The University of Bristol is proud to be a Next Generation Inclusive University in partnership with disability organisation EmployAbility – together we strive to put disability inclusion at the heart of what we do.
EmployAbilitysupports disabled and neurodivergent students looking for employment or internships, both during their studies and after they graduate.
They support them to get reasonable adjustments in place, to enable them to perform at their best at all stages of the recruitment process, and in the workplace.
We’re here to tell you a little bit more about the services EmployAbility offers and how they can support you.
One-to-one appointments to discuss your questions and needs
If you think you could benefit from talking to one of EmployAbility’s expert advisors, you can book a one-to-one session at a time convenient to you. In these fifteen-minute meetings, you can get impartial advice about things like disclosing at different stages, reasonable adjustments and your rights.
Sam is the co-founder of Exekias Games, a board games company making historical games that encourage interest and curiosity in the ancient world. They started the business with course mates, from a university project that inspired their first game, ‘Escape From Pompeii’, which will be launching on Kickstarter in May 2025.
I applied for the first stage of the New Enterprise Competition, Ideation, back in late 2023 on the recommendation of a friend, not really knowing what I was in for. At the time, the idea of ‘Escape From Pompeii’ becoming a real board game that I could share with other people was unlikely, if not impossible. But over the course of the next few months, I was inspired by the confidence and ambition of the speakers and other entrepreneurs to consider it could be a reality.
The urgent need for climate action is clear. From the Paris Agreement to Net Zero goals, sustainability is now a global priority. Breakthroughs like electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and vertical farming highlight how engineering is driving innovation for a greener future. This blog explores how engineering is evolving to address sustainability and the skills needed for this change.
As Consolidation Week draws near, it’s the perfect opportunity to hit pause and reflect on your journey and growth throughout this academic year. The week isn’t just about catching up on studies; it’s an opportunity to focus on you and set some goals for the rest of term.
Chambers of Commerce are membership organisations which businesses can join to access services to help them grow and play a part in their local business community.
They exist around the world at the local, regional and national level. Bristol Chamber of Commerce is run by Business West.
You can easily find Chambers for your nearest home town or city by searching online.
Members come from a wide range of sectors; financial services, the legal sector, engineering, education, manufacturing, marketing, media, property, and many more.
Whilst Chambers of Commerce exist to help their business members, not students or graduates directly, here’s how you can use them to dramatically increase your job or work experience prospects:
1.Access up-to-date sector information
Chambers typically run committees or forums dedicated to different sectors and regularly publish reports or blog posts. You can find a wealth of detail about sectors you’re interested in, wherever you wish to work in the world. Example reports include Detroit’s automotive industry. Subscribe to Chamber newsletters and social media accounts to keep informed on the latest developments.
2. Develop useful relationships
Chamber networking events present an excellent way to make professional connections. You can attend many of these as a non-member, and they are often free or low cost. Look for events aimed at students or young professionals, or which are more informal rather than those aimed exclusively at business development. If in doubt about whether you would be welcome, contact the Chamber to ask. Although independent of Bristol Chamber, Bristol Young Professionals offer another way to meet people in the city and they are happy for professionally-minded students to attend their events.
3. Find jobs and internships
Many Chambers advertise positions suitable for students and graduates, either within the Chamber itself or with their members. You can also access the “hidden job market” by approaching members speculatively, ideally having first built a relationship with people working for your target employers. See our sample cover letters and advice on making speculative applications.
TOP TIP for international students or anyone wanting to work abroad
Each year, the Bristol SU elections are a chance for you to choose a student leader who represents you and the change you want to see on campus.
You can vote to elect the people you trust to represent your community and make a positive impact. Over 900 student leaders are elected, playing vital roles in amplifying student voices.
You can vote from Monday 10 to Thursday 13 March. Make sure you vote and make your time at Bristol the best it can be.
However, you can go one step further…
Are you the person to make a difference?
Are you passionate about improving the wellbeing services or making changes to the food options on campus? If so, do more than just vote, and run for an SU-elected role today. The SU elections are the perfect way for you to make a positive change for you and your fellow students.
At the University of Bristol, we strive to create meaningful opportunities that prepare students for the future while fostering a positive impact. The Berkeley Square Challenge, a collaborative initiative between the School of Education, Transform Society, and the Careers Service, is a positive example of this in action.
We asked two of our Career Service Student Ambassadors, Rose Gunning (Politics and International Relations) and Kreeshi Shavdia (Mathematics and Physics), what they felt like they got out of achieving the Bristol PLUS Award. Here is what they said…
