Careers Handbook

Task One; make a list of the skills you would be able to take to a job at the moment, and think of three example to support each one.

1. Competent in IT skills; learning to use Premier Pro and After Effects, alongside creating media productions.
2. Communication; listen well, work well in a team and distribution of communication evenly
3. Time Management; upkeep a part time job whilst at college, revision timetable, focus more time on important and urgent factors over less important things
4.  Experience in a work place; work in retail, worked at a local bar and restaurant and my work experience took place with children
5.  Organisation; folders for each subject at college, colour co-ordinate all of my work and create to-do lists daily.

Task Two; research, define and explain the following terms by relating them to yourself where necessary.

I'm currently studying an A Level in Communication and Culture alongside a BTEC in Creative Media Production, and I have a part time job at Argos. I need 300 UCAS points (BBB) to get into my chosen University (Bournemouth) to study Communication and Media. Before attending college, I took my GCSE's (General Certificate of Secondary Education) and acquired 12 A*'s - C grades. I have A Levels in English Language and Literature also, and undertook my work experience at a local primary school and also have previously worked for Waveney Gymnastics Centre.

Task Three; list any 3 jobs mentioned in class or any you may have already been considering. What is the job role? What does it entail? Do you need any specialist training or skills? Is it freelance work or can you be a permanent member of staff? 

• Magazine Journalist- interviewing / writing articles / research. HND/Degree. Flexible hours, average of 9-6. £35,000 a year.
• Newspaper Journalist- investigating stories / contacts / press conference. Degree. Long irregular hours. Pre-entry or direct route. £15-50,000 a year.
• Editorial Assistant- accounts up to date / point of contact / interviews. Degree that is relevant. Standard 9-5. £15-40,000 a year.

Task Four; research, define and explain methods of recruitment in the creative media industries.

• National Press- this is a newspaper that concerns with matters of national events of a country collectively. An example of this is Jobs 24. Jobs 24 is in conjunction with The Advertiser, a local newspaper, that has it's own versions and publications across the country. Jobs 24 allows you to search for jobs within your own region and via the use of keywords, so it's a lot more simple and efficient to find a job in the area you wish to work in. A more widespread example is The Guardian- within the press, paper form itself, as well as the Internet, it advertises job availability for not only the company itself, but for jobs in multiple sectors. 

• Trade Press- a trade magazine with the intention of targeting a specific industry or type of trade. This type of media is targeted towards a specific demographic. It allows information to be broadcast and publicized to a specific audience and not to those who have little or no interest in the subject matter. An example of this in relation to the media industry is Brand Republic- this organisation also allows you to update your CV onto the site, and has different sections for 'Now Recruiting' and 'Job of the Week.' One can browse jobs by function and/or location.

• Internet- jobs are advertised online on websites such as The Guardian. This website offers jobs not only for the guardian itself, but also for jobs in different aspects of the working industry. Alongside UCAS and apprenticeship opportunities are also offered. Another example is Indeed- all that is required is for you to sign up and you can even upload your own CV. It's a quick and reliable way of searching for jobs in a specific area or industry of work.

• Trade Fairs- this is an organised exhibition so that companies in specific industries can showcase and demonstrate their latest developments. Berlin Music Week is an example of this. Not only are these beneficial to the company or organisation, but also to individuals. They allow people to gain a better and more in-depth insight into specific areas of an industry, and to fully understand what jobs are available. It can influence their career choice massively. 

• Word of Mouth- this is all about who you know, and verbal communication with the right people. If you impress one company or person, your name is likely to be heard elsewhere which can be referred and create larger opportunities for a future job/career.

• Personal Contacts and Networking- when out on a business meeting or having an interview, it's best to gain as many contacts as possible as you never know when they can come handy in the future. Whether it's receiving business cards, or handing one out to each individual present- the media industry thrives on networking

• Internal Promotion- in the media industry this usually means starting off as a runner, but it involves working your way up in the industry, within the company you are working for. Many opportunities arise in this way of promotion, and it can further one's career greatly if one is to impress managerial roles in any given company. 

Task Five; CV + Cover Letter

Task Six; research, define and explain the following and relate them to yourselves and past experiences.

• Portfolio/E-Portfolio- this is a collection of ones work, whether it be in paper form in a large folder, or on an online blog. It is a showcase of ones work within the industry they wish to apply for. I am currently creating my own for an interview for a college course in Media Production.
• Showreel- this is a montage of ones productions- still and/or moving image- and is designed to show off ones best pieces of work to potential employers.
• Personal Website- this can either be a blog or an actual website, with information on personal and work related issues, and can be used as a networking device to show off ones work. Websites such as Tumblr and Blogger can be used to create these. 

Task Seven; research the following presentation skills/methods and explain what you believe would be 'good practice' for each. 

• Interviewing Skills- DO dress smartly, punctuality is key, take time answering questions and think of examples, sell yourself. DON'T be late or swear, don't slouch and don't lie about anything- if you don't understand something then don't be afraid to ask questions- it's better to ask than not to know. 
• Presentation Skills- when presenting work and portfolio's, know what you are presenting so it's not required that one reads from the paper constantly, be confident in what you are saying and what you believe in. Elaborate on your points, and ensure that you can answer any questions that are aimed in your direction, don't leave them closed or shoot them down.
• Self-Presentation- Linguistic codes are key; your word choices for the answers you give are considered carefully. Don't self doubt constantly and 'hedge' too often; come across confident and at least pretend to know what you're talking about- but DON'T lie. Dress codes are also very important- make sure the clothes one chooses out are ironed and are smart, yet sensible. If you know the interview will require practical work, it's not smart to wear 6 inch heels and a short skirt. Interpersonal skills are the skills required to interact with other people. If one cannot communicate well or clearly, then this doesn't hold well for future interviews. 
• References- these are people that are contacted to find out more information about you, so make sure that they are people who would be useful to further your opportunities professionally. Examples to consider are past and present employers and/or faculty members.

Task Eight; research, define and explain the following terms.

• Training on the job+continuing professional development- this allows one to develop their learning whilst working at a company, whether it be learning how to use new software or developing skills for a later promotion. This new learning takes place whilst working for a company and having job stability- however it can lead to individuals picking up bad habits from other individuals and create some themselves.

• Self-training- this is where one teaches themselves how to use a particular program, or anything of the sort. They may develop their learning and/or understanding as a result of basic training, or out of pure interest.
• Sources of Information- Trade Unions is "an organized association of workers in a trade, group of trades, or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests." Examples of Sector Skills Councils are Creative England- these offer out sector specific information and skills, and are organisations to offer help and guidance. Careers Services are websites which offer careers advice and information on a wide range of job roles. Examples are Creative Skillset and IdeasTap

Task Nine; identify the opportunities you have had in the courses that you are currently studying for developing your functional skills (English, mathematics and ICT)

• Media- English in the blog posts and essays we are required to produce. Mathematics in the editing of footage down to specific time slots. ICT in the learning of Adobe programs and internet research, alongside blog posts.
• Communication and Culture- English in the written coursework and notes on theorists and political and economical movements. Mathematics is not applicable here. ICT in the creative coursework that one is required to produce.
• Law- English in the reading and written notes of specific cases and terminology. Mathematics in the calculations of time served and years of cases. ICT is not applicable here.
• Psychology- English in the reading and writing of case studies and numerous details alongside qualitative data. Mathematics with quantitative data, graphs and tables. ICT in conducting research and online surveys.