Student Guide to the HCA Careers Compass

Pre-Honours (Years 1 and 2):

Quick Start: Create a folder to record and reflect your skills and strengths , or use a tool from your programme such as the Archaeology Skills Passport

• Ask three people for feedback on what you do well. Keep a record as this will give you good evidence for applications
• Think of something that motivates and energises you. What keeps you interested? Make a note of this

Penultimate year students:

Quick start: Take time to reflect on your achievements so far to help develop confident in your abilities.  You could record these in your own personal folder or your Archaeology Skills Passport

• Pick a module from your course. How is this enhancing your knowledge and skills? Review the course description on DRPS:

Course information on DRPS

• Think about what you have gained from the reflective exercises from “Stepping Up to Honours” and keep a record of this

Final year students:

Quick start: Complete the Careers Assessment on strengths:

Career assessments

• Think about your values and what’s important to you. This can inform your career choices. Use the decision making resources on Mind  Tools:

Mindtools website

• Ask colleagues or peers you have worked with to give feedback on your input. Keep a record and revisit. Also check the giving feedback section on Careers Assessments:

Career assessments

Pre-Honours (Years 1 and 2):

Quick start: What part time jobs are being advertised now?  Find out on MyCareerHub

Access MyCareerHub

•  Looking for ideas? Watch our quick video “Don’t know what you want to do”?  

Video: Don't know what you want to do?

• Like and follow your subject Facebook pages and other social platforms.  These will help keep you up to date with opportunities

Penultimate year students:

Quick start: Why not apply to volunteer at the HCA Student Research Room (SRR)?

• Start researching Professional Bodies to understand your sector and the roles available
• Feeling overwhelmed by careers information? Start with our website as we’ve collated the best sites:

Find out about jobs and sectors

Final year students:

Quick start: What graduate jobs are being advertised now? Search MyCareerHub:

​​​​​Search graduate jobs on MyCareerHub

• Where are graduates with your degree now? Search the LinkedIn alumni tool to find out:

University of Edinburgh alumni on LinkedIn

• Thinking about postgraduate study? Start with our website where you’ll find useful links and resources:

Find out about further study

• Take part in our employer presentations and Employer Fairs to speak with employers about possibilities

Pre-Honours (years 1 and 2):

Quick start: From year 2 become a Student Ambassador for HCA

• Join and get involved in Student Societies (eg.  History Society, ArchSoc, Edinburgh Outreach Archaeology Project, Classics Society, Retrospec) or become a Programme Rep for your year
•  What counts as work experience? You can find out on our build experience webpages and see where the opportunities:

Build experience

Penultimnate year students:

Quick start: Stay active in your Societies to get experience and make contacts (e.g. Literacy in Latin, History for Schools, writing for Retrospec journal and Edinburgh Archaeology Outreach project)

• Want to make the most of your extra-curricular activities? Complete an Edinburgh Award and get official recognition for your achievements:

Edinburgh Award website

• Interested in volunteering? Have a look at the Students’ Association website to find opportunities:

Students' Association volunteering website

Final year students:

Quick start: Remember you can use your dissertation topic to help you make connections and build up your subject specific knowledge

• What have you done so far and where are the gaps? Keep your skills log up to date with all your experiences so far
• Why not attend one of our employer presentations? Check the events tab on MyCareerHub:

Access MyCareerHub

Pre-Honours (Years 1 and 2):

Quick start: Look at our example student LinkedIn profile. Create or update your own:

Advice on using social media

• Try something new as it shows you’re adaptable and independent. Find out about the Edinburgh Award and what opportunities are open to you:

The Edinburgh Award

• In Year 2 think about applying for the Mentoring Programme to get matched with a mentor who is a professional in their field e.g. archaeological contractor, heritage professional, through to librarians, lawyers and bankers
• Have you thought about your online presence. Update your social media channels and privacy settings:

Using social media to find out and stand out 

Penultimate year students:

Quick start: Looking for networking tips? Search TED Talks for inspiration. 

• Apply for a professional mentor through our HCA Mentoring Programme
• Start researching and joining Professional Bodies and get active within the Societies & groups you are a member of

Final year students:

Quick start: Get set for the recruitment process, use our CV and cover letter resources here:

CV and cover letter resources

• Want to prepare yourself for life at work? Get to grips with workplace etiquette:

Workplace etiquette website 

• Make connections with people who can help. The University of Edinburgh Alumni LinkedIn group gives you access to over 20,000 members of the community. Explore careers, progression routes, and make connections:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/74624/ 

Pre-Honours (Years 1 and 2):

Quick start: Proactively keep in touch with your SA about internship opportunities

• Want to learn about LinkedIn? See our advice and example student profile:

Using social media to find out and stand out

• How will you make the most of university life? Plan what you want to achieve using the Careers Service Toolkits. Find them in the self-enrol channel on Learn:

Access to Learn

Penultimate year students:

Quick start: Get help with application and selection processes:

Write CVs and applications

• Is your CV up to date? Review your CV and make changes:

How to write your CV

• Who is in your network and how can they help? Check our webpages for hints and tips:

Develop your network and build your profile

Final year students:

Quick start: Keep potential referees up to date with your plans. 

• Put together a timetable or plan of action for your final year so you can make a schedule of everything you need to do and want to apply for!
• Need to refine your interview skills? Use the Interview Trainer resource for practice questions:

Access Interview Trainer

• Working on applications for postgraduate courses? Tailor your applications and personal statement

Applications and CVs for further study