Author: Careers Service

From Student Consultant to Team Leader: My journey with 180 Degrees Consulting 

Posted on by Careers Service

Ever felt stuck in career limbo? Like you should be doing something to boost your CV, but you’re not sure what? That was me in first year.

I’m Youssef, a University of Bristol student and former Team Leader with 180 Degrees Consulting Bristol. Here’s my journey from Student Consultant to Team Leader.

I was doing well academically, but lectures weren’t giving me the full picture of working life. As someone keen to learn early on, I was always looking for opportunities to apply what I was studying.

Then I discovered 180 Degrees Consulting Bristol, and it changed everything.

What is 180 Degrees Consulting?

180 Degrees Consulting is a student-run consultancy working with charities and social enterprises for free. Students get real consulting experience, and worthy causes get professional-level strategic advice they might not otherwise afford.

My Peer Mentor mentioned it during one of our catch-ups, thinking it might suit me given how eager I was for real-world experience. The best opportunities often come through conversations with people who know you well; exactly why I’d recommend the Peer Mentoring scheme.

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City Challenge with Aid Box Community

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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.   

Aid Box Community

We were delighted to welcome Aid Box Community to work with students on the latest City Challenge. 

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Don’t let deadlines derail you: career planning strategies for Teaching Block 1

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Calendar

At this time of year, we hear a lot about employers on campus, graduate schemes and summer internships closing imminently.

You may also feel that other students on your course seem more “on it”. This can be overwhelming.

The first thing to remember is that everyone’s career journey is different and we are here to help with yours, no matter where you are starting from.

Here’s our advice about making sense of your career in the busy Autumn graduate employer recruitment season:

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Don’t miss out: your final chance to join a BSA Intro Talk this term 

Posted on by Careers Service

The Bristol Skills Accelerator (BSA) programme is designed to help students develop the workplace skills employers are looking for. Through four flexible online modules covering topics such as innovation, business models and leadership, you’ll build practical knowledge at your own pace, from campus or home. 

Once you’ve completed the training, you’ll have the chance to apply what you’ve learned through a project placement with a real business or charity. Working in a small interdisciplinary team, you’ll spend around 70 hours across four weeks tackling real-world challenges, gaining valuable experience, and making a meaningful impact.

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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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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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