Pebbl Innovations: The undergraduate student business that won last year’s GROWTH stage
My name is Arik. I am an inventor, product designer and entrepreneur.
I studied mechanical engineering at university and I’ve always been creative in many different ways so the idea of of a corporate job never appealed to me. I also had an idea for this product and a vision of how I was going to bring it to life so there was no reason not to go for it.
(more…)My SME Internship: Evie – BRICKS
I’m Evie, a recent graduate in History of Art. I had the opportunity to carry out a 4-week Internship as an Editorial Assistant at BRICKS Magazine, a queer and independent publication exploring social-political issues within fashion, music, arts and culture.
After graduating, I knew I wanted to gain further experience in media and publishing. However, I struggled to find any advertised internship schemes that suited me, and all the ones I resonated with seemed very cut-throat and competitive.
Deciding to use the SME Internship Scheme to my advantage, I contacted one of my favourite Indie Publications I have followed for some time – BRICKS Magazine. Being a small business with only 2 full-time employees, they were keen for the help so jumped at the opportunity straight away!
(more…)Why your part-time job IS real and valuable experience
If you’ve ever worked in retail, hospitality, or any other part-time role while studying, you might have found yourself thinking: “This isn’t real experience – it’s just a student job.” But here’s the truth: your part-time job is absolutely real, and it’s packed with valuable, essential skills that graduate employers care about.
Many students assume that unless they’ve done a structured internship or placement, they don’t have relevant experience to talk about in applications or interviews. That’s a myth – and it’s time to debunk it.
(more…)Demystifying AI, one conversation at a time
We’re Kieren and Riku, two final-year PhD researchers working in the fast‑moving area of artificial intelligence.
Kieren develops AI tools for synthetic biology and bioengineering, while Riku studies how to make AI predictions easier to explain.
(more…)Sometimes an email can change everything: my path to a placement at DCA Design
Hi, I’m Anna, a Trainee Mechanical Engineer at DCA Design International – and just a year ago, I was a Bristol second-year student, trying to figure out how to secure a Year in Industry placement. Today, I want to share how attending one unexpected event (found through my inbox!) ended up shaping my career.
I began my Mechanical Engineering degree at Bristol after suspending my studies in Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict. Very early on, I discovered the Year in Industry programme and instantly loved the idea.
For me, it offered the chance to understand what engineering is like in real life, to adjust my expectations, and to get a sense of what I actually want to specialise in before choosing third and fourth year units. Plus, working on real client projects sounded far more meaningful than another year of exams.
My SME Internship: Ryan – Fenster Architectural Glazing
Hi, I’m Ryan, and after graduating last summer with a degree in Italian & Spanish, I completed an internship working for Fenster Architectural Glazing as a marketing assistant.
Fenster is a Devon-based glazing specialist that largely focuses on ‘grand designs’ style projects across the southwest. The company manufactures, supplies and installs high-end aluminium solutions for both trade and commercial customers. I worked for the company for 16 hours a week between November 2024 and February 2025.
A City Challenge with Strike
Recently we welcomed Strike to the Careers Service to run a City Challenge with us.
City Challenges are events providing students with the opportunity to support worthwhile organisations, whilst developing skills to improve employability. By taking part, students gain experience in group working, problem solving, innovative thinking, community engagement, public speaking and presenting.
(more…)Graduate salaries explained: navigating career choices through a financial lens
Graduating from university and entering the workforce can be both an exciting and uncertain time in our lives.
When browsing through job advertisements, you may feel confused, trying to decode salary figures and Latin terms like pro rata or per annum. Don’t worry – this blog is your money advice toolkit to understand what salaries mean and why salary figures alone can be misleading without considering living costs, income deductions, and regional variation. Read on to learn more about salaries and how they may impact your career decisions. Plus, we’ve highlighted some tips and resources for managing your finances during the job search.
Students Hatch:IT
On Friday 31 October, we held our in-person Hatch:IT competition.
This is a once-yearly initiative from Basecamp Enterprise, where students can work on real-world sustainability and environmental business issues and be in for a chance of winning a cash prize between £150 to £300!
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