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Posted on: 25/05/2012 14:24.
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Self-Employment

Are you considering self employment, working as a freelancer or running your own business?  You are not alone because 6 months after graduation, 19% of University of Bradford graduates from 2010 became self employed.

Being self employed can offer a more flexible way to live your life because it often allows you the opportunity to think creatively, use your initiative and shape your own future.  However, working for yourself requires a set of high level skills (such as networking, communication and commercial awareness) combined with drive, motivation and personal commitment. You will develop many of these skills during your time at the University of Bradford, which are transferable to both traditional graduate opportunities, and to working for yourself. 

There are lots of phrases used to describe ‘working for yourself’ and this terminology can become confusing, so here is our quick guide to the most commonly used terms:

• Entrepreneur: The common perception of an entrepreneur is someone who is dynamic and ambitious, sees opportunities, takes a risk and turns their ideas into new business opportunities. 


• Franchisee: someone who has bought a branch of a business which is owned by one, central master company e.g. McDonalds Restaurants franchises.


• Freelancer: Often working independently with their own clients, usually on more than one project at once and possibly for several organisations.


• Portfolio career:  Common in the creative industries and usually involves combining work in more than one career area.  Often portfolio careers merge a role that is hard to sustain financially (such as acting) with a role that provides a regular income (e.g. office work).


• Self-employed:   Working for yourself rather than being a salaried employee for an organisation.


• Social enterprises:  A business which trades for social and environmental purposes.   Social enterprises are distinctive because their social and/or environmental purpose is absolutely central to what they do - their profits are reinvested to sustain and develop their mission for positive change, e.g. Divine Chocolate. 

How can Career Development Services help you?

 Career Development Services may be able to help you in the following ways:

1. To gain an understanding of what it means to be self employed / start a business / freelance
2. To explore the basics of business start up in relation to your own ideas
3. To develop a personal action plan to help you prepare for the future / to move forward / take the next steps

Initially you may find it useful to take a look at the following links:

http://www.careerplayer.com/graduate-jobs/entrepreneursmall-business/entrepreneur-overview.aspx  (An insightful video which showcases the thoughts of several entrepreneurs) 
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/self_employment_checklist.htm (A neat way to see if you’re on the right track)

Other resources include:

Local Resources

National Resources

Recommended Reading:

Below is a list of some of the books that we have available for reference within Career Development Services.

Title	Author
Start your own business 2009	BT, Lloyds TSB Commercial
Financial Times Guides  - Business Start Up 2010	Sara Williams
Freesourcing – How to start a business with no money	Jonathan Yates
SMART Business	James Leibert
Starting a business – lessons learned from the world’s top business leaders	50 lessons learned

Now you’ve started your research you may want to discuss your future in confidence, with one of our team of Career Development Advisors.  If so, please contact Career Development Services by telephone (01274 234991) or in person to make an appointment.

 

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