Choose your
own adventure
WITH graduation inching ever closer,
there’s a high chance that you are already
fed up with your parents, neighbours,
department heads, even your neighbour’s
cat, asking what you are going to do next.
Even if you have well-laid plans, the subject gets old
pretty quickly, and if you don’t it can be infuriating to
say the least, so please forgive us when you turn over
the page. However things are shaping up for you, it is
worth taking some time to read through our pros and
cons of embarking on further study or the wisdom of
jetting off to foreign climes. Plus, we ask whether you
might be better off simply gritting your teeth and
getting on with the job hunt.
At the very least, it will give you something to say
to those inquisitive relatives and, who knows, it could
inspire you to change your direction completely.
2
7
9
WHERE TO NOW?
Welcome to
the graduate
crossroads
THE BRIEFING
We unpick the
internship dilemma
REAL LIVES
What it’s like
to work at the
LHC, plus other
insightful stories
from science
graduates
Whatever you decide to do, you will probably have to
do a work experience placement or internship at some
point. This has become a thorny issue recently, with
stories of graduate exploitation making the headlines.
On page 7 we look at whether it is ever worth working
for free, show you where you can get funding and offer
our top tips on making the most of your placement.
Finally, if you are in need of inspiration turn to
page 9, where four science and engineering graduates
tell us how they bagged their dream jobs.
For more careers coverage look out for the Insider
articles in the main magazine or go to newscientist.
com/studentzone. There you will find lots more advice,
as well as our careers blog Big Wide World, where you
can debate the work-related issues of the day and
follow some of our Real Lives scientists as they make
their way in their careers.
Editor Jessica Griggs
Reporters Catherine de Lange,
Penny Sarchet
Design Ryan Wills, Rhiannon Saunders
Illustration Luke Brookes
Photos Kirstin Jennings
Production Mick O’Hare,
Melanie Green,
Alan Blagrove,
Sandy Penrose
Subeditors Sean O’Neill,
Eleanor Parsons
Marketing David Hunt,
Louise Dowding
Sales Lucinda Chia,
Paul Roberts,
Daniel Smith,
Tynan McCarthy Tatum,
Michael Maunsell,
Kelly Rose,
Aimee Ward,
Mellisa Thomazhi
© 2011 Reed Business
Information Ltd, England.
This supplement is published with
New Scientist dated 22 October 2011.
New Scientist is published weekly
by Reed Business Information Ltd.
ISSN No 0262 4079
Registered at the Post Office as a
newspaper and printed in England
22 October 2011 | NewScientist | 1
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