City Challenges are a programme of events providing students with the opportunity to engage with charities and social enterprises.
Students can support worthwhile organisations whilst developing skills to improve employability. By taking part in a City Challenge, students gain experience in problem solving, presentation skills, innovative thinking, and community engagement.
Streams Learning Hub
The Streams Learning Hub is a co-working space for teenagers in central Bristol. It provides a flexible space for young people to gather, learn and connect with online providers and in-person workshops and events.
Davitt Jones Bould, the largest specialist real estate law firm in the UK, have opened their Undergraduate Placement applications. They have written for us about their placement opportunities and provided some application advice too.
The placement is truly like no other as we deliberately don’t put you through a structured programme. Instead, you will be working in line with the real-time demands of the business, giving you experience of what running a business is really like.
You will work directly with a talented team of Davitt Jones Bould people, including colleagues in the Business Services Centre, lawyers based all over the UK and Davitt Jones Bould’s leadership team. You will be given responsibility straightaway for a wide range of tasks – some will play to your strengths, and some will challenge you to learn new skills.
You will be provided with dedicated on the job mentoring and training, as well as access to Davitt Jones Bould’s wider training programmes and courses.
Our current Undergraduate Placement student, Daniel Adams, shares his top tips on how to ace your applications:
During my university years, like many students, I dedicated significant time to applying for internships and placements. Through a mix of successes and setbacks, I gained valuable insights into what truly works in the application process and what pitfalls to avoid. I have spoken with hiring managers at many large corporations and compiled a list of what I have learnt to help you with your applications.
Virtual interviews
The next stage of Davitt Jones Bould’s process (after submitting a CV and cover letter), was a short virtual interview. Since COVID-19, virtual interviews have become the norm, with 82% of employers now using them. These are essentially the companies first proper impression of you, and 30% of interviewers make their decision within the first 5 minutes. Therefore, it’s essential you make a positive first impression. If this is a short interview like mine was, it’s essential to be concise, direct and likeable.
Try to showcase the extent of your knowledge and experience as best you can. I also personally felt that having prepared a couple of intriguing, personalised questions about the company or position helped significantly. Not only does this show the interviewer that you’re genuinely curious, but it also gives you more insight into the role.
Other virtual interview tips include:
Dressing professionally: This shows you’re taking the interview seriously and indicates your readiness for the role, which creates a good first impression.
Checking your background before you record: A clean background prevents distractions and creates a more polished and presentable environment.
Remember to smile: This shows that you’re friendly, enthusiastic, and approachable, whilst setting a positive tone which builds a positive rapport.
Maintain eye contact: This can be done by looking more at the camera than at the screen as it creates a connection and shows your engagement.
Ensure you are in a quiet place that won’t be disturbed: This allows you to devote your full attention to the interview and shows you’re prepared.
Test your internet connection, audio and video are working well in advance: This shows that you’re organised and proactive, and that you respect their time.
The placement application process is challenging, but with preparation, professionalism, and the right mindset, you can succeed at every stage.
The most important advice is to do your research, maintain professionalism; and consider how things look from the recruiter’s perspective.
SBBO is a new event series which will be running across the year which gives students the chance to meet local small to medium enterprises and network/secure future employment.
There is so much value in working for a smaller organisation and you can gain and develop so many skills which will kickstart your career. By going to these events, you can meet with smaller employers like Davitt Jones Bould, ask questions and find out more about the sector you wish to enter.
Look our for SBBO events on mycareer – there will be panels and presentations throughout the year.
Hello, my name is Emilia, and in my final year of studying French and Spanish I completed an internship as a fundraising assistant with the charity Action on Poverty.
The charity supports vulnerable communities in East and West Africa. It works to tackle poverty, injustice and inequality. I completed this internship working for around 10 hours a week from January to May.
I found that this worked well and allowed me to balance working and studying. The internship was entirely remote and was a great introduction to working remotely.
I learnt that a lot of charities are now entirely or partly remote, so that they can cut down on office costs.
You can also approach organisations yourself to see if they would like to employ you by applying for the scheme.
When you’re approaching SMEs to ask for an internship opportunity, it might feel like you’re asking for something only you benefit from. However, it’s important to remember that an internship can be mutually beneficial, and SMEs in particular can reap big rewards from taking on a University of Bristol Intern!
Back in 2018, when I decided to study English at Bristol, careers were the furthest thing from my mind. I was passionate about reading and literary history, especially the political contexts of my favourite novels, plays and poems, and knew that Bristol would be the perfect place to develop.
Davitt Jones Bould, the largest specialist real estate law firm in the UK, have opened their Undergraduate Placement applications. They have written for us about their placement opportunities and provided some application advice too.
The placement is truly like no other as we deliberately don’t put you through a structured programme. Instead, you will be working in line with the real-time demands of the business, giving you experience of what running a business is really like.
You will work directly with a talented team of Davitt Jones Bould people, including colleagues in the Business Services Centre, lawyers based all over the UK and Davitt Jones Bould’s leadership team. You will be given responsibility straightaway for a wide range of tasks – some will play to your strengths, and some will challenge you to learn new skills.
You will be provided with dedicated on the job mentoring and training, as well as access to Davitt Jones Bould’s wider training programmes and courses.
Our current Undergraduate Placement student, Daniel Adams, shares his top tips on how to ace your applications:
During my university years, like many students, I dedicated significant time to applying for internships and placements. Through a mix of successes and setbacks, I gained valuable insights into what truly works in the application process and what pitfalls to avoid. I have spoken with hiring managers at many large corporations and compiled a list of what I have learnt to help you with your applications.
Cover letters
The first stage of any placement application process is an online application consisting of a CV and Cover Letter. This is the stage where most people will be rejected. Although it seems simple, an attractive CV and appealing cover letter are harder to get right than you’d expect.
The key to excelling at this stage is to imagine you’re the recruiter who is assessing your application; it’s essential to consider what they would be looking out for, and what would impress them.
Writing cover letters can feel daunting, but it’s worth the effort – 94% of hiring managers say cover letters influence their decision-making, and 83% of hiring managers read the majority of cover letters they receive. This shows the importance that cover letters hold.
The most effective advice I could give for this is to show your research and interest. Research the company, specifically their core values, ambitions, missions and beliefs, and find a way to link this to yourself. Referencing this and showing how your personal values align is essential. This shows commitment and enthusiasm as well as indicating that your skills connect to their needs. Going this extra mile effectively helps you stand out and reflects initiative and proactivity.
Other cover letter tips
Include a professional opening: This demonstrates professionalism and establishes a positive reaction. Try to refer to the hiring manager by name.
Use the correct formatting: This shows an attention to detail and keeps the cover letter looking clean. It also ensures key points aren’t missed.
Show enthusiasm for the industry: This indicates that you genuinely have a passion for the industry, and you aren’t just applying for any job you find.
Stick to 2 to 3 paragraphs: Concise cover letters respect the hiring managers time and helps to stay focused without overwhelming them.
Use a professional sign-off: Ending on a respectful note leaves a lasting impression of professionalism and responsibility.
The placement application process is challenging, but with preparation, professionalism, and the right mindset, you can succeed at every stage.
The most important advice is to do your research, maintain professionalism; and consider how things look from the recruiter’s perspective.
SBBO is a new event series which will be running across the year which gives students the chance to meet local small to medium enterprises and network/secure future employment.
There is so much value in working for a smaller organisation and you can gain and develop so many skills which will kickstart your career. By going to these events, you can meet with smaller employers like Davitt Jones Bould, ask questions and find out more about the sector you wish to enter.
Look our for SBBO events on mycareer – there will be panels and presentations throughout the year.
Networking can be daunting, especially for those who have not had much experience with it before.
Studies show that first-generation students often have smaller, less diverse social networks, which can limit their access to networking opportunities and reduce their confidence in these settings.
However, building a network is crucial for personal and professional growth.
Here are five practical tips to help you get started:
Hello! My name is Archie and I have been participating in the University’s partnership with the work experience platform Not Impossible.
My experience with Not Impossible started with an email entering my inbox, with the promise of microplacements due to the fact I was from a widening participation background.
Their system creates short-term, 1:1, one-hour to one-day, work placements with Bristol and Bath employees smart-matched to you – within your sector, using an online skills and interests tool and psychometric tests that identify shared motivations, reasoning skills and personalities.
Employers can spend as little as 30 seconds looking at your CV, so you need to make shortlisting easy for them.
Make sure you stand out from the crowd and showcase your unique selling points, by following these top tips. If you are unsure how to start or need a bit of feedback, check out the range of resources available on mycareer.
City Challenges are a programme of events providing students with the opportunity to engage with charities and social enterprises.
Students can support worthwhile organisations whilst developing skills to improve employability. By taking part in a City Challenge, students gain experience in problem solving, presentation skills, innovative thinking, and community engagement.
Changes Bristol
This month we invited Changes Bristol to host our latest City Challenge.
Changes is a user-led organisation and a unique recovery service for those in mental distress.
