2. Inspiring futures
Covering:
• What can you do with LEL – suggestions related to your
degree, and beyond, and how to research them
• Your choice – how do you choose?
• your questions
3. Inspiring futures
What stage are you at?
1.Not given it much
thought, and don’t
know where to start
2. some ideas –
nothing fixed
3. know what I want
to do - don’t know
how to do it!
4. know what I want to
– need support with
application process
5. Inspiring futures
Edinburgh linguistics alumni – via LinkedIn
Jobs asking for LEL on MyCareerHub
• English language editor
• Linguist/computational linguist
• TEFL teacher
• Marketing and communications
• Speech and language therapy assistant
• English translator
• Linguistics teaching material developer
• Writer/editor for on-line media
• English summer camp tutor
• Lexicographer
• Advertising copywriter
Find out more……..
www.ed.ac.uk/careers/occupations
7. Inspiring futures
• Account Executive, The Leith Agency
• Junior Digital Planner, The Leith Agency
• Editor, Lux Inc Media
• English Language Teacher, Chatteris
• Linguist, Speech Graphics
• Head of Events and Communications,
Historic Environment Scotland
• PR Assistant, All About The Story
• Social Media Manager, Allies of Skin
• English Language Assistant, Spain
• Assistant Librarian, Royal Masonic School
for Girls
• Medical Sales Representative, Pfizer
• Audit Associate Deloitte
• Associate Recruiter, Core Asset Consulting
• Campus Cycling Officer, RGU
• Administrator, Traverse Theatre
• Enterprise Intern, Edinburgh Innovation
• Conservation and Engagement Assistant,
National Trust
LEL graduate case studies
LEL grads 15-16
9. Inspiring futures
What else influences your choices?
What am I looking for from my career?
What factors will influence my decision?
Purpose of my job?
What sort of role?
What interests and motivates me?
What skills do I want to use?
What sort of organisation and working
environment?
Values / lifestyle choices
Personal qualities and temperament
Location
10. Inspiring futures
What can a bring to a job…?
My:
• Education / qualifications
• academic ability
• skills from degree
• class rep?
• ???
• Work – paid or voluntary
• relevant?
• varied?
• Outside interests
• societies
• Sports
What have you gained from all these activities?
11. Inspiring futures
If you don’t know what to do…
• Career planning theories
• DOTS model: know myself, know the options, make decisions, take
action (apply for opportunities etc)
• ‘Planned happenstance’ – taking advantage of interesting opportunities
• Use our online career-ideas programmes
• CareerEd / Career Planner / www.ed.ac.uk/careers/your-future/career-
planning
• Look at your LEL-specific career pages for ideas
• www.ed.ac.uk/ppls/linguistics-and-english-language/current/undergraduate/careers
• Subject-specific information on the Careers Service website
• Edinburgh LEL grad stories – including Rosie Middlehurst
• Options with linguistics/English
• After English – careers website …..and more
‘Everything that has
happened to me has been
a complete accident.
People think you must
have a career plan, but I
never planned a single
thing’
Sarah Smith, Sunday
Politics host
12. Inspiring futures
Speaking to people
Getting advice – talk to….
•Careers Consultants
• Family and friends
• Academic staff
• Employers
• People in jobs that interest you www.ed.ac.uk/careers/occupations
- Also use Linked In – Linguistics alumni , and the LinkedIn Alumni
tool, plus the PPLS case study blog for your research and widening
your network
13. Inspiring futures
What sort of further study did
psychology graduates choose?
• MScR Linguistics (2)
• MSc English Language
• MSc Cognitive Science
• MSc Psychology and Language
Development
• MSc Linguistics Science
• PhD Linguistics
• MSc Applied Computing
• MSc Speech and Language Processing
LEL grads 15-16 – Further Study
• PGCE Teaching (2)
• MSc Speech and Language Therapy
• MSc Publishing
• MSc Creative Writing
• MA Public Policy
• PG Acting
• MA Creative Art Practice
14. Inspiring futures
Further study?
• Assess your reasons:
• vocational training
• love of subject
• hope to give yourself the edge
• avoid job market
• Where?
• Think about funding….
• Start your research - www.ed.ac.uk/careers/your-
future/options/further-study - including the new quick
guide to personal statements
15. Inspiring futures
Know what I want to do - how do I
do it…..?
Do your research using:
• Careers Service Website – occupations
• Careers Service website/MyCareerHub – employer
and themed events, including , including 2 day
Careers Fair and Volunteering and 3rd Sector Fair,
10-12th Oct. Check all events via MyCareerHub
• LEL-specific careers information on the Careers
Service website
16. Inspiring futures
Looking for work?
• Advertised vacancies – MyCareerHub and
beyond…
• Non-advertised opportunities – speculative
applications
• Events – careers fairs and presentations
• www.ed.ac.uk/careers
17. Inspiring futures
Average number of applications per
graduate job in recent years?
a. 78
b. 69
c. 83
d. 68
(from Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) surveys)
18. Inspiring futures
Advice from a recent PPLS grad
‘
‘The most important thing I learned to do when trying to
market myself to employers was to effectively evaluate and
pitch the general transferable skills studying Linguistics
and Psychology had given me.’
19. Inspiring futures
Making your way through the application
process
www.ed.ac.uk/careers/applications-interviews
use our talks and advice on: CVs, application forms, cover
letters and interviews streamed via our website
Check MyCareerHub – www.MyCareerHub.com - for
application and interview events, Interview Simulator and
Practice Tests
20. Inspiring futures
Careers support in PPLS
• Weekly career appointments in PPLS
• Programme of webinars and events specific to PPLS
• PPLS careers blog – targeted careers information and advice
specific to PPLS students –
• Annual Life Beyond your PPLS Degree….event – PPLS
grads tell their stories….
• LEL-specific careers information on the Careers Service
website
Read the regular careers newsletter promoting events and sessions…..
21. Inspiring futures
Use your University Careers Service:
• Careers Service website
www.ed.ac.uk/careers
• MyCareerHub – vacancies,
appointments, events
https://mycareerhub.ed.ac.uk
• Careers Information Centre - 3rd Floor
Library Building, tel 0131 650 4670
…..and after graduation - service available for 2 years!
