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Kickstart Your Career

Getting Ahead at University

Bradley Jardine, Athulya James, and Anastasia Pereira

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more No previous knowledge or skills are required for this course. Confidence in navigating the web would be an advantage. We’ve estimated it takes approximately four hours to complete the course. However the activities in Week 1 may be new to you and take a little longer than two hours, whereas the activities in Week 2 are more decision based and may take less than two hours. Of course if you dive deeply into all of the activities you may spend longer on the course but you’ll learn a lot about yourself and careers in the process. You can use the hashtag #FLkickstartyourcareer to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Your vision of your future and what you want to build in your life
Building your sense of who you are and how that affects your career choices
Understanding the resources and skills you have now as well as those you may need in the future
The kinds of job or business opportunities that might exist during and beyond university
Exploring the world of work and the opportunities that exist in an industry or field
Building your understanding of career pathways and outcomes
How to choose a course of study
How to get ahead and build a personal or professional point of difference
How to approach university life and get the most from the experience
Strategies for decision-making and planning

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Reviews summary

Practical career guidance for university success

According to students, this course offers practical and actionable advice for navigating university life and preparing for a career. Learners praise its focus on self-reflection and helping to clarify future goals and career pathways. The content is described as well-structured and easy to digest, providing a solid foundation for those looking to maximize their university experience and make informed decisions. While some found it an excellent starting point, others noted its introductory nature, suggesting those with prior career planning might find it less in-depth.

Offers guidance on maximizing university experience.

"The tips for approaching university life and getting the most from it were invaluable."

"I wasn't sure how to choose my course of study, and this provided a clear framework."

"It covers topics like building a personal point of difference that helps in a competitive environment."

Encourages deep personal insight into career choices.

"The sections on understanding 'who you are' and 'your vision' were surprisingly impactful."

"I appreciate how it prompted me to reflect on my current skills and future needs for my career."

"It helped me solidify what I want to build in my life, beyond just a job."

Provides clear, immediate steps for career planning.

"I found the strategies for decision-making and planning extremely helpful; I can use them right away."

"The course gave me practical tools to explore job opportunities and understand career pathways."

"It really helped me think about how to 'get ahead' and build my unique professional difference."

Best for beginners or those new to career planning.

"While useful, I felt it was a bit too basic for someone who's already done some career exploration."

"It's a great 'kickstart' but don't expect deep dives into every industry or job type."

"For those just starting out, it's perfect, but intermediate learners might want more advanced content."

Career center

Learners who complete Kickstart Your Career: Getting Ahead at University will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Kickstart Your Career: Getting Ahead at University.

Thinking, Fast and Slow

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This foundational book introduces the dual-process model of the brain, explaining the intuitive System 1 and the more deliberate System 2. Understanding these systems is crucial for recognizing cognitive biases that influence decision making. It provides essential background knowledge for anyone studying the topic. is widely cited and considered a cornerstone in behavioral economics and the psychology of judgment and decision making.

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Hardcover

(Español) Pensar rápido, pensar despacio / Thinking, Fast and...

Kickstart Your Career

Topics Covered

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Reviews summary

Practical career guidance for university success

Career center

Reading list

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