Children’s writer

It’s generally accepted that the vital thing to do if you want to write is read – read a lot. When you’re writing for children it is particularly important to have a sense of what children like, of who your readership is – it may sound obvious, but it’s not the same as writing for adults. Many people would say that in some ways it’s harder... If you think you can do it, you’ll want a good resource for basic practical advice – including lists of publishers and agents – so get hold of a copy of the latest edition of The Children’s Writers’ And Artists’ Yearbook, which is published annually by A&C Black.

Further information

•  Visit the Connexions website for further details
  

Illustrator

Has looking at Tenniel’s Alice illustrations made you want to be an illustrator? Things have changed a bit since his day, though…

Nowadays, most illustrators decide to do a degree or an HND in illustration. Applicants are usually required to have achieved a Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design) and to present a portfolio. Other preliminary routes and courses exist for mature students and under-represented groups.

Illustrators generally work on a freelance basis, but there are some limited opportunities for employment with design or advertising agencies or publishing companies. It is a highly competitive field and can take some time to become established. It is important to be able to draw well, even if you have a strong individual style of illustration, because it allows you to be adaptable and develop new ways of working.

Further information

• Visit the Connexions website for further information.
  

Contacts

• The Association of Illustrators (AOI), 81 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4QS. Tel: 020 7613 4328. Web: www.theaoi.com

Milliner

The headwear of the unforgettable Duchess in Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland is an early introduction to the world of extreme hats! And, who knows, along with the Mad Hatter’s hat, it could be indirectly responsible for influencing the career choice of many hat designers.

Many milliners are self-employed or have set up their own companies. It is also possible to find work with a fashion house or hat manufacturer. Because it is an extremely competitive field, most hat designers complete a degree or HND in fashion. A recognised qualification is important, and it is also worth investigating any short courses in millinery that might be available.

Applicants for degree/HND courses in fashion design are usually required to have achieved a Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design) and to present a portfolio. Other preliminary routes and courses exist for mature students and under-represented groups.

Further information

• Visit the Connexions website for further information.
  

• Degree and HND courses and entry requirements, www.ucas.com

Contacts

• The Chartered Society of Designers offers a membership scheme for professional designers, and runs courses and workshops. CSD, 5 Bermondsey Exchange, 179-181 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UW. Tel: 020 7357 8088. Web: www.csd.org.uk
• Job vacancies may be found in the trade magazine Draper’s, or occasionally in local or national newspapers. Writing to the human resources departments of major fashion stores or hat manufacturers may be beneficial.
• The British Hat Guild website includes a directory of members, and listings of hat manufacturers and designers can be found at www.thehatsite.com. British Hat Guild, PO Box 48664, London NW8 6WS. Tel: 07932 678003. Web: www.britishhatguild.co.uk
• London College of Fashion, 20 John Princes’ Street, London W1G 0BJ. Tel: 020 7514 7344. Web: www.fashion.arts.ac.uk
• Skillfast-UK, Richmond House, Lawnswood Business Park, Redvers Close, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS16 6RD. Tel: 0113 2399 600. Web: www.skillfast-uk.org

Fashion designer

A quick Google search makes it quite clear that Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland has been a source of inspiration for many fashion designers working today, including the well-known English designer Vivienne Westwood.

Fashion is a highly competitive industry. As a fashion designer you might find work with a fashion house, or work as a freelance designer. Alternatively, you might find employment with a retail company as part of their in-house design team, or work in a related area such as designing costumes for TV and film.

The majority of successful designers complete a degree or HND in fashion. It is then possible that you might have to start as a junior in the company on your way up the promotional ladder.

Applicants for degree/HND courses in fashion design are usually required to have achieved a Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design) and to present a portfolio. Other preliminary routes and courses exist for mature students and under-represented groups.

Further information

• Visit the Connexions website for further information.
  

• Degree and HND courses and entry requirements, www.ucas.com

Contacts

• Skillfast-UK, Kingswood House, 80 Richardshaw Lane, Leeds LS28 6BN. Tel: 0113 227 3333. Web: www.skillfast-uk.org
• The Chartered Society of Designers, 5 Bermondsey Exchange, 179-181 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UW. Tel: 020 7357 8088. Web: www.csd.org.uk
• The Design Council, 34 Bow Street, London WC2E 7DL. Tel: 020 7420 5200. Web: www.designcouncil.org.uk

Photographer

Lewis Carroll was thought to be one of the best amateur photographers of the 1850s. In those days you needed to have infinite patience because of the demands of working with early photographic processes.

Photography today has been radically transformed by technology and is an extremely competitive occupation. It is estimated that there are 25,000 professional photographers in the UK, most of them freelance. Generally photographers start as an assistant to an established photographer, particularly in fashion, advertising and editorial fields, and then develop their own portfolio of work before forming their own client base. Some learn the ropes on a local newspaper.

To train as a photographer you can either study on a degree course or HND in photography or you could begin as an assistant/apprentice.

Applicants for degree/HND courses in photography are usually required to have achieved a Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design) and to present a portfolio. Other preliminary routes and courses exist for mature students and under-represented groups.

Further information

• Young apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships and advanced apprenticeships may be available. To find out which one is most appropriate, log onto www.apprenticeships.org.uk or contact the local Connexions Partnership
• Visit the Connexions website for further information.
  
• Degree and HND courses and entry requirements, www.ucas.com

Contacts

• The Association of Photographers, 81 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4QS. Tel: 020 7739 6669. Web: www.the-aop.org
• British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP), Fox Talbot House, Amwell End, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9HN. Tel: 01920 464011. Web: www.bipp.com
• SkillsforMedia (part of Skillset), Prospect House, 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1HB. Tel: 08080 300 900. Web: www.skillsformedia.com

Maths professor

Lewis Carroll was a mathematician of distinction. His considerable output included important mathematical works such as the Curiosa Mathematica. His interest in maths informed much of his literary work. Of Euclid And His Modern Rivals (1879), the English author and librarian Falconer Madan wrote, “This is the most elaborate mathematical work produced by Dodgson [Carroll] and at the same time a piece of literature.”

If you feel as enthusiastic as Lewis Carroll about mathematical systems, there is a wide range of jobs available. Most are with privately owned companies.

Mathematics is a very adaptable skill and work opportunities exist in a number of areas, from engineering, computing, finance, science, the civil service and in research institutions. Also, you could work as a teacher or university professor. In education, it is likely that your initial year in teaching will be probationary.

For most posts a good maths degree is required and, for some, a postgraduate qualification (PhD or MSc) will strengthen your position. It is possible that your employer might also contribute towards your fees if you decide to do a postgraduate degree while you are employed. It is an advantage to be computer literate and for some work it is a specific requirement. There are good opportunities for employees with strong ability to progress into senior positions.

Further information

• Visit the Connexions website for further information.
  
• Degree and HND courses and entry requirements, www.ucas.com

Contacts

• The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), Catherine Richards House, 16 Nelson Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1EF. Tel: 01702 354020. Web: www.ima.org.uk
• The London Mathematical Society, De Morgan House, 57-58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS. Tel: 020 7637 3686. Web: www.lms.ac.uk
• The Mathematical Association, 259 London Road, Leicester LE2 3BE. Tel: 0116 221 0013. Web: www.m-a.org.uk

Logician

If you enjoyed the twists and turns in the logic in the narrative of Alice, you might have got a taste for logical thinking, and consider becoming a logician yourself. Lewis Carroll was a logician and mathematician. Although he produced a number of logical puzzles, Symbolic Logic (1896) was the only book he published on the subject. Despite being aimed at children, the work is thought to be significant by other logicians.

Logic, in the traditional view, is considered to be connected to philosophy, but since the 1800s logic has been studied in mathematics. It now surfaces in the study of computer science. However, the job of the logician must be to analyse, define and classify the structure of an argument or statement. Logic also includes ideas about probability and causality, encompassing paradoxes along the way.

To be a logician, you will need to have a strong intellectual grasp, a labyrinthine mind, and a strong focus, determination and drive. Your approach to becoming a logician might be to study mathematics and/or computer science and/or philosophy. You will probably need to continue to develop your thinking skills at higher levels, with postgraduate study and an MPhil.

If you are considering a career in the public eye, you will need to become known and valued for your opinions and razor-sharp mind, and receive invitations to speak on your views, or perhaps join a think tank as part of an advisory body. If you would prefer to work behind the scenes, you could lecture at universities and teach as a professor in mathematics or computer science.

Further information

• Connexions for career advice and information. Tel: 080800 13219. Web: http://www.connexions-direct.com
• Degree and HND courses and entry requirements, www.ucas.com

Contacts

• SEMTA: Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technology Authority. Careers advice line, tel: 0808 100 3682
• Definition of logic and a long list of current and past logicians http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logic
• Logic-based topics explored on this site: www.TheLogician.net