The Careers Adviser

'I need the key post-degree deadlines for my son. And does age preclude a career change?'

Deadlines sought

When are the deadlines for applying for graduate training schemes or other important deadlines for a final year student? I would like to pass these on to my son.

Finding the perfect job does take organisation and planning ahead – starting now. Rachel Page, student services information manager at the University of Brighton, says that this is the month that your son can get hold of free copies of the GET (Hobson's Graduate Employment and Training) and Prospects Directories that list all the graduate schemes open for the year. He will need to check closing dates – early applications are recommended, as many schemes will be full by December. If he is considering further study, he can search on www.prospects.ac.uk (under "postgrad study") or Hobsons (www.postgrad.hobsons.com) or use the directories in his careers centre. In the autumn there are likely to be careers fairs where he can meet prospective employers. The spring is the time many are invited for interviews or to selection centres, and it may be possible to take practice or psychometric tests, again via his careers centre. "Most jobs not part of a graduate training scheme are advertised near to the time they are to become vacant," says Page. "Make sure you know where you can check on vacancies so you're fully prepared to make applications when the time comes. If you sign up to commercial job lists which email vacancies (there's a list on http://student.bton.ac.uk/studserv/Careers/internet_resources.htm) remember to be selective about your interests, or you will get swamped with emails. If you're not sure what you want to do rest assured that's not unusual," she adds . "Visit your careers centre and use the resources they have available."

Am I too old to retrain?

I am at a crossroads. I have worked in charities and social services for 20 years, mainly as a support worker, and have a BTec HNC in Health and Social Care. I want to retrain as a pharmacy or accounting technician, but feel I'm too old.

Pharmacy technicians work in hospitals, the community (in high street pharmacies and supermarkets) and in primary care (GP surgeries). Age should not be a barrier to doing on-the-job training such as an NVQ 3 in pharmacy services. You might want to consider, though, the many other roles that could build on your skills and background. If you want to stay in the health or social care setting, there are opportunities for other worker support roles with patients. You could be a dental nurse, foot-care assistant, assistant dietitian or radiography assistant; or take up a behind-the-scenes role in finance, human resources, communications or supplies. As you are already working in a care setting, you can telephone the Health Learning and Skills Advice Line (08000 150 850) to ask about training and check your options. For more information about health careers, visit for social care careers www.socialworkandcare.co.uk/socialcare/, and for pharmacy www.pharmacycareers.org.uk. There's no age limit on retraining as an accounting technician. The Association of Accounting Technicians (www.aat.org.uk) has a qualification taken by students in their thirties and forties which doesn't need knowledge of accounting or finance. It takes three years to study for the full technician qualification and that gives you exemptions on further exams. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants offers a similar scheme. There is high demand for accounting technicians and accountants – you may even get work with an organisation that will pay exam fees and provide study support.

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