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.
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.
Luke graduated from Bristol with a Mechanical Engineering degree and now works at INEOS on the Commercial Graduate Programme. We recently caught up with Luke to hear about his experience working for INEOS and his advice for students who are starting their career.
Hi I’m Luke,
I graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, but it didn’t take me long to realise that a traditional engineering career wasn’t quite what I was aiming for. While I was at Bristol, I explored various fields through different internships. Each role gave me a new perspective and showed me how the engineering world operates beyond the technical aspects. By the time I finished my degree, I knew I wanted to combine my engineering background with a focus on business and strategy.
FixMyTek, formerly known as FixMyCrack, is one of the exciting student start-ups the Basecamp Team had the pleasure of working with during their early days at the University of Bristol.
Since then, they’ve grown into a thriving tech repair business, and we’re excited to catch up with them in the blog below as they share their journey, their mission, and what’s next for FixMyTek.
