Independent careers advice

onthewayout

Anyone got any tips for independent career planning advice (other than this fine website of course )? I don't have access to a school or workplace careers service, and I'd rather not ask the Open University because one of my first questions would be about studying elsewhere. The government one (National Careers Service) seems like a fairly useless echo chamber based on a look at its forum, and I have no idea if any paid commercial services are worth the money.

What I really need is an hour or so's intelligent discussion with an experienced recruiter or HR person, someone who is ready to shoot down my ideas if they don't make sense. Especially to give me a BS-free idea of how much age discrimination I'd face (aged 30 and still a student), and to know if I'm too late to get on the promotion track in some careers (which would mean there's no point in studying towards them or trying to get related work experience).

I'd consider using a paid-for career consultancy service, but I can't afford much more than £50.

DCFC79

Theres next step (is that the national careers service now).

Whats wrong with using the careers office at uni ? Its of no relevance to them where you study or where your thinking of going to study.

dizzyrascal

The Career Advisers will not bat an eyelid at the idea that you might leave the university. It is not their job to make you stay but to help you find the best route for you. Many of them also work for other universities too. Students often want to change course or change university for all sorts of reasons so they will be used to this subject matter.

Age discrimination is against the law by the way. If you encounter it you should report it.

If you posted on the student forum and work for a university then you should be able to use the Careers Service at that university as they generally see staff as well as students (it's usually discretionary but most do it).