Choosing a career is a process, and you do not need to have all the answers before you begin. Our digital career tools and guides can help you explore your options, understand what matters to you and build a clearer picture of the careers that could suit your skills, interests and strengths.
Handshake Resources are organised into three zones: Explore, Connect and Apply. Start by exploring your interests, skills and career ideas. As you learn more about yourself and the opportunities available, you may find yourself moving naturally into the Connect zone, where you can learn from employers and other professionals. When you are ready to take your next step, the Apply zone can help you put your plans into action. You can move between the zones at any stage, depending on what you need.
You do not need to work through everything in order. Begin with the resource that feels most useful to you and return to the zones as your ideas develop. Then, if you find something that interests you, test it out through Springpod and Forage. These platforms offer virtual experiences and job simulations, helping you explore what different types of work are like and decide whether a career area feels right for you.
Career Guides: explore your options
Our Career Guides on Handshake can help you explore your skills, interests, values and career ideas.
Use the guides to:
- Identify and develop your skills;Find out what you are good at and what you would like to improve.
- Find evidence of your skills and values; Learn how to show what you can do using examples from your studies, work and other activities.
- Explore career ideas and pathways;Explore different jobs and career areas, and decide what you would like to do next.
- Make a career plan;Find out what careers your degree could lead to and plan your next steps.
- Gain experience;Build your skills through placements, part-time jobs, internships, volunteering and global opportunities.
- Find part-time jobs
Our resources include a 10-step guide to choosing a career and a Skills Analysis Guide. These can help you generate ideas, recognise your strengths and identify areas you may want to develop.
Access Career Guides through Handshake
Every University of Liverpool student has access to Handshake.
- Go to liverpool.joinhandshake.com
- Select ‘LivUni Student? Register/Log In Here’
- Sign in with your MWS username followed by @liverpool.ac.uk and your University password
- Complete Duo two-factor authentication
- Open the Career Centre / Resources area
Ready to try out your new career plan in a real-world setting and see if it suits you?
Springpod virtual work experience
Springpod offers interactive virtual work experience created with employers. Explore different professions, complete realistic activities and develop useful skills online. Experiences cover areas such as business, finance, technology, creative careers, law, engineering, healthcare and psychology. Most take around 3–6 hours and can be completed flexibly online.
University of Liverpool students and graduates can access Springpod experiences through Handshake when applications are open. Look out for Careers and Employability updates or contact careers@liverpool.ac.uk for more information.
How does it work?
- Find an opportunity through Handshake.
- Apply when applications are open.
- Complete the experience online.
- Take part in realistic activities and tasks.
- Receive a certificate when you finish.
Springpod can help you test a career idea, understand a role and develop examples for your CV, applications and interviews.
Forage: try virtual job simulations
Forage offers free, self-paced virtual job simulations created by leading employers. You can explore different industries and practise tasks based on real roles, such as analysing information, solving problems or preparing recommendations.
Create a free account on Forage. You do not need to wait for an application window or have previous experience.
How does it work?
Create an account, browse simulations by employer, industry or career area, and choose one that interests you. Complete the tasks at your own pace, compare your work with example answers, and receive a certificate when you finish.
Forage can help you understand different roles, practise workplace tasks and develop examples for future applications and interviews.
Which resource should I use?
- Use Career Guides to explore your skills, interests and career ideas.
- Try Springpod for structured virtual work experience through the University.
- Try Forage to practise realistic tasks independently.
You can use more than one resource. Start with the Career Guides, try a Springpod or Forage experience, then reflect on what you enjoyed and what you would like to explore next.
Not sure where to start?
Choose the option that sounds most like you:
- I have no idea what I want to do – start with our Career Guides to explore your skills, values and possible career paths.
- I have a few career ideas – use the Career Guides to research and compare your options.
- I want to know what a job is actually like – try a virtual experience with Springpod or a job simulation on Forage.
- I want to explore different industries – combine the Career Guides with Springpod and Forage to learn about sectors and try realistic workplace tasks.
The more you explore, the easier it can become to identify the opportunities you want to connect with and the steps you would like to take next.
Back to: Careers and Employability