Careers

Employee benefits: Are your people in the know?

HR Zone, September 18
"Did you know that we could get free dental and optical cover just by filling in a form," I overheard a woman asking four of five colleagues in an office recently. "No," they replied in unison. "I wonder why no one has ever told us," pondered one

How to spot a liar  

The Times, May 28
“Liar, liar pants on fire.” Many of us have longed to scream this at a co-worker at one time or another — and it’s not surprising, considering that we’re up against an estimated 200 fibs a day

Feeling the crunch

The Times, May 14
It’s often said that people who can type will always be able to find work, but some secretaries and PAs are still feeling a little jittery at the moment, particularly those who are job-hunting

Money spinners

The Guardian, May 3
It was over 10 years ago, but I can still remember the lecturer's opening remarks at my first film-making class. "This degree alone will not get you a job," he declared, before going on to extol the virtues of work experience. Though I soon realised the world of film wasn't for me and turned my attention to journalism instead, his words rang equally true

Christmas presence

The Guardian, December 8
Santa has his work cut out for him locating Britain's university students this Christmas. While they have traditionally made a beeline for their hometown for some of Mum's cooking and the chance to relax, some are now opting to stay in their university towns and work instead

Atlantic crossing

The Guardian, November 17
Year after year, American institutions dominate the lists of the world's best universities. The US is the most popular destination for international students, and the words Harvard or Yale on a CV practically guarantee a successful career

Another country 

The Guardian, October 6
They pour billions into our economy and pay high tuition fees, but international students often struggle to put their skills into practice. Getting on to a course and achieving good grades is the easy part for many - it's getting the work experience to cement their learning that proves difficult

A bit on the side

Fresh Direction, September 2007
Juggling the demands of university life can be a struggle. Throw in a part time job and time management can become a real problem

Food for thought 

The Guardian, September 22
Alcohol, pasta and takeaways are all staples of the modern university diet, especially for freshers. New students often fall into the trap of thinking about food only in terms of how much it costs, rather than its nutritional value

Food fight

The Guardian, September 17
Forget al fresco, these days most people are doing lunch "al desko". A hastily bought sandwich gulped down in front of your screen, last night's leftovers pinged in the microwave and devoured as you thumb through your post - refuelling is just another activity to be squeezed into the day

The rig idea

TNT magazine, October 2006
You don’t need to be a genius to work out there’s money to be made in the oil business. The price of a barrel dictates the cost of our petrol, makes it into the news almost every day and is the topic of many a heated environmental debate. But politics aside, big bucks mean big salaries and it’s not just the company directors sitting in their offices making all the dosh