Your career journey is a journey of discovery and exploration of yourself and your future options.
You will move between career phases during your studies and throughout your career. Whichever career stage and phase you are in, whether you have specific career ideas or are not yet sure what to do next, we are here to help you to maximise the impact of your qualification and help you achieve career success.
There are three phases of your career journey: Discover, Focus, Achieve.
Let’s take a look at each phase, and what it means for you, in more detail.
Discover
You are uncertain of your post-study ambitions and possible options. Many Arden students identify with this phase.
Think about what motivates you and the strengths and abilities you can bring.
Your Careers team is here to help! We run sessions to help you explore your values and motivations and to identify careers that might be a good fit for you.
Your campus Careers team can suggest additional and specialist sources of information and advice or suggest online and in-person events with employers to give you greater insights. Find careers articles and information on Arden Futures.
There you will find information and sector insights that can help you as a Career Starter, Career Changer or Career Developer.
Our Careers Consultants can help you with personalised guidance. Click this link to book your appointment on Arden Futures.
Focus
You have some career ideas but are not sure what’s right for you.
Do you have a shortlist of career ideas and are now thinking about roles and sectors? The answer might be further study to help you achieve your goals.
Check out Arden Futures to increase your awareness and through our employer-led careers insight sessions.
Your work experience helps you get your next role. but if you are a Career Starter or Changer you might want to secure additional experience to explore different career paths. We can help you through structured placements, internships, voluntary work, or virtual work experience to fit round your other commitments.
You often need to apply up to 12 months before you start (typically in the autumn). We run regular sessions on preparing applications, taking online selection tests, and how to approach assessment centres.
Where you will find practice selection exercises and assessment centre activities. Check out Graduates First for help to prepare for online assessments.
Achieve
You have identified your chosen career area and are ready to apply for roles.
You have a list of preferred employers, are proactively seeking opportunities, and looking for information and advice on recruitment and selection processes. We offer support to ensure you are more competitive and can maximise your career success.
The first impression you make is often through your job application. We can help you effectively demonstrate relevant transferable knowledge, skills, and experience, whether you are a Career Starter, Career Changer, or Career Developer.
CV structure and layout depends on the role and sector. Arden Futures offers information for building your CV. CareerSet is an AI tool that helps you review your CV and your campus career specialist can support you to craft your CV through online workshops and one-to-one advising sessions.
Selection processes can include online tests, written tasks, presentations, and interviews. Arden Futures and online workshops by the Careers & Alumni Centre (Careers) offer a wide range of resources to help you prepare. You can even arrange a videotaped mock interview with your careers specialist to ensure you are interview ready.
Pay and benefits negotiations are usually the final stage in the selection process. Careers can help you prepare your negotiation strategy. Use the Pay Negotiation online tool to ensure a win-win for both you and your future employer.