• Accountancy
• Architecture
• Banking & Finance
• Business
• Engineering
• Law
• Media & Creative
• Medicine
• Politics
• Science
• Technology

 

Accountancy

Accountants give information and advice to their clients on how to maximise profits by saving money in particular areas, and on how to ensure that they abide by regulations and laws. They also calculate how much tax a client needs to pay. Jobs within the accountancy sector include working within audit, in forensic accountancy (dealing with fraud) and corporate finance (see the Banking and Finance section for more information).

Another career linked to this area is actuarial science. Actuaries plan for the future by applying mathematical models and probability theory to clients’ present situations. Generally, there is more mathematics involved in being an actuary than an accountant, but this varies depending on the role. In both accountancy and actuarial science, you will have the opportunity to take qualifications whilst employed by a firm, sometimes spending one day a week in college to study for the examinations you will be required to sit.

In previous years, the Social Mobility Foundation has worked with a number of prestigious companies and firms, including “Big 4” professional services companies, and leading accountancy firms. Mentors can advise on the routes into each profession, including the qualifications you will gain as you sit examinations whilst working for a firm.

Architecture

Architecture is not just about designing buildings but also about how humans use, view and manipulate space. Architects work closely with clients, engineers, surveyors and officials to ensure that the finished product meets expectations and project requirements. The discipline therefore incorporates many other disciplines such as: Art, Design, Engineering, History, Philosophy, Physics and Sociology.

Architects often develop a specialism in areas such as ecologically sustainable design, interior design, landscape architecture, urban design, restoration and conservation. Qualifying as an architect in the United Kingdom require a mixture of academic study and professional experience within an architectural practice, and takes a minimum of seven years to complete. Closely related professions include architectural technology, town planning, and civil engineering.

The Social Mobility Foundation works with a number of award-winning architecture firms. Students on Architecture internships simulated aspects of the real-life process of architectural design. They conducted site analysis, learnt how to design buildings and use Computer-Aided Design software, made models, presented on their findings and contributed to large-scale projects. Our Architecture Mentors come from a variety of backgrounds and include people at all stages of their career – from partners to newly-qualified architects.

Banking & Finance

Within the dynamic and lucrative sector of banking and finance, there are a huge variety of job opportunities. All will require excellent quantitative and qualitative analytical skills. A career in corporate finance entails helping companies make financial decisions, plan for future investments and manage risks.

Investment banks are different to commercial or high-street banks, which provide services directly to customers. Investment banks, on the other hand, work with companies. They raise capital, trade in securities and manage corporate mergers and acquisitions.

A hedge fund is an aggressively managed portfolio of investments that uses advanced investment strategies in both domestic and international markets with the goal of generating very high returns.

Private equity firms raise funds from private sources, usually pension funds and wealthy individuals. They then use this cash, along with borrowed money, to buy companies that they have identified as underperforming, but with the potential to do far better. Their aim is to turn the business around and sell it on at a profit at a future date.

Jobs in insurance involve helping individuals and businesses manage risk to protect themselves from catastrophic losses and to anticipate potential problems.

The professional diversity of our Mentors reflects the breadth of careers available in this industry. Our Mentors include: banking executives, analysts in hedge funds, investment advisers and traders. We have offered internships in numerous financial service providers including leading Investment Banks, hedge funds and private equity firms.

Business

Business is an umbrella term covering a whole range of careers and professional sectors. Whether working within a consultancy firm, a fast moving consumer goods company, real estate or a multi-national retail firm – a universal set of skills is required. You’ll need a good strategic sense, logical thinking, business awareness and financial competency. Interpersonal skills are highly rated as Business requires working with an organisation’s client to build long-lasting, professional relationships. There is no ‘one way’ to enter business; it attracts graduates in both humanities and science subjects and employers welcome a diverse range of skills.

The Social Mobility Foundation works with a wide range of firms across different business sectors. Our previous internships have involved being placed with a team of consultants, working on specific projects, attending meetings, meeting clients and learning how to apply solutions to real-life business problems, as well as placements with commercial property consultancies. Our Mentors in Business come from a range of firms with specialisms that include Strategy, Internet technology, Marketing and Retail.

Engineering

Engineers combine scientific theories with creative approaches and develop solutions to problems. Careers in Engineering include: civil, structural and mechanical engineering (which incorporate elements of science, research, design and testing), electronics, building services, chemical engineering and thermodynamics, as well as roles in research and development for the government or the other organisations, from hospitals to computer companies. Engineers usually have to focus on applying maths and science to practical situations, and most engineers have advanced problem solving skills.

The Social Mobility Foundation has worked with a number of engineering firms, as well as University research departments, structural engineering firms, and construction companies. The SMF has limited opportunities in aeronautical engineering.

Law

Britain’s legal system is world renowned, built on the premise that every person is equal before the law and that all should have access to legal advice and representation. As a Lawyer, you would play an integral role in society, upholding one of Britain’s most respected institutions. There are two main career paths within the legal profession: becoming a solicitor or a barrister.

Solicitors advise and support their clients – who can be individuals or organisations – outside of court. Solicitors play a crucial role in preventing cases reaching court and therefore need to have strong negotiating and persuasion skills to resolve disputes. Solicitors usually work in firms which range from small high-street organisations to large international commercial firms.

Barristers are advocates. They represent individuals or organisations in court, arguing their case to convince a judge or jury of their client’s position.  Once trained, barristers apply for a pupillage (an apprenticeship of sorts) in a set of chambers, offices which they may share with other barristers, although each barrister is self-employed. Both solicitors and barristers will usually specialise in a particular area of law such as criminal, commercial or common law.

The SMF works with leading solicitors’ firms and barristers chambers. Mentors range from senior partners to trainees in firms, as well as barristers in all stages of their careers. Students on Law Internships have rotated around departments in major commercial law firms, while others have undertaken mini-pupillages at barristers’ chambers, attending court and helping with case work.

Media & Creative

The media is all about information and communication. Whether working for a magazine, website, newspaper, TV channel, radio station, PR firm or publishing company – your aim is to distribute information to audiences: ideas, stories, policies, images, sounds, scriptwriting. You will need to have an aptitude for embracing new technology and be comfortable conveying ideas on paper or in person.  You’ll also need to be confident using computers and working online.

Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience (viewers, readers or listeners) to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. It’s a profession that attracts smart graduates from all sorts of backgrounds – strategic thinkers are needed for Planning roles, people who can build and lead diverse teams are needed for Account Management and quirky imaginative thinkers are needed as Creative teams. If you want to be in a fast-moving, highly creative environment and like thinking about brands and their meaning, people and culture, technology and ideas then advertising could be the profession for you.

We offer mentors and internship placements in all sections of the media and advertising. We work with a wide range of media and creative professionals including print and broadcast journalists, production companies, top advertising agencies, publishers and public relations specialists. Each APP programme offers transferable skills which you could apply to working in any media, advertising or creative area.

Medicine

The British healthcare sector is made up of a diverse professional team. Within the practice of Medicine itself, there are over 60 different specialties. Doctors fall into three broad categories: Community health, General practice and Hospital doctors. If you decide to be a doctor, you will need to apply to a medical school based at a university to undertake a medical degree (typically five/six years). On graduating, you must apply to the Foundation Programme – a two-year training programme required to practice medicine in the UK. On completion, career options include GP vocational training and the Modernising Medical Careers programme for speciality training.

Medicine is a very popular career choice and competition for places at medical school is extremely high. Each medical career requires a specific set of qualifications and it is advisable to undertake in- depth research if you are considering a career in medicine.

The Social Mobility Foundation worked with 14 different hospitals and 4 GP Practices/NHS Walk-in centres to place students on internships in 2011. Students on placements interacted with patients, shadowed nurses, doctors and participated in clinical administration. Students will be mentored by medical students in the final years of their medical degrees. However, popularity of Medicine with SMF students, in addition to legal regulations in healthcare institutions, means that it is difficult to place students in health-related internships. Often, the internships that we offer are no different to what students can obtain themselves independently, by contacting their local hospital, walk-in centre or GP surgery. The SMF does not currently offer opportunities in dentistry, veterinary science or physiotherapy – you may wish to consider our Science sector.

Politics

In wanting to pursue a career in politics, you’ll be passionate about making positive changes to society. You will want to be at the forefront of policy making, determined to achieve ambitious goals.  You could work in an MP’s office in Westminster, supporting the MP with research, press enquiries and diary management. Or you could join a political party and stand for election yourself!

You could also be an impartial civil servant,working in one of the departments which implements government policy and advises ministers, or in their executive agencies – organisations delivering key government services.

There are then think-tanks, which are research organisations that produce independent reports on different policy problems with the aim of influencing political parties and the government.

Past SMF students have undertaken internship placements in both Westminster and constituency offices of MPs of all political parties, in executive agencies and civil service departments and think-tanks. Mentors will include MPs’ staff, civil servants and employees at think-tank researchers.

Science

Scientists are vital to our society, from finding ways to preserve our environment, to extending lifetimes through medical research. Science careers are extremely varied, but you could undertake work in a laboratory setting, as a Biomedical scientist, Clinical scientist, Haematologist (working with blood), Immunologist (studying the immune system), or Microbiologist (studying bacteria and viruses).

You could also find yourself working in a role that requires some field-based work, as a Forensic scientist, Toxicologist, Industrial microbiologist or Marine scientist, amongst many other careers. Careers in science usually require a methodical approach and scientists often use theory to find practical solutions to problems.

In previous years, the Social Mobility Foundation has worked with leading research & development organisations, research laboratories, museums, petrochemical companies, energy companies and pharmaceutical companies.

Technology

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is an umbrella term that includes all technologies that manipulate and communicate information. The ICT sector is one of the largest wealth creators in the UK and has been one of the fastest growing sectors over the last two decades.

Historically telecommunications providers, banks, retailers, government and the financial markets have been heavy users of technology, but the effective uptake and implementation of ICT is vital for every UK business sector. Professionals such as product managers, marketing managers, project managers, designers and software engineers are increasingly in demand because the entire ICT sector continues to grow rapidly; driven by the explosive growth of the ‘world-wide-web’ and social networking. ICT is the ideal sector for anyone with an inquisitive mind, an interest in technology and a passion for problem solving.

The SMF works with a range of leading ICT employers and providers and offers a range of opportunities for students to work within ICT departments across a wide range of business areas.