Create Your Own Job

Tom Burmeister, Student Support Officer, Guild of Students, Carolyn Parry, Acting Deputy Director, Careers Service and Tony Orme, Enterprise Manager, Commercialisation and Consultancy Services.

What do a falconer, software developer, award winning magazine editor and former scriptwriter for Hollyoaks have in common? 

The straightforward answer is they all made the choice to create their own job and have successfully built careers in a diverse range of sectors.  But behind this overarching link, Aberystwyth University’s  ‘Create Your Own Job’ debate on 21st February will give you the chance to discover more about the skills and attributes which these panel members feel have helped them to succeed in their chosen ventures.

“An informal and lively discussion is guaranteed” explained, Carolyn Parry, Acting Deputy Director, Careers Service, “With fewer jobs around at the moment, it makes sense to explore creating your own job by setting up a part time or full time business. Whether you already have an interest in enterprise and self-employment or are just considering career options for the future, this is your chance to ask people with enterprising mindsets what it takes to be successful.

“Increasingly, employers are also seeking the skills of entrepreneurs and those with an enterprising mindset in their employees. So, whatever your chosen career path developing skills such as autonomy; the ability to spot opportunities; willingness to  take ownership of initiatives; creative problem solving; the ability to network and negotiate and a drive to achieve will place you head and shoulders above the rest.”

Joined by enterprise staff from the University, the discussion will be led by the panel of four entrepreneurs who work in a range of sectors (wildlife / science, computing, publishing and television):
• Layla Bennett, Hawksdrift Falconry, who successfully secured £50k in BBC’s Dragon’s Den
• Karl Doody, 27stars, the founder and managing director of a software development firm that has worked with corporate brands such as Coca Cola and Google.
• Lucy Gough, a freelance playwright who has written for theatre, radio and television (including Hollyoaks).
• Ed Pereira , Pear Media, a multi-award winning magazine editor, television presenter and former Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Tony Orme, Enterprise Manager, Commercialisation and Consultancy Services (CCS) explained “Attendees will be given the chance to submit questions for the panel once they have registered for the event and there will, of course, be plenty of opportunities on the evening to join in with the debate.”

How to Register:
Register today online at www.aber.ac.uk/crisalis or alternatively email: crisalis@aber.ac.uk / telephone 01970 622203.
 Keep up to date with event news at our facebook event page and join the debate on twitter at #AUcreateyourjob.

This event is jointly hosted by CCS, The Careers Service and The Guild of Students and is part of the programme of Enterprise and Careers Support offered to Aberystwyth student and graduates.

Panel members include:
Layla Bennett – Founder and Owner, Hawksdrift Falconry  - Layla successfully secured a £50k investment in the BBC’s Dragon’s Den in 2010 and was winner of ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ in the Powys Business Awards 2009.
Karl Doody - Managing Director, 27stars - Karl is founder and managing director of 27stars, a software development firm that has worked with businesses of all sizes, from one-person startups to the biggest of corporate brands such as Coca Cola and Google. 
Lucy Gough - Freelance Playwright - Lucy has earned her living as a freelance writer, writing for theatre, radio and television (including Hollyoaks) for the last 18 years...and is proof that it is possible to make a living at such an occupation.
Ed Pereira - Director, Pear Media - A multi-award winning magazine editor and former Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Ed is Director of the Pear magazine and distribution companies, an international TV presenter, an entrepreneurship consultant and adviser to Government.

Enterprise Support at Aberystwyth
As part of the Knowledge Exchange support offered by Commercialisation and Consultancy Services, the Enterprise team help students, graduates and staff turn good ideas into viable businesses by providing information, advice, training and access to space and to funding.
In conjunction with the Careers Service CCS also promote self-employment as a career choice for undergraduates.

Careers Support at Aberystwyth
The Careers Service works across the University to enable and empower individuals to identify and work towards achieving their career potential.   The Careers Service also support and encourage colleagues and employers to engage with employability activities and opportunities that inspire students and graduates so they can develop the skills, understanding, experience, character and mindset needed for their future career success.

The Guild of Students, Aberystwyth University
Employability and Skills is a core theme that stretches across everything that happens at the Guild. By supporting a range of non-curricular clubs, societies, volunteering opportunities, and even engagement in the democratic process itself, the Guild provides greater employability through the transferable skills students learn engaging in these activities.

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