The Careers Adviser

'What can I do to improve my networking skills? and, should I do single or joint honours?'

Art of success

I completed an MA in fine art at 44. I have tried to develop a career as an artist, but my inability to network leaves me little chance of succeeding. I have worked as a facilitator of workshops, and as a fashion designer/writer/editor. I've found lecturing in art colleges a closed shop, with tutorships invariably picked up through personal contacts.

You sound as if you have had a range of successful freelance jobs which, to have worked at all, are likely to have required some form of networking. This sounds a scary concept, but often means just thinking about those you already know, and making time to catch up with them. You might feel the world of lecturing is a closed shop, but would it be so hard to call your old tutor to see if you could pop in for a chat?

Although you appear to have been successful, maybe you lack self-confidence, and that is what inhibits your ability to push yourself forward. This will also impinge on your search for a job, as it's not easy to sell yourself to an employer if you don't think you are worth hiring.

So it might be a boost to your confidence to get a job soon, almost any job, to persuade yourself of that – then, a little further down the line you could work at finding the career that you feel is right for you.

This may take time anyway – for example, education within galleries or museums is a possibility, but it might be that you have to do voluntary work to get a foot in the door.

Teaching elsewhere may suit you more – you can apply, unqualified, to teach in a further education college, and learn on the job. Or you can do a one-year full-time course – a PGCE for the post-compulsory sector – and then apply for jobs.

Par for the course

I applied to study English at university. I realised I was becoming more interested in history and transferred to joint honours. Now I've started the course I wonder if I should move completely to history. Is a joint course more work and do employers prefer single or joint honours?

It's normal for students still to be forming academic tastes at this stage, so no-one is likely to be surprised by your request. Except where a particular subject is obviously required for a career, as in the sciences or medicine, employers won't mind whether a course is single or joint honours.

What they look for is a good degree (a 2:1 or better), some work experience, and an idea of what you have done in your spare time. Talk to students who are doing joint courses to see what they think – liaising with two departments and keeping up with options in two subjects may cut into your time, but how much?

If employers in your chosen career value extra-curricular activities, you need to work out whether you will still have time for them, and also factor in any time you may spend earning as well as studying. If you do decide to switch, visit your history department first to see whether they have any space left. If they do, then you can talk to your academic adviser or personal tutor. Act as soon as possible – a bit of research will make it easier for you to make the decision rather than pondering, possibly without vital bits of information, on your own.

Careers advisers: Julia Yates, head of careers, University of the Arts, London; Anne-Marie Martin, director, The Careers Group, University of London.

Send your queries to Caroline Haydon at 'The Independent', Education Desk, Independent House, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS; or fax 020-7005 2143; or e-mail to chaydon @blueyonder.co.uk

chaydon@blueyonder.co.uk