The SME Internship Scheme: what you have to offer an SME

Posted on by jenny.baxter

If you’re looking for a paid internship, sourcing your own can be a great way to find an opportunity in a sector that you’re really interested in.

The SME Internship Scheme  offers funding to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to help them employ you for a paid internship of at least 140 hours.

You can participate in the scheme by applying to our advertised opportunities on mycareer.

You can also approach organisations yourself to see if they would like to employ you by applying for the scheme.

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Ready to Explore Your Career? Have we got the solution for you!

Posted on by Careers Service

Thinking about what you want to do after you graduate can be daunting. So we’ve designed a new and exciting interactive course called ‘Explore Your Career‘, to take the stress out of it.

So we enlisted the help of Charlotte O’Brien, a student Careers Ambassador, to put our new course through its paces.

Charlotte smiling at the camera
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Hear from the employer: work experience with a purpose – interning at Not Impossible

Posted on by Careers Service

Hi, I’m Emma. If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for work experience.

 

A photo of Emma on campus smiling in her Not Impossible uniform.

And guess what? You’re in the right place. We’re Not Impossible – a work experience matching platform helping 16 – 25 year olds from less-advantaged backgrounds find work that matters to them.

We pair young people with employees who share passions and personality for what we call a ‘microplacement’ – a personalised 1-hour to 1-day experience that builds connections, confidence and clarity about your future.

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‘This is what made the difference’: alumni share how they overcame barriers to secure a graduate job

Posted on by Careers Service

It’s no secret that the graduate job search can be tough. Whether you’re applying to competitive graduate schemes or direct-entry roles, setbacks are common.

You aren’t alone though – most graduates face barriers when starting their careers, many of which are outside your control.  

However, what you can control is how you respond to these setbacks. With the right mindset and tactics, you can overcome these barriers and help you move closer to the role you want. 

This blog features a collection of alumni case studies highlighting ‘what made the difference’ in overcoming barriers in their career journeys. If you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated, read on for practical advice and inspiration for your own job search. 

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The Natural History Consortium runs a City Challenge event

Posted on by jenny.baxter

This month we had The Natural History Consortium on campus to run a City Challenge with us.   

Two women from The Natural History Consortium presenting the challenge to a group of students sitting in the Careers Service.

City Challenges are a programme of events providing students with the opportunity to engage with charities and social enterprises and support worthwhile organisations, whilst developing skills to improve employability.  

By taking part in a City Challenge students gain experience in group working, problem solving, public speaking and presentation, innovative thinking, and community engagement.   

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From member to leader: Taking your extracurriculars to the next level 

Posted on by Careers Service

If you’re part of an SU student group or society, or considering joining one this year, have you thought about taking on a leadership role with the group, as part of the committee? 

SU committee members can use their experience in the role to achieve the university’s employability award, the Bristol PLUS Award. These roles are a great way to build skills and confidence, which all helps you stand out to employers. 

We caught up with some ex-committee members, who’ve all achieved their PLUS Award, to find out more. 

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Lessons from a student’s side hustle: Juggling haircuts and university

Posted on by Careers Service

A side hustle is a way to make money outside of your primary job or studies. Side hustles are often freelance work but could include taking on short-term jobs or selling products or services online. Hear from recent graduate Keir, on how he ran a side hustle alongside his degree.

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How I got my SME Internship at an award-winning PR agency

Posted on by Careers Service
A photo of Lottie smiling in front of a bridge over a river.

Hi! I’m Lottie and I am in 4th year studying French and Spanish. I was recently recruited by an award-winning PR agency in London, through the SME Internship Scheme.

I am so excited about my internship because I feel like this will be a great start to my career journey. Not only will I be further exposed to the marketing industry, but I will get my first taste for corporate life in London!

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Graduate stories: my route into the charity sector

Posted on by Careers Service
A photo of Hannah, smiling, sitting in a restaurant.

Hi, I’m Hannah! I am a University of Bristol graduate and now work in the sector I’ve always wanted to be a part of.

I currently work for the wonderful learning disability charity Hft.

I thought I’d share a bit about how I got into the sector and how the Careers Service helped me.

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Volunteering: Where to start and why it matters

Posted on by Careers Service

It’s the Student Volunteering Fair this week—a perfect time to explore how sharing your time can enable you to give back and also shape your future. 

As well as helping others, volunteering is a brilliant way to meet new people, boost your CV, and support great causes. It can help you discover your values and what matters to you, which is a great way to kickstart your career thinking and shape your career goals. 

It’s also a great way to build key skills for the workplace, so of course – volunteering can be used towards achieving your Bristol PLUS Award. To inspire you, we’ve asked PLUS Award achievers to share their volunteering stories. 

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