Your Business With James Caan Autumn 2024 1 - 242

with
" Learning how
you influence
other people
is a route
to success "
Karren
Brady
Log on to
read about:
● Karren's top tips on how to
negotiate today's job market
● Stand out from the
crowd (at any age)
Plus: Which sectors need
you right now? From green
careers to logistics
DREAM CAREERS
The
at home with
What three skills
Find your dream job
Expert career
coach advice
The greater good
Help others in
a charity role
Sustainable
occupations
Green jobs
on the rise
ENGINEERING
" Learning how
you influence
other people
is a route
to success "
Karren on
Writing a
standout CV
Workplace skills
Why wellness
does matter
Factor
I
Want to shape
tomorrow's world?
Engineering is
an exciting and
ever-changing sector
where you can truly
make your mark
f you enjoy tackling complex challenges and using your maths and science skills to
solve problems, a career in engineering could be your perfect niche. There are lots
of specialisms within the field - mechanical, electronic, structural, biomedical,
aeronautical, automotive and many more - so there's something for everyone.
As the world becomes increasingly automated and we build towards an ever-more
36-PAGE
sophisticated infrastructure, more engineers will be required. There's currently a shortage
within the workforce, so the industry is actively investing in apprenticeships and incentives
for young people to study STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.
TRANSPORT
SPECIAL
A bright future
According to jobs website Indeed, in a list of the hardest-to-fill vacancies, Mechanical
Engineers came in second, Electrical Engineers fourth, Civil Engineers fifth and Industrial
Engineers seventh. This means salaries are generous (and increasing), and the industry
offers more interesting and varied roles than you might realise.
" There's a perception that engineers wear hard hats at all times and get their hands
dirty, " says Hilary Leevers, CEO of Engineering UK. " We know young people are looking
for a job with purpose, yet many never hear of the positive impact engineering can make. "
In a rapidly changing world, engineers are creating the landscape of tomorrow. If you
want to influence how modern society operates, consider joining their ranks.
With
Karren Brady
jobsandcareersmag.com
£6.99 | Summer 2024
Apprentices
Graduates
Career changers
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Construction, Logistics, Retail, Housing,
Legal, Finance, Hospitality, IT and more...
I
magine going to work every day
to a job that turns others green with
envy? Some people manage to secure
themselves a career in a sector that
really does have the " wow " factor
- a job that feels different from the
norm and leaves others wanting to know
more. We spoke to three people who
do fascinating things for a living...
What is it like to
have a job that
makes people do
a double take? Meet
three individuals
who experience just
that, thanks to their
amazing careers
Jenna Silk, 32, from
Cambridgeshire, is a Marine
Biologist Expedition Guide.
How did you end up in
this line of work?
From as far back as I can remember, I was
obsessed with the movie Free Willy! But
I was constantly told a career with animals
wasn't feasible so, after A-levels, I became
a Fitness Trainer. But I soon grew bored
and disillusioned, and became determined
to pursue the career I knew would make
me happy, regardless of earnings.
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What first attracted you
to this career?
I wanted to be at sea, observing marine
wildlife and educating others about their
lives, their role in the ecosystem, the
threats they face, and their conservation.
I love making science fun and accessible
to everyone. I've been in my full-time role
as a Marine Biologist Expedition Guide
for two-and-a-half years now, and hope to
be in the job for a few more decades yet.
What route did you take?
I studied zoology at university and put a
lot of effort into my studies, as we were
advised the best chance of employment
in such a competitive field was a first
class or 2:1 degree, plus a commitment
to long-term volunteering. I volunteered
rehabilitating hedgehogs, caring for dogs
in a rescue, and collecting data at sea
from ferries and cruise ships for a whale
and dolphin charity (ORCA). To get into
expedition cruise guiding, I completed
courses in safety at sea (STCW), including
firefighting and power boating. I've since
been trained in polar bear scouting, rifle
shooting and wilderness first aid.
or qualities do you
need to succeed
in this sector?
1
RESILIENCE You need a
willingness to be outside
in remote regions in all
weather conditions for many
hours of the day, sometimes
encountering rough seas -
seasickness is an accepted
side-effect of the job! The
working days are long:
12 hours a day, seven days
a week, often for more than
two months at a time. But
it's worthwhile to have the
same amount of time off
at home between stints.
2
FLEXIBILITY Plans for
each day can change
at the drop of a hat.
You always have to be
ready to give a lecture, run
a workshop, or jump into
a boat to deliver a guided
mini-cruise - all with about
an hour's notice!
3
ENTHUSIASM
It can be a challenge
to maintain your
excitement for visiting a
location you may well have
been to several times - but
for the guests, this will likely
be their first and only visit.
Why do you love the job?
I love watching the wildlife, from polar
bears to penguins. Just as much, I enjoy
seeing our guests fall in love with these
places, these animals, and wanting to do
more to protect them. Combining tourism
with science means we have the means
to access remote regions and collect data
and samples for research organisations.
Funding is often very limited in science,
so this hybrid approach is invaluable.
Any particular highlights?
Observing orcas in all their majesty is
something I'll never forget. Watching a
polar bear nurse her cubs as she sat facing
our ship was also surreal. And my heart
melts every time we weave through
thousands of Antarctic fur seals and their
pups on South Georgia, while elephant
seals battle on the beaches to a chorus of
hundreds of thousands of king penguins.
I'm also inspired by the willingness of
our guests to take part in citizen science
projects, beach cleans and fundraising.
What are the challenges?
The polar regions are the definition of
challenge for any living being. It takes
15 minutes to get dressed in all the layers
and gear required to go ashore. There
must be no organic matter on our boots,
clothing or equipment before we step off
the boat. We vigilantly check every guest
- I've stared into the tread of thousands
of boots wearing a head-torch and
wielding a small pick! Being away from
home for long periods can be tough -
thank goodness for wifi and WhatsApp.
But the days are so fulfilling. I'm always
learning and in awe of the places and
wildlife we see. There are opportunities
for progression, and flexibility to work
more or less. It's a very social working
environment, with like-minded people,
so great friendships are formed.
Is there anything you still
want to achieve?
I want to expand my knowledge beyond
my specialism. Contributing to the
data that influences conservation and
environmental decisions is an ongoing
achievement. The small wins feel huge,
like removing lost fishing nets from sea
ice in the high Arctic, or hearing that
a guest at my lecture is going to make
lifestyle changes to help our planet. If
I can continue to have these impacts,
I'll retire with a smile on my face.
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SU M M ER 2 0 2 4
CONSTRUCTION &
MANUFACTURING
Words: Kate Yelland
On the
cutting edge

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Your Business With James Caan Autumn 2024 1

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Your Business With James Caan Autumn 2024 1