Discover the 5 key consumer trends for 2016 with our current database of the month

MINTEL, our current database of the month, has recently published ‘Consumer trends 2016’. This report details the 5 keys consumer trends for the coming year.

• One the water front – Shortages will make water an increasingly precious and politically charged commodity, encouraging innovation in sourcing recycling and manufacturing.
• Space-time continuum – Space and time are at a premium, becoming new currencies in their own right and creating new marketplaces.
• My mind’s eye – Virtual and augmented reality technologies enter out homes and businesses to entertain, trial and train.
• Pond filter – Fears surrounding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) will cause consumers and brands to react by favouring purer and more natural products.
• Archbeacons – Beacons can flourish in retail and leisure by making consumers feel in the know and ahead of the game.

Download your copy of the full report at http://news.mintel.com/2174-3UI68-K1EX52-1VBKYF-1/c.aspx

You can find many more MINTEL reports via our subscription. To gain access simply search for MINTEL in iFind and log in using your university username and password. You will then be able to browse market research reports, analyst insights and news for the food, leisure, technology, e-commerce, and drink sectors.

What do I do next? Finding careers advice in Bay Library

My name is Gareth Smith and I am a part-time Senior Service Advisor at the Bay Library. I’ve previously worked at the Miners’ Library and the LIC at Singleton Campus. I’m excited about working in a brand new library on a brand new campus and all the challenges and experiences that will arise as a result of that. I’m also looking forward to the great view that we will have (for our three annual days of sunshine).

I’ve chosen Careers to feature in this blog because it’s something that both new and returning students will need to familiarise themselves with in the Bay Library to make sure that they’re making the most of the library’s career services.

Though new students will likely not want to be thinking about future careers yet, second and third year students might want to consult the literature we hold on the topic in the library. It’s located directly in front of the study well in the central area and contains books such as The Graduate Jobs Formula: How to Land Your Dream Career, Put Your Mindset to Work and (bizarrely) What Color is Your Parachute?. As well as these, there is a wealth of bilingual information sheets offering advice and guidance on CV writing, completing job applications and looking for part-time work. You’ll also find lots of information and advice on the Careers and Employability Service web pages.

If you have a more complicated query or would like to discuss your career prospects, bookings with a career advisor can be made either online or at the Library Desk. (The link to booking an appointment can be found under the ‘Careers’ tab of your MyUni page, or follow this link: https://myuni.swan.ac.uk/careers/). It’s particularly helpful for you to state your specific reasons for wanting the appointment during the booking process, as this helps the advisor tailor the session to your needs and ensure it is valuable and relevant.

Appointments can be made either on the day you book or on the following day, between the hours of 09.00 and 16.00. The Career Advisor at the Bay Library, Gareth Hill, will be here for appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The sessions normally last half an hour and will be conducted in one of our interview rooms. These are located in the North Wing of the building and are signposted outside. Gareth will also be running drop-in sessions on Wednesdays between 14.00 and 16.00 for general queries with no appointment necessary.

How are we doing? Let us know!

Have your say! ISS (the library, IT and SEA – Swansea Employability Academy) would like to hear about your experience using our service. Please let us know what you think by filling out our short survey in English or Welsh. It should only take a few minutes and will help us shape our service for the future.

                     Image courtesy of fantasista at FreeDigitalPhotos.net