Developing Your Career
We want to help you reach your full potential. Our careers consultancy service provides impartial and constructive information and guidance to support you in making and acting on your career decisions. You’ll also find various helpful resources further down the page.
To learn more about a careers consultation, speak to your Tutor/Coach or Learner Progress Advisor about meeting with one of our consultants. Alternatively, you can read the message from our careers expert, Mel, or fill out the form below.
We value staying in touch with you over the long term. To support you after completing your apprenticeship, we have set up an alumni network that offers various benefits. Please expect occasional communications from us. You will have the option to opt out if you no longer wish to receive them.
Message from Mel Clarke, Career Development Advisor
Whether you are on a course that lasts 2 hours, 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months or 2 years you are doing something to progress your career! One of the things that a career is not is ‘just a job’ …it is a long, windy, often bumpy road that can sometimes feel like constant dead ends or wrong turns. However, anything that happens on your career path can be a useful experience in supporting you to move forward.
Some of us have known from a young age what we wanted to do when we grew up, others, like me, have taken a more, shall we say, unconventional path. Either is okay and that is something to remember. As I have said above, I truly believe that any experience is a good experience. Knowing what you don’t want to do is just as good as knowing what you do want to do.
The job market is ever changing and can be very fast paced. A ‘job for life’ is not really a thing anymore, apart from for the odd few. The way we work has changed; remote working, hybrid working, fixed term and variable hours contracts – all things that have become more prevalent in recent years. The last few years have shown us that when it comes to working people’s priorities have changed but also how important making the right decisions, at the right time really is.
As we go along our career paths we have to keep reflecting on where we are and where we want to be. We need to consider, amongst other things, our own skill set, the labour market and set ourselves goals. It can be a minefield! So, where do you start? This is where I come in. As a level 6 qualified Career Development Professional I can help you navigate your way through. I can’t get you a job, I won’t do your CV for you but what I can do is give you tailor made careers guidance. No matter what stage you are in your current course it is never too early or too late to start thinking about the next steps. So if you fancy a chat about how you can use your recently acquired knowledge and skills get in touch: melanie.clarke@jga-group.co.uk
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How to Build a Rewarding and Resilient Career
Career development is a delicate balance between ambition and timing. While some may view it as a concern for the distant future, the truth is that the time to focus on it is now. By proactively shaping our professional path, we create opportunities for growth, learning and fulfilment. Embrace the present moment as the perfect time to lay the foundation for a prosperous future.
Making the Most of LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a key networking tool for professionals. Here’s some links to help you get the most out of the opportunities it provides:
- 14 LinkedIn Profile Summaries That We Love (And How to Boost Your Own)
- Using Linkedin effectively – Mindtools
- Linkedin Beginners tutorial on YouTube
And why not follow JGA on LinkedIn for news, announcements and useful content: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jga-group
Profession Specific Help
Public Relations and Communications
The new CIPR careers hub is a great resource. It offers detailed explanations of various sectors, career case studies, and numerous helpful guides and videos. These cover topics such as where to look for a job, how to boost your LinkedIn profile, how to prepare for interviews and what qualifications to consider if you have gaps in your knowledge. Visit the CIPR Careers Hub
Finding Your Next Job in Fundraising
Interested in a career in fundraising? JGA Skills Coach, Hannah Kowszun has made a step-by-step guide to finding a fundraising job using the CharityJob website.