plus discretionary bonus that can grow to be a substantial part of
the remuneration package, and other benefits.
Vacation work: Two summer internships, £20,000 pro-rata.
Annual vacancies: About 3-5 graduates, but we will always consider
exceptional candidates.
Application advice: CV to recruitment@ensoft.co.uk; see our
website for details & deadline. We accept applications all year,
but focus mostly on Michaelmas term.
91

The Future.
Can you tell us
what it looks like?
G-Research. Modelling financial markets.
At G-Research we research investment ideas to predict returns in financial markets
across multiple asset classes. We also develop the research and execution platform
to deploy these ideas in markets globally.
We have exceptional opportunities available for technically minded candidates
who are passionate about technology and solving complex problems in an
ever changing environment.
We have summer internships, graduate roles and year placements available
in our Software Development, IT Support and Information Security teams.
www.gresearch.co.uk

COMPUTING + IT
6
4
4
N
4
L
1
7
COMPUTING + IT
5
U ?
1
6
10
14
2
WHAT’S MISSING?
Which letter replaces the question mark?
AN IT CONSULTANCY FOR PEOPLE WHO THINK.
CHP employs graduates and professionals from many disciplines.
You will be curious, have a logical mind, and be confident,
ambitious and ready for a challenge.
We are established in the UK, US, Asia-Pacific and throughout
Europe. You will be based in our London City office and go on to
work in a variety of roles on projects with some of the world’s
leading leasing and asset finance companies.
We will train you so you can work on any part of our business change
projects, building and implementing our industry-leading software.
You will have an outstanding academic background including a 2:1
degree or better and a minimum of 320 UCAS points.
Starting salary is £40k with a £5k sign-on bonus and excellent benefits.
Find out more about opportunities with CHP Consulting at
www.chp.co.uk/careers.
20150724_CHP_OxGuideCareers_164x125mm.indd 1 24/07/2015 16:22
careers.gresearch.co.uk
Main Locations: Based in the heart of Central London, next door
to Charlotte Street’s many restaurants and bars, we are served by
5 stations and are in walking distance of the many attractions of
London’s West End.
About us: At G-Research we research investment ideas to predict
returns in financial markets across multiple asset classes. We
also develop the research and execution platform to deploy these
ideas in markets globally.
Opportunities available: As a pivotal part of our business, our
Software Developers work with cutting edge technologies that
allow them to extend and enhance our global software stack, creating
new applications that turn exceptional ideas into exceptional
results.
They will be working on performance critical, large scale enterprise
systems that require sharp and agile minds able to learn new
skills fast. This is a role suiting candidates able to demonstrate the
ability to deal with a rapidly transforming technological environment,
working alongside the brightest minds in the industry.
Graduates Sought: Computer Science or a related technical
degree.
Graduate Salary: Extremely Competitive.
Vacation work: We have internships available over the summer
months.
Annual vacancies: up to 10 Graduate and 10 Internship positions
available.
Application advice: Please apply online at careers.gresearch.
co.uk. Closing date for Software Developer applications is 18th
December 2015.
careers.metaswitch.com
careers@metaswitch.com
Main Locations: North London, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Chester,
Coventry, US
About us: Metaswitch Networks is powering the transition of communication
networks into a cloud-based, software-centric, all-IP
future. We are at the forefront of a technology revolution that is
changing how networks are built, how information is distributed
and how we will communicate in the future.
We work with established giants – such as BT, AT&T, Cisco and
Microsoft – as well as smaller, niche companies.
Opportunities available: We are recruiting talented, motivated
and exceptionally bright Graduates, Post-graduates and Interns,
from ALL academic disciplines to work in Product Development,
System Testing, Customer Support and Sales Engineering. If you
can bring creative solutions to challenging problems, and want to
work with colleagues who are among the smartest and brightest
in their field, then we want to hear from you. You do not need any
prior experience (none whatsoever!).
Graduates sought: We are looking for people who have a solid
academic record, including a good degree in any subject, have an
interest in technology (no computing experience is needed), stand
out because of their creativity and versatility, have excellent communication
skills and a positive, can-do attitude.
Visa Sponsorship: Yes
Vacation Work: Yes (minimum 8 weeks, £1500pcm)
Annual vacancies: Graduates 25, Interns 40
Application advice: We recruit all year round. Please apply online
via our website.
93

COMPUTING + IT
COMPUTING + IT
optiver.com/amsterdam
Email: recruitment@optiver.com
Tel: +31 20 708 7000
Main locations: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
About us: We are Optiver, an international trading company, headquartered
in Amsterdam. With more than 700 colleagues across
four continents we constantly offer fair and highly competitive
prices for the buying and selling of stocks, bonds, options, futures,
ETF’s etcetera. It is called ‘market making’. We build markets and
provide liquidity to international exchanges in Europe, the US and
Asia Pacific.
Optiver is above all a state of mind. We are looking for you when
you believe in daily improvement, when you like to be seriously
rewarded for your performance and when you easily adapt to
change and enjoy some humour and fun.
Vacancies: We are recruiting for the following graduate roles
throughout the year: Trader, Algo Trader, Wholesale Trader, Junior
Researcher, IT Operations Trainee. Occassionally we have graduate
roles available in Risk, Compliance and Finance.
Internships: Trading Summer internship in 2016 for students graduating
in 2017.
Recruitment criteria: A bachelor degree is required for our graduate
positions.
Application process: Apply via our website. For a role within
Trading, the next step will be the assessment centre in London. For
other roles we will start with an online assessment.
skyscanner.net/jobs/graduates
Main locations: Europe, Asia & US
About us: Skyscanner is a fast paced global internet economy
company in the travel business, and over 40 million people a
month trust us to turn their travel nightmares into sweet dreams.
As the world’s travel search engine, we’re much more than a tech
company and much more than a travel company. In short, we’re a
world of opportunities.
Opportunities available: We offer graduate programmes and
summer internships in Technology and Commercial/Marketing.
Both give you exposure to the teams that make us the leading
metasearch company we are today.
As part of our engineering team, you will be exposed to the latest
technologies and responsible for delivering game-changing innovative
solutions. As part of our commercial/marketing teams, you
will be dedicated to building and growing our brand by creating
engaging campaigns in our core markets across the globe!
We help our customers travel smarter. And, if you join us as a
graduate or intern we could also help you work smarter too!
Graduates sought: All disciplines.
Graduate salary: Competitive.
Application advice: We recruit on a first come first serve basis so
to avoid missing out, apply online today!
94
REBOOT
THE CLASSROOM
At Sparx we use a powerful combination
of data, technology and daily classroom
trials to scientifically investigate how we
learn, and take the resulting evidence and
insights to develop a tablet based learning
system that helps each and every child
realise their full potential.
Studying computer science, mathematics,
engineering or the sciences? We are looking
for exceptional interns and graduates who
want to take the guesswork out of education.
Find out about careers at Sparx
sparx.co.uk/ignite
www.sparx.co.uk
Main locations: Exeter.
About us: Using a powerful combination of data, technology and
daily classroom trials, we scientifically investigate how we learn,
and take the resulting evidence and insights to develop a learning
system that is proven to work. Our ambition? Simple. To take the
guesswork out of education and by harnessing the power of technology,
to help each and every child realise their full potential.
Our bespoke technology platform – running on tablets – provides a
data driven approach, using scientific methods to test what does
and doesn’t work in teaching. We capture real-time, real-world
data directly from students and teachers, and work closely with
teachers and heads on a daily basis, analysing and reviewing
qualitative and quantitative information.
Things move fast here, so we are looking for exceptional individuals
who are up for a challenge and the opportunity to be part of
something that’s really going to make difference.
Opportunities available: Summer Intern and Graduate roles in
Content Science and Software Development.
Graduates sought: Bright and determined graduates with at least
a 2:1 in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering or the Sciences.
Graduate salary: £30,000
Vacation work: We offer opportunities for internships and placements
– see our website for details.
Annual vacancies: No fixed number – we’re growing and are
always on the lookout for great people to join our team.
Application advice: Please check website for relevant deadlines
and application instructions.

COMPUTING + IT
Are you a
little bit geeky?
Join our team of Software Developers on
a starting salary of £28K plus excellent benefits
COMPUTING + IT
No experience required
Who are we?
We are a fast–growing
software company and market
leader in the healthcare sector
with SystmOne, our
cutting–edge product suite.
What we are looking for:
We’re looking for smart graduates to join our expanding
team of Software Developers. You don’t have to have any
programming experience for this job – you just need to be
super bright, willing to learn, ready for a challenge and a
great problem solver. As well as a great job you’ll receive
regular pay reviews, bonuses and a whole host of benefits.
Apply now if you have:
A degree of 2:1 or higher
(Any discipline)
A*AA at A Level
(Including A* in Maths)
To apply, send your CV and covering letter to careers@tpp-uk.com
For more details visit www.tpp-uk.com/careers
THE
CAREERS
SERVICE
STUDENT SOCIETY
The Oxford University Computer Society is an
active society that aims to provide events that interest
anyone who has some form of interest in Computers or
Technology.
A BOUTIQUE FAIR
Thursday 19 November
Dept. of Computer Science
Events can range from Talks, to LAN Parties, Hacking
(Hackathon) and Cracking (CTF) Competitions to Film Nights,
Lightning Talks, Coding Classes and other Socials. They can
prove to be invaluable networking opportunities, and provide
experience and insight into the Computing industry.
The membership fee is only £5 for life, and you will receive a
custom membership card, and may apply for free VPS
capacity courtesy of Elastic Hosts. You can find out more
information about our society and see our upcoming events
by visiting our website, or by finding us on Facebook.
ox.compsoc.net
www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc
95

CONSULTANCY
Many students consider a career in consulting because
of the fast pace, wide variety of projects, and high
performance clients and teams with whom you can work.
Consultants can gain unique insights into a wide range
of sectors and organisations and work with staff at all
levels. Consultants can work long hours, travel extensively
and, at the start of your career, you may spend more time
conducting Excel analyses rather than strategizing with
the CEO in the Board Room.
Graduates are expected to take an active
and productive role in projects from the
start of their career, with the overall aim of
a consultant being to help organisations
improve their business performance. This
could include anything from entry into
a new market, identifying new revenue
sources, assessing the business case for
a new product, or innovating customer
experiences. It can also include advice
on scaling back, closing operations,
cutting costs and reorganisation. Skills in
team work, analysis, problem solving and
communication are key.
The type and range of clients you work
with will depend on the sort of firm you
work for. Consulting firms range from
large, multinational firms working across a
variety of industries, to niche consultancies
specialising in expert advice on a specific
industry, such as healthcare, media, or
financial services. Broadly, work tends to be
broken down into two types:
]]
Strategy consultancy: understanding
and finding solutions to strategic
problems within an organisation. This
could, for example, be understanding
competitors, the external market,
or future drivers of growth. Projects
tend to be fairly short, and these roles
generally involve significant amounts
of travel.
]]
Implementation consultancy: taking a
strategic idea or solution and making it
a reality. Consultants will work to make
sure that all elements of a business
– such as personnel, technology and
processes – come together to reach
a successful outcome. Projects tend
to be longer than those in strategic
consultancy, and consultants are often
based at the client organisation.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about
this sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/concultancy
96
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
Most large firms accept applications from
1st September onwards for graduate
positions and summer internships starting
the following year; however, companies
including Deloitte, PwC, EY and KPMG,
regularly open even earlier in the summer.
Closing dates for large firms, such as
BCG, Bain and McKinsey, usually fall in
late October and early November. Some
consultancy firms recruit on a rolling
basis, so preparing early and making an
application in good time is advisable.
Other firms, such as Accenture, keep their
application process open all year round.
It is important to check individual firms’
websites so that you can apply accordingly.
Internships in consulting are becoming
more popular with the large firms, but they
are not the only route in: other commercial
experience is still very valuable.
Consultancies advise across all sectors,
so work experience in other industries is
valuable if you can reflect analytically upon
the experience.
The application process for consultancy is
very rigorous and once it starts, can move
quite quickly. Therefore, assuming you are
successful, you won’t have much time to
prepare before each interview round (and
there might be five rounds!).
The process typically starts with a written
application, moves to possible aptitude
tests (possibly on line), then to several
rounds of interviews and/or assessment
centres. The bulk of the interviews will
be based on Case Studies; these are
key to demonstrating that you can think
about business problems like a consultant
and you will need to do a good job on
every case, and an outstanding job on a
couple. You should prepare and practise
these in advance, especially if you feel
less comfortable working with numbers.
As for all interviews, we recommend that
you practise these with other people, out
loud. The Careers Service has a variety of
case study resources and workshops to
help you make a competitive application;
consultancies also run case study
workshops during term time and you
should try to attend several of these.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ + Join The Student Consultancy (p.29)
for training and term-time consulting
experience. Teams work on finding
solutions to real business problems
faced by local companies, charities and
other organisations.
+ + Sign up for Insight into Business. This
new learning development programme
aims to improve your business acumen
and your commercial awareness.
+ + Get involved in Oxford Biotechnology
Roundtable, which offers opportunities
in a niche field of consulting.
+ + Become active in a related student
society, such as the Oxford
Management Society, CapitOx
Consulting or the Oxford Guild.
+ + Get involved in a business activity
where you can demonstrate some
impact and commercial insight, such
as managing the budget for your
college ball, improving the marketing
of a concert, or streamlining an
administrative process in a society.
“
Victoria Morrison
Consultant, Bain & Company
Structured and analytical
thinking are absolutely
critical; consulting is about
breaking down problems
and attacking them with
different sorts of evidence
to prove or disprove a
hypothesis.
”

CONSULTANCY
HARRY BROWNE
Consultant – Solon
Harry studied Philosophy,
Politics, and Economics at
St Hilda’s College, 2013.
WHAT: Since I left Oxford I have
been working in strategy consulting.
Currently I am a Consultant in the
London office of Solon, a firm that
specializes in providing support
to companies and investors in
TMT (technology, media and
telecommunications). While that may
ALUMNI PROFILES
sound quite narrow, I have worked in
everything from mobile to apps to TV, and
everywhere from Latin America to Africa to
here in London.
WHY: I initially chose a career in consulting
because I had heard (with no actual firsthand
experience) that the work would be
varied and challenging, and that I would
be given responsibility early in my career.
Further, I would gain exposure to top
management and the biggest questions
facing many large and exciting firms today.
All of that has been true, and more.
Each task is unique and the projectbased
nature of all our work means
that things never get stale. On my
first project I was part of a small team
assessing the opportunity of satellite
television in Sub-Saharan Africa for a large
telecommunications company. From the first
day I was entrusted with a large amount
of responsibility and encouraged to do my
own thinking.
ALUMNI PROFILES
ADVICE:
]]
Speak to as many people as you
can in the industries that interest
you. There really is no alternative
to finding out what it is like to do a
job on a day-to-day basis. When
the interview comes around you
will also be able to demonstrate
your interest, and the knowledge
you have built up about the
industry.
]]
Also, don’t panic if your ideal job
doesn’t turn up straight away –
the experience you build up in
interviews is valuable, even if it
doesn’t work out.
TOP TIP:
]]
My job hunt was helped by
the CV clinics and The Student
Consultancy programme run by
The Careers Service: it is definitely
worth taking time to make use of
their resources.
VICTORIA MORRISON
Consultant – Bain & Company
CONSULTANCY
WHAT: My job is about helping our
clients crack their toughest business
problems. We help clients both when
their business is doing well and when
they are facing difficult challenges.
WHY: Consulting is a fantastic place
to learn core business skills and see
a wide range of different industries
in multiple countries – I couldn’t
recommend it highly enough as a
place to start your career! I have been
exposed to a phenomenal range of
business problems, and learnt to solve
these with a brilliant set of colleagues,
many of whom are now close friends.
On the downside, hours can be long
and the travel demanding.
CAREER PATH: I’ve spent nearly 4 years
at Bain and my role and responsibilities
have changed drastically. You’ll move
quickly from cracking one piece of
the puzzle to being responsible for a
larger part of the case and managing
junior team members. Promotions are
based on merit rather than tenure –
those changing careers or coming from an
advanced degree can really benefit from
their previous experience.
GETTING IN:
We look for people who have demonstrated
academic excellence, leadership and
initiative in any area they are passionate
about (sports, music, charity – or anything),
and people who will work well in a team.
You need to be comfortable working with
numbers (but it’s not all about maths) – and
a positive, proactive attitude goes a very
long way!
Use your time at Oxford to pursue whatever
you’re interested in – I was Editor of
Cherwell which was great experience for
much of the work we do.
TOP TIPS:
Speak to as many people as you can in
your chosen career or firm(s) and really
understand the day to day nature of the
job – what will you really be doing in your
first weeks, months and years? That’s key to
knowing whether it’s for you.
Victoria studied History at St
Hilda’s College, 2011.
97

CONSULTANCY
CONSULTANCY

CONSULTANCY
Looking for a career making a difference?
“I joined because I
wanted to make a
positive difference
for tax payers and
patients by improving
the way public
services are delivered”
Antonio
INTERN TO PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
CONSULTANCY
Improving public services through
management consultancy and capability building
recruitment@2020delivery.com
www.2020delivery.com
www.2020delivery.com
Main location: We are based in Westminster, London. However,
our consultants frequently work from client sites, most of which
are situated in London and the South East.
About us: 2020 Delivery is a management consultancy committed
to improving and bringing about lasting change to UK public services.
We work exclusively with public services and currently only
in the UK. We specialise in three areas: Strategy and Business
Planning; Performance Improvement; and Capability Building.
We rely on exceptional individuals who adhere to our four core
values of optimism, rigour, humility and respect. Our consultants
deliver projects and also train and mentor client staff to deliver
improvements.
Opportunities available: Four Junior Consultant roles (graduates,
ideally with some internship or other experience of working), and
one internship.
What we look for: We require all our consultants to possess
excellent analytical, problem solving and numerical skills, and to
be passionate about achieving lasting change in public services.
We accept any degree discipline, normally 2:1 or higher.
Visa sponsorship: We are unable to sponsor visas.
Graduate salary: Competitive.
Vacation work: Summer internship (8 weeks, paid).
How to apply: Please submit your CV and cover letter to
recruitment@2020delivery.com by midnight on Sunday 1st November
for graduate applications, or by Sunday 17th January for
internship applications. For advice and more information please
visit www.2020delivery.com.
www.joinapt.co.uk
Main locations: UK, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and North America.
About us: APT is in the business of changing the way leading
global companies make decisions. Using our own combination of
strategy consulting and technology, we empower consumerfocused
companies to test new initiatives, learn from the results,
accurately predict the impact of decisions, and maximise profits.
You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with senior
executives, collaborate with exceptional peers who are
passionate about what they do, achieve rapid career
advancement, and make a big impact. Given APT’s
entrepreneurial environment, you will learn quickly and be
exposed to diverse industries, gaining the experience to lead
key client engagements. At APT, you are expected to not only
have a tremendous impact in transforming our clients, but also a
leading role in shaping APT’s future. APT’s client portfolio includes
Walmart, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Boots,
ASDA, Shell, Subway, Argos, Costa and many others.
Opportunities available: We are looking for motivated and
analytically-minded graduates and postgraduates who are
excited by the intersection of business analytics and technology.
Graduates sought: Any discipline.
Visa sponsorship: APT sponsors work visas for successful
international applicants.
Graduate salary: Starting salaries of over £50,000 per annum.
Vacation work: No.
Annual vacancies: Multiple openings.
Application advice: Apply online via www.joinapt.com/apply (CV
and cover letter required) by 6 November 2015.
99

CONSULTANCY
CAREER
OPPORTUNITY
FOR FRESH
GRADUATES
Main Locations:
London, Guildford, Gloucester and Leeds
Company Overview
The Applied Intelligence division of BAE Systems delivers solutions which help our clients to protect and enhance their critical
assets in the intelligence age. These Intelligent Protection solutions combine large-scale data exploitation, 'intelligence-grade'
security, complex services and solutions integration. Leading enterprises and government departments use our solutions to
protect and enhance their physical infrastructure, mission-critical systems, valuable intellectual property and financial
success.
Opportunities available:
There are a variety of graduate opportunities for both Technical and Consulting positions, including:
- Business and Technical consultant
- Cyber Security Consultant
- Electronics Engineer
- Software Developer
- Software Engineer
- Technical / Software Consultant
We accept applications year round with a monthly intake of new starters. We are currently looking to grow our business so
there is no set limit on the number of good candidates we can take.
Graduates sought:
We are looking for graduates to have a minimum of a 2:1 (or predicted). Any graduate discipline is considered for our
consulting roles as long as you can think logically and pick up technical topics where necessary.
Internships and Work Experience:
We are looking to take a large number of interns for summer 2016 and over the 2016/17 academic year. We aim to keep the
internships as close to what you’d get out of a role with us as possible, you’ll have access to training, as well as business
forums and networking events. You’ll also receive a formal review from your project manager. We pay £19,500 for a 12-month
internship if you’ve completed two years of study, and £21,500 if you’ve completed three or more years. Our summer interns
receive £1,400 per month, and placements generally last twelve weeks.
For further information please visit http://www.baesystems.com/emergingtalent
www.linkedin.com/company/baesystemsai
www.linkedin.com/company/baesystemsai

CONSULTANCY
Join our expanding team
Helios is an award-winning consultancy focusing on aviation, air traffic
management and airports. We are part of Egis, an international group
offering engineering, project structuring and operations services. As
a result of an exciting period of increased activity and growth, we
are looking for more than our usual number of talented graduates to
join us next year.
If you love problem-solving and analytical challenges but you also
want a career in which you will be actively engaged with clients,
contributing to the improved performance of a variety of industries
and businesses, and travelling the world, we could be the right
company for you.
We are looking for candidates to join us in 2016
You should be expecting at least a 2:1 degree in a numerate subject
and have excellent communication skills which you’ll want to put
to good use in a client-facing role. In return we can offer you a
challenging career, international travel, the training you will need
to become a successful consultant, a career plan tailored to your
aspirations and a mentor to support you.
Starting salary is £30k plus benefits
If you like the sound of a career with Helios, please email your CV with
a covering letter to opportunities@askhelios.com explaining why you
are interested in a career with us.
CONSULTANCY
Find out more about us before you apply: askhelios.com
www.joinbain.com
Main locations: 51 offices in 33 countries.
About us: Bain & Company is one of the world’s leading management
consulting firms. Bain advises top businesses on their most
critical issues and opportunities: Strategy, marketing, organization,
operations, technology and mergers & acquisitions, across
all industries and geographies. Every case begins by looking from
a CEO’s perspective, and then digging deep to unearth the right
solutions. The approach and recommendations are highly customized
- Bain helps clients decide where they want to go, and how to
get there. From day 1, an associate consultant (AC) works in teams
to understand new markets, frame new business models and help
clients transform their organisations. ACs are exposed to a variety
of business challenges across multiple industries which quickly
builds a valuable toolkit of business and management experience.
Bain invests heavily in professional development - ranging
from formal training around the world, personalised coaching,
and mentorship to guide a graduate through their career. These
intangibles are part of why Bain is consistently ranked as one of
the best firms to work for by many leading publications such as
Consulting Magazine, Vault and Glassdoor.
Opportunities available: Full time Associate Consultants
Graduates sought: Graduates and postgrads from any discipline.
Visa sponsorship: Willing to sponsor work visas.
Graduate salary: Highly competitive
Vacation work: Please see our website for intern opportunities.
Annual vacancies: No fixed quota
Application advice: Apply online with your CV and covering letter.
Applications open 1st Sept 15, close 1st Nov 15.
www.bcg.com
Main locations: London, 20 Manchester Square, London W1U 3PZ,
UK – with 81 other offices worldwide
About us: The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management
consulting firm and the world’s leading advisor on business
strategy and transformation. We partner with clients from the
private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify
their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges,
and transform their enterprises. Our customised approach
combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets
with close collaboration at all levels of the client organisation.
This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive
advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting
results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 82 offices
in 46 countries. For more information, please visit bcg.com.
Opportunities available: Associate and Junior Consultant full-time
positions
Graduates sought: All degree disciplines
Visa sponsorship: Yes
Graduate salary: Competitive
Vacation work: Summer Associate programme for 8 weeks during
your penultimate year at university
Annual vacancies: No fixed quota
Application deadlines:
• Associate and Junior Consultant: 15/09/2015 – 31/10/2015
• Summer Associate: 01/01/2016 – 30/01/2016
Method of application: Cover letter and CV.
101

CONSULTANCY
CONSULTANCY
• We are a strategy consulting firm serving
top management of leading corporations.
• Since our inception in 1979, we have chosen
to work for a limited number of leading
international firms with whom we build
long-term relationships.
• We apply fact-based, quantitative analysis to
competitive problems and get involved in the
implementation of our recommendations.
• We develop consultants with cross-industry
experience and cross-functional expertise.
• We promote from within.
If you wish to join our team, please forward a CV and covering letter to:
ogc.05.06.15
Patricia Bahs
Mars & Co
12-18 Grosvenor Gardens
London SW1W 0DH
www.marsandco.com
new york – london – paris – san francisco – tokyo – shanghai

CONSULTANCY
www.uk.capgemini-consulting.com
Email: graduate.careers.uk@capgemini.com, follow #CCUKGRADS
Main location: London
About us: As an Associate Consultant, you will join our industryrenowned
Consulting Development Community (CDC). Throughout
the 24 months, you will gain varied project experience in different
sectors, such as Consumer Products and Retail, Financial
Services and Insurance, Government and Utilities. Or, if you
know already where your interests lie, join our Financial Services
Consulting Academy, a graduate programme focussed on working
specifically with FS clients.
Whichever programme you choose, you will complete our
Foundation Management Consulting Certificate (FMCC) as part
of your learning and development. The successful completion of
all modules over the two years will secure you three professional
qualifications: Prince2 Foundation Level, Financial Management
for Business CIMA and the Six Sigma Yellow Belt.
Opportunities available: Management Consulting – including
Business Analytics roles, Financial Services Consulting
Graduates sought: Minimum 2:1 degree or equivalent and ABB at
A level or equivalent (excluding General Studies). To join our analytics
team you’ll need an MSc in a subject such as operational
research, data science, management science or statistics, or 1-2
years’ work experience in analytics or data science.
Graduate salary: Highly competitive
Annual vacancies: 80
Application advice: Online application, at https://www.
uk.capgemini-consulting.com/careers/graduates. Early applications
advised as it is a highly competitive scheme.
Enabling growth, managing risk
CIL is a boutique management consultancy
specialising in commercial due diligence for
leading private equity firms, with offices in London
and the South West (near Bath).
Visit cilconsultants.com for more info or to apply for
our September 2016 graduate intake, send your CV
and covering letter to careers@cilconsultants.com.
CONSULTANCY
6
4
4
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4
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7
5
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1
6
10
14
2
WHAT’S MISSING?
Which letter replaces the question mark?
AN IT CONSULTANCY FOR PEOPLE WHO THINK.
CHP employs graduates and professionals from many disciplines.
You will be curious, have a logical mind, and be confident,
ambitious and ready for a challenge.
We are established in the UK, US, Asia-Pacific and throughout
Europe. You will be based in our London City office and go on to
work in a variety of roles on projects with some of the world’s
leading leasing and asset finance companies.
We will train you so you can work on any part of our business change
projects, building and implementing our industry-leading software.
You will have an outstanding academic background including a 2:1
degree or better and a minimum of 320 UCAS points.
Starting salary is £40k with a £5k sign-on bonus and excellent benefits.
Find out more about opportunities with CHP Consulting at
www.chp.co.uk/careers.
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CONSULTANCY
CONSULTANCY
GEt thErE fastEr
some people know precisely where they want to go.
Others seek the adventure of discovering uncharted
territory. Whatever you want your professional journey to be,
you’ll find what you’re looking for at Oliver Wyman.
Discover the world of Oliver Wyman at
oliverwyman.com/careers
discover
our world
oliver wyman is a leading global management consulting firm that combines deep
industry knowledge with specialised expertise in strategy, operations, risk management,
and organisation transformation. with offices in 50+ cities across 26 countries,
oliver wyman works with the CEos and executive teams of Global 1000 companies.
An equal opportunity employer.

CONSULTANCY
www.compasslexecon.com/careers
200 Aldersgate, Aldersgate Street, London EC1A 4HD
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3725 9000
Email: European.Recruiting@compasslexecon.com
Main locations: London, Brussels, Düsseldorf, Madrid, Paris,
Buenos Aires, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Oakland, and
Washington DC.
About us: One of the world’s leading economic consulting firms,
Compass Lexecon provides law firms, corporations and government
clients with clear analysis of complex issues. Our firm is
known for developing a thorough understanding of the issues that
face our clients, relating those issues to relevant economic theory,
and then supporting our analysis with rigorous and persuasive
empirical evidence. In Europe, Compass Lexecon provides expert
economic advice on competition policy, economic and financial
regulation, intellectual property, and the assessment of damages
in complex disputes. Our team in Europe includes more than 60
economists. Many hold PhDs from leading economics departments
in Europe and the US, and several hold academic positions
at prestigious European universities.
Graduates sought: First rate Economics BA (PPE or E&M), MPhil
or DPhil with excellent analytical skills and preferably with a focus
on industrial organisation or econometrics.
Visa sponsorship: Yes
Starting salary: Very competitive
Pattern of recruitment: Continuous
Form of application: Online application
Annual vacancies: No fixed intake.
www.credoconsulting.com
Email: recruitment@credoconsulting.com
Main Locations: London, Dubai
About Us: Credo is a market-leading boutique strategy consultancy
with global reach. We work for the CEOs and boards of
today’s most forward-thinking and influential companies, providing
solutions for key strategic issues – which markets, what business
model, how to achieve above market returns. We undertake
cutting-edge, high impact work in markets that matter, such as
business services, transport, healthcare, telecoms, engineering &
construction, and have an extensive private equity practice.
You will be joining a partnership with a track record of strong
growth. The Credo culture is a critical part of our success. We
have a flat management structure and an open and supportive
office atmosphere. Our smaller case teams mean greater
responsibility and influence early on, so you can develop closer
relationships with your colleagues and clients, and make more of
a difference, faster.
Credo consultants receive early client exposure and six-monthly
promotion opportunities. We are a growing, high-performing
team, and enjoy our success in a supportive environment where
everyone contributes. We hire exceptional individuals with excellent
analytical and communication skills and an entrepreneurial
attitude.
Graduate Salary for 2015: Market leading
Annual Vacancies: 10+
Application Advice: Please submit your CV and cover letter, following
the directions on our website; (www.credoconsulting.com/
careers/apply). Applications close on 8th November.
CONSULTANCY
www.corporate-value.com
Main locations: Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Boston, Casablanca,
Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Milan, Paris, Seoul, Shanghai,
Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Vienna, Washington DC.
About us: CVA enjoys a worldwide reputation as a strategic
consultancy, helping senior management solve crucial business
problems. Thanks to our committed, gifted and personable people
we have strong relationships with a large base of satisfied clients
who trust us to bring their business challenges to a truly joint
resolution. Over the past 28 successful years we have developed
rigorous analytical methods. Being a niche but global player
enables us to focus our efforts while avoiding bureaucracy and
maintaining an entrepreneurial culture. Our company culture
fosters a spirit of intellectual rigour, creative application and fun,
whilst the team environment will provide you with support for your
development.
Opportunities available: Graduate entry consultant.
Graduates sought: Any degree discipline. You should have an
outstanding academic record and be able to demonstrate quantitative
skills and commercial awareness as well as exceptional
extra-curricular achievements. Fluent French or German is an
advantage but not essential.
Graduate salary: Competitive.
Vacation work: Summer internships of 10-12 weeks.
Annual vacancies: No fixed quota.
Application advice: For all information, and to apply for the Graduate
Consultant or Summer Internship positions, please follow this
link: http://www.corporate-value.com/london-office-recruitment
Deadlines: 30/10/15 for graduates, 22/01/16 for interns
www.edenmccallum.com
Main locations: We are accepting applications to join our London
and Amsterdam offices. Fluency in English is required for all roles,
as well as fluent Dutch for roles in Amsterdam.
About us: Eden McCallum is redefining management consulting.
We support clients to resolve their most pressing issues of
strategy, operations and organisation. Working with a group of independent
consultants of the highest calibre, we have pioneered
an approach that delivers tangible impact, client ownership, and
great value.
Opportunities available: 3-6 business analysts across our London
and Amsterdam offices, with possibility of working on projects
in our Zurich office if fluent in German. Our two-three year programme
combines year-round structured training sessions with
on-project mentoring and support. You will be assisted in developing
the full consulting toolkit, from financial analysis through to
negotiation skills, working with some of the best consultants in the
world.
Graduates sought: Undergraduate and Masters students (not
MBA).
Visa sponsorship: No.
Graduate salary: Competitive.
Application advice: London office deadline Tuesday 5th January
2016. Amsterdam office deadline Sunday 8th May 2016. Send your
CV and cover letter to analystrecruitment@edenmccallum.com,
outlining the 3 key reasons why you are attracted to Eden McCallum’s
Analyst Programme. Please refer to our website for more
details: www.edenmccallum.com/join-us/analyst/
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CONSULTANCY
CONSULTANCY
careers.frontier-economics.com
Email: recruitment@frontier-economics.com
Main locations: Brussels, Cologne, Dublin, London, Madrid and
Paris
About us: Frontier Economics is one of the largest micro-economic
consultancies in Europe. We work with private, public and
voluntary sector clients across the world. We apply our economic
toolkit to help clients understand complex challenges. While our
analysis may be complex, we provide clear and honest advice
to clients using plain language. Our expertise is broad covering
not just microeconomics but finance, statistical modelling,
game theory, market research and even the psychological side of
economics. We’re enthusiastic about what we do, working work
hard to maintain a collaborative and problem-solving environment
which is friendly and open.
Opportunities available: For our Analyst programme our standard
entry requirement is an undergraduate degree (at least a 2:1 with
an economics focus) and generally a Masters in economics. We
also offer short term (8-12 weeks) and long term (3-12 months)
internships in all our offices. You will probably be a final year undergraduate
in economics or will have enrolled in (or completed) a
postgraduate course in economics. However, we do also welcome
applications from second year economics undergraduates (for
short term internships).
Visa sponsorship: Yes
Graduate salary: Highly Competitive plus bonus
Annual vacancies: 20+
Application advice: Apply via our website http://careers.frontiereconomics.com
by Thursday 14th January 2016.
www.fticonsulting.com
Main Locations: Offices in 27 countries across six continents.
About us: FTI Consulting is a global business advisory firm, with
staff including former chief executives, Nobel Laureate economists,
political leaders, academics, as well as leading accounts
and intellectual property specialists.
In our Economic and Financial Consulting practice we apply clear
and focussed analysis to unstructured problems in economics and
finance. We are advisors to our clients on topics such as Business
Valuation, Industrial Economics and Corporate Strategy. As a
graduate you will apply newly acquired skills to challenging projects
across a wide spectrum of industries, including in financial
services, energy and renewables, healthcare, and TMT. You will
have the opportunity to pursue a qualification as a Chartered Financial
Analyst or Chartered Accountant, alongside our in-house
development program.
We also have graduate opportunities in Forensic and Litigation
Consulting, Strategic Communications, Tax Advisory and Technology
Consulting.
Graduates sought: We are looking for graduates that are numerate
and highly analytical, with the ability to think creatively. Graduates
from all disciplines will be considered. Must be expecting a first or
upper second class degree.
Visa sponsorship: Yes
Graduate salary: Highly Competitive
Annual vacancies: 12 - 15
Application advice: Apply online via our website by 16th November
2015.
106
www.marakon.com/join-our-team
Email: MKNUK-Recruiting@marakon.com
Main locations: London, Chicago, New York and Boston.
About us: We are a premier strategy consulting firm with over 35
years of experience helping CEOs achieve winning performance
and build stronger organisations. Our clients hire us when their
ambitions are high, the way forward is unclear, and long-term
growth is as important as immediate impact.
Opportunities available: Marakon gives you a great career
foun¬dation for your career and the chance to be part of a
boutique firm with a global reach. You will have opportunities to
have impact from your first day including meeting clients, tackling
complex strategic issues, working in small teams with our senior
partners and clients. In your first two years, you will receive over
300 hours of formal training to learn the basics strategy, finance,
communicating with impact and stakeholder engagement.
Throughout, you will benefit from a career coach to support your
progression and development.
Graduates sought: Outstanding applicants (Bachelors, Masters or
DPhils) from any discipline who can demonstrate:
• genuine interest in business and minimum 2.1 degree
• analytical and creative approaches to problem solving
• excellent communication skills and confidence with humility
• independent thinking with strong collaborative skills
• desire to build and grow our practice
Visa sponsorship: Yes
Graduate salary: Highly competitive
Annual vacancies: 4-6
Application deadline: 4th November 2015
www.oliverwyman.gtios.com
Main locations: London, the Americas, Asia, Australasia, Europe
About us: Oliver Wyman is a global leader in management consulting.
With offices in 50+ cities across 26 countries, Oliver Wyman
combines deep industry knowledge with specialised expertise
in strategy, operations, risk management, and organisation
transformation. Our 3,000 professionals help clients optimise their
business, improve their operations and risk profile, and accelerate
their organisational performance to seize attractive opportunities.
Opportunities available: As a Consultant you will:
• Work in teams to solve high level business problems facing
Global 1000 clients
• Structure and carry out essential research and analysis
• Lead complex quantitative, strategic and financial analyses of
corporations and businesses
• Receive support to rapidly develop leadership and client
management skills
• Receive broad exposure to a variety of industries including:
Automotive, Aviation, Communications, Financial Services,
Energy, Health & Life Sciences, Media, Retail, Surface Transportation
and Technology.
Graduates sought: We look for initiative, intuition and creativity
with a strong background in problem solving and analytics. We
do not require a specific academic major or industry experience.
Visa sponsorship: Yes
Graduate salary: Highly competitive
Vacation work: Summer Internship
Application advice: Please submit CV and cover letter via website
by 1/11/2015 for Dec 2015 offers or 13/12/2015 for Feb 2016 offers.

CONSULTANCY
LEADING
the way
CONSULTANCY
We’re searching for outstanding
operational improvement specialists
to join our team.
Newton works hands-on with some
of the best organisations in the world
to implement transformational, award
winning change.
Our operational improvement specialists
make a difference to the lives of a wide
range of people, from top executives
to factory workers, engineers, hospital
patients, and children in social care.
Our people drive our business. They’re
great communicators from diverse
backgrounds. Their talents include strong
numeracy and analytical skills, problem
solving and the ability to engage with
people at all levels.
Newton’s track record of delivering
significant results, and our
entrepreneurial, inspiring culture means
headcount and turnover continues to
grow at a rate of 25% annually.
If you like the sound of achieving
sustainable, positive change across
diverse sectors including defence,
healthcare, local government,
transport, and manufacturing, please
head to our careers site to find out
more and apply.
T: +44 (0) 1865 601 300
E: recruitment@newtoneurope.com
W: www.newtoneurope.com/careers
Oxford half page ad 4th July.indd 1 01/07/2015 16:10:35
www.occstrategy.com
Email: recruitment@occstrategy.com
Main locations: 14 offices across 4 continents
About us: “How much should we invest in emerging markets?
Does the internet mean my business won’t exist in five years? How
can we win in the downturn?”
We answer the toughest questions facing businesses. We do
rapid, high impact projects for chief executives and boards. In our
London office, we have deep expertise in retail, leisure, consumer
goods, media, technology and business services.
We are looking for graduates with outstanding analytical minds
and eclectic interests: we encourage candidates from all disciplines.
In addition to market-leading compensation and training,
we offer up to 4 weeks of extra unpaid leave each year, grants to
help you pursue your interests, and host biannual offsites (recently
Chicago and Paris) –business needn’t make you boring.
Interested? We’d like to talk.
Graduates sought: Any discipline.
Applications requiring visas: Yes.
Starting salary: Top of the market.
Application advice: Online CV and covering letter, apply by Sunday
8 November 2015.
Annual vacancies: No fixed quota.
Vacation work: Summer Internships and International Strategy
Workshop (18-21 November 2015), visit www.occstrategy.com for
more information. Internship application deadline is Sunday 17
January 2016.
www.oxera.com/careers
Main locations: Oxford, Berlin, Brussels and London
About us: We are Oxera – one of Europe’s leading independent
economic consultancies. We provide compelling economic
insight for an international list of clients including governments,
regulators and large companies. We’re looking for Analysts and
Consultants who share our passions: economics, personal growth,
and outstanding client service.
Working with Oxera means contributing to projects from the very
start. You will be part of the team, working with some of the brightest
and most experienced minds in our industry. You will need to
bring exceptional technical capabilities, a strong team ethic and
the intellectual curiosity to get to the heart of the issue. We offer
a collaborative working environment, structured career path and
first class learning and development opportunities.
Opportunities available: We are recruiting now for permanent
posts throughout 2016, and for internships in summer 2016
Graduates sought: We are looking for candidates with a First or
high 2:1 in their economics degree, preferably with a Masters in
Economics or Finance
Visa sponsorship: We sponsor visa applications
Graduate salary: Competitive
Vacation work: Yes - Summer Internships
Annual vacancies: 8-10 Analyst/Consultant roles and Internships
Application advice: Please see website for more details
107

Join a
revolutionary
consulting business
Build something
great
A new kind of Consultant
Join us and start to build an extraordinary career.
We’re changing the way the world thinks about strategy and
how it’s done. We’re looking for outstanding graduates, who
will join a training programme designed to develop deep and
well-rounded core consulting skills. You’ll focus on both C-suite
corporate strategy work and M&A strategy, and progress
quickly in a high-growth, industry-changing organisation.
Take the opportunity of a lifetime. Join Strategy&.
pwc.com/uk/careers/strategyand
© 2015 PwC. All rights reserved.
PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
Please see pwc.com/structure for further details.

CONSULTANCY
1/2
width
Interested in
strategy consulting?
Learn more about Parthenon-EY
CONSULTANCY
Important dates
• Parthenon-EY Information Session: Thursday 29 th October, 2015, Time: 18.00
Malmaison, Oxford Castle, 3 New Road, Oxford OX1 1AY
• Application Deadline (Full-Time Associate Position): Tuesday 3rd November, 2015
• Application Deadline (Summer Intern Associate Position): Thursday 7th January, 2016
About Parthenon-EY
Parthenon-EY is a leading advisory organisation focused on strategy consulting. We are committed to combining our
unconventional thinking with our clients’ smarts to deliver actionable strategies. We recruit undergraduate and
postgraduate candidates from any degree discipline. Successful candidates are intellectually curious and hardworking
with an entrepreneurial mindset.
To learn more about Parthenon-EY, please visit our website at http://careers.parthenon.com
Find us and join the conversation
careers.parthenon.com/home
Main locations: London, Boston, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco,
Singapore, Shanghai
About us: Parthenon-EY is a leading advisory firm focused on strategic
consulting. We are committed to bringing unconventional
yet pragmatic thinking together with our clients’ smarts to deliver
actionable strategies for real impact in today’s complex business
landscape. Parthenon combined with EY in 2014. Critical to unlocking
opportunities is Parthenon-EY’s ideal balance of strengths
- specialised experience with broad executional capabilities.
Parthenon-EY works with leading companies across a variety of
sectors on a vast range of issues including competitive positioning,
core value propositions and M&A strategy.
Opportunities available: We recruit graduate or postgraduate
candidates from any degree discipline, who have a minimum
2:1. Successful candidates are intellectually curious, hardworking,
have an enthusiastic and approachable demeanour with an
entrepreneurial mind-set.
Visa sponsorship: Parthenon-EY is willing to sponsor work VISA’s
for successful international applicants
Graduate salary: Highly Competitive
Vacation work: We provide an 8 week summer internship programme
for penultimate year students from any discipline.
Annual vacancies: No fixed quota
Application advice: To apply, please visit http://careers.parthenon.
com/home. There you will find the links for submitting your CV and
cover letter. The full-time Associate application deadline is the
03.11.2015. The Summer Associate Internship application deadline
is the 07.01.2016.
www.redshiftsc.com
Main location: London.
About us: Redshift delivers strategic advice and consultancy
services to companies, government agencies and regulatory
bodies throughout the media and telecommunications sectors.
We provide our clients with insight and recommendations,
enabling them to best utilise the digital marketplace.
Opportunities available: Redshift offers an exciting,
challenging, fun, supportive, intellectually stimulating and
rewarding start to your career. You will have extensive exposure
to senior management and the opportunity to make a real impact
right from the start. Redshift is committed to the career
development of its employees. In addition to on-the-job
coaching, Redshift provides bespoke training courses to enable
you to develop the wide range of skills you will need.
Graduates sought: We are seeking exceptional, well rounded
graduates who have: strong interpersonal, team working and
problem solving skills; proven analytical and quantitative
capability plus good business acumen; entrepreneurial, creative
and flexible approach; energy, enthusiasm and willingness to
learn; a genuine enthusiasm for the industries we serve.
Graduate salary: Highly competitive.
Vacation Work: Internships.
Annual vacancies: 2 Business Analysts & 2 Summer Interns.
Application advice: Graduate deadline - 27 November 2015.
Internship deadline - 19 February 2016. For either opportunity,
send CV and covering letter to deborah.clowes@redshiftsc.com.
109

CONSULTANCY
CONSULTANCY
With over 2,400 employees working in 50 offices
worldwide, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
is a leading international consultancy. We
serve top clients on challenging assignments
in the global market and we pride ourselves on
developing creative strategies and supporting
the implementation of practical solutions.
At Roland Berger, you won’t find standard
consultants, but outstanding individuals. Fascinating
people with highly diverse interests and abilities,
colleagues with whom you want to exchange
ideas. Here, you’re not just part of a team, but you
actively help shape it – both professionally and
personally. You’ll be taking on responsibility quickly
here. Roland Berger gives you the opportunity to
demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit from the very
beginning. This works best with a good dose of
passion – passion for variety, challenges and working
to develop the best strategies to solve them. The
best results will be achieved with your enthusiasm.
join.rolandberger.com
www.tessella.com
STUDENT SOCIETY
The Oxford Guild Business Society is both Oxford and the UK’s
largest and oldest student business society, and has always
been associated with a range of commercial organisations
from investment banks and consultancies to professional
services, technological and industrial firms.
Tessella offers exciting graduate careers in data
analytics, scientific software development and IT
consulting. We solve challenging, real-world problems
for some of the biggest names in pharmaceuticals,
energy, consumer goods and the public sector.
For the fourth year in a row, we have been rated as
Outstanding by The Sunday Times Best Companies
to Work For.
To find out more about our innovative
work and exciting career opportunities,
visit our website.
Widely known as one of the best societies at Oxford, the
Guild was founded in 1897 and over the years the society
has accrued numerous prizes and glowing testimonials from
members, sponsors and the national media. The Guild is free
to join and being a member enables you to receive weekly
updates about our events and gives entry to our socials.
If you are interested in attending our fantastic events and
socials, finding out more about different career options from
some of the world’s largest companies or hearing from inspirational
speakers whilst meeting like-minded individuals, then
join today at www.theoxfordguild.com.
We hold over 80 events a year ranging from invaluable networking
sessions, mock interviews and famous speakers to
our hit champagne social and have over 20 sponsers including
Morgan Stanley, Oliver Wyman, Accenture and BP.
110
With over 7,000 members, become part of something special!
Visit www.theoxfordguild.com and join for free today!

CONSULTANCY
The Oxford Marketing Project provides you with the
opportunity to work on upcoming and creative marketing
initiatives for real corporate clients. We are a society that
work closely with our sponsors to provide a tailored
consultancy service that will allow you to engage closely
with the world of marketing across a number of different
industries.
STUDENT SOCIETY
The projects will involve working in conjunction with an
allocated team, to produce reports on current marketing
questions/initiatives set out by our sponsors, but how you
present them is up to you. The aim is that by harnessing the
creative potential of the sharpest minds at the University of
Oxford, we will be able to offer a valuable set of marketing
ideas and products that will contribute to the work of modern
business.
It provides you with an exciting and open ended way to gain
experience in the marketing sector, and will help you develop
important skills that are transferrable to any future career you
may choose to take. If you feel as though you want to involve
yourself with marketing in any official capacity during your
time at university, the Oxford Marketing Project is the society
for you.
T H E
THE
CAREERS
SERVICE
S T U D E N T
C O N S U L T A N C Y
• Get consultancy training
• Work in teams to solve a real
business problem
• Help Oxfordshire organisations
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/tsc
CONSULTANCY
THE
CAREERS
SERVICE
111

EDUCATION
Education is one of the most popular sectors for Oxford
graduates. It’s a broad sector – covering teaching as well as
diverse opportunities such as publishing, policy, administration,
charities and NGOs, educational psychology, and museums.
Teaching can be a hugely rewarding
career, demanding communication skills,
energy, and a commitment to inspiring
students. It’s not for everyone, but offers
an opportunity to make a difference, to
use your subject, and to advance your
career in a variety of directions. Teachers
can rapidly specialise into managerial,
pastoral or training roles in schools.
Many also move into education roles in
other areas.
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
To teach in a state school in the UK, you
will need qualified teacher status (QTS).
Routes to gain QTS divide into two main
types – mostly school-based courses
(Teach First, School Direct, HMC Teacher
Training, Researchers in Schools, Overseastrained
teacher programme and some
SCITTs), and courses at higher education
institutions in partnership with schools
(PGCE, PGDE, SCITT).
A PGCE is a one-year course, taught in
university but with substantial teaching
practice in schools. Teach First is a twoyear
programme addressing educational
disadvantage by placing top-calibre and
highly motivated graduates into paid
employment in challenging schools. For
School Direct you are based in a school
but linked with a local university. Most
School Direct places are funded in the
same way as a PGCE (tuition fees and
bursaries), but there is also a salaried
option. For any teacher training, it’s more
or less essential to have done a period of
observation in schools prior to application.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about
this sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/TEFL
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/TEACHING
112
There is no formal requirement for a
teaching qualification in the independent
sector. Some independent schools offer
on-the-job training, including the formal
training route HMC Teacher Training,
others recruit recent graduates through
graduate assistant roles, particularly
in boarding schools. CareerConnect
(page 5) and the Times Educational
Supplement (TES) are good sources of
jobs in independent schools.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language
(TEFL) and private tutoring are popular
short-term occupations on leaving
Oxford, but can also be longer-term
careers. A degree from Oxford may be
the only qualification needed for some
teaching jobs, but experience is always
helpful for applications, and a TEFL
qualification may make it easier to find
work abroad.
There are a few graduate training
programmes in education policy and
administration. Imperial College runs
a graduate management and finance
training scheme, and education policy
could form part of the Civil Service
Fast Stream or local government
schemes such as the National Graduate
Development Programme. The TES and
the Guardian are key publications for
opportunities in the Education sector.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ + Observe teachers at work in local
schools. Insight Into Teaching, run
by The Careers Service, offers three
days in schools around the UK. The
Teaching Agency runs formal schemes
for shortage subjects (Maths, Physics,
Chemistry and Modern Languages).
Alternatively, approach schools directly
to ask if you can observe lessons, or
help in other ways.
+ + Get international teaching experience
in the summer vacation through The
Internship Programme (p.35).
+ + Volunteer your time with local children
through organisations such as Jacari,
KEEN or Oxford Hub’s Schools Plus
programmes.
+ + Develop pastoral skills by helping
with Oxford University Scout & Guide
Group, or volunteering with Sexpression
Oxford to promote sexual health.
+ + Offer mentoring for UNIQ Summer
School participants, volunteer with
Oxford University Admissions or work
with Target Schools to promote access
to university, or with OxFizz to give
interview practice, mentoring, or to run
summer camps.
Matthew wood
teacher of history and deputy head of
sixth form – magdalen College school
“
It’s worth sending a quick
email to your old Head - I
found my own school very
helpful when seeking a
career in teaching.
”

EDUCATION
POLLY COTTERILL
Trainee English Teacher –
School Direct, at Cherwell
School, Oxford
ALUMNI PROFILES
EDUCATION
Polly studied English
Language and Literature at
Lincoln College, 2007.
EARLY CAREER: Like many English
students I had no idea what to do
when I finished Oxford, so I really just
fell into my first job as a revision guide
and text book editor. After four years
I decided to retrain as a psychologist
and started getting work experience
in relevant fields, including the care
sector and working as a TA (teaching
ALUMNI PROFILES
WHAT: I teach 7 classes across a
wide age range (13-18), and cover an
equally wide range of historical periods
from Cromwell’s Protectorate to
Khomeini’s Islamic Republic, and from
Victorian politics to the Nazi state.
As Deputy Head of Sixth Form, I
oversee the L6th (Yr12). This can mean
taking a morning assembly on what
makes effective study, having one-onone
chats with pupils to discuss their
academic progress, having meetings
with new pupils and parents to discuss
how they’ve integrated into their new
school, and arranging extension
seminars for the summer term (often,
all of these might happen on one
day!). An equal weight is put into me
coaching hockey in the Hilary term,
or helping organise a trip to Berlin.
Variation is the most exciting element;
I’m never bored!
EARLY CAREER: I’m currently teaching
in my second school. I found the
move between schools relatively easy
assistant) at the Cherwell School – a state
secondary school in Summertown. Working
with the English department there rekindled
my love of my subject and I was really
inspired by my colleagues’ passion for what
they do. I changed my career plans again
and applied for the salaried School Direct
teacher training route at the school.
PROS & CONS: School Direct means that
you’re teaching classes right from the
start, so having experience of working in a
school is invaluable for getting a place on
the course and knowing what to expect.
I remember finding it strange at first that
I couldn’t make a cup of tea whenever I
wanted and it took a while to get used
to how direct you sometimes have to
be when you’re dealing with a reluctant
teenager. However, the cliché that no two
days are the same is true – working with
young people means that you laugh every
day and the joy you feel when a lesson
goes well or you realise you have made a
difference to a student is something really
special.
because they were similar kinds of school
(academic, independent, day schools). In
teaching, it’s possible to gain additional
responsibility very quickly, be that as coach
of a sports team, tutor to a form group,
or a pastoral role as head of year. These
opportunities are readily available – you
just have to be keen to get involved in the
life of the school in the fullest sense, have to
organise yourself well, and have confident
presentational skills (and, of course, be
willing to work the occasional long day!).
ADVICE: The vast majority of teaching jobs
can be found in the Times Educational
Supplement (TES). Teachers are generally
rather evangelical about their profession
and it’s always worth asking an old teacher
of yours for advice – I’ve already replied to
several requests for advice from old pupils.
Lastly, schools are always interested in
dynamic and driven Oxford graduates
– it seems we make good teachers!
ADVICE: The advice I wish I’d been
given when I first graduated is: don’t
worry if you’re not sure what to do, just
try things and look at it as a voyage
of discovery. I’ve pursued several
different careers and at times felt
like I was flailing around not getting
anywhere. Looking back though, I
realise that I learned something from
every experience and I’m pleased that
I took the time to find work that feels
genuinely meaningful.
MATTHEW WOOD
Teacher of History and Deputy
Head of Sixth Form – Magdalen
College School, Oxford
Matthew studied History at
Lincoln College, 2011.
113

GRADUATE TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES
• Waynflete Teaching Certificate bespoke teacher training qualification
• Member of OU Careers Insight into Teaching programme
• Waynflete Intern graduate positions available
www.mcsoxford.org/graduates

EDUCATION
arkteachertraining.org
About us: Ark Teacher Training gives the best graduates the
chance to make a real difference through teaching. We tackle
disadvantage through running great schools –and training great
teachers.
Opportunities available: Through School Direct, you’ll spend a
year training in school – in an Ark primary or secondary of your
choice. It’s the perfect start to a successful and rewarding career.
• You can make a real difference. Lots of our schools are in
areas facing social and economic challenges – so you can
have an instant impact.
• It’s the right balance of theory and classroom practice. You’re
in the classroom from day one, but we won’t drop you in the
deep end. You’ll receive 500 hours of face to face training,
focusing on both theory and practice.
• You’ll be supported by the best people in education. You’ll
have an in-school coach, a dedicated tutor and 23 of Ark’s
education experts supporting you.
The qualifications: As well as Qualified Teacher Status, you’ll also
get a PGCE.
We want you to stay and teach with us after your first year. We’ll
help you find a place at the school you train at or another in the
network. We’ll also develop your career after your training year,
with a range of development programmes and bespoke training.
www.sparx.co.uk
Main locations: Exeter.
About us: Using a powerful combination of data, technology and
daily classroom trials, we scientifically investigate how we learn,
and take the resulting evidence and insights to develop a learning
system that is proven to work. Our ambition? Simple. To take the
guesswork out of education and by harnessing the power of technology,
to help each and every child realise their full potential.
Our bespoke technology platform – running on tablets – provides a
data driven approach, using scientific methods to test what does
and doesn’t work in teaching. We capture real-time, real-world
data directly from students and teachers, and work closely with
teachers and heads on a daily basis, analysing and reviewing
qualitative and quantitative information.
Things move fast here, so we are looking for exceptional individuals
who are up for a challenge and the opportunity to be part of
something that’s really going to make difference.
Opportunities available: Summer Intern and Graduate roles in
Content Science and Software Development.
Graduates sought: Bright and determined graduates with at least
a 2:1 in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering or the Sciences.
Graduate salary: £30,000
Vacation work: We offer opportunities for internships and placements
– see our website for details.
Annual vacancies: No fixed number – we’re growing and are
always on the lookout for great people to join our team.
Application advice: Please check website for relevant deadlines
and application instructions.
EDUCATION
Hurst
Hurstpierpoint College
Pre-Prep | Prep | Senior School | Sixth Form
Well-qualified graduates required to teach from September 2016
A superb opportunity to be part of Hurstpierpoint College Independent Day and Boarding School in West Sussex, just north of Brighton
Accomodation on site provided salary in Year 1 £20,000, rising thereafter
At the end of the three year programme you will hold a nationally recognised teaching qualification
Three year programme:
Year 1: Unqualified teacher with mentoring and support
Year 2: Sponsored PGCE programme with reduced teaching timetable
Year 3: Newly qualified teacher year
At the end of the three years you will hold a nationally recognised teaching qualification.
On-site accommodation provided. Salary in Year 1 £20,000, rising thereafter.
For further information on Hurst please visit our website www.hppc.co.uk
For further information about graduate opportunities please contact sue.steele@hppc.co.uk
115

Apply now for our Leadership
Development Programme
teachfirst.org.uk/graduates
Charity No. 1098294
so you have
a great degree
what’s next?
business, industry
or the city?
maybe you’re set on
changing society?
wherever you’re
heading, become
a leader
inspire young people
teach first
leaders for life
Toib Olomowewe
Teaches: Business Studies

EDUCATION
VOLUNTEERING
KEEN is a student-led charity that has been providing sporting
and social activities for young people with special needs in
Oxford since 1988. We run four weekly activities: a multisports
session, a creative workshop and two social clubs. KEEN’s
young people are aged 4-25+ and have a range of learning
and physical disabilities. Our volunteers support these young
people at sessions, as well as planning and delivering all of
the activities.
New volunteers don’t need to have any experience of
children or disability – just enthusiasm and a sense of fun!
We also don’t expect any particular time commitment, so it’s
easy to work KEEN around a busy schedule. In addition to
frontline volunteering, we have business-focussed
opportunities including committee positions and IT, social
media, fundraising and PR roles.
For details on how to start volunteering, please sign up to
our weekly newsletter at www.keenoxford.org/review. Our
coordinator will also be very happy to answer any questions
by e-mail to keen@keenoxford.org.
Schools Plus - combat educational inequality for an
hour a week.
STUDENT SOCIETY
Oxford University is one of the best universities in the world
– but last year 45% of children at local state schools didn’t
get the crucial 5 A*-C (including English and Maths) in their
GCSEs. Schools Plus is the student society that’s working to
change this.
Schools Plus is a programme that selects and trains students
at Oxford and Oxford Brookes to become tutors and mentors
in challenging local schools, at both primary and secondary
level. You can tutor in almost any subject, and will teach a
group of between 1 and 5 pupils for an hour a week.
You’ll be in a unique position to boost the academic knowledge,
confidence and interest of your pupils, making Schools
Plus one of the most rewarding experiences you’re likely to
have at Oxford.
If you want to sign-up, or just find out more about Schools
Plus, email Jack, our Recruitment Officer, at schoolsplusrecruitment@oxfordhub.org.
We’ll also be running a stall at the
University Freshers’ Fair, and at some College fairs, which will
be a great chance to chat to current tutors and find out more
about our different projects – keep an eye out for us!
EDUCATION
Want to help young bright students apply to
Oxford and learn valuable skills in the process?
Oxford University Student Union’s Target Schools
campaign is working to inspire young people
from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply to
Oxford through shadowing schemes, training,
and roadshows.
By volunteering with Target Schools you will
develop your interpersonal and communication
skills. If you join the organising team for the
shadowing scheme you will learn vast amounts
about teamwork, project management,
leadership, and financial management, in a
context of making an exceptional difference to the
lives of young people.
To get involved, email target@ousu.org
117

ENERGY + +
HE THE ENVIRONMENT
rom From multinational oil companies oil companies to specialist to specialist technology technology
rms, firms, regulatory regulatory bodies bodies to think to think tanks, tanks, national national power power
eneration generation companies companies to to micro-generation schemes, schemes,
conservation charities charities to mining to mining corporations, corporations, carbon carbon
consultancies to commodities to commodities traders: traders: the range the range of of
opportunities in this in sector this sector is immense. is immense.
Students consider a career in
energy or the environment for a
range of reasons. You may want to
make a positive impact, and have
ethical reasons for considering roles
in conservation, environmental
consultancies, or energy companies.
Large energy companies may also suit
those looking for a truly international
career, and those interested in largescale
project management.
Environmental awareness is not
limited to careers that are traditionally
considered green. Existing businesses
are changing – consider the
development of hybrid and electric
cars, or Marks and Spencer’s plan to
become the world’s most sustainable
retailer. A new breed of firms
exploiting the drive from business to
operate in a more environmentally
sustainable way has emerged.
Large energy companies, too, are
diversifying their businesses in order
to meet future energy demands,
and ‘traditional’ utility companies
are increasingly finding integrated
approaches to providing electricity,
generating power from a mix of
sources.
Falls in oil prices in 2015 have
impacted on recruitment levels in
some sectors, but on the whole
opportunities abound for engineers
and scientists. The sector also recruits
graduates into roles in Finance, IT,
HR and Marketing – sometimes in
dedicated graduate schemes.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about
this sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/energy
w.careers.ox.ac.uk/enVIRONMENT
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/enVIRONMENT
118
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
The diverse nature of this sector is
reflected in the wide range of possible
entry points. Graduate schemes
offered by large energy companies and
multidisciplinary consultancies tend to
recruit students from any discipline,
with closing dates towards the end of
Michaelmas Term or early in Hilary Term.
Highly technical or research roles may
require a related Masters degree or DPhil.
The renewable energy and environmental
industries are dominated by small or
medium-sized organisations with only
occasional vacancies, and may require
relevant expertise (perhaps gained through
a relevant postgraduate qualification). It’s
important, therefore, that you network as
much as possible, and let your contacts
know that you are available for work. If
you’re willing to work on a short-term or
voluntary basis for an organisation, you
may be in a strong position should a paid
vacancy arise.
Most large energy companies offer
internship schemes. Especially in the
environmental sector, relevant work
experience is important. A wide range
of sustainability organisations have
formal – but unpaid – internship schemes
(including Oxford Hub), but be proactive
and make speculative applications through
networking.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ +
Take an active role in relevant student
organisations such as the Nature
Conservation Society, the Energy
Society, or OUSU’s Environment and
Ethics campaign.
+ +
Volunteer with charities such as the
Oxford Conservation Volunteers,
the British Trust for Conservation
Volunteers, or with sustainability
charities that work with Oxford Hub.
+ +
See relevant sectors of this Guide
for ideas for developing skills for
careers in Engineering, Finance, and
Marketing roles. If you are interested
in a graduate scheme with a large
energy company, see ‘Employability
Skills’ (pp.26-30) for ideas on how to
develop leadership and organisational
skills for project management.
Jenna Holder
Renewable Energy Consultant –
OST Energy
“
Seek out varied and relevant
extra-curricular activities.
For me, the Oxford Energy
Society taught me a lot about
different facets of the energy
sector and responsibilities
within OUSU’s Environment
and Ethics group were useful
interview examples.
”

ENERGY + THE ENVIRONMENT
GEORG BOIE
Managing Director – juwi Group:
Operations & Maintenance
Georg studied
Environmental Change and
Management at St Anne’s
College, 2008.
WHAT: Beyond my legal obligations as
managing director, I am responsible
for all financial matters as well as
strategy and post-merger integration.
In addition, I am leading one of
our three operating divisions. The
company is currently undergoing a
transformation from a family-owned,
ALUMNI PROFILE
fast-growing, medium-sized business into a
majority-owned subsidiary of a listed major
corporation.
WHY: To me, working in the “Green
Economy” sector is a matter of passion. One
of the advantages of a fast-growing and
young sector is that it creates opportunities
for quick career progression. On the
other hand, early responsibility creates a
challenge in defining clear limits between
work and home: take care to avoid
damaging your social life and health and
don’t calculate the hourly salary if you have
a 70-80 hour week!
CAREER PATH: I undertook several
internships (including the UN, journalism,
and election observation in the Ukraine),
mainly for two reasons: finding out what I
really wanted to do, and doing something
for the CV. Right after Oxford I joined Roland
Berger, a leading strategy consultancy. One
of the reasons for this was that they offered
me the opportunity to focus on renewable
ALUMNI PROFILE
energy right from the start, which
was most important to me. But to be
honest, part of this decision was the
fact that I didn’t really know what to
do, thus choosing a path to “keep all
options open”.
ADVICE:
]]
Attend careers events and
company presentations. I had no
clue where I would finally end up
- it was an event organised by the
Careers Service and McKinsey that
finally awakened my interest in
consultancy.
]]
I wish I had known how much I
would miss Oxford. It is a really
unique time in your life, so enjoy it
and make the most of it!
TOP TIP:
]]
Go with something that intrinsically
motivates you.
JENNA HOLDER
Renewable Energy Consultant
– OST Energy
ENERGY + THE ENVIRONMENT
WHAT: For the past eight months I
have been working for OST Energy,
a fast-growing renewable energy
consultancy. I am their PV module
specialist, which means I provide the
company with up-to-date knowledge
on PV modules on the market and
undertake technical reviews of this
technology. This may involve travelling
abroad to module factories (getting to
see the world on the way), attending
and organising seminars and
reviewing the latest scientific literature.
My DPhil has supported me in this
role twofold. Firstly, my research topics
facilitate my understanding of a range
of different technologies. Secondly, my
analytical and report-writing skills help
with most of my day-to-day tasks.
WHY: It’s an exciting time to be a
renewable energy consultant: you’re
in a perfect position to see how the
global renewables market is evolving.
I think the sector is suitable for anyone
who has a strong desire to help the world
reach its renewables potential and there
are openings for a variety of levels of
experience/ technical knowledge.
GETTING IN: Initially, I found it tough to
work out what jobs to apply for. Visiting the
Careers Service and seeking out similarlyminded
people were really useful in
helping me to understand possible career
options. I searched for a range of jobs after
completing my DPhil and found this one via
LinkedIn, which also advertises many other
similar job openings. It’s worth tracking
down the many sector-specific recruitment
consultants or job mailing lists. Most
importantly, be open to new job ideas!
For any scientists/ mathematicians/
engineers looking to join the renewables
sector, I recommend that you undertake
a project (final year, masters, PhD) in a
relevant area or, at least choose related
course modules.
Jenna studied Materials
Science at St. Anne’s
College, 2014.
119

120

ENGINEERING
The engineering sector contributes 27% of GDP to the UK
economy – three times the size of the (more visible) retail sector
– with 5.4 million people employed in the sector across over half
a million engineering companies. Between 2012 and 2022 these
companies are projected to have 2.56 million job openings, and
there is currently a shortage of qualified engineers graduating in
the country. As the global economy and climate changes, there
are new areas emerging, and Engineering UK perceives that the
UK has particular strength in synthetic biology, energy-efficient
computing, energy harvesting (from the environment), the space
industry, nanotechnology and digital technologies.
The engineering sector includes a
wide range of organisations – from vast
multinational corporations right down to
small independent engineering companies
and start-ups. In the public sector,
opportunities include roles in the Met
Office or the Ministry of Defence, through
to regional engineering projects and work
with government agencies.
The majority of larger engineering
employers recruit for a variety of engineers,
as well as for jobs open to those without
a background (but with an interest) in
engineering – such as in HR, sales and
marketing, IT, project management,
logistics and finance.
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
For technical engineering roles, a degree
in engineering (or sometimes a related
subject, such as physics, materials science
or mathematics) is usually required, and
the average graduate starting salary is
around £27k, second only to medicine and
dentistry. Non-engineering roles in these
firms tend to offer similar starting salaries
to their competitors in other corporate
sectors. Roles are offered year-round,
but many of the larger graduate schemes
have deadlines closing each year around
December/January.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about this
sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/engineering
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/CONSTRUCTION
Work experience is often vital, and it’s
worth bearing in mind that the Engineering
Science course at Oxford is unusual in
not having a built-in period of six or twelve
months spent in industry. As a result, you
may find many long placements advertised
that do not fit around term-time. However,
larger firms (many of which attend the
Science, Engineering & Technology Fair in
Michaelmas Term) often offer internships
that will fit into a long vacation. Smaller
organisations are often willing to offer
work experience or internships – check on
CareerConnect (p.5) or contact particular
firms speculatively to enquire. Internship
opportunities are usually advertised a little
later than graduate jobs, with deadlines
tending to fall from December to February
and occasionally beyond.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ + Join Oxford’s Engineering Society,
Biomedical Engineering Society or
OxFEST (for women).
+ + Join UKSEDS (UK Students for the
Exploration and Development of Space)
+ + Volunteer with Engineers Without
Borders during your vacations, to build
both your skills and development
projects. A branch has recently been
started at the University.
+ + Take part in an inter-university
competition such as Formula Student
(run by the Institution of Mechanical
Engineers, to find the best race-car).
+ + Read, and write a guest post for
Developing Engineers, a blog written
by young engineers.
+ + Share your passion for engineering with
school children, to also showcase your
enthusiasm to future employers. There
are a number of outreach programmes
organised by professional bodies and
the UK government, such as STEMNET.
+ + Join a professional engineering body
as a young member – or represent
students on their board.
+ + Enter the Institution of Civil Engineers’
Communications Competition.
+ + If you are interested in a nonengineering
role in this sector, see other
sectors for relevant ideas.
“
Mike Moss
career advisor, The Career Service,
University of Oxford
Every year, the UK faces a
shortfall of over 81,000 people
with engineering skills in the
workforce, we need more
engineers and we need
more engineers to stay in
engineering, as only they can
solve the biggest problems of
our age.
”
121

ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING
DR CHIARA MODENESE
Tunnel Engineer – Atkins
Chiara studied Engineering
Science at St Anne’s
College, 2013.
WHAT: The tunneling sector is currently
thriving and is a field where specialist
knowledge from multiple disciplines is
required, particularly from geotechnical
and structural engineering. My PhD
was a great asset in enabling me to
be hired as a specialist, although it did
narrow my job search.
WHY: For me this is an inspiring place
for learning and put knowledge into
practice. I very much liked the research
environment but having trained as an
engineer for so many years I was eager
to apply my advance numerical skills
to solve more practical problems. I get
to deal with the complexities around
geotechnical problems, which require well
thought-through design solutions, and risk
management and hazard evaluation are
truly important activities.
GETTING IN: My research suggested Atkins
was a good company with a well-structured
Engineering Graduate Scheme. I had
attended a company presentation and
spoken with one of the Atkins’ directors,
which gave me a good feeling for what they
were looking for.
The skills learnt during my post-graduate
studies, from software programming to
being able to work under high pressure,
are more than valued in the construction
ALUMNI PROFILES
industry so make sure that you
highlight any relevant specialist
knowledge in your job application, as
this is often what makes the difference
in the recruitment process.
ADVICE: Be open and enthusiastic
to what a civil engineering career
has to offer. It is not an ‘office job’: it
means engaging with the public and
working in a team to deliver projects
that are bound to affect people’s life.
And make sure that you develop your
communication skills alongside your
technical qualifications because this
is a job where projects need to be
managed effectively and the ability
to collaborate with others to create a
solution is of utmost importance.
ALUMNI PROFILES
THOMAS GRIFFITHS
Maintenance and Integrity
Engineer – Shell
WHAT: I’m currently on the Shell
graduate scheme, and I’m responsible
for maintenance of one of the North
Sea assets. I spent my first year in
the office, getting to grips with how
operating and maintaining an asset
in the middle of the sea works: now I
work offshore, applying the knowledge
I gained.
Offshore is a completely different
world; it’s hard to imagine until you’re
actually there. Every day provides
a new challenge, which you’re
trusted to solve, from fault finding
on an industrial sized water plant,
which makes usable water for the
accommodation (fairly important to
get this fixed quickly if 150 people
want a shower!) to commissioning
and overseeing the instalment of
a 10 tonne centrifugal compressor.
Currently I am working towards
becoming a maintenance supervisor
on the platform, leading a team of over
10 technicians, to conquer the vast
amounts of work to maintain a 40 year
old platform.
WHY: Whether you focus on mechanical,
electrical or any other engineering
discipline, there is a huge range of roles
to explore from design to operation to
decommissioning. For example, there are
fascinating projects within our technology
group, including designing some real
megastructures: ‘Prelude’, a current project,
will be the first Floating Liquefied Natural
Gas producing vessel built and also the
biggest vessel ever floated. In the North
Sea, decommissioning platforms is a
growing field of expertise too, where Eiffel
tower sized structures need to be removed
(putting them in was hard enough).
ADVICE: Get as much experience as you
can first. I started an internship with a
different company, that was working in a
joint venture with Shell on Carbon Capture
(seemed to work out well!). Not only that,
but from gaining that experience working
in the office, I knew I wanted to get some
experience in the field, and see the real
challenges we face.
122

ENGINEERING
www.matthey.com/careers
Email: recruit@matthey.com
Main locations: Over thirty-five offices - UK and International
locations.
About us: A global FTSE100 speciality chemicals company underpinned
by science, technology and its people, founded almost
200 years ago in London. A leader in sustainable technologies,
many of our products enhance quality of life for people around the
world. We are small enough to make your mark and big enough
to present a range of career opportunities. We offer exciting
opportunities within a dynamic, fast-paced working environment.
You’ll be supported to develop the skills that interest you whilst
contributing to the effectiveness of the business. We seek continual
growth from our businesses and from our people.
Opportunities available: Various graduate schemes and opportunities
in a diverse range of businesses.
Graduates sought: We are particularly interested in applications
from students/graduates studying chemistry and engineering
related degrees.
Graduate salary: A competitive starting salary alongside excellent
benefits including bonus, pension, employee discount scheme and
share plan.
Annual vacancies: We will be recruiting over 80 graduates in the
UK this year.
Application advice: Please apply online for specific scheme or
vacancy, or register your CV at www.matthey.com/careers/jobvacancies.
OUEngSoc is open to all Oxford
undergraduate and graduate students. You
don’t have to be an engineer to get
involved!
OUEngSoc hosts speakers from industry,
practical challenges and fantastic socials
throughout the year. We work closely with
our sponsors to make sure that our
members can access top graduate
opportunities.
If you are interested in hearing more,
please visit our website or check out our
page on Facebook!
w w w . o u e n g s o c . o r g
w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / o u e n g s o c
ENGINEERING
STUDENT SOCIETY
Interested in a career in the materials industry? Why not join
Oxford University Materials Society?
Are you an Engineer or a Scientist and a woman?
STUDENT SOCIETY
A career in materials is very rewarding and an interest in
materials science can take you far – especially as materials
are all around us and govern our entire lives! Careers for
materials scientists can vary from across the aeronautical
sectors, to developing the next generation batteries, to growing
diamonds, to even researching nuclear fusion materials.
As an interdisciplinary branch of science, there is something
for everyone.
As an OUMatSoc member you’ll be able to go on industrial
visits to companies such as Airbus and P2i, attend interesting
lunchtime talks from experts in their field, gain key advice on
your CV from graduate recruiters and attend our socials and
networking events – usually heavily subsidised by our sponsoring
companies! We also run events on how to get Chartered
status (CEng, CSci, CEnv) from IOM3 (the professional
body that accredits the Oxford materials science degree).
Are you interested in developing your employability skills
and your network of support and contacts within Oxford?
OxFEST, or Oxford Females in Engineering, Science and
Technology, is a student-run society committed to
providing you with opportunities to develop all of these
and more. You will strengthen your employability skills at
our Workshop Series and meet role models in engineering,
technology and science at our Speaker Series, you can
develop any of your skills and qualities with the help of a
Mentor via our Mentoring Scheme, and you will broaden
your network of contacts and peers at our socials, and make
friends for life. Come and meet us at one of our events!
Check out our website for more info:
www.ox-fest.org.
You get access to all these events by signing up for our life
membership for only £15 during the Freshers’ window.
Visit us at www.matsoc.com for further details about joining
or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/OUMatSoc to stay
updated with all our events!
123

FAST MOVING
CONSUMER GOODS
The Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector consists of
the manufacture, promotion and distribution of goods mainly
sold in supermarkets and department stores. Products include
everything from cereal to washing powder, and from beer to
clothing. There are many familiar names in this sector such
as Unilever, P&G, l’Oréal and Diageo – down to smaller niche
companies like Gü desserts. FMCG is one of the fastest growing
sectors in the UK.
124
Due to the size of some companies
in this industry, many of the roles
associated with other sectors of this
Guide are retained in-house. Distinct
roles can be found in areas such as
Purchasing, Production, Marketing,
Sales, Finance, HR, Manufacturing and
Logistics/Distribution – as well as overarching
management roles that provide
the opportunity to oversee products
from development to distribution.
General management activities typically
include:
]]
Defining objectives, allocating
resources, meeting targets and
taking responsibility for outcomes.
]]
Project work.
]]
Recruiting, supervising, motivating
and developing staff, to ensure
effective team working.
]]
Controlling finances and managing
budgets.
]]
Problem-solving, dealing with
complaints, and managing change.
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
For distinct roles in Finance, Engineering,
Science and Marketing, see the advice
in those sectors of this Guide – but
expand your job search to specialist
graduate schemes in FMCG companies.
Individual roles may also be advertised on
CareerConnect (p.5) and on companies’
websites.
Many major FMCG firms also offer you
the chance to try different management
areas before you decide to specialise.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about this
sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/MARKETING
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/MANAGEMENT
These generalist graduate schemes
typically stream opportunities into
‘commercial’ and ‘technical’ options.
More specialist schemes may also
offer the opportunity to try out one
or two other areas, via secondments,
in the first few years. Such schemes
are often good choices for students
who are unsure of what they want
to do, and have interests and skills
that encompass a variety of career
options.
To reach the Managing Director role
in organisations in any sector, most
recruiters will look for someone with
experience in more than one area
of management. As such, general
management schemes in FMCGs
provide an excellent basis for your
future.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
IDEAS
The ideas below concentrate on
skills and experience needed for
general management schemes.
For more specific roles, see other
relevant sectors in this Guide.
+ + Organise an event that has to
make a profit – such as a college
ball, theatrical production, or
even a bop. This will provide
evidence of management
experience and commercial
awareness.
+ + Become president or take
up JCR/MCR positions of any
student society or your common
room, to develop planning and
management skills.
+ + Start your own society, to
demonstrate creativity, initiative, and
the ability to get a project off the
ground.
+ + Join related student societies, such as
the Oxford Guild.
+ + Explore programmes offered by The
Careers Service to prove and improve
your entrepreneurial skills and
business knowledge (pp.29-30).
“
Annie dutton
career advisor, The Career Service,
University of Oxford
'…never a dull moment'. Time
and time again, I hear this from
graduates working in FMCG.
Why? Because the sector is
innovative and constantly
changing; it’s truly a global stage,
with multi-million dollar budgets;
and graduates really do see early
responsibility and opportunities to
progress quickly.
“

GINA ALLCHORN
Consumer Sales and Marketing
Graduate – GlaxoSmithKlein
GSK
Gina studied Geography at
St Peter’s College, 2013.
WHAT: My grad’ scheme involves 4
rotations across different functions in
the consumer business. As a rough
guide, this includes 9 months in field
sales, 3 months in supply chain, 6
months within a business assignment
and a year in marketing. Now, in
my third rotation, I am looking after
ALUMNI PROFILES
FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS
9 national accounts and I can see how
my previous experience is beginning to
merge to make me well rounded and
knowledgeable.
WHY: The brilliant aspect of this scheme
is that you are on a constant learning
experience. As soon as you begin to get
comfortable, you are thrust into a new
experience that expands your comfort
zones.
PROS & CONS: There is a strong emphasis
on personal development and training,
and you gain experience across multiple
functions. Also, the rotations are adjusted
to fit to your individual wants and needs.
However, the first rotation could be
anywhere in the UK and sometimes you are
moving before you can complete all your
goals.
GETTING IN: There is no one personality fit -
not all people are necessarily gregarious or
outgoing - but you do have to be confident/
ALUMNI PROFILES
capable, be willing to learn and work
across boundaries. Also, I had limited
work experience, however, I could
showcase the key competencies I
developed by being active in sports as
a President, captain and player.
ADVICE: You need a strong
willingness to learn and embrace new
experiences, and to be really selfaware
– understand what are your
strengths and development areas
Also, large companies may offer
opportunities you don’t expect to
find: for example, GSK is a “pharma
company”, but consumer healthcare
is 25% of the portfolio and is a really
exciting area with space for lots of
different experiences, creativity and
ultimately personal stretch.
CALLUM WOOD
Marketing Manager, head&shoulders
UK & Ireland – Procter & Gamble
FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS
WHAT: My role entails managing and
growing my brand. Firstly, this involves
understanding consumers in the hair
care category, what their behaviours
are and what motivates them to
shop the way they do. With that
understanding, I develop the strategy
and execute the marketing campaigns
covering TV, Print, Digital, PR etc. I also
work with the biggest retailers in the
UK to develop customer-specific plans
to win in store.
WHY: The most interesting thing about
my job is the level of ownership and
leadership you get from day one – I
am just over 2 years in the company
and currently manage the UK’s biggest
shampoo brand with a multi-million
pound marketing budget. I find the
responsibility incredibly exciting and it
allows you to develop a broad range
of important business skills.
EARLY CAREER: I joined P&G straight from
University, following an internship. With
business management responsibilities from
the start, the key skills needed to succeed
are self-motivation and determination, the
ability to work in diverse teams and time
management, in order to juggle several
important projects at once.
ADVICE: Be proactive and get involved in
as many things as you have passion for at
University – a first class degree, at a first
class university isn’t everything! That isn’t
to say you need to be in the most senior
leadership positions - the most important
thing is that you’ve shown the range of skills
required to be a future leader in business
within a diverse range of contexts. As an
example, this can be as little as working
down the College Bar and deciding to buy
a pool table to drive more customers in,
which led to a doubling of revenue per
night!
Callum studied Economics &
Management at Brasenose
College, 2012.
125

FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS
FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS
uki.experiencepg.com/
Main locations: Various locations in the UK/Ireland.
About us: As one of the world’s largest consumer goods company,
P&G has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, globally recognised
leading brands of any company in the world. P&G recruits
the finest people in the world, because they develop talent almost
exclusively from within. This means graduates won’t just get their
first job out of university; they are being hired into a career, with
the expectation that they will grow into one of P&G’s future leaders…
maybe even the next CEO.
P&G hires graduates into permanent roles, following a successful
internship, placement or career academy with the company.
Opportunities available: Brand Management, Sales, Customer
Business Development, Finance & Accounting, HR, IT, Manufacturing,
Engineering, Supply Network Operations and Research &
Development.
Graduates sought: The commercial functions welcome applicants
from any degree discipline. Product Supply (Manufacturing,
Engineering, and Supply Network Operations) requires a technical
degree. R&D requires an engineering or science degree.
Visa sponsorship: You will need a student visa or a work permit
that will allow you to work in the UK/I.
Graduate salary: Competitive
Vacation work: Summer internships, placements or a career
academy.
Annual vacancies: 100
Application advice: Varies by function. Please check our website
for details.
The Oxford Marketing Project provides you with the
opportunity to work on upcoming and creative marketing
initiatives for real corporate clients. We are a society that
work closely with our sponsors to provide a tailored
consultancy service that will allow you to engage closely
with the world of marketing across a number of different
industries.
STUDENT SOCIETY
The projects will involve working in conjunction with an
allocated team, to produce reports on current marketing
questions/initiatives set out by our sponsors, but how you
present them is up to you. The aim is that by harnessing the
creative potential of the sharpest minds at the University of
Oxford, we will be able to offer a valuable set of marketing
ideas and products that will contribute to the work of modern
business.
It provides you with an exciting and open ended way to gain
experience in the marketing sector, and will help you develop
important skills that are transferrable to any future career you
may choose to take. If you feel as though you want to involve
yourself with marketing in any official capacity during your
time at university, the Oxford Marketing Project is the society
for you.
THE
CAREERS
SERVICE
The
Oxford
Careers Fair
Tuesday 20 October
Oxford Town Hall
Come to our first careers fair of the year, to explore opportunities in all sectors
126

HEALTH +
SOCIAL CARE
The UK health and social care sector employs over 3 million
people, of whom over 1.7 million work for the National Health
Service and the rest for public sector employers (such as local
authorities), the private sector, or for voluntary organisations.
The actual array of roles in the sector is vast, ranging from
doctors and NHS managers to social workers. The Allied
Health Professions alone include art/music/drama therapists,
dietitians, occupational therapists, paramedics, physiotherapists,
prosthetists, orthotists, radiographers, and speech and language
therapists.
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
A significant number of Oxford graduates
each year study medicine as a second
degree. Four-year, ‘fast track’ medical
degrees for graduates are offered at
several UK universities, with funding
available. Applications for these courses
are made through UCAS and close in
October, and entry requirements vary:
some only accept applicants with a first
degree in Life Sciences, others specify
certain subjects at ‘A’ level instead.
Most use admission tests as part of the
application process. Alternatively, you
could apply for a second, full degree in
medicine through UCAS. These may have
less stringent entry requirements, but also
have much more limited funding.
An alternative option for scientists
interested in a career in this sector is the
NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP).
Workplace-based and salaried, the scheme
trains people to become specialists in
various disciplines from microbiology
to medical physics. Closing dates are
normally late in Michaelmas or early in
Hilary Term. Many of the Allied Health
Professions (see above) can be entered
by undertaking a two-year postgraduate
qualification. Search through the NHS
Careers website‘s course finder to check
entry requirements and available funding.
A science degree is normally required,
with some exceptions.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about this
sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/PUBLIC-health
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/SOCIAL-WORK
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/MEDICINE
Social workers can qualify via either an
undergraduate degree or a postgraduate
qualification. There may be opportunities
for trainees working in support roles to
undertake approved training courses, and
Frontline’s graduate programme (www.
thefrontline.org.uk) which launched in
2014 offers a new route into children’s
social work by providing a paid, workbased
course in which participants
complete a Masters in social work
simultaneously. Likewise, in September
2015 Think Ahead (www.wethinkahead.
org) are launching a similar course in adult
mental health social work.
Students wishing to train as psychologists
in the UK need first to obtain the Graduate
Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC)
from the British Psychology Society (BPS).
This may be done either through an
undergraduate degree in psychology or
through a conversion course. Relevant
work experience is then required, before
embarking on a Doctorate in Clinical
Psychology (funded by the NHS), or a
Doctorate or Qualification in Counselling
Psychology (normally self-funded).
The sector also has graduate management
training programmes, which are open to
graduates of any degree subject. The NHS
programme allows specialism in General
Management, HR Management, Finance
Management and Health Informatics.
Administrative roles are plentiful, and
may be found on jobs.nhs.uk, or on many
private sector websites.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ + Volunteer with local charities and
community organisations to help the
vulnerable or disadvantaged. Pastoral
experience is useful for all roles in the
sector. You could initially do voluntary
work on a hospital ward, through
student-run community groups, or
through Oxfordshire volunteering
organisations.
+ + Get involved in OUSU’s Mind Your Head
campaign, to promote mental health
awareness.
+ + Become a Student Peer Supporter,
your Common Room’s welfare rep, or
volunteer for Nightline.
+ + Arrange some work-shadowing in
a hospital or health centre if you
are thinking about graduate entry
medicine, or apply to our Insight into
Medicine programme (p.30).
“
Katherine Henson
Healthcare Analyst –
BUPA Healthcare
I am able to use my statistical
knowledge, on data which is
not created for our purpose,
to improve the service that we
provide towards the ultimate
goal of “longer, healthier,
happier lives.
“
Katherine studied Population Health
at St Cross College, 2015.
127

HEALTH + SOCIAL CARE
HEALTH + SOCIAL CARE
DR CHRISTINE LANGHOFF
Clinical Psychologist – NHS
and private practice
Christine studied Human
Sciences at New College, 2004.
WHAT: Clinical Psychology is a
rewarding and versatile career which
offers the opportunity to work in a
variety of different settings where no
two days are alike. I have chosen to
split my days between private work
and the NHS. In private practice I see
adults on their own or as a couple
and I provide assessments and
psychological therapy. I also follow my
special interest in perinatal mental health
and work with women who are pregnant or
have recently had a baby.
Liaison with other professionals in my local
area is an essential and exciting part of
my work. In my NHS role I worked initially
on a project funded by the Department of
Health and I have continued to work for
the same Psychology and Health service
which provides telephone and face-to-face
assessments, as well as psychological
therapy to individuals and groups with longterm
health conditions. I regularly liaise
with other members of the multidisciplinary
team, promote our service to GPs and
consultants, and I have designed and
co-facilitated a training programme for
healthcare assistants and nurses.
GETTING IN: I decided to take the clinical
psychology route whilst reading Human
Sciences, taking Psychology options in my
final year and subsequently completing
ALUMNI PROFILES
a conversion course whilst doing
voluntary work.
It can be challenging to gain the right
experience prior to getting onto the
right course and it took me several
years to get a place at UCL – following
work as a research assistant, an
assistant psychologist and a Masters
in Transcultural Mental Healthcare.
Thus tenacity alongside passion for
psychology is definitely a common
feature of many clinical psychologists!
TOP TIP: Don’t be disheartened by
the hurdles you have to overcome;
try to see each step as a learning
experience that is not wasted even if
you ultimately decide it was not for you
after all.
ALUMNI PROFILES
JONATHAN MAYO
Trainee Social Worker –
Frontline
WHAT: As a children’s social worker,
the job is incredibly varied – I have
accompanied a teenager being
sentenced at youth court, run a
creative writing group for mental health
service users, and prepared a court
report recommending whether contact
with a family member is in the best
interest of a child. You are constantly
moving between home visits, chairing
meetings at schools and writing up
assessments in the office, all with the
welfare of the child in mind.
What’s most interesting or challenging
is using creativity and your own
personality to find ways for a young
person to relate to you in some small
way, or be able to express their
wishes or worries; being inventive
with questions, games and activities
to respond to such individual
personalities and needs.
WHY: The day-to-day experience
of social work is varied and always
intellectually stimulating. The Frontline
course also prioritises skills of self-reflecting
on your own personal experiences and
biases, and uncovering how these shape
your individual work. The demands of
the intense job experience and high
academic workload means that it requires
commitment, and has stretched my time
and resolve, but has provided continual
opportunities to develop.
HOW MY OXFORD EXPEREINCE HELPED: A
lot of my study has been directly relevant,
whether that be a conception of other
minds from the Philosophy of Mind, the
skills and applicability of research methods,
or Kantian model of understanding which
underpins many child development
studies. That said, there are people on
the programme from a wide range of
backgrounds and experiences, and each
individual, having a different knowledge
base and interests, has enriched our unit
working in the local authorities.
Jonathan studied Philosophy,
Politics, and Economics at
Keble College, 2014.
128

HEALTH + SOCIAL CARE
Every day
I know I’m
making a
difference to
people’s lives
Simon, mental health
social worker
Apply your mind
to mental health
www.wethinkahead.org
Main locations: Greater London and the Midlands
About us: Most people know someone who’s had mental health
problems. But not everyone knows someone who can make a difference.
Understanding and supporting adults with mental illness
is as rewarding as it is challenging. It takes individuals with a rare
blend of resilience, empathy, and intelligence to create a positive
impact. At Think Ahead we’re searching for exceptional people to
become mental health social workers. You’ll be paid to work in an
expert team alongside clinical professionals, study for a master’s
degree in social work, and receive leadership training.
Opportunities available: Think Ahead is a paid two-year fast-track
scheme. After preparing at the Summer Institute, you combine
frontline experience with academic studies. In Year One, you work
in a Think Ahead unit led by a Consultant Social Worker, and gain
a postgraduate diploma in social work. In Year Two, you work as
a qualified social worker and gain a master’s degree. After Think
Ahead, you can become a leading frontline practitioner, move
into service leadership and management, or use your leadership
experience in an alternative career.
Graduates sought: All disciplines
Visa sponsorship: Cannot sponsor visas
Graduate salary: Competitive with public sector salaries
Annual vacancies: 100 vacancies
Application advice: Applications open September 2015
HEALTH + SOCIAL CARE
www.wethinkahead.org
VOLUNTEERING
Join Mind Your Head, Oxford’s Student Mental Health
campaign, and take advantage of this great opportunity to
develop your marketing, communications, event management,
media and speaking skills within OUSU’s largest student-run
campaign.
In 2013/14 the campaign won the national Student Minds
Award for Effective Campaigning. In 2016, we will be working
to organise more events to promote general well-being, fight
mental health stigma, and connect people with resources
available at Oxford for various mental health-related issues.
Please visit our website at mindyourheadoxford.org, and get
in touch with us via Facebook (/mindyourheadoxford) or email
(mindyourhead@ousu.org) to join our email list and learn
more. We are always looking for talented people, and always
do our best to place people in a role that will help them be
effective and develop their own skills.
129

INTERNATIONAL POLICY +
DEVELOPMENT
Employment in this sector primarily involves researching and
communicating effectively to inform how opinions and international
decisions are made and changed.
This could be done working in a Think Tank that seeks to address
issues of global concern, in your country’s foreign service to formulate
and implement international policy, in the civil service of a regional
organisation such as the EU, as a researcher in a political risk or
international development consultancy, or in an international
organisation (IO) such as the UN or World Bank. Alternatively, you
could work for a global charity (see page 81 for relevant advice). As this
is a popular sector with moral appeal, competition for employment can
be intense, but it offers rewarding careers for those who persevere.
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
Entry straight from university can be
difficult, as most organisations in this
sector value some kind of relevant ‘field’
or transferable experience – whether
in the private, public or third sector,
and preferably in a developing country.
However, there are some graduate
schemes, such as the UK’s Diplomatic Fast
Stream, and the European Fast Stream,
as well as programmes run by the UK’s
Department for International Development
and the Overseas Development Institute.
Direct recruitment is also possible into
NGOs and Think Tanks, but most require
at least a Masters qualification, plus one
or two years experience in the field,
particularly for international development
roles. The precise course title does not
generally matter, but it can be important to
highlight the most relevant modules taken
and to illustrate that you have knowledge
of relevant research techniques, regions
and (if you have them) languages.
More research-driven organisations, such
as the OECD, and many Think Tanks may
require that you have undertaken further
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about this
sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/LAw
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/international-developmenT
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/international-organisations
130
study to the level of a DPhil, as well
as having several years of professional
experience.
You can spend time at Oxford building
up insights into the sector and its range
of organisations – both to increase your
chances of securing a job and to help
you work out which areas and employers
are for you. Most Think Tanks are open
to students undertaking short internships
with them. These are sometimes unpaid
or include only a travel stipend, so you
may need to try and set up several
shorter experiences that you can combine
with other work. The EU offers longer
internships – called ‘stages’ – to recent
graduates. Internships with an IO are
normally reserved for postgraduate
students. Masters or DPhil students
may also be able to find paid part-time
consultancy work with international
development or political risk consultancies
– especially those with more than one
language and some regional knowledge or
expertise.
You can enhance your ‘insider’ knowledge
of the sector, and hear of upcoming
opportunities, by networking (pp.16-18).
Talk to policy speakers and employers at
careers events and seminars, and through
the Oxford Careers Network, LinkedIn or
college development offices.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
Spend as much time as you can
gaining international experience and
knowledge. Spend a summer on The
Internship Programme working on a
development project, building your
language skills and getting to know a
region (p.35).
+ + Write relevant articles for student
newspapers, journals or blogs, to
demonstrate you can use research
to inform and influence opinion.
+ + Take a course at the Language
Centre, or otherwise hone a
second language.
+ + Join societies concerned with
development and microfinance,
and undertake a mini-consultancy
project.
+ + Look for the Skoll World Forum
activities and the fringe events
(Marmalade/OxJam) in April each
year.
Krisztina Csortea
Book reviews editor at International
Affairs - Chatham House
“
Whether you do it right after
your BA – like I did - or later in
your career, a Masters can be
very helpful (and occasionally
a requirement) for a career in
international policy.
”

INTERNATIONAL POLICY + DEVELOPMENT
AARIF ABRAHAM
Legal Officer and Programme Officer,
International Law Department–
Democratic Progress Institute
Aarif studied Philosophy, Politics,
and Economics at St Anne’s
College, 2006.
WHAT: DPI is an NGO dedicated to
promoting peace and democracy
building. My work involves litigation,
advocacy, research and mentoring
on international human rights and
humanitarian law issues in the context
of conflict resolution.
WHY: What is most satisfying is knowing
that my work can and does impact
favourably on someone’s life.
EARLY CAREER: Whilst I have long had
interest in human rights, my path was
rather unconventional (although it’s still
early days!). Unsatisfied with my early work
experiences somewhat related to PPE, I
retrained to go into law. I trained and spent
3 years specialising in litigation and tax for
a City law firm, however, I struggled to find
meaning in my work.
The turning point was a four month
secondment at the Court of Appeal in early
2012. Working on cases being heard before
the court I developed an appreciation and
love for advocacy, both written and oral,
which compelled me to switch my practice
area to human rights.
GETTING IN: To be credible, I first had to
retrain, starting an MA in Human Rights in
Italy & Bosnia. This was slightly radical, but
ALUMNI PROFILES
opened up lots of doors to placements.
I started with a global pro bono law
firm in Sarajevo and then assisted
the Judges on the Mladic trial at the
International Criminal Tribunal (ICTY)
before moving to the UK Division of
the European court of Human Rights.
These substantive experiences allowed
me, finally, to transition into the human
rights world.
ADVICE: My (tentative) advice would
be to get some high-quality legal
training in any good chambers/law
firm and then switch to human rights
later– your hard earned legal skills will
be invaluable when matched with your
passion.
INTERNATIONAL POLICY + DEVELOPMENT
ALUMNI PROFILES
KRISZTINA CSORTEA
Book reviews editor at International
Affairs – Chatham House
WHAT: I have been at Chatham House,
The Royal Institute of International
Affairs, for two years now. I started out
as an intern and I have been the book
reviews editor for just over a year.
WHY: After graduating, I went
straight on to study for a Masters
in International Relations at the LSE.
Working for a policy journal in a
think tank allows me to combine my
interested in international relations
without needing to continue in
academia.
GETTING IN: I had little IR experience
so my Masters was very useful,
however, if you do have a specific idea
it might be worth testing this in the
field. You have to be able to show that
you are the right person for the job, but
also spend time making sure that the
position is right for you. Unfortunately,
unpaid internships are common in the
sector, but there are also other options,
including grants, and most places will
let you work part time.
ADVICE: The international policy field is
highly competitive, so use the vast array
of opportunities at Oxford to develop your
skills and experience. Being involved in
student societies can be a good way to
demonstrate skills (written and verbal,
communication, organization) and interest
in your chosen field.
If you want to specialise in a certain region
or country, having worked there can be an
added bonus. There are many international
internship opportunities advertised through
the university and colleges. For example, I
was able work in India in the summer of my
third year on an internship.
TOP TIPS: Try to develop unique skills and
mention your interests: I was hired after my
internship as I had done a coding course
the previous year.
Krisztina studied Philosophy,
Politics, and Economics at
Exeter College, 2011.
131

INTERNATIONAL POLICY + DEVELOPMENT
INTERNATIONAL POLICY + DEVELOPMENT
Do you have a need to solve challenging problems in
diverse environments? You’ll fit in here.
We are a rapidly growing award-winning global professional
services business specialising in the design, management
and delivery of complex projects and programmes supporting
economic growth and government reform. We currently have
80 projects in 20 countries being delivered by over 1200
associates.
We provide graduates and career-changers with an opportunity
to experience the real world of managing international
development projects through a growing number of 9-month
work placements on our Professional Development Scheme.
You will be mentored and tasked with real challenges, including
opportunities to contribute to proposal writing and managing
parts of our award-winning programme portfolio. In our world,
this experience will take you to projects based in countries
such as Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sierra Leone. The
vast majority of participants go on to become permanent
Managers.
www.opml.co.uk
Main locations: Africa: Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania. Asia:
Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal and Pakistan. Europe: United
Kingdom
About us: Oxford Policy Management Limited (OPM) is one of the
world’s leading international policy development and management
consultancies. We enable strategic decision-makers in the public
and private sector to identify and implement sustainable solutions
for reducing social and economic disadvantage in low- and
middle-income countries.
Opportunities available: We welcome applications for a number
of entry level positions across Social Policy, Public Sector Finance
& Management, Economic Policy, and Statistics, Evidence & Accountability.
Graduates sought: We are particularly interested to hear from
graduates with a degree and post-graduate qualification in
relevant discipline to our work (for example, economics, finance,
international development) as well as demonstrable quantitative
and qualitative research skills.
Graduate salary: Up to £26,000 - depending on level of experience.
Vacation work: We run a summer internship program with applications
opening in March.
Annual vacancies: Due to significant business growth, a number
of graduate positions are available.
Application advice: Please submit a copy of your resume and
application via the website on www.opml.co.uk
Apply by emailing your CV to:
recruitment@adamsmithinternational.com
STUDENT SOCIETY
STUDENT SOCIETY
132
Oxford Aid to the Balkans (OXAB) is a student run charity and
volunteering organisation which supports underprivileged
children across the Balkans.
This year we’re running projects in Bulgaria, Bosnia and
Albania over the summer holidays in a range of settings
including a summer camp, orphanages and community
centres. Volunteers usually go out to work with these projects
on a short term flexible basis making volunteering with easy
to fit in even if you already have some plans this summer.
Although fundraising is very valuable to our organisation, we
have no minimum fundraising fee making our trips cheap and
accessible all (just a £25 administration fee)!
OXAB is keen to take on volunteers of varying levels of
experience and will make sure that regardless of this, all
volunteers are fully prepared before they go out through
activities and language training sessions.
For volunteers interested in doing something more
challenging, we’re also looking to start up a project working
with Syrian refugees in camps near Bulgaria’s capital Sofia.
For this project we’d require volunteers for a much longer
time period and are looking for volunteers with more specific
skill sets or previous volunteering experience.
The OBA seeks to promote the profile of Burma
through events such as fundraising, awareness-raising and
create networks among those who share the same interest.
Our primary concern is to help people connect and realize the
ongoing situation within the region and beyond Burma.
We hold panel discussions and campaigns throughout the
academic year and this enables us to expand the network.
oxfordburmaalliance@oxfordhub.org

INTERNATIONAL POLICY + DEVELOPMENT
STUDENT SOCIETY
The Oxford Forum for International Development is the UK’s
highest profile student-led conference on development
issues, bringing hundreds of students together with global
decision makers. In its eighth year, OxFID 2015 will see some
of the leading lights of international development shed light
on problems and solutions in the field.
Previous speakers we’ve had include:
• Ian Goldin (Former Vice-President of the World Bank)
• Georges Haddad (Director of the Division for Higher
Education, UNESCO)
• Stefan Dercon (Chief Economist at the Department for
International Development)
• Mark Goldring (CEO of Oxfam GB)
OxFID 2015 will take place in mid Hilary Term, and we are
looking for a few keen students to join us on the committee.
You will have a chance to interact with high profile speakers
and find yourself an internship or job opportunity. Whether
you choose to apply for a committee position or simply attend
the conference, this is an excellent opportunity to embark on
your career in international development.
STUDENT SOCIETY
Oxford Microfinance Initiative is a student-run
consultancy that provides free services to microfinance institutions.
We aim to assist MFIs in conducting research and
developing innovative development solutions.
OMI acts as a link between MFIs and the Oxford student
population. We talk to MFIs to ascertain their needs, and
draw up a formal project proposal detailing the scope of the
project, its objectives and the expected timeline.
OMI then invites applications from our Oxford student
members. Typically, eight or nine projects will be launched at
beginning of Michaelmas. With the help of an application form
and interviews, student teams are formed for each project.
OMI offer Oxford students invaluable insight into the work of
microfinance institutions, internship opportunities and experience
in consulting, finance and academic research. OMI
alumni have gone on to work in consultancy, banking, and all
fields of international development. For more info, visit us at
oxfordmicrofinance.org.
INTERNATIONAL POLICY + DEVELOPMENT
STUDENT SOCIETY
STUDENT SOCIETY
Passionate about international relations? Interested
in a career in diplomacy, foreign correspondence, or
international development? Come and get involved with the
Oxford International Relations Society!
The Oxford International Relations Society is one of Oxford’s
most dynamic and fast-growing societies, and we are entirely
student-run. Our main aim is the promotion and discussion of
international affairs among the student body.
We regularly host speakers from a variety of areas including
politics, journalism, the civil service and defence, and have in
the past been lucky enough to welcome such speakers as Sir
Malcolm Rifkind, John Simpson, and Sir Jonathan Evans.
As a member you will have free access to all our speaker
events – a great opportunity to listen to some truly
inspirational people, all experts in their respective fields.
This year we have also embarked on a new venture - an
internship programme, exclusive to IRSoc members, with the
Ministry of Defence’s Development, Concepts and Doctrine
Centre.
For further information visit irsoc.org.
UNITED Oxford is a student-led international development
organisation, mainly working with Oxford University and
Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. It aims to inspire
student-led social action worldwide, by initiating and
sustaining locally-led, student-led social action projects.
Oxford students collaborate and planning social action
projects throughout the year via Skype and email.
Beyond the project work, we hold annual exchanges: Oxford
students visit Kampala in August to assess the progress
of the projects and Makerere students visit Oxford every
February for OxFID, the UK’s leading student-run development
conference.
If you’re interested in gaining real experience in grass roots
development and international project-based consultancy or
simply just making some great friends, or fancy sharing your
experience or expertise then find out more at:
Website: www.unitedpartnerships.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedOxford
Email: Katie@unitedoxford.org
133

LAW
The UK legal sector is undergoing a considerable amount of
change, driven by factors such as the Legal Services Act, the
increasingly international nature of legal work and substantial
reviews of legal education and training following the Legal
Education and Training Review (LETR). Combined with the
lasting effects of the recession and waves of government cuts,
this means that today’s lawyers face exciting and challenging
opportunities in their work. As such, whilst many Oxford
graduates still follow the traditional routes to qualification, these
changes are likely to create even more varied career opportunities
in the longer term.
SOLICITORS
At present, the majority (74%) of the UK’s
118,000 practising solicitors work in private
practice law firms, which are owned and
managed by the partners. These firms
vary enormously in size and specialisation.
There tends to be a division between firms
that serve the needs of commerce (such
as corporate matters and commercial
litigation) and those that deal with clients
with personal legal dilemmas (such as
family issues or criminal matters). The
remaining 26% of solicitors work outside
private practice partnerships, and their
number is growing. After gaining their
qualification, and often after building
some experience, many solicitors move
away from private practice into a variety
of governmental, business or not-forprofit
organisations as in-house lawyers or
advisers, in the UK and internationally.
Ian Brownhill
Barrister - No 5 Chambers
134
“
Get a 2:1, a lot of experience
working with people and an
interesting CV. Or, get a first
and make sure that you can
demonstrate that you are an
interesting person.
”
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
This is a highly regulated profession,
with several steps required to achieve
the professional qualification needed
to practise as a solicitor. First there is
the academic stage, which is satisfied
by completing a Qualifying Law
Degree (i.e. the BA in Jurisprudence)
or, for non-law students, the Graduate
Diploma in Law (GDL) or the Senior
Status Law Degree. The vocational
stage of training is completed through
the Legal Practice Course (LPC), which
is required for both law and non-law
graduates. Finally, there is the practical
stage, a “period of recognised
training” usually known as the Training
Contract.
There are approximately 5,000 training
contracts available each year, and
well over 90% of them lie within the
private practice sector. The remaining
positions are to be found in the
Government Legal Service, local
government, legal departments in
industry, and, occasionally, the Crown
Prosecution Service. During this stage
you are known as a ‘trainee solicitor’
and are paid by your employer,
who will ensure that you receive the
appropriate training. Once this phase
is completed, you are entitled to
practise as a solicitor. Short periods
of paid work experience are available
at law firms during the Christmas,
Easter and Summer holidays, as well as
opportunities to attend ‘Open Days’.
These are an ideal way to check if this
is the right career for you.
BARRISTERS
There are approximately 12,000
barristers at the independent (or selfemployed)
Bar, practising in 339 sets of
chambers across England and Wales.
A further 3,000 work in an employed
capacity for numerous organisations,
including the Government Legal Service
and the Crown Prosecution Service, as
well as in commerce and industry.
There is much discussion in the legal
press about the future of the selfemployed
Bar, stemming from the
increasing pressures on public funding
and its allocation, the increase in
solicitors’ rights of audience, and
government reforms in the way that
legal services will be provided (including
the Legal Services Act). However,
barristers continue to provide essential
and effective services, often attracting
headline cases from both the UK and
beyond. Barristers practise in a wide
variety of legal areas – some well known,
such as family, criminal and property,
and others less so, such as intellectual
property and international border
disputes.
There can be considerable differences
in the nature and lifestyle of a barrister’s
work, and some almost never appear
in court. Family or criminal barristers
may appear in court most days, whilst
barristers specialising in commercial
work may spend the majority of their
time drafting pleadings and opinions.
However, advocacy remains a vital skill
for the barrister, and it is one of the most
distinctive elements of this role.

GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
The first step to qualification as
a barrister is to pass a Qualifying
Law Degree (such as the BA in
Jurisprudence) or, for non-law students,
either the Graduate Diploma in Law
(GDL) or Senior Status Law Degree. The
second, vocational stage is satisfied by
passing the Bar Professional Training
Course (BPTC). Prior to getting on this
course you must also have joined one
of the four Inns of Court and passed
the Bar Course Aptitude Test. On
successful completion of the BPTC you
are ‘Called to the Bar’ by your Inn and
able to use the title of ‘barrister’, but
you may not practise as one until you
have completed your pupillage year. The
majority of pupillages are undertaken
within chambers, and are divided into
two parts (‘sixes’): the non-practising six
months, during which pupils shadow
a supervisor, followed by six months
of practice, when pupils undertake
advocacy and other legal services. On
completion, a barrister can either apply
for a permanent position as a tenant
within chambers, or seek a role at the
employed Bar or elsewhere. At every
stage of qualification, competition for
places is intense. Approximately one in
five students who apply for the BPTC
will successfully complete through
to pupillage. Careful assessment of
your skills, motivations and academic
credentials, combined with detailed
research on the role, will help you to
decide whether this is the right option
for you. Many chambers offer a few days
of work shadowing, in the form of a
mini-pupillage, which can be extremely
valuable.
OTHER OPTIONS IN LAW
Many law students decide not to go on
to take the professional qualifications
to become a solicitor or a barrister, but
are still keen to utilise their degree and
do so through different sorts of legally
related work that is available in all
kinds of organisations. If, for example,
you are interested in compliance or
corporate governance, one option
is to become a company secretary.
Secretaries are responsible for ensuring
that a company (or organisation)
complies with standard financial and
legal practice, so must have a thorough
understanding of the laws that affect
their work. A common route to this
is through several years of business
administration experience with the
option of taking the professional exams
offered by the Institute of Chartered
Secretaries and Administrators. If
working with individuals or causes is
more suited to you, there are options
working as campaigners, policy writers
or case workers within the third sector,
NGOs and government organisations
working in areas such as immigration,
housing, and many other social welfare
and human rights related areas.
Perhaps life in academia has caught
your attention? If it has, there will be
options for you, with the addition of
further study, to work in teaching and
research within higher education or
other legal education providers or
research institutes. These are just some
of the possible options. There are many
others, such as legal clerks, paralegals,
legal executives, legal publishers,
trade mark attorneys, notaries, licensed
conveyancers and more.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
IDEAS
+ + Join relevant student societies,
such as the Oxford Law Society,
the Bar Society, or Oxford Lawyers
Without Borders which run useful
skill sessions, dinners and other
social events with law firms and
chambers that visit Oxford.
+ + Get involved with mooting
competitions if a law student, or
join a debating society if a non-law
student.
+ + Volunteer with a not-for-profit
organisation that helps individuals,
such as the Citizens Advice Bureau
or Asylum Welcome.
+ + If you are a law student, put your
skills to use with the Oxford Legal
Assistance or Pro Bono Publico
programmes – both run by the Law
Faculty.
+ + Prove your commercial awareness.
All law firms are businesses and
most have businesses as clients.
Get involved in The Student
Consultancy (p.29) or find another
way of proving your commercial
skills.
+ + Sign up for Insight into Business,
a certificated development
programme offered by The Careers
Service that aims to improve your
business acumen and commercial
awareness.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about this
sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/BARISTER
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/solicitors
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/INTERNATIONAL_LAW
135

LAW
LAW
IAIN MCCANN
Trainee Solicitor –
Slaughter and May
ALUMNI PROFILES
WHY: One thing I wish I had known when I
left Oxford was how much I would enjoy my
job! It is both challenging and rewarding
and allows me to work alongside very
talented people for very high-profile clients.
The social/sports side of things is great too,
with the Law Society Rugby Sevens being a
particular highlight.
EARLY CAREER: I had six months off
after Oxford before starting the Legal
Practice Course (LPC). Having studied
law at Oxford I was able to start the
LPC straightaway but there were plenty
of non-law students on my course who
had completed the Graduate Diploma
in Law (GDL) after their first degree.
Iain studied Law at St. Edmund
Hall, 2013.
WHAT: I am seven months into a
two-year training contract and I am
currently sitting within the corporate
department. My current role involves
helping to advise clients on a wide
range of corporate matters; from
acquisitions of other companies to
issuing shares on the London Stock
Exchange.
GETTING IN: During the summer of my
second year I spent two weeks on an
internship with a commercial law firm
which was valuable experience. Whilst an
internship is by no means a pre-requisite,
I think spending time at a commercial law
firm will enable you to decide if it is the
right career for you. After I had made that
decision, applying for a training contract
was a straightforward process, and for
Slaughter and May consisted of a simple CV
and covering letter.
ADVICE: If a career in commercial law
is what you want, make use of the
resources available to you at Oxford –
especially the Law Fair and recruitment
events put on by firms. These are an
excellent way to find out more about
different firms and to help you decide
where to apply. The firms’ websites are
also a great way to find out about the
sort of work a firm undertakes.
ALUMNI PROFILES
IAN BROWNHILL
Barrister – No 5 Chambers
136
WHAT: The Guardian recently
described me as ‘human rights’
barrister and if such a thing exists, that
is probably my job. Rights are at the
core of my practice. In the last year I
have defended a learning disabled 17
year old charged with sex offences;
secured emergency High Court orders
for asylum seekers; secured the
release of a number of life sentenced
prisoners and argued about the rights
of rehabilitated sex offenders in the
High Court.
EARLY CAREER:
First, a plane to America’s deep
south to work as a legal intern and
investigator for people facing the death
penalty, based in Jackson, Mississippi.
Returning to Oxford I worked in the part
of the city that students and tourists
don’t see as the referral co-ordinator
for a housing project for drug addicts.
With a scholarship I went to Bar School
and then took up a post as the Women
Prisoners’ Caseworker at the Prisoners’
Advice Service, and completed my
pupillage at a criminal defence
chambers.
PROS & CONS:
The best aspect is winning cases for
vulnerable people. Other recent highlights
include being nominated the legal
aid barrister of the year; my summer
representing numerous Occupy protestors;
and having a case in the Times Law Reports
– which appealed to the law geek within.
The worst? Cash flow! Barristers aren’t only
lawyers, they are managers of their own
small business too.
ADVICE:
You must be able to talk to anyone and
adapt to dealing with a person’s most
serious issues quickly and tactfully: find
work experience that will increase your
empathy - The Citizen’s Advice Bureau is
a natural training centre for future human
rights barristers. Also, get tough: you are
no use to anybody if in an inquest you start
crying due to the tragedy of the death.
Don’t add me on LinkedIn, unless we
have met, but do follow me on twitter(@
counseltweets) and ask for advice.
Ian studied Jurisprudence at
Lincoln College, 2006.

LAW
MovE your Mind
Graduates in Law
LAW
Aim beyond pure legal knowledge. Beyond
commercial advice.Be known for something more: a
clarity of thought and an instinct for problem
solving that can influence governments and
leading businesses the world over. Join us and we’ll
help you enrich and expand your worldview, grow
your skills and influence new ways of thinking. In
other words, we’ll help you move minds.
Begin now at careers.ashurst.com
AshurstTrainees AshurstTrainees Ashurst
www.blplaw.com
Graduate careers
– in Law –
Main locations: London, Moscow, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Dubai,
Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Hong Kong, Beijing, Manchester.
About us: Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is a full service law firm
with over 200 partners based across 12 global offices. The firm
is ranked in over 70 legal disciplines, with clients including FTSE
100 companies and financial institutions, major multinationals, the
public sector, entrepreneurial private businesses and individuals.
Opportunities available: Training Contracts 40-45 p.a. 5 Vacation
schemes run throughout the year, with approx. 20 places per
scheme. First Year Insight scheme for first year law students and
penultimate year non-law students. Open days/Open Evenings
held in the London office.
Graduates sought: Required degree - 2:1 or above; UCAS points –
340 (or the equivalent)
Visa sponsorship: Yes
Graduate salary: £40000 (1st year), £45000 (2nd year)
To learn more about our Training Contracts, Vacation Schemes
and other opportunities please visit:
bakermckenzie.com/londongraduates
Journeys can begin anywhere. Yours begins at
Baker & McKenzie.
Baker & McKenzie International is a Swiss Verein with member law firms
around the world. In accordance with the common terminology used in professional service
organizations, reference to a “partner” means a person
who is a partner, or equivalent, in such a law firm. Similarly, reference
to an “office” means an office of any such law firm.
137

HELP US GROW AS A TEAM.
WE’LL HELP YOU GROW AS
AN INDIVIDUAL.
As a fast expanding and innovative law firm, a
career with Addleshaw Goddard means more
variety, earlier responsibility and greater future
opportunities to develop with the firm. Training
with us will mean working with top FTSE
companies and other leading organisations.
With offices in London, Leeds and Manchester,
we can offer quality training wherever you
want to be based. If you are interested in a
training contract with us or a Summer/Easter
placement visit:
addleshawgoddard.com/graduates
addleshawgoddard.com

LAW
LAW
www.addleshawgoddard.com
Main locations: London, Leeds, Manchester, Dubai, Hong Kong,
Oman, Qatar, Singapore
About us: Addleshaw Goddard is a premium business law firm
with international reach and an exceptional breadth of services.
Our reputation for outstanding quality and certainty of service is
built upon long term relationship investment and a deep understanding
of client markets which creates and delivers superb
value and results.
Opportunities available: 2016 Placement Schemes / Training
Contract opportunities to commence Sept 2018 / March 2019.
Graduates sought: Graduates who are capable of achieving a 2:1
and can demonstrate commercial awareness, teamwork, motivation
and drive. Further details can be found on our website.
Visa sponsorship: We do not currently sponsor work permits for
international students.
Graduate salary: London: £37,000 / Leeds and Manchester: £25,000
Vacation work: We run placement schemes in our Leeds, London
and Manchester offices. The schemes are integral to our training
contract recruitment. The schemes last for one or two weeks and
take place over Easter, June and July.
Annual vacancies: 30 training contracts p.a.
Application advice: Candidates must complete our online application
at www.addleshawgoddard.com/graduates by 31 July 2016 to
begin September 2018 or March 2019. Applications for placement
schemes should be made online by 31 January 2016 and interviews
start early February.
OPPORTUNITY
If you’re one of the handful of graduates who join Bristows LLP each year, you’ll be
exposed to a world of opportunity right from the start…
…opportunity to get involved with top tier work for clients in the most innovative
industries.
…opportunity to work side-by-side with some of the most respected lawyers in their
fields.
…opportunity to build your career in an environment where you’ll be stretched but
also get plenty of support and encouragement.
If we sound like the firm for you and you want to find out more, please visit
www.training.bristows.com.
A global firm of 59 offices. Headquartered in the City with training
locations in London, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Opportunities abound for top quality training, global secondments
and to work with sector specialists so that your career can thrive in
our Top 10 Global Elite firm.
Global Graduate Opportunities | www.cms-cmck.com/oxford
graduates.cms-cmck.com
Main locations: London, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen
About us: CMS Cameron McKenna forms part of a leading network
of firms known as CMS. We have 59 offices across 33 countries,
with the most extensive footprint in Europe of any other firm. Our
lawyers provide advice to our international client base across all
types of commercial law, including banking, finance, corporate,
dispute resolution, employment & pensions, energy, IP, private
equity, public procurement, real estate and tax.
Opportunities available: Our two year training contracts feature
four six-month seats. One of these will be spent outside your
home office, at one of our international or regional offices or
on secondment to one of our top clients based in London or
Europe. Each seat will give you real responsibility on high-profile,
multi-jurisdictional matters, plenty of client contact and loads of
exposure to partners.
Graduates sought: All disciplines. Minimum 2:1 degree.
Visa sponsorship: Yes
Graduate salary: London: £40,000, Bristol: £32,000, Scotland:
£22,500
Vacation work: Our two-week vacation schemes offer a varied
programme which encompasses plenty of training and social
opportunities, as well as involvement in real-life matters for your
practice group. You’ll have the chance to see how we work as a
firm from the inside.
Annual vacancies: 80 Training Contracts & 80 Vacation Schemes.
Application advice: Please see our website: http://graduates.
cms-cmck.com/
139

LAW
LAW
www.cov.com
Email: graduate@cov.com
Main locations: Beijing, Brussels, London, Los Angeles, New York,
San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley and Washington.
About us: Covington & Burling LLP was founded in Washington,
D.C. nearly a century ago. Today, the firm has over 800 lawyers
globally across our offices. Covington’s London office, overlooking
the Royal Courts of Justice, was established over 25 years ago.
We offer services across a wide range of practice areas, advising
clients on their most challenging and complex matters. Most of
the work has an international element, and all our practice groups
operate across borders. You will have an opportunity to work on
cutting-edge deals for international and UK corporates such as
Microsoft, Merck and Samsung, Fortune 100 businesses and leading
technology, life sciences and media companies.
Opportunities available: summer schemes 2016 and training
contracts 2018
Graduates sought: We welcome graduates from any discipline
who will obtain/have obtained at least a 2.1 in their undergraduate
degree
Visa sponsorship: Yes
Graduate salary: £40,000 per annum starting salary for trainees
Vacation work: 3 x week-long summer schemes
Annual vacancies: 7 x training contracts; up to 24 summer
scheme places
Application advice: Online application form. Closing date for
summer scheme - 31 January 2016; closing date for training
contracts - 31 July 2016.
www.jakemp.com
Email: careers@jakemp.com
Main Locations: London, Oxford and Munich.
About us: J A Kemp is a leading firm of European and UK Patent
and Trade Mark Attorneys, based in London with offices in Oxford
and Munich. Our Attorneys file and prosecute patent and trade
mark applications in the UK, Europe and worldwide. J A Kemp is
one of the largest users of the European Patent Office and is well
known for its expertise in appeals and oppositions, as well as its
expertise in intellectual property litigation. J A Kemp’s client base
ranges from start-ups, spinouts and SMEs through to some of the
largest corporate clients and most prestigious academic institutions
in the world.
Opportunities Available: Trainee Patent Attorneys.
Graduates Sought: We require, in addition to at least 360 UCAS
points, a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree in a scientific or
technical subject, preferably physics, engineering, chemistry or
biosciences. We are open to applications from candidates holding
or studying for a bachelors, masters or PhD degree.
Annual vacancies: Up to six. Our trainees usually join us in the
autumn.
Starting salary: Competitive.
Application advice: Apply, to careers@jakemp.com with a CV and
a covering letter addressed to the head of the relevant group (see
website).
www.herbertsmithfreehills.com
BIG HILLS
AND
BIG DEALS
BE A PART OF EVERYTHING
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE CAREERS
IN LAW
Setting off with clients on a charity cycle event. Settling in to
finish a £1.4bn merger agreement. We’ll give you the chance
to make a real impact. And to enjoy the rewards that come
with working hard.
Don’t just experience everything, be a part of it.
Locations: UK, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the US.
About us: Takeovers and mergers. Arbitration and litigation. We’ve
got it all. And because we’re one of the world’s leading law firms,
we also work with some of the biggest international organisations
on some of their most ambitious projects.
Herbert Smith Freehills is a place where you won’t just experience
everything, you’ll be a part of it. So if you’ve got the drive and
ambition to become a brilliant lawyer, we’d like to hear from you.
Opportunities available: Vacation schemes/training contracts
Graduates sought: Minimum 2:1 degree
Visa sponsorship: Yes
Graduate salary: 1st year £42,000, 2nd year £46,000, qualification
£69,000
Vacation work: Vacation schemes and first-year workshops
Annual vacancies: 70 training contracts, 100 vacation scheme
places and 50 first-year workshop places
Application advice: Apply online via our website. Please visit
herbertsmithfreehills.com/careers/london/graduates.
140
SEARCH HSF GRADUATE

LAW
CAREERS IN LAW
www.hoganlovells.com/graduates
LAW
The best of all worlds. All in one place.
Graduate and undergraduate opportunities
At Hogan Lovells, we deliberately hire people with an
international outlook: professionals who are resilient
and can adapt to new surroundings, respond to cultural
nuances, tackle the unpredictable with confidence and
take on responsibility. This means that, even as a trainee
solicitor, the moment you pick up a telephone, land in
a foreign country or begin working on a complex
cross-border deal, you will know that you can rely on
the people you are working with.
This seamlessness is just one of the things that makes
Hogan Lovells the best of all worlds for future lawyers,
whatever your degree discipline. See what makes us
stand out, and apply for one of our many opportunities,
by visiting our website.
hoganlovells.com/graduates
graduate.recruitment@hoganlovells.com
Email: graduate.recruitment@hoganlovells.com
Main locations: over 45 offices globally, including London.
About us: Hogan Lovells is a top global law firm with more than
2,500 lawyers in over 45 offices across Africa, Asia, Australia,
Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America. Our
global diversity and wide range of practice areas gives us a strong
reputation for corporate, finance, dispute resolution, government
regulatory and intellectual property.
Opportunities available: Hogan Lovells has an intake of up to 60
trainees per year from law and non-law backgrounds. A trainee
spends six months in four different practice areas including six
months in a corporate or finance seat, and six months gaining
contentious experience in a dispute resolution seat on an international
or client secondment.
Graduates sought: All degree disciplines welcome. Minimum 2:1
required.
Graduate salary: £41,000 in Year 1. £46,000 in Year 2.
Vacation work: We offer up to 95 places over two summer, one
winter and two spring vacation schemes. We hold three open
days for 75 first year law students. Further details can be found on
www.hoganlovells.com/graduates
Application advice: From 1 October 2015 we are recruiting for
our February and August 2018 intakes plus our vacation schemes,
open days and campus ambassador opportunities. All applications
are submitted online via our website.
www.jonesday.com
Main locations: London, Continental Europe, Asia, USA, Latin
America, Middle East, Asia Pacific.
About us: Jones Day is a truly global law firm. Our London office,
with 230 lawyers, is the third largest in the network of 42 offices
across 19 jurisdictions. Our strengths in London reflect the Firm’s
rich heritage in M&A and litigation and its vast, cross-border,
transactional and disputes experience. Our “One Firm Worldwide”
structure and unique, non-rotational training contract set us apart
from our peers.
Opportunities available: 80 two-week placements in Winter,
Spring & Summer to recruit approximately 20 trainees for September
2018. Our placements operate like mini training contracts. We
recruit almost exclusively from our schemes.
Graduates sought: All disciplines accepted. Successful candidates
are committed to a legal career, want to work on global
deals, are proactive, self-disciplined, good at juggling priorities,
and can become future partners.
Graduate salary: (2015) Initially - £43,000; 10 months - £48,000; 22
months - £52,000; newly qualified - £78,000.
Application advice: Apply early and online for a placement from 1
September. Placements are open to final year students, graduates,
postgraduates and career changers. Summer placements are also
open to penultimate year students undertaking a qualifying law
degree. Final deadlines are: 30 October 2015 (Winter); 18 December
2015 (Spring); 15 January 2016 (Summer).
www.linklatersgraduates.co.uk
Email: graduate.recruitment@linklaters.com
Main locations: Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Bangkok,
Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hong Kong,
Lisbon, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Moscow, Munich,
New York, Paris, Rome São Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore,
Stockholm, Tokyo, Warsaw, Washington.
About us: Linklaters is the only firm to have market-leading teams
across the globe covering a full range of practice areas. This,
combined with the breadth of our client base (including leading
financial institutions, governments and high-profile companies),
sets us apart from our competitors. Our lawyers work on the most
high-profile and complex work and are recognised as being leaders
in their areas of practice.
Each year, we offer around 110 training contracts to people from
a range of subject disciplines and backgrounds who are talented,
motivated and expect a lot from themselves. What they all have in
common is a desire to achieve their full potential through a career
in commercial law. In return, we offer a wealth of opportunity,
entrepreneurial freedom and incredible rewards.
Linklaters helps you achieve your ambition by providing an outstanding
environment in which to succeed – this is the same for
law and non-law graduates.
Opportunities available: First-year insight scheme (‘Pathfinder’),
vacation schemes and training contracts.
Graduates sought: 2:1 degree in any discipline.
Graduate salary: £42,000
Annual vacancies: 110 training contracts.
141

Smriti, a lawyer in our
Dispute Resolution group
How many lawyers do you see?
At Slaughter and May we train each of our lawyers
to be a multi-specialist, equipped to advise on a
broad range of legal matters that at other firms
would be handled by a number of different lawyers.
We don’t pigeonhole our people – we think that
the broader the training and experience, the better
the lawyer.
Our lawyers have a varied and interesting
workload and ample opportunities to develop
close relationships with clients and become their
trusted advisers.
We have built a reputation for delivering innovative
solutions to difficult problems. This has been earned
because each of our lawyers advises on broad legal
areas, combining experience gained on one type of
transaction to solve problems in another.
We welcome applicants from all academic disciplines
who achieve strong 2:1 results or the equivalent.
To find out more, you can apply for one of our
Open Days, Work Experience Schemes or Workshops.
For more information about a legal career with a
difference, visit slaughterandmay/joinus

LAW
Don’t
think
interviews
give you
enough time
to shine?
We agree. That’s why we’ve scrapped them. Instead we now recruit all
our trainees through our vacation scheme: a two-week “interview”
in which you actually get to do the job, and we get to know
you. You’ll sit in two different practice areas, and team up
with partners and current trainees alike. But best of
all you’ll be given your first chance to shape
something: your future.
ab
Applications open 1 October for Mishcon
de Reya’s vacation schemes – closing
dates below. We recruit on a rolling
basis so recommend you submit your
application as early as possible.
Scheme
Application
opening date
Application
closing date
Winter 1 October 2015 1 November
Spring 1 October 2015 15 January 2016
Summer 1 1 October 2015 15 January 2016
Summer 2 1 October 2015 15 January 2016
Visit our website to find out more or to
apply: www.mishcongraduates.com
Follow us on Twitter: @mishcongrads, or
Facebook: Mishcon Graduates
Mishcon de Reya now runs four vacation
schemes across the year:
Scheme Start date Finish date
Winter 14 December
2015
18 December
2015
Spring 28 March 2016 8 April 2016
Summer 1 4 July 2016 15 July 2016
Summer 2 18 July 2016 29 July 2016
LAW
www.mayerbrown.com
slaughterandmay/joinus
Main locations: Europe, Asia and the Americas
About us: Mayer Brown was one of the first law firms to develop
a global platform in recognition of the fact that many of its clients
increasingly needed an integrated, cross border legal advice. The
firm is now one of the world’s leading global law firms with offices
in key business centres across Asia, Europe and the Americas. In
Brazil, the firm has an association with Tauil & Chequer Avogados.
Through the association, the extensive international expertise
of its lawyers and its presence in the leading financial centres
around the world, Mayer Brown provides high quality legal advice
and client-focussed solutions to support many of the world’s leading
businesses, governments and individuals.
Opportunities available: Open Days, Vacation Schemes and Training
Contracts.
Graduates sought: Minimum 2:1 in any degree discipline
Visa sponsorship: We accept applications from international
students
Graduate salary: £40,000
Vacation work: Spring/Summer 2016
Annual vacancies: approx 15 for September 2018/March 2019.
Application advice: The deadline for training contract applications
is 31 July each year. The deadline for Vacation Scheme
applications is 31 January each year. All applications open on 1
November and must be made online via the website.
Email: trainee.applications@slaughterandmay.com
Main locations: London, Brussels, Hong Kong, Beijing, and ‘Best
Friends’ network in all major jurisdictions.
About us: Slaughter and May is one of the most prestigious law
firms in the world. We advise on high-profile and groundbreaking
international transactions and have an excellent and varied client
list.
Opportunities available: 2018 two-year training contracts. Trainees
turn their hand to a broad range of work, taking an active role
in four or five groups while sharing an office with a partner or experienced
associate. Most trainees spend at least two six-month
seats in our market leading corporate, commercial and financing
groups. Subject to gaining some contentious experience, they
choose how to spend the remaining time.
Graduates sought: All degree disciplines welcome.
Graduate salary: £41,000 first year, £46,000 second year, £70,000 on
qualification.
Vacation work: We offer work experience placements at Easter
and during the summer for penultimate year students. We also
run Open Days for 1st-year law students in April each year and
two-day workshops in December for law and non-law finalists and
graduates. Full details can be found on our website.
Annual vacancies: There are approximately 80 vacancies for
trainee solicitors each year.
Application advice: All applications must be made through our
online system which can be found via our website. As part of the
process, you will be asked to complete a short form and upload
your CV and accompanying cover letter.
143

An ExcE ptionA l o pportunity
Sullivan & Cromwell provides the highest
quality legal advice and representation to
clients around the world.
The results we achieve have set us apart for more than 130 years and serve
as a model for the modern practice of law.
If you are considering a career as a solicitor, interested in working with the
world’s leading companies on their most challenging matters, and feel that
you have the qualities we are looking for, we encourage you to apply for a
place on the 2016 summer vacation scheme or for a training contract in our
London office, to commence September 2018.
Please send a copy of your CV (including a full classification and
percentage breakdown of all academic results) and a covering letter to:
traineesolicitors@sullcrom.com. We will be accepting applications for
the 2016 summer vacation scheme from 2 nd November 2015 through
29 th January 2016, and applications for our 2018 trainee intake from
2 nd May 2016 through 29 th July 2016.
www.sullcrom.com
london . paris . frankfurt
new york . washington, d.c. . los angeles . palo alto
tokyo . hong kong . beijing . melbourne . sydney

LAW
LAW
www.orrick.com
Main locations: 24 offices located throughout North America,
Europe and Asia.
About us: Orrick has earned a global reputation advising both
established and emerging companies, banks and international
financial institutions. Much of Orrick’s client work involves crossborder
transactions which have increased substantially as the
firm’s network of global offices has grown. Orrick offers the benefits
of a major full service international law firm with the opportunity
for training and learning in a mid-sized office environment. As
a member of a truly international team, your career development
will include an extensive training programme, exciting and challenging
work and mentoring.
Opportunities available: Open Days and Training Contracts – apply
online.
Graduates sought: Those who are looking for a high level of
responsibility from day one, who set their standards high, have a
strong work ethic and are a bright, talented graduate of any discipline.
Applicants should have at least 3 A level passes at grades
A and B and a 2(1) degree.
Graduate salary: £38,000 (2015)
Vacation work: No
Annual vacancies: 4
Application advice: Apply online via our website. Our applications
open on 22 October 2015 and will close by 30 June 2016.
Web: www.orrick.com/careers/london/graduate-recruitment
Recruitment Manager: Emma Carpenter
107 Cheapside, London EC2V 6DN
Tel. 020 7862 4600
www.penningtons.co.uk
Email: traineepost@penningtons.co.uk
Main locations: London, Basingstoke, Cambridge, Guildford,
Oxford, Reading and San Francisco.
About us: Penningtons Manches LLP is a leading UK law firm
providing legal advice tailored to businesses and individuals. We
offer a broad range of advice including dispute resolution, corporate,
commercial/IP/IT, real estate, employment, private client and
family. We also have some niche practice areas such as professional
regulation, immigration and clinical negligence.
We have a broad international focus supported by wellestablished
links with law firms across the world. Penningtons
Manches is a member of Multilaw and the European Law Group,
networks with representatives in over 70 countries, and many of
our lawyers play leading roles in various international bodies.
Our clients range from private individuals, owner managed
businesses and start-ups to multi-national corporations, public
companies, professional partnerships, banks and financial institutions.
Our culture and close relationships with our clients are vital
assets and we are determined to maintain these as we expand.
Opportunities available: We recruit 12-14 trainees every year
(usually two years ahead) in London, Basingstoke/Reading, Guildford
and Oxford.
Graduates sought: 2:1 or above preferred from any discipline.
Graduate salary: £33,000 (2015 London salary)
Vacation work: We offer approximately 40 vacation placements in
London, Basingstoke/Reading, Guildford and Oxford during July.
Application advice: Please visit the website for a link to the online
application form and more information about the process.
www.simmons-simmons.com/graduates
Main locations: 24 offices in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
About us: Simmons & Simmons is a leading international law firm
with fully integrated teams working throughout Europe, the Middle
East and Asia. The firm’s vision is to continue to be a leading
global law firm through our sector focus, which is underpinned
by our ambition to provide our clients with high quality advice and
deliver value through new ways of working.
Graduates sought: Required degree grade 2:1.
Visa sponsorship: Yes
Graduate salary: London - £40,000 (year 1), £45,000 (year 2); Bristol
- £36,000 (year 1), £37,000 (year 2).
Vacation work: The firm’s internship schemes are one of the
primary means of selecting candidates for a career at Simmons &
Simmons. Your placement will enable you to gain first-hand experience
of a busy and dynamic international law firm, with exposure
to the deals and transactions the firm works on.
Winter vacation scheme: one week aimed specifically at final
year law/non-law students/graduates, apply from 01 Oct 2015.
Spring insight scheme: two day workshop to equip you with a
range of key skills and commercial knowledge you will need to
begin your career in law, aimed at first year law/non-law students
and penultimate year non-law students, apply from 01 Jan 2016.
Summer vacation scheme: two weeks, open to penultimate/final
year law/non-law students and graduates, apply from 15 Oct 2015.
A series of open days are also available to all students and graduates
and are run throughout the year in our London/Bristol offices.
Annual vacancies: Training contracts 38; internships c.80 p.a.
Application advice: Online application form on our website.
careers.sullcrom.com
Email: traineesolicitors@sullcrom.com
Main locations: Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Los
Angeles, Melbourne, New York, Palo Alto, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo,
Washington D.C.
About us: S&C provides the highest quality legal advice and representation
to clients around the world.
Opportunities available: 2018 Training Contracts. Applications
accepted from 2 May through 29 July 2016.
Graduates sought: We seek individuals who have strong academic
credentials (minimum 2:1 (or equivalent)). You should also have
genuine intellectual curiosity, integrity, common sense and commercial
awareness.
Graduate salary: First Year - £50,000, Second Year - £55,000, Newly
Qualified - £101,500
Vacation work: The Firm offers a two-week summer vacation
scheme in 2016. Applications accepted 2 November 2015 through
29 January 2016.
Annual vacancies: 2018 Training Contracts (4-6 vacancies); 2016
Summer Vacation Scheme (6-8 vacancies)
Application advice: CV (including a full percentage breakdown
of all academic results and an overall degree classification) and
covering letter to traineesolicitors@sullcrom.com
145

LAW
LAW
www.traverssmith.com
Email: graduate.recruitment@traverssmith.com
Main locations: London and Paris
About us: Travers Smith is an award-winning independent City
law firm with a reputation for enterprising thinking and uncompromising
quality in all of its chosen fields, and a focus on advising
clients on international matters. The firm is defined by its independence,
unique culture, deep commercial insight, progressive
thinking and incomparable client experience.
Opportunities available: Training Contracts for 2018 and vacation
scheme placements for 2016
Graduates sought:The firm looks for people who combine academic
excellence with common sense; those who are determined
and articulate, can think on their feet and take their work but not
themselves seriously. Applications are welcome from law and
non-law undergraduates and graduates.
Visa sponsorship: Yes
Graduate salary: £40,500 first year, £45,000 second year
Vacation work: Christmas (15 places) and Summer (45 places)
Annual vacancies: 25 Training Contracts for September 2018/
March 2019
Application advice: Apply online through our website at www.
traverssmith.com via cvMail (All vacancies open on 1 October).
Training Contract 2018 deadline: 31 July 2016
Summer scheme 2016 deadline: 31 January 2016
Christmas scheme applications: Places are allocated on a rolling
basis.
STUDENT SOCIETY
Oxford Lawyers without Borders is the Oxford
branch of International NGO Lawyers Without Borders (think
MSF for lawyers).
As a student division we help work on a great range of
research for LWOB and other organisations e.g. the UN,
28TooMany and in conjunction with the Oxbridge Human
Rights Development Group. Not only does this give
members an opportunity to research areas of interest but
also to get feedback at the highest level on how to conduct
research.
The society also fundraises for LWOB with weird and
wonderful events, and has an active speaker events panel.
We welcome anyone with an interest in HR/legal issues and
those who enjoy a free rein in designing a term card,
suggesting a new partner for one of the research panels or
thinking of how to raise some money for a great cause.
To learn about what we do in more detail head to
oxlwob.wordpress.com - and to hear about getting involved,
email caroline.greenfield@bnc.ox.ac.uk. Keep an eye out for
our annual conference in Hilary 2015….
STUDENT SOCIETY
STUDENT SOCIETY
146
The Oxford Law Society is the largest subject-based
society in Oxford, and is open to students from all subjects
who are interested in a career in law.
LawSoc has an enviable reputation for holding some of the
most popular and indulgent social events in Oxford,
including favourites such as ‘President’s Drinks’, ‘Champagne
& Chocolates’ and ‘Cocktails & Cupcakes’. The Society also
holds extremely popular termly balls at well-known venues,
which in the past year has included Warwick Castle and
Blenheim Palace.
At all our events members have the rare chance to mix with
representatives from leading City law firms and barristers’
chambers in a relaxed and informal setting.
The Society also hosts a range of topical and insightful
presentations on essential career-related topics such as
‘Law for Non-Lawyers’ or ‘Commercial Awareness’. For more
information on becoming a member please visit our website
(oxfordlawsoc.com) or come to any of our membership drives
held throughout the term.
The Oxford Guild Business Society is both Oxford and the UK’s
largest and oldest student business society, and has always
been associated with a range of commercial organisations
from investment banks and consultancies to professional
services, technological and industrial firms.
Widely known as one of the best societies at Oxford, the
Guild was founded in 1897 and over the years the society
has accrued numerous prizes and glowing testimonials from
members, sponsors and the national media. The Guild is free
to join and being a member enables you to receive weekly
updates about our events and gives entry to our socials.
If you are interested in attending our fantastic events and
socials, finding out more about different career options from
some of the world’s largest companies or hearing from inspirational
speakers whilst meeting like-minded individuals, then
join today at www.theoxfordguild.com.
We hold over 80 events a year ranging from invaluable networking
sessions, mock interviews and famous speakers to
our hit champagne social and have over 20 sponsers including
Morgan Stanley, Oliver Wyman, Accenture and BP.
With over 7,000 members, become part of something special!
Visit www.theoxfordguild.com and join for free today!

MEDIA +
JOURNALISM
Despite the media’s reputation as a difficult career area to
enter, significant numbers of Oxford graduates find ways
into this sector every year – entering journalism (news,
magazine, broadcast and online), TV, radio, film, and media
management.
Journalists, broadcasters and directors
form the public face of the sector, but
there are many other roles. Researcher
roles are relatively common entry points
for Oxford graduates: these involve fact
checking content and finding people to
appear in programmes. A large proportion
of people employed in the sector are
freelancers, with many more employed on
short-term contracts, and so flexibility and
a willingness to be proactive are definite
assets. The impact of digital media is
redefining both journalism and broadcast
content; developing an awareness of
multimedia platforms and tools is now
crucial for graduates seeking to enter the
media.
Many are attracted to the sector for its
‘creative’ element, but there is increasing
demand for graduates in the management
side – such as in IT, sales, licensing,
marketing, legal, financial, business
development and consultancy.
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
Work experience is extremely important
in the media sector. Most people start
from a basic entry level position, often
as an intern or (in the broadcast media)
a ‘runner’ for example in a TV or film
company.
As the sector largely revolves around
cultivating professional contacts, frequently
you will need to find (or create) your own
openings by contacting individuals and
organisations directly. See our advice on
‘Networking’ (pp.16-18). Getting used to
contacting people is also good experience.
Develop and cultivate your contacts and,
with time, you can unearth some great
opportunities.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about
this sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/TV
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/joUrnalism
As well as making speculative enquiries
to build up your experience, it’s worth
knowing about the other ways into the
industry:
+ + Looking for advertised runner/
researcher roles, such as free sites
The Unit List, Talent Manager or the
Facebook group ‘People who work in
TV – Runners’.
+ + Exploring the media graduate training
schemes, such as the BBC Production
Talent Pool (leading to the Production
Trainee Scheme) and Channel 4’s
graduate programme, as well as
occasional schemes with independent
television companies.
+ + Exploring postgraduate courses which
include substantial work experience
opportunities, such as the NCTJ for
journalism or (after some experience)
the NFTS for film and television.
People in the industry have a range
of views on the value of further study
and while some view it as a very useful
experience, others don’t see it as
necessary. Do your research and weigh
up the benefits for your situation as well
as considering how you might move
towards you goals in other ways.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ + For graduate careers in journalism,
you will need to build a portfolio of
samples of your writing, and a good
record of relevant work experience.
Build a website/blog to showcase this.
+ + Take every opportunity to contribute
to student media: student
newspapers, Oxide Radio etc.
+ + Write a blog and/or produce video or
comment pieces for other websites on
topics of interest.
+ + Start using Twitter to build a network
and to develop social media skills.
+ + Join relevant student societies, such
as the Media Society or the Oxford
Broadcasting Association.
+ + Shoot your own documentary, or
video footage of a stage play.
+ + Create advertising copy/film to
promote something you’re involved
in.
+ + Offer your work or help to different
kinds of media outlet: free, national,
specialist. You are almost certainly
an expert in something, so find a
magazine for people with similar
interests.
+ + Join relevant unions (eg, BECTU or
NUJ) and use the benefits, events or
networking opportunities.
Leila Molana-Allen
Video Journalist, The Economist
“
Getting into journalism
is, above all, about being
noticed. Create a CV that
shows what’s different about
you - email it to every editor
you can asking for advice
as well as work. If nothing’s
available, see if they have time
for a coffee.
”
Leila studied Ancient and Modern
History at Balliol Colege, 2010.
147

MEDIA + JOURNALISM
MEDIA + JOURNALISM
CHARLIE TALBOT-SMITH
Content Editor – Sportsbeat
Charlie studied Modern
Languages at St. Edmund Hall,
2010.
WHAT: I am the content editor for
Sportsbeat, one of the UK’s largest
providers of print, online and broadcast
sports content. A major part of my job
is interviewing sports personalities
and writing news and features for
the agency’s clients. We work with all
national and regional papers, leading
sponsors and organisations including
the FA, Rugby Football Union and British
Olympic Association.
WHY: I would certainly recommend a job in
journalism. Covering major global events
is a thrill that never gets old. In my first year
I was lucky enough to report the London
2012 Olympics and it was a baptism of
fire. I have since covered football, cricket
and rugby (world cups & tours) and tennis
at Wimbledon: I will be going to the Rio
Olympics next year.
ADVICE: At University I wish I’d known the
importance of work experience. It is never
too early to get experience and those
contacts could come in very handy later
on. Start small – contact local publications,
hospital radio, student media – where you
are actually writing rather than making tea.
I’m now often responsible for aspiring
journalists who come in on work
ALUMNI PROFILES
placements. I like people who
contribute and get involved rather than
sit back and expect to be tasked. Be
confident and keen but not too pushy.
TOP TIPS: Don’t just send a generic
email to the newsdesk: take time to
contact the organisation and find the
relevant person. Tell them what you
have to offer – eg, do you know the
subject well? Do you already have
story ideas?
Consider getting qualified. I completed
my NCTJ Diploma in Journalism at
News Associates and found it provided
me with all the practical foundation
skills I needed – things like media law,
shorthand and reporting are vital. You
don’t get hired without them.
ALUMNI PROFILES
LAURA SILVERMAN
Features Editor, Living –
Telegraph Media Group
To be a great journalist you’ll need to
love words, as well as stories, social
media and the internet. You’ll need
commitment and talent, but also luck.
WHAT: I look after the lifestyle
supplement of The Sunday Telegraph
and have recently launched a section
on the website aimed at the young
and affluent retired. Both jobs involve
editing, commissioning and writing, as
well as a lot of production. The days of
large teams have gone, and everyone
is expected to be able to be an allrounder.
Even editors tweet and look
for pictures.
CAREER PATHS: Don’t worry too
much about your title. The traditional
career path was ‘editorial assistant’,
‘writer’, ‘section editor’, ‘deputy editor’,’
editor’. I actually started as a graduate
trainee at the Daily Mail and became
a sub-editor. Now you might begin
anywhere: reporter, researcher, online
writer, content editor or search engine
optimisation (SEO) assistant! Show
enthusiasm on any placements and be
willing to do jobs other are reluctant to do
– it will pay off.
ADVICE: When I’m hiring, I look for early
enthusiasm for the media. So take any
opportunities while you’re at Oxford to
write for OxStu, The Cherwell or Isis and
to do work experience in the vac. Lots of
publications rely on graduates to help with
social media and spot stories, so if you
know your way around Twitter and relevant
blogs then you will be in demand.
I would recommend a nine-month
postgraduate course, such as City (where
I went) or Cardiff, for the basics of news
writing and web publishing. The best route
in, though, is through internships. Aim for a
publication or topic you love and don’t let it
out of your sight – even if it takes a while to
get there.
TOP TIP: To make a real impression, come
armed with ideas by looking at which
stories have been doing well on their
website.
Laura studied Philosophy &
Theology at Oriel College,
2003.
148

MEDIA + JOURNALISM
STUDENT SOCIETY
Oxford Media Society holds talks, discussions and panel
events with some of the most influential people in the media,
from television and film to publishing and social media.
Recently, we welcomed the VP of Spotify Europe, the
Executive Producer of Game of Thrones, the Editor of
Buzzfeed UK and the co-chair of Working Title Films. The talks
always prove incredibly insightful into the world of media, and
speakers discuss their paths to their current jobs.
We also offer a chance for members to have dinner and
drinks with speakers before the talks, providing a unique
opportunity to speak with some incredible people.
STUDENT SOCIETY
The Oxford Student is a weekly newspaper
produced by and for members of the University
of Oxford, founded in 1991. It is run through OSSL, the
commercial subsidiary of the Oxford University Student Union.
The newspaper’s constitution grants the newspaper editorial
independence.
As well as a print edition which reaches 15,000 students each
week, our website receives over one million hits every year.
We’ve broken news stories that have appeared in the national
press, and many of our writers have also written for national
publications. Students who worked for the Oxford Student
have gone on to join the Guardian, Times and
Independent, amongst other publications.
MEDIA + JOURNALISM
Our aim is to provide students with knowledge and an insight
into the world of media, to make new contacts and to gain
invaluable advice and inspiration from extremely successful
people on how you can become part of such a competitive
industry.
Joining our team will help you understand the world of
journalism - from breaking news to theatre reviews. You’ll also
hone your writing, teamwork and creative skills. Regardless
of whether you want become a professional journalist or not,
the knowledge and experience you’ll gain from working with
the OxStu will be invaluable for realising your future career
choices.
STUDENT MEDIA
STUDENT MEDIA
Cherwell is both Oxford’s oldest continuing, and only
independent, student newspaper and a growing multimedia
organisation.
With the opportunity to hone skills varying from traditional
copy-editing and investigative reporting to graphic design and
video production, being involved with Cherwell can be the
perfect preparation for modern workplace.
If you’re interested in collating data, utilising the freedom of
information act to uncover a story or conducting challenging
interviews with famous names, there is no better
organisation to be involved in. Beyond the journalism, there is
Cherwell’s business team, which deals with the logistics and
financial issues pertaining to running a newspaper. This team
spends its time finding and negotiating with national and
international advertisers, and as such can provide an
incredibly useful insight into, and a unique chance to get
involved with, today’s corporate environment.
www.cherwell.org
Established in 1892, ISIS is the longest-running
independent student magazine in the UK. Our ranks
have included the likes of Evelyn Waugh, Sylvia Plath, Boris
Johnson, David Dimbleby, Hilaire Belloc, and of course
Mostyn Turtle Piggott, our delightfully eccentric founder.
Now, we run events, a website and produce a termly
magazine. There you’ll find the best of student journalism and
design, carefully assembled by the ISIS team.
With the opportunity to participate in anything from
sub-editing to marketing or graphic design, if you’re looking
to get involved with journalism, publishing or the media in the
future ISIS is a great place to start.
isismagazine.org.uk
149

MEDIA + JOURNALISM
MEDIA + JOURNALISM
Join Oxford’s premier student-led science
magazine today and help us to communicate our
love of science to Oxford University members and
beyond.
STUDENT MEDIA
Each term, we produce a graphically gorgeous, interesting
and innovative science magazine read by students at Oxford
and Sixth Form Colleges up and down the country. This
accompanies our award-winning website, updated
throughout the year with a range of topical blog posts and
news alerts.
We offer a wide range of opportunities for involvement;
whether you’re interested in writing feature articles,
expanding our school-based readership, gaining editorial
experience or promoting the magazine, we have a position
for you. We’re not just for science students, and many of our
previous members have gone on to pursue successful
careers in journalism, art and design, business and PR. If
you’re interested in joining our team, we’d love to hear from
you; contact bangscience@gmail.com for more details.
Oxford’s independent student publishing house,
Oxford Student Publications Ltd. (OSPL) is a completely
student run, completely independent company.
STUDENT MEDIA
OSPL manages 5 publications: Cherwell, ISIS, Bang!, Industry
and Keep Off the Grass, which are circulated to 15,000
students.
The company has a wide range of roles available in business,
finance, legal and managerial positions, and offers hands-on,
unparalleled access to the workings of a real business. OSPL
is always looking for staff to join our team, so get in touch at
chairman@ospl.org for more details.
THE
CAREERS
SERVICE
Arts, Media &
Marketing Fair
Thursday 5 November
Oxford Town Hall
150

NATIONAL POLICY +
GOVERNMENT
You might consider this sector if you are interested in making
a social or legislative impact in your home country – working
for a political party or Think Tank, or becoming a civil servant
at local or national level. Information on this page concentrates
on the sector in the UK (where some organisations have
strict entry regulations regarding UK residency, though not
necessarily nationality). However, much of the advice can be
extended to careers in states across the world.
There are currently almost half a
million people in the UK Civil Service,
working in 254 departments, services,
agencies and regulatory bodies, all
of which recruit graduates. Local
government is an even bigger
employer in the UK, with 1.2 million
staff in over 350 local authorities.
Civil servants are officially apolitical –
informing and implementing policies
of elected representatives. Some
Oxford graduates also work for these
elected representatives directly, as
advisers, researchers and assistants
– which is often an effective way of
entering politics. You could even
stand as an MP yourself, following
in the footsteps of the youngest MP
of modern times elected at the last
election whilst still a student at only 20
years old.
Think Tanks are more concerned with
policy than politics, but are sometimes
aligned with a particular position on
the political spectrum. They seek to
influence public policy and debate
through the media, and through
direct contact with politicians and
organisations. For more about Think
Tanks, see the ‘International Policy
& Development’ section on page
130: this information is applicable to
national Think Tanks too.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about this
sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/government
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/think-tanks
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
The Civil Service primarily recruits graduates
through its ‘Fast Streams’ – there are
sixteen ‘streams’ ranging from generalist
schemes (includes Diplomatic Service,
Houses of Parliament and Science and
Engineering) to specialised ones such as
Government Communication Services and
Analytical. Other agencies have separate
recruitment schemes, namely the Security
Service (MI5), Government Legal Service
and GCHQ. Deadline dates vary, but
are mainly in early Michaelmas Term. By
becoming a Fast Streamer, you will usually
work in more than one government
department and in more than one part
of the UK. Opportunities for secondment
into the private sector, charities, Europe or
other public sector organisations are also
available.
Individual, graduate-level vacancies in
different departments may be advertised
on the Civil Service’s website as they arise.
Other routes in include temping and shortterm
project roles. Internships are not
generally offered apart from the Early Diversity
Internship Programme and Summer
Diversity Internship Programme (deadline
January 2016).
Local government also has a two-year
graduate scheme – The National Graduate
Development Programme (NGDP), run by
the Local Government Association. The
programme aims to provide local government
with high calibre managers, training
graduates through a series of placements
within councils. Options include policy
and strategy posts, customer facing roles
to finance and operational. Since 2002,
over 750 graduates have completed the
programme, and many now hold influential
managerial and policy roles. Direct entry
positions can be found on council websites.
The website www.w4MP.org is the primary
jobs board for positions with MPs, political
parties and campaigning organisations.
Internships may well be offered (and are
worth a speculative application), though
they tend to be London-based and unpaid.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ + Stand for your JCR/MCR committee or
the OUSU executive – or get involved in
OUSU’s campaigns.
+ + Enter debate competitions in societies
or the Oxford Union to hone your
communication skills.
+ + Get involved with your local political
party, or student society branches.
There are also several politics-related
student societies, such as the PPE
Society and the International Relations
Society.
+ + Join The Student Consultancy (p.29):
Oxford City Council is a frequent client.
HOPE HADFIELD
Press Officer to the Chief Secretary -
HM Treasury
“
There’s much more to the civil
service than the fast stream,
so I recommend you look at
the variety of civil service roles
available and think about
what suits your skills.
”
151

NATIONAL POLICY + GOVERNMENT
NATIONAL POLICY + GOVERNMENT
HOPE HADFIELD
Press Officer to the Chief
Secretary – HM Treasury
Hope studied History at
Regent’s Park College, 2010.
WHAT: As a press officer, my role
varies completely: one day, I might be
writing analysis on complex economic
data, and the next exploring Crossrail
tunnels with journalists. My role is to
tell the public about what the Treasury
is doing, working closely with the
Chief Secretary. I accompany him to
ALUMNI PROFILES
events, set up media rounds (where you
rush from one studio to another, generally
running late and panickedly re-arranging
live interviews with stressed producers) and
have to make sure every detail is correct,
from the precise figures of the policy he’s
announcing, to how straight his tie is.
EARLY CAREER: After graduating, I was lucky
enough to undertake a couple of Oxford
University International Internships in the
USA and India. I then joined a PR agency
in London: I managed to find the least
glamorous job in PR, promoting biscuits,
but I loved it. About 18 months later, I
applied for a press officer role, joining the
Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs, covering everything from
farming to fishing to flooding and travelling
around the country, getting a lot of use
out of my wellies. I recently moved to the
Treasury to start my current role, and have
since been involved in major news events
including the Budget.
ALUMNI PROFILES
ADVICE: There’s much more to the
civil service than the fast stream, so I
recommend you look at the variety of
civil service roles available and think
about what suits your skills. The civil
service is a hugely varied employer,
so I can’t say what makes a good
civil servant other than the basics of
integrity and values, but good press
officers are chatty (even when in a
freezing studio at 6am), analytical
writers and have a keen eye for a
great (or terrible) story – and a wonky
tie.
JOANNE NEENAN
Lawyer – Foreign and
Commonwealth Office
WHAT: I advise FCO Ministers and
officials on a variety of legal issues
arising in UK foreign policy. My advice
informs and shapes policy options
and can range from the legality of
using force against another country or
terrorist group, to which items can be
placed in a diplomatic bag.
I joined the FCO as a specialist lawyer
through an open competition, but you
can also enter from the Government
Legal Service or via the Civil Service
Fast Stream exam, as a mainstream
diplomat. I’ve done legal and policy
roles, including a posting to the UK
Mission to the United Nations in New
York as First Secretary (Peacekeeping
and Conflict Prevention) and UN policy
lead for the UK Ebola Taskforce.
WHY: The FCO is a dynamic,
intellectually stimulating and fast
paced environment. My job matches
my passions - world affairs and the
intersection between international law
and international relations. Often, it
provides me with a sense of having made a
meaningful contribution.
As a civil servant, you will earn significantly
less than private sector friends, whilst
sometimes having to work long hours. But
life can be enriched by the work, living
abroad and working with people from
different cultures.
EARLY CAREER: My route towards the FCO
has been a winding one! Before joining the
FCO, I was a media barrister, a BBC lawyer
and academic research assistant. I also
undertook a Masters in Public International
Law, worked at the European Commission
and as a Teaching Fellow in Public
International Law at SOAS. Looking back,
I didn’t take any “wrong” turns, all were
interesting experiences, and I’ve gained
something valuable from them all.
TOP TIP: Do as many internships as
possible. The more you do, the better idea
you’ll have of what may appeal to you and
where you will fit it.
Joanne studied Law with
French Law at Keble College,
2002.
152

NATIONAL POLICY + GOVERNMENT
The Oxford Union is an extraordinary place.
STUDENT SOCIETY
Described as the “last bastion of free speech in the Western
world”, no other student society is able to boast such
distinguished speakers from such a wide range of fields: in
the past two years, we were visited by Hamid Karzai, Morgan
Freeman, John Mayer, Sir Ian McKellan, Malala Yousafzai and
King Joffrey. Nowhere else are members offered the unique
chance to see, engage with, and even challenge the most
prominent political figures and celebrities as they address the
Society or as they confront controversial issues in our
Thursday debates. If that is not enough, you can attend our
weekly debating workshops, led by some of the best
competitive debaters in the world.
Located at the heart of Oxford, we are also a social hub that
offers our members outstanding facilities, including a private
bar and library, and discounted access to all of our social
events.
STUDENT SOCIETY
Oxford Women in Politics aims to empower and support
ambitious young women who wish to enter politics or pursue
positions of leadership in any other field, in both the public
and the private sectors. We do this through organising and
promoting exciting events with prominent female leaders
and potential employers, by hosting social events to help our
members build up a healthy network, and by arranging
workshops to develop the skills and talents necessary for
success.
OxWiP has three main aims: to connect Oxford’s women
students, faculty, and alumni engaged in the political and
corporate spheres; to develop students’ professional and
leadership skills necessary for a successful career; and to
inspire the next generation of women students.
OxWiP is free to join and open to male and female students
attending the University of Oxford. If you are interested in
learning more about OxWiP, please visit our Facebook and
LinkedIn pages.
NATIONAL POLICY + GOVERNMENT
STUDENT SOCIETY
STUDENT SOCIETY
Oxford University Conservative Association (OUCA) is the
University’s largest political society, with over 1400 student
members. It hosts a range of political events - debates,
speakers, campaigning, etc. - and social events - Port &
Policy, crewdates, poker nights, etc. - all of which are well
attended and attract a wide range of students with a whole
host of different views, both within Conservatism and from
different parties entirely.
It gives members an opportunity to meet with some of the
Government’s biggest political names and has provided tours
of Parliament and Downing Street to its members.
It offers fantastic opportunities for interested students to get
involved in politics, with internship possibilities at Party
headquarters and individual politicians available,
particularly in the election run-up. It’s a great place to
improve your debating, public speaking, electioneering, and
to meet interesting people.
The Oxford Left Review is a journal of left-wing opinion based
within the University of Oxford. It brings together the latest
left-wing political writing and culture.
It is a forum for academics, students and activists to share
and develop left-wing thought and enables Oxford to
contribute to international debates. Its content spans the
plural left. It invites contributions from students, academics
and freelance writers, both inside and outside the University
of Oxford.
The OLR appears termly, in late November, March and June
of each year.
oxfordleftreview.com
153

PUBLISHING
There are over 8,000 publishing companies in the UK, with
the three largest companies (Penguin Random House,
Hachette Livre, HarperCollins) taking around half of total
UK sales. Other large employers include Pan Macmillan,
Pearson Education, OUP, Bloomsbury, Simon & Schuster and
John Wiley & Sons, with many other smaller independent
publishers. Online publishing and digital books are changing
the face of the industry, which is enjoying steady growth.
Most sales in the UK come from ‘trade’ publishing: fiction
and non-fiction books that you can buy on the high street or
download onto an e-reader. Academic texts and journals also
have a significant market share, as do school textbooks and
English Language Teaching materials for international sales.
The processes of publishing are generally
divided into editorial, design and
production, marketing, distribution,
contracts and rights, and administration.
Specific job functions range from
Commissioning Editor to Editorial or
Publishing Assistant, from Copy Editor
to Marketing and Sales Officer, and from
Rights Manager to Web Developer.
Often acting as intermediaries between
‘trade’ publishers and writers are literary
agencies.
Normally working in small firms,
agents have to be a ‘jack of all trades’:
editing books with authors, convincing
publishers to buy them, and dealing with
contracts and media enquiries. And, of
course, reading lots too.
Salaries in publishing can be lower than
other sectors, but many people find
compensating intrinsic satisfaction from
their passion for the industry. It’s worth
noting that this is a commercial industry
like any other and that people work
widely across different types of books
and journals.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about
this sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/publishing
154
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
A few publishers run formal graduate
schemes, including Cambridge University
Press and HarperCollins. Most, however,
recruit graduates for specific jobs such as
marketing, and the majority of people in
publishing start in administrative positions
and work their way upwards. One
“
Cecily Gayford
Editor, Profile Books
Publishing is a very social,
interconnected industry,
so the more contacts you
make, the better position
you’re in for the future.
”
Cecily studied English Literature
at Balliol College, 2011.
(See more about Cecily’s career
path on page 15.)
common entry role for Oxford graduates has
been as Editorial Assistants; this role may
involve many duties, including preparing
scripts for handover to publishing services,
chasing readers’ reports for new book
proposals, drawing up and sending out
author contracts – as well as doing market
research and commissioning book proposals
in consultation with their editor.
For any job, a demonstrated interest in the
sector is extremely important, and having
relevant work experience can be a real
advantage. A few large players, such as
Penguin and Oxford University Press, offer
formal internship schemes. Most smaller
publishers will be willing to provide shortterm,
basic work experience. Short-term
paid work in a bookshop will also give you
useful insights into the market.
CareerConnect is a useful source of
vacancies for permanent jobs and work
experience in the sector. Key external
job sites include The Bookseller, Oxford
Brookes’ list of publishing jobs and
internships (they run an MA in Publishing)
and the IPG job board. Many firms,
particularly smaller publishing companies
and literary agencies, do not formally
advertise vacancies, which means you need
to get in touch speculatively to enquire.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ + Join the Society of Young Publishers.
Run by young professionals in the sector,
it holds regular networking nights in
Oxford.
+ + Demonstrate interest by joining other
related student societies, such as the
Society of Bibliophiles.
+ + Gain experience by working for a student
publication such as the Oxford Student,
Cherwell, Isis, Bang! Science Magazine
and so on. Many offer experience as
editors and in technical roles.
+ + Attend the London Book Fair in April: a
huge exhibition aimed at the publishing
industry, it’s a great way to learn more
about the sector and build your network.
+ + Offer to help in your department or
College, for example, to support the
production of conference materials
and reports, internal documents or
promotional material.

PUBLISHING
EMMANUELLA KWENORTEY
Graduate trainee –
Harper Collins
ALUMNI PROFILES
PUBLISHING
Emmanuella studied History at
St. Catherine’s College, 2014.
WHAT: Harper Collins’ graduate trainee
scheme is rotational, meaning that
I’ve spent time in various departments
including at our literary imprints 4th
Estate, The Borough Press and also in
the Non-Fiction and Communications
department. My role varies from the
ALUMNI PROFILES
WHAT:
I work as a publicity assistant for
Princeton University Press (PUP), an
academic publishing company, whose
European office is based in Woodstock,
Oxfordshire. In publicity, we promote
roughly 120 new books a year to print,
digital and broadcast media, as well
as organising author tours, pitching
to literary festivals, and anything else
to get the word out there. As publicity
assistant, I look after the paperbacks,
some monographs and occasionally
some trade titles. I also support the
other 3 publicists in all aspects of their
work promoting the rest of the list. My
role also involves designing marketing
materials, organising the logistics
for Princeton’s European conference
attendance, and some textbook
marketing.
WHY:
Despite doing a languages degree, I
knew I didn’t necessarily want to do
something directly related. I became
drawn to publishing after attending
basic - managing the mail - to the complex
- working on corporate strategies.
WHY: This is great scheme for me because
it allows me to explore my options. For
example, when I’ve been interested in a
department or area, the HR team have
been superb in letting me spend some
time in that field. The most exciting parts
of the job depends on what type of person
you are: I’ve personally loved working on
strategies and reading new manuscripts,
whilst others will have enjoyed working
closely with authors, organising events - I
recently helped out a David Walliams event
for World Book Day - and working on
marketing campaigns
EXPERIENCE & SKILLS: I don’t know the
key to success in publishing but a few
quantifiable skills will help. Having some
knowledge of coding, an understanding
of the British Standard of proof correction,
proficiency on social media/photoshop/
inDesign will hold you in good stead. Most
career fairs and completing some work
experience placements. In fact, I completed
an internship with PUP in my final year
and really enjoyed my time there, so was
delighted to hear about an opening for a
permanent position in publicity. Being a
small office, we’re a tight-knit group, which
makes it a great environment to work in.
This also means I’m often exposed to a
wide range of tasks which allow me to
learn more about the publishing process as
a whole.
ADVICE:
Publishing doesn’t always equate to
working in editorial. Applications for jobs in
editorial heavily outweigh applications for
jobs in other areas of publishing, such as
publicity, sales, rights, and so on. Do your
research beyond editorial and you might
find another area that interests you even
more. And learning about different areas is
extremely useful for wherever you end up in
the industry.
Show your interest in publishing to future
employers through extra-curricular
of these skills aren’t necessary for an
entry-level job in publishing, and skill
requirements will depend on the role,
but these skills will help you over your
competition.
TOP TIP: If you’re applying for a job in
publishing, interviewers will assume
you enjoy books and love reading -
what else have you got to offer?
LUCY ZHOU
Publicity Assistant –
Princeton University Press
Lucy studied Modern
Languages at Merton
College, 2014.
activities. I was a student liaison for the
Oxford branch of the Society of Young
Publishers in my final year and found it
a great way to meet useful contacts.
155

PUBLISHING
PUBLISHING
Passionate
about knowledge?
Taylor & Francis Group, a leading scholarly
publisher, publishes specialist academic
books and journals for a global audience.
We produce unique, trusted content by expert
authors, spreading knowledge and promoting
discovery from our offices around the world.
We currently have opportunities across
editorial, marketing, production and sales.
Realise your potential - find out where
a career in publishing might take you:
recruitment@tandf.co.uk
/TaylorandFrancisGroup
/tandfnewsroom
STUDENT SOCIETY
Oxford Media Society holds talks, discussions and panel
events with some of the most influential people in the media,
from television and film to publishing and social media.
Recently, we welcomed the VP of Spotify Europe, the
Executive Producer of Game of Thrones, the Editor of
Buzzfeed UK and the co-chair of Working Title Films. The talks
always prove incredibly insightful into the world of media, and
speakers discuss their paths to their current jobs.
We also offer a chance for members to have dinner and
drinks with speakers before the talks, providing a unique
opportunity to speak with some incredible people.
Our aim is to provide students with knowledge and an insight
into the world of media, to make new contacts and to gain
invaluable advice and inspiration from extremely successful
people on how you can become part of such a competitive
industry.
/company/taylor-&-francis-group/careers
taylorandfrancisgroup.com/careers
STUDENT MEDIA
STUDENT MEDIA
Established in 1892, ISIS is the longest-running
independent student magazine in the UK. Our ranks
have included the likes of Evelyn Waugh, Sylvia Plath, Boris
Johnson, David Dimbleby, Hilaire Belloc, and of course
Mostyn Turtle Piggott, our delightfully eccentric founder.
Now, we run events, a website and produce a termly
magazine. There you’ll find the best of student journalism and
design, carefully assembled by the ISIS team.
With the opportunity to participate in anything from
sub-editing to marketing or graphic design, if you’re looking
to get involved with journalism, publishing or the media in the
future ISIS is a great place to start.
isismagazine.org.uk
Oxford’s independent student publishing house,
Oxford Student Publications Ltd. (OSPL) is a completely
student run, completely independent company.
OSPL manages 5 publications: Cherwell, ISIS, Bang!, Industry
and Keep Off the Grass, which are circulated to 15,000
students.
The company has a wide range of roles available in business,
finance, legal and managerial positions, and offers hands-on,
unparalleled access to the workings of a real business. OSPL
is always looking for staff to join our team, so get in touch at
chairman@ospl.org for more details.
156

RETAIL + SALES
A major sector in the economy, the retail world is full of
opportunities for graduates: roles exist across many diverse
outlets and functions. The sector requires specialists in buying,
marketing, supply, logistics, HR, product development, IT
and finance, to name a few skilled roles. Around 2% of Oxford
students work as sales assistants or similar temporary positions
after graduation – to pay for time out travelling, or to support
themselves while they apply for graduate work or further
study. Many other Oxford graduates enter the sector above the
shop floor, for a career with prospects of early management
responsibility, high salaries and excellent benefits, and the
possibility of working globally.
Most major supermarkets and
department stores in the UK have
graduate training programmes, which
often start with a rotation scheme around
the organisation before specialisation.
These schemes are particularly suited
to students who want immediate
responsibility and fast promotion, and
who are multi-skilled but have not yet
decided what their niche might be. The
majority of roles are open to graduates of
all disciplines.
Progression within the industry can
be excellent, and there is plenty of
opportunity to be creative, to make things
happen, and to follow your interests and
values.
If seriously considering a graduate career
in retail, you will need to be aware of
areas such as Fair Trade, Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability.
Retailers’ profits and brand image are
increasingly formed by these issues.
Functional and sector experience with
a retailer can also provide an excellent
platform into other careers such as
consultancy or the not-for-profit sector.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about
this sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/retail
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
Retailers tend to recruit students for
graduate schemes in their final year of
study to start the following September,
and many deadlines for full-time
positions will fall towards the end of
Michaelmas Term. Competition for
these schemes can be intense. Specific
Head Office roles may be advertised
on CareerConnect throughout the
year, or on company websites. Students
who have been on a structured work
experience scheme in this sector are
likely to be at an advantage when
applying for graduate jobs.
Deadlines for internship schemes, usually
aimed at penultimate year students,
also tend to be in Michaelmas or early
Hilary Term. If a retailer doesn’t offer
a formal internship scheme, approach
them speculatively for work experience
or shadowing opportunities. However,
experience of how the retail sector works
can be gained in many ways – and many
firms like their future managers to have
spent time on the shop floor. Busy times
of the retail year coincide with university
vacations, so get some experience
as a sales assistant during a holiday.
Firms recruit temporary workers well in
advance to ensure they are not shortstaffed
at these times, often through
specialist online recruitment agencies.
Ollie Tomlins
Online Development PROJECT
Manager - Sainsbury’s
“
Retail in general is a
fascinating industry: it is a
human geography exercise
- thinking about the reasons
behind customers’ behaviour,
spending habits and regional
trends generates the greatest
interest for me in my job.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
”
+ + Run a mini-business that has to turn a
profit, such as a theatrical production or
a college ball.
+ + Get involved with the OxCo-op, which
makes ethical food accessible for the
Oxford community, or similar local
organisations such as Cultivate.
+ + Join The Student Consultancy (p.29) for
an insight into the challenges faced by
real businesses, and for the opportunity
to help solve problems faced by local
firms.
+ + Volunteer in a charity shop for customer
service experience.
157

RETAIL + SALES
RETAIL + SALES
BILLIE HEATH
Merchandising Graduate
Scheme – John Lewis
Billie studied History at St
Hugh’s College, 2014.
WHAT: Merchandising is all about
getting the right stock in the right place
at the right time. You work within a
buying office on a particular product
area and get given a huge amount
of responsibility straight away. No
two days are the same but my main
tasks involve raising orders, managing
supplier relations and trading the
assortment, based on a mix of analysis and
instinct.
On this graduate scheme I rotate every 6
months to a different office. I’ve only been
here 9 months and have already done
a project on Waitrose pork, worked for a
Director on our Click and Collect proposition
and presented at our bi-annual conference
in front of a thousand people! I am
currently working in John Lewis Audio and
Connected Home and loving it!
WHY: I genuinely love my job.
Merchandising is a lot of fun and you get
given so much responsibility so quickly.
John Lewis is a fantastic place to work
– because we are a partnership owned
by the people who work here. We all
share in the profits and have a say in the
governance of the company. There’s a real
culture of teamwork and trust and there’s
a lot of opportunity to get involved in the
wider business projects!
ALUMNI PROFILES
GETTING IN: The application process
involves online testing, a video
interview and an assessment day.
Make sure that you really understand
the role. If you apply to John Lewis,
make sure that you know what
makes us different: we are proud of
our ethical standards and roots and
looking for people who share our
values.
It’s also really useful to get some retail
work experience if you can – and there
are many entry level Merchandising
Assistant roles which are a great way
into the business outside the graduate
programmes available.
TOP TIP: My main advice would be
to enjoy yourself and be completely
genuine.
ALUMNI PROFILES
OLLIE TOMLINS
Online Development Project
Manager – Sainsbury’s
WHAT: I have recently joined the Online
team at Sainsbury’s having completed
an 18-month long graduate scheme
which involved placement in stores,
distribution depots and central office
functions. I am one of a team of Project
Managers who aim to improve the
service we offer to our customers
who buy their shopping through our
website.
What’s exciting about the role is that
I have the opportunity to influence
people at a very senior level of
our company. This offers me great
exposure to very experienced
personnel and it gives me the chance
to hone important skills for any future
jobs. I also enjoy the size of the
numbers: our Online business is worth
over £1 billion in sales per year with a
vast headcount to operate it, meaning
the improvements my project can
deliver to our online customers will
have a wide-reaching and meaningful
impact.
WHY: I would absolutely recommend my
job and the retail industry for anybody
interested in working with people, being
part of a very large organisation and
developing a wide range of skills.
TOP TIP: One of the most important
attributes is being able to get on with all
sorts of people, and being able to relate to
them. The grocery sector caters for a wide
array of interests and offers great breadth
and exposure to various areas of the
company in your early career. Being willing
to learn, muck in and listen will all stand
you in good stead.
GETTING IN: My programme recruited
on the basis of leadership potential, so I
needed to demonstrate that I had previous
employment in a leadership role and
taken on responsibility for people and
organisation. The assessments were much
more focused on potential rather than
relevant work experience however, and
as such, internships are not a passport to
entry. It’s important to show a knowledge of
the industry, regardless of experience.
Ollie studied Modern
Languages (French and
Spanish) at St. Peter’s
College, 2012.
158

SCIENCE
You could be doing research, developing new technologies,
developing or refining manufacturing processes or innovating
medical solutions. The possibilities are endless.
Experimental scientists are likely to be involved in research,
development and analysis. Opportunities in industry range from
the research divisions of global companies to niche technology
firms. Other options include government – or charity – funded
research institutes, hospitals and university research. You may
primarily be driven by your subject interest, but you should also
consider the environment that would most suit you. Working
in a small start-up technology company is likely to give a very
different experience from joining a large graduate scheme with
an established employer, for example.
Science and technology span diverse
disciplines and so too does the range
of opportunities in the science sector.
Roles for hands-on scientists exist
in manufacturing, energy, medicine,
pharmaceuticals, environment,
defence, aerospace, transport,
electronics, space technology, fastmoving
consumer goods and many
more areas.
The sector also needs scienceliterate
graduates who can use their
knowledge in other ways: eg, making
scientific ideas a commercially viable
reality, or communicating research to
investors or the general public.
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
The first step for many scientists
wanting to pursue a career in science
is a PhD (DPhil in Oxford). Don’t
be put off if a PhD is not for you at
this stage; many organisations offer
science roles that do not require a
PhD.
In general, only major companies
have graduate schemes. The earliest
deadlines are before Christmas,
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about this
sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/PHARMA
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/science
-ALTERNATIVES
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/science
-research-development
but many recruit on a rolling basis.
Gaining employment with well-known
firms can be highly competitive,
particularly in the pharmaceutical
sector, and relevant industry
experience is always useful.
Many large firms offer internships
to penultimate year students. More
opportunities exist with smaller,
less well-known companies, which
usually recruit for specific vacancies
– either directly or through specialist
recruitment agencies. Small scientific
companies are often clustered on
Science Parks. Check their websites
for vacancies, register with relevant
recruitment agencies and apply
speculatively as well. Speculative
applications to companies in Science
Parks may also be a good source of
work experience.
The availability of work in government
agencies and independent research
institutes varies according to
subject. DSTL (Defence Science
and Technology Laboratory) runs
a graduate scheme across most
scientific disciplines. DESG (Defence
Engineering and Science Group) is
focused mainly on physical scientists
and engineers. Independently funded
research institutes – such as those
operated by Cancer Research UK
and the Wellcome Trust – are more
common in life science disciplines. For
some jobs it can be an advantage to
have a relevant PhD, and some roles
will require them.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ + Join subject-based student societies,
and others such as the Scientific
Society, OxFEST (for women) or the
Energy Society.
+ + Volunteer to do outreach work with
the MPLS division’s School Liaison
Officer, or Science Oxford.
+ + Get involved with Oxbridge Biotech
Roundtable – a consultancy that
has student opportunities and great
networking events.
+ + Write for Bang!, Oxford’s science
magazine.
DR Abby Evans,
Careers Adviser, Oxford University
Careers Service & Internship Office
Make the most of expertise
around you. Quiz Oxford
researchers & lecturers about
their career and collaborations
– many have connections that
reach far beyond academic
research labs.
“
”
159

SCIENCE
SCIENCE
CATHERINE PRICE
Project Leader – Shell
ALUMNI PROFILES
Catherine studied Chemistry
at St Cross College, 2004.
WHAT: I have worked in a range
of different roles at Shell – from
developing advanced biofuels to
assessing the greenhouse gas
intensity of our operations around the
world – each of which has given me
a new opportunity to gain different
experiences and skills.
WHY: One of the reasons that I decided
to apply to Shell is the number of different
opportunities that a large company can
offer. My roles so far have all been very
different but have required me to use
my technical background, often applying
my knowledge to get up to speed with
new areas quickly. The other skill that
has been most important is being able to
communicate the insights from my work
to others, often to people who are not
technical experts in the area themselves.
CAREER PATH: During the fourth year of
my undergraduate degree, I undertook a
research project in the Inorganic Chemistry
department. It confirmed to me how much
I enjoyed the intellectual challenge of a
research environment and I decided to
continue working in this area towards
my DPhil, with the intention of pursuing a
career in research in industry afterwards.
Six months after completing my DPhil,
I joined Shell, based at their research
site in the North West of the UK. I spent
my first two years working as a Fuel
Scientist, developing new petrol and
diesel products to be sold at Shell’s
global network of retail stations. Since
then I have moved on to a succession
of different roles.
ADVICE: I first considered applying
to Shell after attending a careers
presentation. I would definitely
recommend going along to events like
that as they give you an opportunity to
talk to people who are already working
for the company. They will offer you
a more personal insight into what
working for the company might be like,
and what kind of skills they are looking
for. This will really help strengthen your
application.
ALUMNI PROFILES
MARION CRAWFORD
Research Scientist – Oxford
Nanopore
WHAT: The great benefit of a career
in science is that you have the chance
to work on some really cool projects -
there are so many wacky and amazing
new technologies. I work as a research
scientist developing a cutting-edge
new DNA sequencing technology;
our technique reads an individual
strand of DNA by feeding it through a
nanometre-scale hole. Our instrument
aims to bring fast, cheap, high-quality
DNA sequencing to geneticists and
clinicians, and the whole thing is only
the size of a USB stick!
WHY: I’d really recommend working in
science, as you get to use your brain
creatively, tackle interesting problems,
and work with enthusiastic people.
There are many difference roles out
there - you don’t have to be stuck
at a lab bench! Nor do you have to
go down the academic route - I love
working in industry as I get to see my
experiments applied to real world
issues and developed into a product to
drive a business.
I came into nano-biology somewhat by
accident after doing my Physics degree; it’s
a bit of a change of field but I think it shows
that a science degree gives you a fantastic
grounding for many careers. I wanted to
improve my practical skills but I have now
also gained experience in both science
and business. I’ve even been involved in
recruiting new graduate staff, so I know
what it’s like to be on the other side of the
interview room!
ADVICE: Don’t be afraid to apply for jobs
in different areas as lots of the skills are
transferable or learnt on the job.
Try to get some relevant experience (eg, a
lab project or a summer placement), and
read up on the company/institution you are
applying for.
Marion studied Physics at
Oriel College, 2007.
TOP TIP: Be enthusiastic and
communicate well - the next mindboggling
discovery or world-changing
technology springs from curiosity and
innovation.
160

SCIENCE
Careers in
intellectual
property
A career in science,
it’s not always
what you think
SCIENCE
Marks & Clerk is recognised as one of the world’s
leading intellectual property firms, helping clients across
all industry sectors to protect and exploit their ideas.
Our global reach and unmatched depth and breadth of
expertise present unique and exciting opportunities for
those working with us.
We recruit undergraduates or postgraduates with a
minimum 2:1 degree in a STEM subject (including
computer science).
As a graduate entrant you will be given all the support
you need to achieve qualification as a chartered
UK and European patent attorney. We run our own
comprehensive in-house Training Academy, combining
lectures and tutorials with mentoring and supervision
from Partners and other qualified attorneys.
If you are looking for an exciting career that allows you
to work with some of the most technologically advanced
companies in the world, we would like to hear from you.
For further information or to apply for our 2016 graduate
scheme, visit www.marks-clerk.com/graduates
From movie advisor to science
festival director, where will
your science career take you?
newscientist.com/jobs
STUDENT SOCIETY
Oxford Biotech is an all-inclusive biotech entrepreneurship
platform, engaging students in activities at the interface of
business, science and entrepreneurship. OB offers all of the
services and support required to transform student and postdoctoral
scientists into successful biotech entrepreneurs. OB
identifies promising ideas and entrepreneurial-minded teams
at the earliest stage and develops the best among them into
successful startups, providing innovative healthcare products
to benefit patients.
To develop an entrepreneurial culture, we run educational
courses in bio-entrepreneurship, events & networking sessions,
an editorial & communications platform, and organise
student-led consultancy projects for industrial clients and
partners.
We are always looking for new team members and activists
to work in an inspiring environment. Options for participation
include, working with our Editor-in-Chief to test your skills and
portfolio in science communication,conducting a real-world,
paid consulting project for a biotech-related company, supervised
by our own and external veteran business consultants,
or gaining experience in events organisation for 300+ attendees
at world-class conferences.
STUDENT SOCIETY
Oxford University Biological Society hosts regular speaker
events from professionals across a wide range of current
and interesting topics, with recent speakers including Nessa
Carey, Sir Tim Hunt, and Dr Robert Winston. We also organise
a variety of termly socials for our members.
Membership: Life membership costs £12 per person, and is
open to anyone with an interest in biology. Membership gains
free entry to all of our talks, and discounted entry to our social
events. You can sign up as a member at the fresher’s fair or at
one of our events.
Find us at the Fresher’s fair! Let us know if you have any
questions!
Email us on oxfordbiologicalsoc@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oxfordbiosoc
Join our network - membership is free and entitles you to
participate in our numerous career-accelerating initiatives!
161

WORKING FOR
YOURSELF
Every year, graduates from every subject consider starting
their own business or social enterprise. When James Caan
(of the BBC show Dragons’ Den) came to speak at the Saïd
Business School, he claimed that success in business is 5%
idea and 95% process. So, although finding that great idea is
important, you’ll need personality, energy and commitment
as well to make your business work. Entrepreneurship is
increasingly visible here at Oxford – see www.eship.ox.ac.uk for
great resources and information.
HOW TO GET STARTED
If you’re about to get started you’ll need
several things.
]]
An idea – consider what problem
you’re solving, what solutions exist
now, and how yours compares.
]]
Evidence – market research, legal
research, a financial plan and
competitor analysis.
]]
Other people – such as a business
partner who brings complementary
skills, a business mentor for advice,
contacts to make your business work,
and friends or family as a support
network.
]]
Infrastructure – you might need
premises to operate from, phone/
internet, website, transport.
]]
Formal registration – identifying
yourself as self-employed to the
government, and registering a business
name. (Check for available names in
the UK at www.companieshouse.gov.
uk).
]]
Money – most enterprises require some
capital to get you started, whether it’s
buying equipment, or just covering
your own living costs. Get independent
advice if you’re considering a loan. If
you are starting a social enterprise, The
Careers Service and Oxford Hub give
out generous grants termly. There are
many funding sources to encourage
young entrepreneurs – start here:
www.eship.ox.ac.uk/how-can-i/findfunding-or-investment
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about
this sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/work-for-yourself
162
LEARNING MORE BEFORE
YOU START
]]
Get an internship in a Small to
Medium size Enterprise (SME) to get
initial business experience and learn
from people who have started their
own company. One good source is
www.enternships.com
]]
Take part in our Business Mentoring
programme (p.29) and work with the
Entrepreneur in Residence at the
Careers Service.
]]
Join the Oxford Entrepreneurs Society
– to meet like-minded students, to get
advice, and for pitching, funding and
networking opportunities.
]]
Check out www.eship.ox.ac.uk/howcan-i/learn-about-entrepreneurship
for lots way so to learn about
entrepreneurship in Oxford.
]]
Sign up to the Saïd Business School’s
free Building a Business course, and
see their webpage for last year’s
material.
]]
Take part in The Student Consultancy
(p.29), and opt for a project with a
start-up.
]]
Develop your skills through work
experience (pp.26-35).
WORKING FREELANCE
A large number of Oxford students begin
their careers by working freelance – most
frequently in the media, arts, translation
and education. Much of the advice
for start-ups, above, is also relevant to
freelancers: you will, for example, need
to assess the market, register yourself
as self-employed, and find ways to
market yourself. Self-promotion may
not be necessary if you can find regular
employment through an agency – but a
website, business cards and registering in
directories of businesses may be useful.
If you are considering working freelance,
and you have no visa restrictions to selfemployment,
you could start while you are
a student at Oxford. Provided you do not
commit to projects that interfere with your
academic study, it is a good way to test the
water, assess the feasibility of supporting
yourself, and start building up a client base.
PSST! INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS!
Note that student visas generally do
not allow you to be self-employed.
International students about to
graduate could apply to stay in the UK
with a Tier 1 – Graduate Entrepreneur
Visa, through The Careers Service.
Aditya Kasliwal
Founder - SpeakSet
Everyone looks at start-ups
as a risky option. That is
true but what have you got
to lose coming straight out
of Uni? It’s worth a shot!
Even if it doesn’t work out,
you’ll have learned so much
more than you would doing
anything else for a year.
“
”

WORKING FOR YOURSELF
DR. PAUL DARE
CEO – Spatial Scientific
Pty. Ltd.
Paul studied Physics at
Wadham College, 1991.
WHAT: My company, Spatial Scientific,
was established in 2005 as a vehicle
for taking cutting edge spatial
technologies from the academic sector
and turning them into commercially
viable products and services. The
company is going strong, developing
new technologies to support airborne
data acquisition. Currently our main product
line of airborne camera systems are sold
worldwide.
I am a physicist and engineer by training,
completing a PhD in remote sensing at
UCL after my time at Oxford. I am not a
financier or venture capitalist, so I am not
commercialising other people’s ideas.
Instead I am taking my own ideas that I
developed during my time as a university
researcher, and slowly turning them into
commercial products.
EARLY CAREER: The field of my research
and development has been fairly consistent
since graduating from Oxford: remote
sensing and image processing. I began my
research in satellite imaging, developing
new algorithms for merging data from
different spaceborne sensors. After a few
years I transitioned into airborne remote
sensing, mainly because of my passion for
aviation - this gave me an excellent excuse
ALUMNI PROFILES
to obtain my commercial pilot’s licence
(in 2003).
SETTING UP THE COMPANY: Although
my university days gave me an
excellent grounding in my chosen area
of interest, I think I always knew that
an academic career wasn’t for me.
My driving force has always been to
see high quality research being put to
good use.
After a couple of years of university
research in Adelaide, I decided it was
time to “go it alone”: 10 years ago I
risked everything and established
my own company. I did this with no
partners and no financial backing – the
business has been “bootstrapped” all
the way. This has both advantages
(complete freedom to do what I want)
and disadvantages (never enough
finance to develop new projects).
WORKING FOR YOURSELF
ALUMNI PROFILES
ADITYA KASLIWAL
Founder – SpeakSet: Healthcare
Communications Company
WHAT: My role has varied over the
last 2+ years that we’ve been running
SpeakSet. In a startup, your advantage
is agility. That means you have to get
stuck in with whatever needs doing
whether that’s soldering up prototypes
or designing and building a video
calling platform.
Right now, I’m essentially answering
one question. ‘How do you do
repeatable, predictable healthcare
enterprise sales?’ That’s everything
from closing deals and building sales
processes to hiring incredible people to
achieve it.
WHY: You are ALWAYS learning and
learning fast. I have quite a technical
background but my current role
couldn’t be further away from it. I love
that challenge! There’s also some fun
perks like being invited by Google
to speak in Brussels, regular visits to
House of Lords or filming on the 39th
Floor of 1 Canada Square.
A minor caveat though; it’s constantly
intense – hard work both physically and
emotionally – and you have to make do
with what you’ve got. For example, for the
first year, I’d come down to London and
couch surf – I wouldn’t recommend that!
EARLY CAREER: I joined Entrepreneur First -
EF - straight out of Uni. EF brings exceptional
talent together and gives them the tools to
start their own company and has a fantastic
track record, helping to launch 20 startups
in its first 3 years.
What was great about EF was that we had
the space to try out different ideas. Before
SpeakSet, I built guitar pedals and ran a
food business for 4 months – I learned a
lot I could put to good use in what I love;
technology with impact.
TOP TIP:
Passion! You have to be genuinely
passionate about the job and the company
you’re applying to. It makes a huge
difference. Our hiring decisions are made
primarily on passion, hunger and team fit.
Aditya studied Engineering
Science at Mansfield College,
2012.
163

OTHER CAREERS
Beyond the industry sectors listed on the previous pages, there
are many more opportunities – some of them are quite niche,
and some are in rapidly expanding fields at the edge of current
knowledge and practice. Don’t feel restricted by the range of
graduate jobs that normally get promoted, and think creatively
about what would best suit you.
Each year substantial numbers of graduates enter these
alternative career fields or specialised roles, and others pursue
their own personal vision in areas they are passionate about, for
example, in the Creative and Performing Arts; the Armed Forces;
Libraries; Religion; Tourism and Leisure; and Translation.
In addition, there are new and emerging
sectors that are growing rapidly and
looking for graduates with diverse talents
and interests. For example, in 2012 the
UK Government identified ‘Eight Great
Technologies’ as drivers of technological
growth including:
‘BIG DATA‘: the creation, storage,
management and analysis of datasets
which are so large and complex that
it is beyond the ability of typical
database software tools to manage the
information. Big data tools are well
established in some fields of research
and now data on individuals and society
are being applied widely to help us
understand and interpret our society
and the world around us. This sector
offers great potential for social scientists,
statisticians, mathematics, computer
scientists and engineers.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find out more about this
sector, visit:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/other
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/LOGISTICS
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/armed-forces
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/translatinginterpreting
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/creative-arts
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/HUMAN-
RESOURCES
164
‘SATELLITES’: Launching space stations,
orbital telescopes and planetary probes
are just a tiny fraction of the space industry
- these industries touch our lives daily,
when we use our mobiles, get into a car, or
turn on the TV. Already employing 30,000
in the UK – many on the Harwell campus
near to Oxford – the number of jobs is
expected to rocket by a further 100,000 by
2020! This sector is a great destination for
programmers, mathematicians, physicists,
environment specialists, earth scientists,
geographers as well as engineers and
entrepreneurs (see Paul Dare’s profile on
page 163 and John Elliott’s profile on page
57).
There are also vast economic sectors
that are not particularly visible within
the graduate market but offer fantastic
opportunities and career prospects for the
graduates who find them: for example, the
insurance and re-insurance market and real
estate.
‘REAL ESTATE’ is a huge worldwide
industry that spans many sectors,
including residential, retail, office,
industrial and hotels, as well as the
growing social infrastructure sector. There
are opportunities from planning and
development in both the commercial and
social sectors (eg, social and affordable
housing), through engineering and
consultancy, to high finance - real estate
is approximately 50% of the world’s assets
by value and a vital component of the
pension fund, insurance and endowment
investment industries. There are myriad
opportunities for graduates from all
disciplines and many graduate entry
schemes in the larger finance and advisory
firms as well as property companies.
FINDING OUT MORE
If you are interested in a career that doesn’t
get much exposure around Oxford, The
Careers Service can still help and Careers
Advisers will be happy to work with you
and to provide support and ideas to help
you move forwards. In the last year we have
been asked about careers as diverse as
animal handler; costume designer; events
planner; landscape designer; politician;
theatre director & producer; speech
therapist; and sports coach.
The selection of career profiles included
here gives you a taster, covering the
Armed Forces; Big Data; HR leadership;
Interpreter; Performing Arts; and Real
Estate Investment.
There are a number of strategies you can
follow to find out more about a role:
]]
Is there a professional body or society
for your field of interest? Their website
is likely to offer useful information,
advice, listings of relevant events, and
even job vacancies.
]]
Look for vacancies to help you
understand the key criteria required.
Remember that on CareerConnect (p.5)
you can search archived vacancies to
find organisations that have advertised
similar roles in the past, giving you
a starting point for organisations
to research and perhaps approach
speculatively.
]]
Niche websites for your industry of
interest, eg:
• SpIN (Space Internships Network)
and from UKSEDS (UK Students for
the Exploration and Development of
Space)
• The Working for an MP website:
www.w4mp.org
]]
Specialist recruitment agencies
can be another route to finding out
information about particular sectors
and sourcing vacancies.
]]
Brainstorm ideas of other types of
organisation that might need the skill
set you wish to use, and use those
ideas to start an online search.
]]
Manage a creative self-led search,
using networking and social media to
find information and people, including
finding relevant blogs, Twitter feeds
and individuals, organisations and
groups on LinkedIn and Facebook.

OTHER CAREERS
GETTING IN AND
ENTRY POINTS
As for all positions, understanding
the industry, the organisation and
role and making a targeted approach
underpins any successful application.
The first question that recruiters are
concerned with is whether you have
the skills they are looking for and/
or the potential to learn and adapt
quickly to the role. Beyond that, if
you have the skills, the tie-breakers
for who gets selected are enthusiasm
and organisational ‘fit’, so do your
research and know your falcons from
your eagles before you apply. Review
the earlier sections on Developing
Your Career Ideas (pp.10-25) and
Application Essentials (pp.38-53) for
guidance.
You will probably want to talk to
someone who is actually in the
career of interest to you, particularly
if relevant information is hard to find.
They will be in the best position to
give you information on the dayto-day
life in the role, as well as
challenges, opportunities for career
development, and lots more. See
the networking section on pages
16-18 for ideas of how to make
and maintain contacts. There will
normally be somebody doing the job
you are interested in – and the less
common it is the more likely they will
be willing to share their experiences
and enthusiasm with you.
SAMEER SHEOREY
Fast Stream Analyst – Operational
Research (OR), The Home Office
ALUMNI PROFILES
WHAT: The most thrilling part of my job is
also the most challenging – the variety and
unpredictability. I rarely know what I will be
working on more than a few months ahead,
but this also means that I am constantly
developing new skills, working with new
people and to different timetables. And as a
result, personal growth is at the centre of all
I do.
ADVICE: If you are resourceful, intensely
focused and keen to be self-employed, this
can work for you. And of course a passion
for acting is a must! The lifestyle of an actor
is not right for everyone though as it’s rarely
constant and reliable. Some people thrive
on this and, if you embrace it, you can
craft your life on your own terms. Others
find it profoundly destabilising – financially,
personally and emotionally. Several people
I have worked and graduated with have
switched careers – not because they stopped
loving acting, but because acting itself is just
one aspect of the job.
EARLY CAREER: I took the drama school route:
many don’t. I remember meeting a publisher
at a party once who said that everyone in
the world should go to drama school, just to
have two or three years to really get to know
themselves inside and out . Those years were
precious to me for that luxury if nothing else.
After graduating in 2008, I worked at a large,
LAURA HANNA
Actress
Laura studied Physics at
Unviersity College, 2008.
independent TV production company,
RDF (now Zodiak), whilst applying
for drama schools. I graduated from
LAMDA in 2011 and have worked
continuously since, predominantly in
theatre.
TOP SKILLS FOR SUCCESS
]]
Be nice!
]]
Be proactive. That’s how you get
work and sustain work.
]]
Memory – names and faces! You
meet a lot of people…
TOP TIP: Remember – it’s a marathon
not a sprint.
ALUMNI PROFILES
OTHER CAREERS
Sameer studied Mathematics at
Brasenose College, 2013.
WHAT: We provide independent,
evidence based advice to both the
policy and operational sides of
government, using scientific methods
to aid decision making. This can
involve using structured workshops
and building mathematical models to
understand a complex system or using
statistical techniques to provide quantitative
evidence for decisions.
WHY: There is huge amount to learn, and
there are important and difficult problems
waiting to be solved by people like you!
If you truly enjoy problem solving I would
highly recommend considering a job in
Government OR. I have been working on a
tool that simulates passport control queues
in airports and provides a suggestion for
how many desks to have open to make
best use of resources.
GETTING IN:
The application process involved two
assessment centres: the first was OR
specific and designed to test your analytical
and problem solving abilities. The second
was for the Civil Service Fast Stream
(though you can still be offered a
‘main stream’ job even if you fail
this one). You should also be able
to demonstrate some experience
with mathematical modelling and
analytical thinking from either
university work or work experience.
ADVICE: There are a huge range
of people working in OR, from
undergraduates to people with PhDs:
as long as you have an analytical
mind and aptitude for problem
solving you are qualified for the job!
165

OTHER CAREERS
OTHER CAREERS
FRAN NEWMAN
Leadership Development
Director – Unilever
Fran studied Geography at
Hertford College, 2004.
WHAT: My job is about making sure
Unilever has the right people, with the
right skills and capabilities, doing the
right jobs to help Unilever achieve its
business ambitions. I focus on making
sure we are developing our people so
they get the experiences they need to
grow and get ready for bigger jobs,
and on bringing in the best talent from
outside Unilever.
WHY: I love working in HR because I’m able
to do what really motivates and drives me –
helping others to realise their own potential
and to find contentment in their lives.
The best part of my current job is that it is
all about helping our employees to realise
their own potential, cope with the normal
stresses of life, work productively and
fruitfully, and make a contribution to their
community both at work and at home. I
have a real personal passion for this and
find it incredibly inspiring to work for a
company that sees this as such a priority.
ADVICE: If you are interested in working
in HR, my advice would be to look for a
company that really takes it seriously and
sees it as integral to the success of the
business. To be successful, you need a
keen sense of commercial and business
ALUMNI PROFILES
acumen in addition to a strong desire
to work with and to help other people
to achieve success. You need to be
a good listener and an empathetic
coach, and be able to make tough
decisions. Finally you need to have
a reasonably thick skin – HR is not
always popular!
TOP TIPS: Get some experience
in the area you want to work in. I
spent 6 months working as an HR
administrator after graduating which
gave me a good insight into what HR
was all about and made me feel more
confident about my choice of career.
ALUMNI PROFILES
JULIEN ANANI-ISAAC
Troop Leader in the Royal
Lancers – British Army
WHAT: As a Troop Leader in the Royal
Lancers, one of three Armoured
Cavalry regiments in the British Army,
I am responsible for the training,
welfare, education, development and
performance of my troop. This may
involve leading my troop on training
exercises or overseas deployments,
often operating independently of
my chain of command, or simply
organising sporting or adventurous
training activities.
WHY: The most exciting element of
the job is the privilege of commanding
soldiers. Soldiers are a unique group
of people, who will surprise you time
and time again but who make the job
worthwhile.
Within the British Army there is such
a variety of different units and roles
that there is a specific job role to suit
almost everyone, no matter what your
interests and background. This ranges
from the Infantry, who engage in close
combat action, to the Royal Logistics
Corps, who provide sustainment and
support to the rest of the Army, to units with
purely ceremonial roles.
PROS & CONS: Despite the differences,
some things are identical for all Officers.
It is a job that will challenge you mentally,
physically and intellectually as well as giving
you large amounts of responsibility from
the very beginning. In addition, you will feel
a unique sense of camaraderie between
yourself and your fellow officers. However,
Army life is a vocation rather than a job and
you can expect to spend many weekends
and evenings working, especially during
your initial training.
GETTING IN: To join the Army as an
Officer you need to speak to your local
Army Careers Officer, and attend an Army
Officer Selection Board, where you have a
medical, fitness tests, interviews, command
tasks and a planning exercise. If you pass
this, you then attend Sandhurst, the Royal
Military Academy, for their challenging
11 month course, leading to your first
commission with whichever Regiment has
offered you a position.
Julien studied Modern
Languages (French and
Spanish) at Worcester
College, 2013.
166

OTHER CAREERS
KEVIN KONG
Associate (Investments) –
Meyer Bergman
Kevin studied Engineering,
Economics and Management
at Trinity College, 2010.
WHAT: I focus on investing in
opportunities across in Western,
Central and Eastern Europe for a
pan-European retail real estate fund
manager. My responsibilities include
managing acquisitions and disposals
of portfolio assets, coordinating
transaction due diligence, and
sourcing of investment opportunities
across asset types such as high street
retail units, full-price shopping malls,
development projects and outlet malls.
WHY: The sector is challenging and
competitive, but successful execution
certainly leads to tangible, visible results.
No two deals are ever the same and we
face a constant learning curve as we
need to consciously refine our investment
strategy and look for the right opportunities.
There’s scope for anyone with the passion,
interest and drive to immerse themselves in
the sector.
EARLY CAREER: I started my career on the
‘sell side’, as an analyst in the real estate
area at Citi (following a summer internship
there) working on corporate M&A and
real estate financing. This cemented my
interest in the sector. Since my move
to Meyer Bergman I’ve gained a new
perspective on the sector and developed
greater commercial acumen through the
investment work – on the ‘buy side’.
ALUMNI PROFILES
ADVICE:
Always thoroughly research the firm
and role you apply for – interviewers
appreciate it if you’ve done your
homework. And know your market -
read up on recent transactions and be
able to identify the current movers and
shakers in the industry.
From a practical standpoint, think
about ways to set yourself apart
from other candidates – focus on
acquiring and honing the key skills
that employers look for. These include
technical skills - I was given a timed
financial modelling exercise to
complete.
TOP TIP: I was interviewed by
everyone, from the most junior
person to the CEO. In small teams,
culture and fit is understandably an
important consideration, and it is key
for everyone to fully support each new
hire.
OTHER CAREERS
ALUMNI PROFILES
MARK BELCHER
Freelance Translator
WHAT: I attend EU meetings and
interpret the proceedings from
French, German or Russian into
English. My work is mostly in Brussels,
but occasionally I attend meetings
elsewhere – last year I was in Italy and
Portugal – which is wonderful but not
always as glamorous as the sounds,
for example, when we’re sent to an
abattoir or factory.
WHY: It’s an interesting, varied
and demanding job and you are
confronted with something new every
day.
PROS & CONS: I’ve been interested
in interpreting since school, but
I assumed you had to grow up
speaking several languages, which
was not my case. I moved to Berlin to
improve my German after university,
and did written translations. My first
interpreting job came via a friend who
asked me to do some work on a film:
I got to meet people and see new
places - I loved it!
However, the rise of English as a lingua
franca means we’re all wondering how long
there is left for the profession. Employability
depends on how many languages you can
interpret from (for the EU you need at least
two passive languages) and whether your
languages are in demand: politics can have
a direct impact though - I have worked a lot
more from Russian in the past.
GETTING IN: To work for the EU you need
an MA in Conference Interpreting, so I took
a one-year course at Bath. I also passed the
test for ‘freelancers at the EU institutions’,
before passing the competition for staff a
couple of years later.
ADVICE: Because it is difficult to get into
the profession you need to decide whether
you want to invest so much time and
money. Anybody who’s interested should
to talk to working interpreters and potential
employers.
Mark studied Modern History
and Modern Languages at St
Edmund Hall, 2003.
167

OTHER CAREERS
OTHER CAREERS
R E A L I S E
Y O U R
P O T E N T I A L.
Property is so much more than bricks and mortar or steel
and glass, these are the spaces and places where lives
are lived and careers are forged. As a professional services
firm specialising in real estate, we help companies and
individuals maximise the value of property.
We welcome graduates with degrees in any discipline from all
universities across the country to join one of our eight schemes.
Apply online: jll.co.uk/graduates
Graduate
opportunities
available in:
Building Surveying
Business Management
Commercial Property
Planning
Project Management
Quantity Surveying
ENTER OUR FACEBOOK COMPETITION:
Show us ‘a place with potential’ for the opportunity
to fast-track your career and guarantee an interview
for a JLL graduate scheme.
Residential
Real Estate Analysis
facebook.com/jll
@JLLUKGraduates
STUDENT SOCIETY
168
OMG. YOU COULD
BE EE.
Huge opportunities for all kinds
of graduates
London, Bristol and Darlington
Our EE graduate scheme is now in its
fourth year and we’re on a bit of a roll.
But now we’re looking to take it to the
next level. We’ve got big plans for our
fresh batch of graduates, so if you’ve got
the ambition, drive and passion to see
them through then we want to hear
from you.
Trust us, you couldn’t pick a more
exciting time to be EE.
jobs.ee.co.uk/graduates
The Oxford University Belgo-Luxembourgish Society is the
academic society dedicated to support and promote the
interest in Belgium and Luxembourg at the University of
Oxford.
Despite a strong Belgian and Luxembourgish student
community abroad, OUBLS was the first academic society
dedicated to either country in the United Kingdom. We
organise several events each term, including social events,
academic lectures and an annual Black-tie dinner, and we are
generously supported by various companies in Belgium and
Luxembourg.
As a national society, we also represent the interest of the
Belgian and Luxembourgish students to the Student Union
and University as a whole. Furthermore, we engage in
assisting and providing information to potential applicants
in both countries who are interested in coming to study at
Oxford.
With the support of the British Embassy and the Belgian
Ministries of Education, OUBLS hosts an annual Oxford and
Cambridge Admissions Conference in Brussels, Belgium.
More information about this event, including dates and
programme, is available on the dedicated OCAC webpage
(www.ocac.be).

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PROBLEMS WITH THE
WORLD’S BRIGHTEST MINDS?
Metaswitch Networks, a global tech company, is recruiting
grads and postgrads. It’s easy to apply. Simply upload your CV
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“People don’t just hear what
I have to say, they really listen.”
Catherine’s perspective on support
Graduate opportunities
Whether you’re making innovative suggestions, process
improvements or purified terephthalic acid, as a BP graduate,
you’ll make a real difference from day one. So whatever it is
you’re doing, you can be sure your voice will be heard.
Search BP careers to find out more.