Making decisions

Careers develop and evolve throughout your working life. What you study, and what you do immediately after university, will not necessarily dictate, nor restrict, your career options. You may find it helpful to think in terms of ‘what next?’ rather than ‘what forever’.”

As with any decision, career choices will always involve an element of uncertainty. You won’t really know if something is a good fit for you until you’re doing it. The same job can be very different in different organisations, sectors or countries.

When thinking about your future and career interests, you can minimise risk by understanding yourself, options and the job market, and using this insight to inform your choices.

Understanding yourself

  • What are your values? What things are important to you? Are these things you want to be a focus of your working life?
  • What skills do you have? Which do you particularly enjoy using?
  • What motivates you? This may be linked to your values but is not necessarily
  • Do you want to do something directly related to your degree, something completely different, or something in between?
  • Think regularly about how you’re developing and keep a record of events and activities you undertake. Particularly think about the skills you used and what you learned about yourself through that experience

Understanding options

  • Career options are virtually limitless. The job market is dynamic and new roles, sectors and options emerge all the time
  • Because of this, it is better to use your interests, rather than (just) your degree subject, as a starting point to explore options
  • In the UK, many graduate jobs are open to graduates from any subject. Use Glasgow Careers and our fairs and events to get informed about opportunities
  • Find out about the skills and qualities required for jobs, along with their demands and rewards. Do they fit with what your skills, interests and values?

Make decisions

  • A degree of uncertainty is intrinsic in all decisions. Careers evolve over time; you will refine your interests and understanding of yourself by trying things out
  • Tools like Prospects Planner can help to generate potential ideas if you’re struggling. It provides a structure to reflect on yourself; your skills, motivations and interests, then suggests some careers to explore from around 450 job profiles
  • Websites like this can be great starting points but remember you can do further independent research and participate in some digital careers education through our online courses and pathways

Take action

Research and reading are useful but will only tell you so much. To explore and refine your ideas, you need to do things. This can take many forms, some suggestions below.

Find out more

  • Exploring UofG Graduate Attributes can help you identify skills and attributes you are developing 
  • Taking a personality ‘test’ can help you reflect on your strengths, development areas and understand how others might see you. 16 Personalities provide a free, comprehensive report, based on MBTI types
  • Use Glasgow Careers to find and book events, internships, jobs and more