Graduate schemes are structured training programmes run by a variety of employers to develop talent for their business. They are normally between 1 and 3 years long and involve training in a specialist role, or a range of placements or projects in different areas. These positions tend to be openly advertised and are usually highly competitive. We explore some of the myths surrounding this popular route. (more…)
Category: Career options
Looking for a summer internship?
The University runs internship schemes that enable you to gain quality, paid work experience.
We work with SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) including charities, social enterprises, and start-ups, as well as larger organisations across the UK.
There are many reasons why you might want to do an internship: (more…)
Time for Graduate Plan B…
(Photo from Pixaby)
“so, what’s your backup plan, then?”
“pardon?”
“your backup plan – you know, in case things don’t go as you expect?”
“oh”
Have you ever been in this situation, where you’ve got a great idea for something and it seems brilliant, but then someone bursts your bubble by asking what you’ll do if things don’t go as planned? Often, it’s not what you want to hear – why are they raining on your parade, suggesting that the thing you’re so passionate about won’t work?
My Assistant Editor Internship
Iona describes her experience of the SME Internship Schemes during her final year at the University of Bristol. If you’re inspired by her story, you can find out more about the schemes and how to get involved here. 
Hi, I’m Iona. I graduated with a degree in Cellular and Molecular Medicine in July, and from March to June interned as an Assistant Editor at the leading events website in the city – 365bristol.com – through the Santander scheme. (more…)
Five reasons to come to Get Hired!
- Employers are there to recruit you
We have a range of employers attending – from small to large, from Bristol and beyond. They are there because they want to recruit University of Bristol students and have immediate vacancies to start this summer. Make the most of this opportunity! Use the app to research employers in advance and target the ones most relevant to you. (more…)
Bristol Mentors – Helping shape my future
We caught up with Lucy Downer, Final Year English BA Undergraduate, about her experiences of having a mentor with the Bristol Mentors programme.
Starting out as a third-year student I felt incredibly daunted by the prospect of life post-graduation. Being part of the Bristol Mentors programme this year has given me invaluable experience within an industry I am considering entering after graduation. (more…)
The Graduate Internship…
Is this you? You graduated from the University of Bristol in 2018, but you feel that something is missing. Lots of people you know might be in graduate careers now, moving and shaking to shape their world, but you’re still wondering what you should do? What would make the difference?
(Photo from Pixabay)
Employers tell us consistently that work experience is the answer. Not that week you had to do back at school, where you sat and watched people doing something vaguely more interesting than your lessons.
We’re talking about getting stuck in and really experiencing what a graduate role is like and making a difference, showing what impact you can bring to an organisation. In fact, this year over a third of the Times Top 100 employers repeated their warnings from previous years – that graduates who have had no previous work experience at all are less to be successful during the selection process for their graduate programmes. (The Graduate Market in 2019 – High Fliers Research.)
Interning for an Arts SME
Have you heard about our SME Internship Scheme? It’s a great opportunity for students to find quality, paid work experience opportunities with small and medium enterprises in the UK. Here’s one student’s experience:
My name’s Tom and I did a 3-month producing and marketing internship with MAYK, a theatre-producing organisation who host Mayfest, a Bristol-based international theatre festival.
The producing aspect of my internship was built around helping to organise Demostage, an event that provides a platform for people to share ideas for creative projects with an audience and ask for feedback. This involved contacting our sharers and the venue on the run-up to the event and also helping out on the day.
Myth: technology careers are just for people with computer science degrees
Holly Barrett, University of Bristol graduate, studied Chemistry and told us about her experience transitioning into a tech role with PwC.
Going into my final year, I was none the wiser about what I wanted to do after university – just that I didn’t want to continue with Chemistry, my degree subject. A different challenge in a new area seemed like a more exciting prospect to me. I started applying to graduate schemes more because I thought I should be applying for something rather than because I was interested in the things I was applying for. However, I quickly realised that this wasn’t sustainable. Trying to work out what I wanted to do with limited experience was challenging but ultimately, I decided I wanted to work in tech, because it’s an area that has always interested me and it’s a fast growing, intellectually stimulating industry.
I have an idea – could it turn into a business?
I have an idea but is it really possible to turn it into a business?
Many of you may have ideas of how to solve problems, make money or change the world for the better – but knowing how to turn those ideas into action can be the biggest barrier for many students. Rest assured it is possible and we are here to support you along the way.
So how can the Careers Service help? (more…)