Statement of Service
The Careers and Jobshop are part of the broader team of Students Support Services within the University of Chichester.
Our mission is to enable you to make and act on informed choices about your future to help realise your full potential. We do this by offering a wide range of information as well as confidential and impartial advice and guidance at all stages of your studies, continuing after you graduate.
The Careers Service is available to: potential entrants; students; and graduates of the University for up to three years after graduation (support may be available beyond this period but is dependent on available resources). Guidance for graduates from other HE institutions is available through the mutual aid scheme for up to two years after graduation.
Impartiality and equality of opportunity is critical in all areas of our service. Please ask if you need assistance in using the service. All web based information and printed leaflets can be made available in alternative formats given 5 working days notice.
How to contact us:
| In person | Bishop Otter Campus - New Hall, N108 (ground floor). |
|---|---|
| Telephone | 01243 816035 |
| Via email | careers@chi.ac.uk |
| Website | www.chi.ac.uk/careers |
Opening times:
9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday (4.30pm on Fridays).
Facilities
The careers library, careers information points, internet resources and full facilities are available for students to use. Appointments are available through the week at the Chichester Campus and on request at the Bognor Campus.
What can you expect from the Careers Service?
Students
- All guidance is strictly confidential. Any personal information disclosed is confidential between yourself and the Adviser. No information will be shared without your consent.
- Feedback is encouraged and used to evaluate and modify our services.
- An appointment with a professionally trained and experienced Careers Adviser. If we are unable to help you will be referred to another person or agency who can give you more assistance.
- Access to a 30 minute careers appointment. Appointments are available on a daily basis. Clear language free from bias will be used at all times by staff. Appointments will focus upon your needs. Your interests are paramount to the Careers Service.
- Support from information staff who will help visitors make best use of the resources available.
- Welcoming and friendly staff who will listen and support you with your query.
- A service that caters for your needs irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity or disability. The Careers Service works within the structure of University Equal Opportunities Policy. Chichester is a member of AGCAS (Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services) and works within the AGCAS code of practice and AGCAS Equal Opportunities Policy. All work is carried out within the Code of Practice of the Quality Assurance Agency.
- Provision for individual need will be made available, providing you make us aware of this. If you need literature in alternative formats such as electronically or in Braille 5 working days notice will be required.
- Responses to e-mails and telephone enquiries (careers@chi.ac.uk; 01243 816035).
- A well maintained and relevant website.
- A well stocked careers information room with up-to-date information. As well careers information points on both campuses.
- Links with employers offering vacancies and up-to-date employer information.
- Group sessions and workshops covering career management skills such as CVs, application forms, handling interviews. Career planning, vacancy sources and labour market information may also be offered.
- Tailored careers lectures and short sessions for students in their subject areas.
- Computer aided guidance (Prospect Planner) available across the student and staff network.
- A destinations survey showing destinations of past graduates around six months after qualifying.
What we expect from you
- That you take responsibility for your own career planning. Use the full range of services available including Careers, academic staff and specialist events as appropriate to your needs.
- Actively take part in career development activities that are part of your course or offered by Careers.
- Inform us if you need to cancel an appointment.
- That all users of the service treat staff courteously.
- That you complete and return your Destination of Leavers from Higher Education questionnaire.
- Give feedback about your experience of the service. This will enable us to evaluate and improve our services. Your comments are important and will direct the shape of the service.
Services to University of Chichester
- The Careers Service is keen to work with colleagues on many issues, especially tailored careers provision linked to each course.
- Destination of Leavers from Higher Education information is made available to all staff. Destinations data is useful for monitoring course information, and supporting subject assessments.
- Two professionally qualified Careers Advisers and one full-time Careers Assistant are available to support University staff/students.
- Careers Advisers – John Gallally - (Head of Careers); Joan Whibley
- Careers Assistant – Lucy Bone
- Seminars/workshops to individual groups relating to career planning – in response to requests from academic staff.
- Supporting specific initiatives such as the annual Teaching Fair and Careers and Enterprise Fairin collaboration with academic departments.
- The integration of career management skills into the curriculum.
- Links with employers wishing to target specific courses.
Services to Employers
- Online advertising of vacancies to current students and to graduates. Upon request specific courses may be targeted.
- Opportunities to visit the University and have direct contact with students as appropriate.
- Interviewing facilities are available if requested.
Complaints Procedure
If you wish to complain about the service you have received there are two stages:
Step1 - Informal complaint:
Speak or write to the staff concerned. John Gallally - Head of Careers - can be contacted by e-mail: j.gallally@chi.ac.uk or by telephoning 01243 816036. You will receive a response within 5 working days during semester time and 10 during the vacations.
Step 2 - Formal complaint:
Submission of a statement in writing to Academic Services, outlining the following:
- Nature of the complaint and how it arose
- Steps taken under the informal complaint procedure to resolve issues including why the outcome was unsatisfactory
- Resolution sought from this complaint
The complaint must be sent to: Academic Services, University of Chichester, Bishop Otter Campus, College Lane, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6PE.
You will receive a written acknowledgement within 48 hours. The complaint will be investigated and you will receive a written response within 4 weeks. Procedures outlining your options if you are not satisfied with the written response/investigation will be given.
Other information
All information contained in this statement of service can be provided in other formats such as large print, audio or electronically upon request.
Opening hours/services are more limited during vacation periods. You should ring first to check availability of services.
Third Party Statement & Relationship
Occasionally services may be audited by external agencies including the Higher Education Funding Council. Any information released to third parties takes into account client confidentiality. Copies of information are made available to the client. No confidential information is released without the prior consent of our clients. Any audit involves complete confidentiality.
Careers and Jobshop
University of Chichester
December 2009