Lancaster Environment Centre has successfully hosted a series of career panels to inspire students with the true value of their degrees
A series of three “What can I do with my degree in…?” career events were held earlier this term. Focussing on LEC’s distinct families of degree schemes, , and Biology, , students heard careers stories from a panel of speakers giving them an idea of where their degree could take them.
Many of the panel members were Lancaster alumni, ranging from freshly minted graduates to more seasoned professionals. They included an NHS clinical perfusionist, an RSPB warden, a LEC lecturer, the Deputy Head of Lancaster University’s Careers Service, an Environment Agency manager, environmental and ecological consultants, a post-doctoral researcher, and a business consultant.
Each spoke about their career paths, giving advice on careers associated with their particular disciplines, such as the importance of volunteering to Conservation, and accompanied with real life anecdotes. Several of them noted that “no job is forever”, highlighting the fluidity of career paths and alleviating the anxiety of many final year students. The importance of networking was also emphasised, including taking advantage of the connections and wealth of expertise of careers staff and academics at university.
The panels were followed by a brief Q&A session and then students joined the panellists and staff for a relaxed and informal chat over refreshments, where more personalised advice could be provided and questions answered.
The events were hosted by the LEC Careers Tutor, Dr Paul Young, and were attended by Pam Pickles, Student Employability Manger for the Faculty, and Sarah Fox and Angela Bywater from the Careers department who provided invaluable additional advice.
“These events have really helped the students focus on their post-university life and to understand the immense breadth of opportunities available to them. I hope it also drove home the usefulness and importance of reaching out and making contact with the broad range of people who can help students make connections that can help their careers,” said Paul Young.
Over 130 students from across all years, including postgrads, attended the events. The panel events will be held again in 2016; if you are interested in taking part please contact Pam Pickles or Paul Young.