Due to the impact of new technology and increasing global competition, jobs and careers are changing more rapidly than ever before. As products and processes change, so do the organisations and jobs that make up the modern world of work.

Think about it...A changing world

Some sectors of employment may shrink and even disappear. At the same time, new and previously unforeseen opportunities are springing to life.

Very few school-leavers and university graduates can expect to follow a predictable career path over their working lives. Most of you will change jobs several times and work in a number of different occupational areas. Modern careers often include periods of self-employment, contract work, and consultancy - with the need for further training and acquiring new skills along the way.

It will not be unusual for you to have as many as ten jobs in a normal working career of 35 to 40 years. It is increasingly the case that, at the end of your career, you will not be doing work that is directly related to the qualification you studied for.

The fast pace of change means that the career-related decisions that you make now may not determine where you find yourself in years to come.